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The Week Ahead
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians.
What we know about underlying labor issues that halted Washington’s ferry system
KUOW Radio — Commuters, passengers, and crew on Washington State Ferries hit some choppy waters this week when nearly two dozen engine room workers called out in an apparent “sick out” related to labor concerns. Entire routes went out of service on Monday, with only enough staff to run six out of 18 boats. The situation raises some new and ongoing questions about crew tensions on the state ferries and how the overall system is running. Here’s what we know about some of the underlying issues tied to this week’s massive disruption.
Washington superintendent calls for more school funding as math scores lag
KOMO TV — Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal is raising concerns about student achievement, attendance and school funding as the new school year gets underway. Reykdal said recently released student achievement data shows Washington students continue to struggle academically, with math standing out as the state’s biggest challenge … Dr. Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center said the state should closely examine how it spends education dollars before committing more money … Murray said policymakers should define what level of funding is sufficient and identify investments that have demonstrated results.
AGRICULTURE
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
- WA leaders calling for new artificial intelligence regulations (FOX 13)
- Sen. Patty Murray meets with state policymakers to discuss AI regulations as federal action sputters (The Spokesman-Review) $
- ‘Breathtaking,’ ‘devastating’: Mathematics reels after new OpenAI release (The New York Times/The Seattle Times) $
BUSINESS, ECONOMY & LABOR
- Microsoft faces foreign worker crackdown as Vance blasts layoffs (Axios – Seattle)
- As Microsoft is cut from green card program, workers have questions (The Seattle Times) $
- Microsoft pushes back on Vance’s H-1B visa claims (The Seattle Times) $
- Tacoma Dome wouldn’t waive admission for caregiver, sparking discrimination claims (The News Tribune) $
- How Seattle worker making $74K plans to retire in 10 years (The Seattle Times) $
COMMUNITY & FAMILY ISSUES
COURTS (FEDERAL)
COURTS (STATE)
- State to pay four men $12 million to settle lawsuit alleging abuse while in foster care in Vancouver in 1980s (The Columbian) $
- Teen arrested in Bite of Seattle shooting back in court as prosecutors seek adult charges (KOMO TV)
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
CYBERSECURITY
DATA CENTERS
DRUG CRISIS
EDUCATION
- Longview leaders edit messages about Mark Morris case (The Daily News) $
- Longview school board president praised Cloninger months before voting to fire her (The Daily News) $
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & SERVICES
ENERGY & UTILITIES
- Puget Sound Energy customers weigh in on proposed double-digit energy rate increases (KIRO TV)
- Tri-Cities picked for Avalanche Energy’s first fusion machine plant (KNDO/KNDU NonStop Local)
ENVIRONMENT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & THE WHITE HOUSE
FISH & SHELLFISH
HEALTHCARE & INSURANCE
- Why many Medicare enrollees are getting $90 checks: How to see if you’re eligible (KING TV)
- Hospital deficit reaches $1.7M (Peninsula Daily News) $
HOMELESSNESS
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Former Seattle police chief joins public safety technology company (The Center Square)
- Pasco Police, deputies, WSP honor Trooper Jim Saunders 27 years after his death (KNDO/KNDU NonStop Local)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- King County increases sales tax to support emergency homeless services (The Center Square)
- King County audit flags $261K in potential double-billing by nonprofit Urban Family (KIRO TV)
- Seattle mayor signs grocery ‘fair pricing’ into law, bans surveillance (The Seattle Times) $
- Seattle could get 6 more high-tech public bathrooms (Axios – Seattle)
- Pasco weighs revenue options against taxpayer strain in tight budget season (Tri-City Herald) $
MEDIA
MILITARY & VETERANS
OTHER STATES
- Promises to end homelessness in Portland have failed. Next up, a pledge to incrementally reduce it (The Oregonian) $
- Judge denies mining company bid to halt Idaho power line over gold deposits in Oregon (The Oregonian) $
SCHOOL SAFETY
SPORTS
STATE GOVERNMENT
- Critics slam state tort reform committee for excluding abuse survivors (The Center Square)
- DSHS eyes cuts, modernization for 2027 (TVW Stories)
- Public works board awards $214 million for local infrastructure (The Daily News) $
- OPINION: Washington law required the state to help. Instead, it fined us $618,000 (Ron and Robin Fodé, Moses Lake-area farmers/The Spokesman-Review)
TRANSPORTATION
TRIBAL ISSUES
WATER
- WA water year sees floods, puny snowpack, irrigation cutbacks (Capital Press) $
- October water for Yakima Valley growers is welcome relief after four years of drought (Yakima Herald-Republic) $
WEATHER & CLIMATE
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