Friday, September 4 – Washington State House Democrats

Medicaid cuts are looming. Washington state is trying to help
At the press conference, Ferguson signed an executive order establishing a committee that will coordinate efforts to keep as many Washingtonians insured as possible. The order also directs the state health agency to document and track how many people are losing their insurance coverage. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

Trump tariffs have cost Washington importers $7.1 billion
That’s the equivalent of $2,257 per household. Cars and trucks were by far the state’s largest tariff-hit category, followed by toys and games. Continue reading at Axios. (Brad Jennings)

Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities
Washington is in the early phase of trying to limit rate hikes caused by a utility’s spending on wildfire projects. A law that took effect in 2025 requires utilities to submit plans that outline such projects to the Utilities and Transportation Commission. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Washington State Standard)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Gale winds and rain coming to the coast

Axios
Large employers drop health benefits as costs rise
Diesel price surges to all-time high, fueled by wars
When Seattle drivers should hit the road this Labor Day
Trump tariffs have cost Washington importers $7.1 billion

Capital Press
Attorneys general spread false claim about farmworkers dying young

Everett Herald
Everett Transit union protests possible transit merger
Everett council approves purchase of $3.5M property for stadium
Mill Creek approves plan for new South Town Center neighborhood

Kitsap Sun
Column: What happens when the doctors are who is suffering?
Column: It’s back to school time, but not every kid is feeling safe
Bremerton’s Quincy Square will see more seasonal traffic closures
New shelter in Bremerton facing Sept. vote that could determine future

News Tribune
Family of Tacoma woman killed by police wins key ruling at WA Supreme Court
Gov. Bob Ferguson signs executive order to protect Washingtonians from federal Medicaid cuts

New York Times
ICE Agent Charged With Lying About Minnesota Shooting
After OpenAI’s Bots Went Rogue, Watchdogs Were Kept on a Short Leash
More Mail Ballots Are Arriving Late This Cycle, and They’re Getting Tossed

Puget Sound Business Journal
Sound Transit sets opening date for next light rail station
Seahawks sale to Khosla family closes, investor group named
Uber lays off 93 workers in Seattle as part of companywide cuts
Wealthy King County residents have been relocating to more tax friendly locales in recent years, following a national trend

Seattle Times
WA lawmaker fined for Facebook comments
Opinion: ICE comes for our neighbors in WA
Ferguson moves to prepare WA for looming Medicaid changes

Spokesman Review
Ferguson warns state can’t backfill federal funding cuts ahead of new Medicaid eligibility requirements

Tri-City Herald
Kindergarten vaccine exemption rates on the rise. What are Tri-City rates?

WA State Standard
More states are putting panic alarms in schools
Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities (Reeves)
Legal aid for immigrant kids remains in question after Trump administration pulls contract

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘Do the Puyallup’ for the 126th Washington State Fair
Tacoma shelter seeks emergency fosters after taking in more than 100 seized cats
Suspect in Chelan Hills Fire arrested, facing multiple charges, says Douglas County sheriff
$elling $kinny: How a weight-loss startup kept shipping risky diet drugs while patients landed in the hospital
New USPS postmarking rule caused rejections to more than double in several WA counties, lawmakers report

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Average rate on a 30-year mortgage climbs to highest level in 13 months 
Some area business owners seeing more break-ins since World Cup left Seattle
Lakewood police chief fired two weeks after being placed on administrative leave
Trump administration stalled a survey of PFAS in wastewater, former EPA officials say 
ICE whistleblower warned of ‘unprecedented lowering of standards’ during hiring spree 
Record summer for Washington ferries caps off with 400K expected over Labor Day weekend
Flock surveillance cameras become midterm campaign target as voters balk at tech companies’ power

KNKX Public Radio
US Forest Service releases long-awaited restructuring plan
Seattle schools open after district reaches tentative deal with teachers

KUOW Public Radio
Police plan more staffing at Bumbershoot after Bite of Seattle shooting
San Juan Islands residents brave ferry lines, medevacs to get to the doctor

Web

MyNorthwest
125-year-old Yakima orchard company lays off more than 500 workers

The Urbanist
Seattle’s Pinehurst Light Rail Station Will Open September 30

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Pre-holiday-weekend Friday