Chair of WA House’s powerful budget-writing committee won’t seek reelection • Washington State Standard Spokane state Rep. Timm Ormsby, the lead budget writer for Washington House Democrats, won’t seek reelection this year.

Spokane state Rep. Timm Ormsby, the lead budget writer for Washington House Democrats who has served in the Legislature more than two decades, won’t seek reelection this year. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/chair...

Live final day coverage of the 2026 WA legislative session • Washington State Standard Follow along here as lawmakers in Olympia work toward adjourning sine die in the final hours of the 60-day session, on March 12, 2026.

Follow along here for live coverage from Olympia of the final day of the 2026 Washington state legislative session. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/03/12/l...

Donate | News From The States As Trump targets elections, states fight back in court

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Washington governor talks potential return of SuperSonics with NBA commissioner • Washington State Standard With the NBA eyeing expansion, Gov. Bob Ferguson met with the league commissioner to offer help in returning the SuperSonics to Seattle.

With the NBA considering a possible expansion, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson met Thursday with the league’s commissioner to offer assistance in returning the SuperSonics to Seattle. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washi...

WA Senate OKs guardrails for license plate readers • Washington State Standard Legislation to regulate the use of automated license plate readers passed the Washington state Senate on Wednesday.

Legislation to regulate the use of automated license plate readers amid concerns over federal immigration agents accessing data the devices collect, passed the Washington state Senate on Wednesday.
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/04/w...

Another WA Supreme Court justice to retire • Washington State Standard Washington state Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen is retiring, the court announced Monday, adding to significant turnover on the court.

Washington state Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen is retiring, the court announced Monday, adding to significant turnover on the court this year. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/02/a...

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was ‘robbed’ of MVP, WA Senate resolves • Washington State Standard The Washington Senate declared what many Mariners fans have been thinking: Cal Raleigh deserved to be named the American League’s MVP.

The Washington state Senate declared Monday what many Mariners fans have been thinking this offseason: Cal Raleigh deserved to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/marin...

Republican WA congressman: Immigration crackdown has ‘gotten out of hand’ • Washington State Standard U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse said Wednesday that “a lot of questions need to be answered” in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse said Wednesday that “a lot of questions need to be answered” in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota, but stopped short of calling for new leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/repub...

WA Senate passes ban on police face coverings • Washington State Standard The Washington state Senate voted Wednesday to ban law enforcement from covering their faces amid concerns over masked immigration agents.

WA Senate passes ban on police face coverings washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/28/w...

WA lawmakers attempt to rein in runaway lawsuit costs • Washington State Standard Washington spent roughly $500 million last year in settlements and jury verdicts in cases involving government misconduct.

Washington legislators pitched one way of dealing with skyrocketing state lawsuit payouts on Tuesday. They want to make the cases subject to arbitration to reduce costs. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/27/w...

WA crime victim advocates make another plea for state funding • Washington State Standard For years, crime victim advocates in Washington have fought for state funding to make up for dwindling federal dollars. This year will be no different.

For years, crime victim advocates in Washington have fought for state funding to make up for dwindling federal dollars. This year will be no different. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/27/w...

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Rivian pledges $4.6M for ballot initiative to allow direct EV sales in WA • Washington State Standard Washington lawmakers have tried and failed to erase Tesla’s status as the only electric vehicle maker allowed to sell directly to consumers.

Electric truck manufacturer Rivian has pledged $4.6 million for a 2026 ballot measure in Washington state that would enable automakers to sell directly to consumers, rather than going through dealerships.

State senator is latest Republican to join central WA congressional race • Washington State Standard Republican state Sen. Matt Boehnke said Thursday he will enter the race to succeed retiring Congressman Dan Newhouse in central Washington.

Republican state Sen. Matt Boehnke announced Thursday he is forgoing reelection and entering this year’s race to succeed retiring Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse in central Washington. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/22/s...

Ferguson backs income tax on WA residents earning over $1M • Washington State Standard Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday threw his support behind a proposed income tax on residents earning more than $1 million annually.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday threw his support behind a proposed income tax on residents earning more than $1 million annually, and said he’s prepared to sign the policy into law next year. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/23/f...

WA wildfire danger: Red flag warning issued Wildfire danger across Eastern Washington will remain high through Wednesday evening as fires burn across the state. Much of the east side of the state is under a red flag warning from the National We...

It's hot, dry and about to get windy! www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Ferguson prepares for possibility of Trump deploying troops in WA • Washington State Standard Washington leaders have been preparing for months for the possibility of the president mobilizing the military against the governor’s wishes.

President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in California over the Governor's objection is deeply disturbing.

It's resulting in more violence and escalating the situation — which is exactly what he wants.

Court fight pits religious group that doesn’t want LGBTQ+ employees against WA law • Washington State Standard A Christian ministry and the state of Washington are clashing in federal court over whether the group can decline to hire LGBTQ+ employees.

A Christian ministry in Yakima and the state of Washington are clashing in federal court over whether the religious group can decline to hire LGBTQ+ employees. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/06/03/c...

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is on a quest to bring back the Blue Dogs The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?

NEW: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is on a quest to bring back the Blue Dogs-

The Democratic congresswoman's strategy of appealing to working class rural moderates won her Washington's 3rd District. Will it work anywhere else?

For @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social

www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...

WA ban on high-capacity ammo magazines is upheld • Washington State Standard Firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will remain outlawed under a 2022 law that the state Supreme Court has ruled constitutional.

WA State Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazines washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/08/w...

Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases • Washington State Standard Under a version released Thursday, residential rent hikes statewide would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

NEW: Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases. Votes in House and Senate expected Friday. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/24/c...

WA officials considered offering National Guard help to Trump at Canadian border • Washington State Standard Aides to Gov. Bob Ferguson debated sending the National Guard to the Canadian border to help with the president's work on drug trafficking.

WA officials considered offering National Guard help to Trump at Canadian border. Scoop from @goldsteinstreet.bsky.social washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/15/w...

Trump election order is the latest target for Washington AG Brown • Washington State Standard The Washington attorney general sued the Trump administration Friday over its executive order dramatically changing election rules.

The Washington and Oregon attorneys general sued the Trump administration Friday over its executive order on elections that seeks to withhold funding unless states comply with dramatic rule changes. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/04/04/t...

How Sinixt people overturned their ‘extinct’ status and helped begin restoring Upper Columbia The resilience of the Sinixt people has led to a brighter future for the Upper Columbia River, for years polluted by mining activity.

“When we’re singing at the drum, for a lot of us, it connects us with our land and our cultures, and our ancestors, too,” Taylor Signor said. “It’s good medicine, it’s real good medicine.” (Reporting by @isabellabreda.bsky.social) www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder • Washington State Standard The governor’s move reverses a decision by former Gov. Jay Inslee. Timothy Pauley is serving consecutive life sentences for the 1980 killings.

New: Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/03/25/f...

Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s refugee ban • Washington State Standard A federal judge in Seattle blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order halting the admission of refugees into the United States.

Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s refugee ban washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/02/25/f...

Ferguson signs executive order aiming to help children whose parents are deported • Washington State Standard Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order to create a state team focused on responding to the separation of migrant families.

Ferguson signs executive order aiming to help children whose parents are deported washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/27/f...

Judge grants WA’s request to temporarily block Trump’s birthright citizenship order • Washington State Standard A federal judge in Seattle on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.

Judge grants WA’s request to temporarily block Trump’s birthright citizenship order washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/23/j...

Some professional news: After three and a half years there, Monday was my last day at the Everett Herald. Next week, I’ll be joining @washingtonstatestandard.com, where I’ll be covering state government. Very excited for this next chapter and to return to reporting full time.

Even if this Seahawks season goes nowhere, this JSN rise has been very VERY encouraging for the next few years…