Washington State Standard
@washingtonstatestandard.com
A nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet, providing original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state policy and politics.
A bill to outlaw the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of the state's House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washi...
Washington may ban sales of farmed octopus • Washington State Standard
A bill to ban the possession and sale of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of a House committee on Wednesday.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM
A bill to outlaw the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus in Washington advanced out of the state's House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washi...
Washington and 11 other states’ attorneys general have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for what the multistate coalition argues is unlawful discrimination against transgender people via new strictures placed on federal grant funding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/14/r...
Multistate lawsuit challenges ‘gender conditions’ on HHS funding • Washington State Standard
Twelve state attorneys general, co-led by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in federal court in Providence Tuesday over n...
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Washington and 11 other states’ attorneys general have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for what the multistate coalition argues is unlawful discrimination against transgender people via new strictures placed on federal grant funding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/14/r...
Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday celebrated the “heart and spirit” in Washington communities ravaged by flooding in December, then pumped up fellow Democrats with calls for taxing millionaires and standing up to federal immigration agents. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/13/w...
What WA Gov. Bob Ferguson said, and left unsaid, in his State of the State address • Washington State Standard
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson called for an income tax on millionaires and a ban on federal immigration agents hiding their faces with masks.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday celebrated the “heart and spirit” in Washington communities ravaged by flooding in December, then pumped up fellow Democrats with calls for taxing millionaires and standing up to federal immigration agents. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/13/w...
A ban on police face coverings has been one of the most talked about policy proposals in the first two days of Washington’s legislative session, with lead lawmakers and the governor lining up in support. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/13/p...
Proposed ban on police face coverings gains momentum in WA Legislature • Washington State Standard
A ban on police face coverings has been one of the most talked about proposals in the first two days of Washington’s legislative session.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM
A ban on police face coverings has been one of the most talked about policy proposals in the first two days of Washington’s legislative session, with lead lawmakers and the governor lining up in support. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/13/p...
Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/road-...
Road damage from WA flooding to cost at least $40M • Washington State Standard
Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/road-...
With the banging of gavels, the Washington state Legislature opened its sprint of a 60-day session Monday in Olympia. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/l...
2026 Washington state legislative session begins • Washington State Standard
Follow along for updates on the opening day of the Washington state Legislature's 2026 session on Jan. 12.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:26 AM
With the banging of gavels, the Washington state Legislature opened its sprint of a 60-day session Monday in Olympia. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/l...
Follow along here for live coverage of the opening day of the 2026 Washington state legislative session. #waleg washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/l...
Live coverage: 2026 Washington state legislative session begins • Washington State Standard
Follow along for updates on the opening day of the Washington state Legislature's 2026 session on Jan. 12.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Follow along here for live coverage of the opening day of the 2026 Washington state legislative session. #waleg washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/l...
Washington's 2026 legislative session begins today. Will anyone be smiling when it’s over? washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/w...
WA’s 2026 legislative session is getting underway • Washington State Standard
Washington state lawmakers begin a 60-day session today, in which a fiscal reckoning, flood recovery, and their own reelections loom large.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Washington's 2026 legislative session begins today. Will anyone be smiling when it’s over? washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/12/w...
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson likely violated state laws by allowing his former top adviser, Mike Webb, to travel with him on a state plane to the Tri-Cities last summer, the state Executive Ethics Board ruled Friday.
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/f...
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/f...
Ferguson may have broken WA ethics laws allowing ex-adviser to fly on state plane • Washington State Standard
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson likely violated state laws by allowing his former top adviser to travel with him on a state plane last summer.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson likely violated state laws by allowing his former top adviser, Mike Webb, to travel with him on a state plane to the Tri-Cities last summer, the state Executive Ethics Board ruled Friday.
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/f...
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/f...
Democratic leaders in the Washington Legislature said Friday they have no plans to hold hearings on two conservative-backed initiatives focused on parental rights of students in public schools and banning transgender athletes from playing girls’ sports. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives • Washington State Standard
Democratic leaders in the Washington state Legislature said Friday they have no plans to hold hearings on two conservative-backed initiatives.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Democratic leaders in the Washington Legislature said Friday they have no plans to hold hearings on two conservative-backed initiatives focused on parental rights of students in public schools and banning transgender athletes from playing girls’ sports. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
Washington state pumps more tax dollars toward green jet fuel:
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
Washington state pumps more tax dollars toward green jet fuel • Washington State Standard
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Washington state pumps more tax dollars toward green jet fuel:
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/w...
Federal agents reportedly shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/r...
Federal agents shoot two people in Portland, police say • Washington State Standard
Federal agents shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Federal agents reportedly shot and injured two people in east Portland on Thursday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/r...
Despite vows to restrict immigration authorities’ access to Washington state Department of Licensing information, the data sharing continued in a new form, researchers revealed Thursday. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/i...
ICE searched WA driver’s license data into November, report finds • Washington State Standard
Despite vows to restrict immigration agents' access to Washington license information, the data sharing continued, researchers said Thursday.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Despite vows to restrict immigration authorities’ access to Washington state Department of Licensing information, the data sharing continued in a new form, researchers revealed Thursday. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/i...
States are increasingly passing laws designed to protect the personal data collected through license plate readers and other means. “We’re entering an increasingly dystopian era of high-tech surveillance,” says one privacy advocate. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/r...
Worried about surveillance, states enact privacy laws and restrict license plate readers • Washington State Standard
Many left-leaning states and cities are trying to protect their residents’ personal information amid the immigration crackdown. But a growing number of conservative lawmakers also want to curb the use...
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
States are increasingly passing laws designed to protect the personal data collected through license plate readers and other means. “We’re entering an increasingly dystopian era of high-tech surveillance,” says one privacy advocate. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/08/r...
As barbs fly and Trump wades in, a central WA congressional race heats up: Republican Amanda McKinney nabbed the president’s endorsement this week. But she’s also taking flak after saying she had a plan to “retire” U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/07/a...
As barbs fly and Trump wades in, a central WA congressional race heats up • Washington State Standard
Republican Amanda McKinney got President Donald Trump’s endorsement Tuesday in spite of her backing a congressman who voted to impeach Trump.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:08 AM
As barbs fly and Trump wades in, a central WA congressional race heats up: Republican Amanda McKinney nabbed the president’s endorsement this week. But she’s also taking flak after saying she had a plan to “retire” U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/07/a...
An ICE officer shot a woman driving an SUV through her car window in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning. The person is dead, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/07/r...
ICE officer fatally shoots driver through car window in Minneapolis • Washington State Standard
The driver then slowly backs up and appears to be leaving, when another officer fires three shots.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:56 PM
An ICE officer shot a woman driving an SUV through her car window in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning. The person is dead, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/07/r...
Washington is set to receive $181 million in federal funding this year to boost rural health care amid drastic Medicaid cuts. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/06/h...
How WA’s $181M in rural health funding stacks up with other states • Washington State Standard
Washington is set to receive $181 million in federal funding this year to boost rural health care amid drastic Medicaid cuts.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Washington is set to receive $181 million in federal funding this year to boost rural health care amid drastic Medicaid cuts. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/06/h...
At least seven city councils around Washington have grappled over the past two years with whether to ban fluoride from drinking water. Dental experts point to benefits and say the mineral is safe at levels used in the U.S. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/06/f...
Fluoride fights bubble up around Washington • Washington State Standard
At least seven city councils have grappled with whether to remove fluoride from drinking water. Dental experts point to benefits and say the mineral is safe at levels used in the U.S.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:47 PM
At least seven city councils around Washington have grappled over the past two years with whether to ban fluoride from drinking water. Dental experts point to benefits and say the mineral is safe at levels used in the U.S. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/06/f...
How microschools and other innovative K-12 programs are catching on in Washington: Educators are exploring new and creative approaches to meeting students where they are academically. For some options, regulatory and funding frameworks are still evolving.
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/h...
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/h...
How microschools and other innovative K-12 programs are catching on in WA • Washington State Standard
Educators are exploring new and creative approaches to meeting students where they are academically. For some options, regulatory and funding frameworks are still evolving.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:05 PM
How microschools and other innovative K-12 programs are catching on in Washington: Educators are exploring new and creative approaches to meeting students where they are academically. For some options, regulatory and funding frameworks are still evolving.
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/h...
washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/h...
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/1...
$126M incentive program for zero-emission trucks nears launch in WA • Washington State Standard
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power.
washingtonstatestandard.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Washington is close to opening a new incentive program for commercial fleet operators to transition trucks and other vehicles to models that run on electric or hydrogen power. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/05/1...
The U.S. Postal Service has adopted a new rule that could create doubt about whether some ballots mailed by voters by Election Day will receive postmarks in time to be counted. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/31/r...
USPS says mail-in ballots might not get postmark on same day they’re dropped off • Washington State Standard
The U.S. Postal Service has adopted a new rule that could create doubt about whether some ballots mailed by voters by Election Day will receive postmarks in time to be counted.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The U.S. Postal Service has adopted a new rule that could create doubt about whether some ballots mailed by voters by Election Day will receive postmarks in time to be counted. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/31/r...
These new laws and taxes will take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/30/t...
These new laws and taxes take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1 • Washington State Standard
Taxes on big business and rental cars. Unemployment benefits for striking workers. Those are some of the changes taking effect in Washington.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
These new laws and taxes will take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/30/t...
Highway 2 west of Stevens Pass will fully reopen by Sunday, Jan. 4, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said Tuesday. The major east-west route was damaged in this month's flooding and storms. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/highw...
Highway 2 to reopen west of Stevens Pass • Washington State Standard
The major east-west route was badly damaged during heavy rain and flooding that hit the state earlier this month. Closures on both sides of the pass began Dec. 10.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Highway 2 west of Stevens Pass will fully reopen by Sunday, Jan. 4, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said Tuesday. The major east-west route was damaged in this month's flooding and storms. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/highw...
In Washington orchards, the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is sowing fear and uncertainty among the farm labor workforce. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/29/i...
In WA orchards, immigration crackdown sows fear and uncertainty • Washington State Standard
The Trump administration’s deportation push has caused turmoil within the state’s farm workforce as federal legislation meant to improve the situation has stalled.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
In Washington orchards, the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is sowing fear and uncertainty among the farm labor workforce. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/29/i...
About 20 miles of U.S. 2 are set to reopen Monday on the east side of the Cascades, allowing access to the Stevens Pass ski resort, after devastating flooding and debris slides destroyed parts of the highway this month. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/parti...
Partial Highway 2 reopening will allow access to Stevens Pass • Washington State Standard
About 20 miles of U.S. 2 are set to reopen Monday on the east side of the Cascades, allowing access to the Stevens Pass ski resort,
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
About 20 miles of U.S. 2 are set to reopen Monday on the east side of the Cascades, allowing access to the Stevens Pass ski resort, after devastating flooding and debris slides destroyed parts of the highway this month. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/parti...