Northwest

A speed limiter device, like this one, will be required for repeat speeding offenders under a Washington law signed on May 12, 2025. The law doesn’t take effect until 2029. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Washington to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters

A new law set to take effect in 2029 will require repeat speeding offenders to install the devices in their vehicles.

  • May 14, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
  • Transportation

 

Commuters from Whidbey Island disembark their vehicles from the ferry Tokitae on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Bids for five new hybrid ferries come in high

It’s raising doubts about the state’s plans to construct up to five new hybrid-electric vessels with the $1.3 billion lawmakers have set aside.

  • May 13, 2025
  • By Tom Banse Washington State Standard

 

Attorney General Nick Brown (center) announces a lawsuit against the Trump administration in Seattle, Washington, on May 9, 2025, over its declaration of an energy emergency. (Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Trump energy emergency latest target for Washington AG

In a 15-state lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle, states argue the president is abusing his authority to fast-track fossil fuel projects.

  • May 10, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard

 

Members of the Washington Public Employees Association march at the 2025 public service recognition event at the state Capitol on May 7, 2025. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Union urges Ferguson not to sign budget without their pay raises

Lawmakers say a union representing 5,300 Washington state workers and community college employees ratified a contract too late to be funded this year.

  • May 10, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association march at the 2025 public service recognition event at the state Capitol on May 7, 2025. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

WA State Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazine sales

Firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will remain outlawed under a 2022 law that a gun shop challenged as unconstitutional.

  • May 8, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard The Washington state Capitol on April 18.

Why police accountability efforts failed again in the Washington Legislature

Much like last year, advocates saw their agenda falter in the latest session.

  • May 7, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard The Washington state Capitol on April 18.
Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County) Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)

Hoh Rain Forest road to reopen after state assistance to repair washout

With the help of over $600,000 in state money, the sole access road to Olympic National Park’s popular Hoh Rain Forest will reopen this week… Continue reading

  • May 5, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County) Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Decision on investing WA Cares tax dollars in stock market goes to ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment would let assets, which exceed $1.6B, be invested much like the state’s pension funds. Voters rejected the idea in 2020.

  • May 3, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A couple walks around Harborview Park as the Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on

Shippers trying to get ahead of the import taxes drove a recent surge, officials say.

  • May 2, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
A couple walks around Harborview Park as the Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.

Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months

The governor finally voiced support publicly for the legislation on Wednesday after a lawmaker shared information about his views.

  • May 2, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.
SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

A big Pacific Northwest quake could cause land to sink in minutes

and shaking and tsunamis wouldn’t be the only threats from such an event, according to… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2025
  • By Angie Orellana Hernandez The Washington Post
SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Thousands of Washington state workers lose out on wage hikes

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

  • Apr 30, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
A few significant tax bills form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate the revenue needed to erase a chunk of a shortfall Ferguson has pegged at $16 billion over the next four fiscal years. The tax package is expected to net around $9.4 billion over that time. (Stock photo)

Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget

Business tax hikes make up more than half of the roughly $9 billion package, which still needs a sign-off from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

  • Apr 30, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
A few significant tax bills form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate the revenue needed to erase a chunk of a shortfall Ferguson has pegged at $16 billion over the next four fiscal years. The tax package is expected to net around $9.4 billion over that time. (Stock photo)
The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

WA lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities

A highly contested bill around the closure of a residential center for people with disabilities passed the Washington state House and Senate this weekend with… Continue reading

  • Apr 28, 2025
  • By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero Washington State Standard
The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Lawmakers on the Senate floor ahead of adjourning on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor

Their plans combine cuts with billions in new taxes to solve a shortfall. It’ll now be up to Gov. Bob Ferguson to decide what will become law.

  • Apr 28, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Lawmakers on the Senate floor ahead of adjourning on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15 later this year, under a bill headed for Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk. Senate… Continue reading

  • Apr 26, 2025
  • By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero Washington State Standard
Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

  • Apr 25, 2025
  • By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero Washington State Standard
The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

  • Apr 25, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Cherry blossoms in bloom at the Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Democrats in Washington Legislature wrap up budget negotiations

Democratic budget writers are done hashing out details on a new two-year operating budget for Washington state, key lawmakers said Wednesday. “We have made all… Continue reading

  • Apr 25, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Cherry blossoms in bloom at the Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, speaks on the House floor in an undated photo. He was among the Republicans who walked out of a House Appropriations Committee meeting this week in protest of a bill that would close a facility in Pierce County for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

Republicans walk out after WA House committee votes to close center for people with disabilities

Those supporting the closure say that the Rainier School has a troubled record and is far more expensive than other options.

  • Apr 25, 2025
  • By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero Washington State Standard
Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, speaks on the House floor in an undated photo. He was among the Republicans who walked out of a House Appropriations Committee meeting this week in protest of a bill that would close a facility in Pierce County for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)