Washington State Standard
@washingtonstatestandard.com
A nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet, providing original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state policy and politics.
In early August, the leader of Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife had become so concerned with alleged behaviors of the citizen panel that he answers to that he asked Gov. Bob Ferguson to investigate. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/26/p...
Probe of WA Fish and Wildlife Commission to stretch into 2026 • Washington State Standard
An investigation sought by Gov. Bob Ferguson into the conduct of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission may not be done until next year.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
In early August, the leader of Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife had become so concerned with alleged behaviors of the citizen panel that he answers to that he asked Gov. Bob Ferguson to investigate. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/26/p...
As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/25/r...
Homeless youth say they need more from schools, social services • Washington State Standard
As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/25/r...
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency Wednesday over this month’s flooding in Washington state. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/rfk-j...
RFK Jr. declares public health emergency for WA flooding • Washington State Standard
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency Wednesday over this month’s flooding in Washington state.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:17 AM
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency Wednesday over this month’s flooding in Washington state. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/rfk-j...
Joe Nguyen is stepping down as director of Washington state’s Department of Commerce and is expected to be named the next leader of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/head-...
Head of WA Department of Commerce is leaving • Washington State Standard
Former state lawmaker Joe Nguyen is stepping down as director of Washington state’s Department of Commerce.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Joe Nguyen is stepping down as director of Washington state’s Department of Commerce and is expected to be named the next leader of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/head-...
To solve a budget shortfall, Gov. Bob Ferguson is proposing to trim $800 million in spending, withdraw $1 billion from the state’s rainy day fund, and tap nearly $600 million in revenues from the Washington's auctions of air pollution allowances. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/23/f...
WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole • Washington State Standard
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson made a splash Tuesday with his full-throated endorsement of taxing the earnings of millionaires. The surprise declaration from the first-term Democratic governor nearly dr...
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
To solve a budget shortfall, Gov. Bob Ferguson is proposing to trim $800 million in spending, withdraw $1 billion from the state’s rainy day fund, and tap nearly $600 million in revenues from the Washington's auctions of air pollution allowances. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/23/f...
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...
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.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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...
Communities along upper Lake Chelan are beginning the slow work of recovery after flooding and landslides damaged roads, homes and access to routes. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/22/a...
After floods and slides, Stehekin and Holden Village residents dig in • Washington State Standard
Communities along upper Lake Chelan are beginning the slow work of recovery after flooding and landslides damaged roads, homes and access to routes, following an atmospheric river.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Communities along upper Lake Chelan are beginning the slow work of recovery after flooding and landslides damaged roads, homes and access to routes. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/22/a...
Washington state troopers stop and search drivers of color more often than white Washingtonians, new data shows. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/22/r...
Racial disparities persist with WA state patrol traffic stops • Washington State Standard
Washington state troopers stop and search drivers of color more often than white Washingtonians, new data shows.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Washington state troopers stop and search drivers of color more often than white Washingtonians, new data shows. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/22/r...
Residents of Concrete, Washington, held their breath through a spate of natural disasters and severe weather that unfolded over the past two weeks, including flooding, landslides, and even a series of small earthquakes. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/19/a...
A small WA town endures days of flooding and landslide risks • Washington State Standard
Residents of Concrete, a rural community along the Skagit River, persevered through flooding, mudslides, and even a series of earthquakes.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Residents of Concrete, Washington, held their breath through a spate of natural disasters and severe weather that unfolded over the past two weeks, including flooding, landslides, and even a series of small earthquakes. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/19/a...
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is asking lawmakers to fund $244 million in additional housing investments as part of a budget proposal released Thursday. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/f...
Ferguson proposes $244M boost for housing programs • Washington State Standard
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is asking lawmakers to fund $244 million in additional housing investments as part of a new budget proposal.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is asking lawmakers to fund $244 million in additional housing investments as part of a budget proposal released Thursday. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/f...
The Trump administration has ordered Washington’s last coal-fired power station to continue burning coal, just weeks before it was scheduled to shut down and convert to natural gas fuel. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/f...
Feds order WA power plant to keep burning coal, setting up clash with state • Washington State Standard
The Trump administration has ordered Washington’s last coal-fired power station to continue burning coal, just weeks before it was scheduled to shut down and convert to natural gas fuel.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The Trump administration has ordered Washington’s last coal-fired power station to continue burning coal, just weeks before it was scheduled to shut down and convert to natural gas fuel. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/f...
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational use. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/r...
Trump signs order to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, but it’s still illegal • Washington State Standard
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational ...
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, which Trump said reflected the drug’s potential medical benefits while discouraging recreational use. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/18/r...
Measles infections reached 1,958 confirmed cases in 43 states through Dec. 16, threatening to undo the United States’ status as a nation that has eradicated the disease, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/r...
Measles cases rise amid holiday travel • Washington State Standard
Measles case are continuing to grow, reaching 1,958 confirmed cases in 43 states through Dec. 16 and threatening to undo next year the United States’ status as a nation that has eradicated the disease...
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Measles infections reached 1,958 confirmed cases in 43 states through Dec. 16, threatening to undo the United States’ status as a nation that has eradicated the disease, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/r...
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensified across Washington in the late summer and early fall, new data indicates. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/i...
Immigration arrests in WA surged in recent months • Washington State Standard
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensified across Washington in the late summer and early fall, new data indicates.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensified across Washington in the late summer and early fall, new data indicates. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/i...
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of two Republicans representing Washington state in Congress, will not run for reelection next year. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/w...
Washington US Rep. Dan Newhouse not running for reelection • Washington State Standard
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of two Republicans representing Washington state in Congress, will not run for reelection next year.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of two Republicans representing Washington state in Congress, will not run for reelection next year. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/17/w...
Parts of U.S. 2, an important road cutting across Washington’s Cascade mountains, will likely remain closed for months due to flood and slide damage, Gov. Bob Ferguson and the state’s top transportation official said Tuesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/us-2-...
US 2 closure across WA’s Cascade mountains expected to last months • Washington State Standard
A 49-mile stretch of the highway between Skykomish and Leavenworth has been shut down since last week, blocking travel over Stevens Pass. It’s one of the most significant road outages the state is dea...
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Parts of U.S. 2, an important road cutting across Washington’s Cascade mountains, will likely remain closed for months due to flood and slide damage, Gov. Bob Ferguson and the state’s top transportation official said Tuesday. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/us-2-...
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said Tuesday that the state will look to spend $3.5 million on immediate assistance to those affected by the historic flooding of the past week. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/16/f...
Ferguson will tap emergency funding to aid WA residents hit by flooding • Washington State Standard
Washington will look to spend $3.5 million on immediate assistance to those affected by the historic flooding of the past week.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said Tuesday that the state will look to spend $3.5 million on immediate assistance to those affected by the historic flooding of the past week. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/16/f...
Washington and Oregon are still waiting for a new cost estimate to replace the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. It's expected to be higher than initial estimates in the $5 billion to $7.5 billion range. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/w...
Washington and Oregon left waiting for new cost estimate to replace I-5 bridge • Washington State Standard
Washington and Oregon lawmakers on Monday expected to hear a new estimate of the cost to replace the Interstate 5 bridge but didn't get one.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Washington and Oregon are still waiting for a new cost estimate to replace the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. It's expected to be higher than initial estimates in the $5 billion to $7.5 billion range. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/w...
The nascent Washington agency tasked with investigating incidents when police kill people will grow its footprint to cover Pierce County, starting in May. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/w...
WA agency investigating police deadly force expanding to Pierce County • Washington State Standard
The Washington agency tasked with investigating when police kill people will grow its footprint to cover Pierce County, starting in May.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The nascent Washington agency tasked with investigating incidents when police kill people will grow its footprint to cover Pierce County, starting in May. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/w...
There's talk about backtracking on a budget maneuver that will funnel sales tax dollars to Washington state's transportation budget. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/m...
Maneuver to shore up WA’s transportation budget could be reversed • Washington State Standard
A big piece of the solution to the transportation budget shortfall was to transfer a sliver of sales tax revenue to transportation efforts.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
There's talk about backtracking on a budget maneuver that will funnel sales tax dollars to Washington state's transportation budget. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/15/m...
Washington begins to assess damage from record flooding: More rain is on the way, but further flooding isn’t expected to be as severe as what the state saw earlier this week. Winds could pick up, too. “We’re not out of the woods,” warned one meteorologist. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/13/w...
Washington begins to assess damage from record flooding • Washington State Standard
Washington's flooding, while still historic, didn’t quite reach the extreme levels initially predicted. No deaths have been reported.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Washington begins to assess damage from record flooding: More rain is on the way, but further flooding isn’t expected to be as severe as what the state saw earlier this week. Winds could pick up, too. “We’re not out of the woods,” warned one meteorologist. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/13/w...
While overflowing rivers were beginning to recede across western Washington on Friday, officials said it could be days or even weeks before residents can safely return to areas swamped by this week’s historic flooding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/t...
Long path to recovery ahead for areas hit by Washington’s record floods • Washington State Standard
As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
While overflowing rivers were beginning to recede across western Washington on Friday, officials said it could be days or even weeks before residents can safely return to areas swamped by this week’s historic flooding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/t...
As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/t...
Trump administration OKs WA emergency declaration for record flooding • Washington State Standard
As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/t...
Environmental groups say permitting bill passed by U.S. House guts clean water protections. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/r...
Environmental groups say permitting bill passed by US House guts clean water protections • Washington State Standard
The U.S. House voted Thursday to pass a bill that Republicans say would reform the Clean Water Act and cut through regulatory burdens.
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Environmental groups say permitting bill passed by U.S. House guts clean water protections. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/12/r...
Pete Serrano will continue to lead the federal prosecutor’s office in eastern Washington after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi named him to a "special attorney" post. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/11/w...
Workaround will keep WA’s Pete Serrano in federal prosecutor job • Washington State Standard
Pasco lawyer Pete Serrano will lead the federal prosecutor's office in eastern Washington as a 'special attorney.'
washingtonstatestandard.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Pete Serrano will continue to lead the federal prosecutor’s office in eastern Washington after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi named him to a "special attorney" post. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/11/w...