The family of a Bothell woman found dead is boosting the reward for information that could lead to the killer.

I am writing to express my deep concern about recent policy decisions that threaten the well-being of millions of Americans. The rejection of a proposed deal to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for one year is particularly alarming. This decision will result in significant premium increases for countless individuals and families who rely on the ACA for their healthcare coverage. Furthermore, I am troubled by the rush to cut off SNAP benefits during the recent government shutdown, despite available funds. This action demonstrates a disturbing lack of empathy for vulnerable Americans who depend on this crucial assistance for their basic nutritional needs. These policy choices seem to prioritize political maneuvering over the welfare of constituents. As your constituent, I urge you to reconsider these positions and advocate for policies that genuinely support the American people. The enhanced ACA subsidies have been a lifeline for many, ensuring access to affordable healthcare during challenging times. Similarly, SNAP benefits play a vital role in combating food insecurity and supporting our most vulnerable community members. I ask that you take immediate action to address these issues. Specifically, I request that you: 1. Support the extension of enhanced ACA subsidies to prevent premium hikes for millions of Americans. 2. Advocate for the protection and continuation of SNAP benefits, ensuring they are not used as political bargaining chips. 3. Prioritize policies that demonstrate compassion and understanding of the real challenges faced by ordinary Americans. Recent events have highlighted a disconnect between policy decisions and public needs. As my representative, I implore you to bridge this gap and champion policies that truly serve the interests of your constituents. The political landscape is shifting, and voters are increasingly aware of and concerned about these issues. Your leadership on healthcare and social welfare could make a significant difference in the lives of many and resonate strongly with the electorate. Thank you for your attention to these critical matters. I look forward to seeing concrete actions that address these concerns and demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of all Americans.

# Lowering speed limits on residential streets to 20 mph has already been implemented in cities like Seattle, Portland, and Tacoma, and has been associated with a significant drop in high-end speeding...

It's time for new Senate leadership. Senator Schumer has shown that he is incapable of leading a competent resistance against the Trump administration. I ask that you seek new leadership for Senate Democrats. Like many voters across the nation, I am livid that the federal government was shut down for 40 days without extracting any meaningful concessions from the GOP. Healthcare premiums are now going to skyrocket for millions of Americans thanks to your colleagues conceding this important political fight. With a leader like Schumer, my faith in the Democratic party has never been lower. If Schumer keeps his position in leadership, it shows that the entire Democratic caucus is complicit in caving to the demands of the GOP. Please take this opportunity to support new leadership that will actually oppose this administration and fight for the welfare of working class Americans.

I am writing to express my deep concern about the upcoming Supreme Court case, RNC v. Wetzel, which threatens to undermine the integrity of our voting system and disenfranchise countless American voters. This case challenges Mississippi's five-day grace period for late-arriving mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, a policy that ensures every vote is counted. The implications of this case extend far beyond Mississippi. A ruling in favor of the Republican National Committee could invalidate similar grace periods in 16 states and Washington D.C., potentially disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters. In 2024 alone, nearly 104,000 ballots were rejected for arriving too late. Eliminating grace periods would only exacerbate this problem, silencing the voices of voters who mailed their ballots on time but fell victim to postal delays. These grace periods are not just a convenience; they are a necessity for many voters, including those with disabilities and overseas voters who rely on mail-in voting to participate in our democracy. The right to vote is fundamental to our democratic process, and we must do everything in our power to protect it. The argument that Election Day must be the day ballots are both cast and received is short-sighted and fails to account for the realities of our postal system. It effectively penalizes voters for circumstances beyond their control and goes against the spirit of fair and accessible elections. I urge you to use your influence to support the preservation of mail-in voting grace periods. Advocate for an amicus brief in support of Mississippi's position in this case. Speak out publicly about the importance of these grace periods for ensuring every vote is counted. The integrity of our elections and the voices of countless voters hang in the balance. The Supreme Court is set to hear this case in the coming spring, with a decision expected by July. We must act now to protect the voting rights of all Americans. Our democracy depends on it.

I am writing to express my deep concern about the potential creation of a federal "omniforce" and the increasing militarization of our cities. Recent analysis by Don Moynihan, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, has shed light on alarming developments within the current administration that threaten the fabric of our democracy and the safety of our communities. Professor Moynihan's research reveals a systematic effort to create a federal force accountable only to the executive branch. This force, potentially formed by merging and repurposing agencies like ICE and CBP, could be used to exert control over Democratic-led cities and suppress dissent. Such a concentration of power, divorced from proper oversight, is antithetical to our democratic principles and the system of checks and balances that has long safeguarded our republic. The parallels drawn between these actions and historical examples, such as the American administration's isolation in Iraq's Green Zone, are deeply troubling. We must not allow our cities to become militarized zones where federal forces operate without local accountability or respect for community needs. Of particular concern is the formation of paramilitary forces, as seen in Texas. This trend towards militarization at both federal and state levels poses a significant threat to civil liberties and the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent the creation of this "omniforce" and to oppose any legislation or executive actions that would further militarize our cities. We need policies that promote community-oriented policing, transparency, and accountability – not those that treat our urban areas as battlegrounds. Please use your position to investigate these developments, hold public hearings on the potential consequences of such actions, and draft legislation to ensure that federal law enforcement remains accountable to Congress and the American people. Our cities should be places of civic engagement and community building, not testing grounds for authoritarian control tactics. The safety and freedom of your constituents depend on your swift and decisive action on this matter. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address these critical issues and protect our democratic institutions.

I am deeply concerned about the recent $60 million settlement between Cornell University and the Trump administration. This agreement, which restores federal research funding previously cut by the administration, bears all the hallmarks of governmental overreach and coercion. The facts of this case are alarming. In April, the administration withheld $250 million in crucial research funding from Cornell, citing alleged civil rights violations. However, the university has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The settlement requires Cornell to pay $30 million directly to the federal government and invest another $30 million in agricultural research over three years. Additionally, the university must provide admissions data and reaffirm its commitment to staff training based on a Justice Department memo about diversity programs. This settlement is not an isolated incident. Similar agreements have been forced upon other prestigious institutions like Columbia and Brown University. The pattern suggests a systematic campaign by the administration to target elite universities over issues related to campus protests and diversity programs. I urge you to initiate an immediate investigation into the Department of Justice's tactics in these cases. The use of federal funding as leverage to influence university policies and extract substantial payments is deeply troubling. It undermines academic freedom, threatens the independence of our educational institutions, and potentially constitutes a form of extortion. Our nation's universities are bastions of research, innovation, and free thought. They should not be subject to political pressure or financial coercion from any administration. The long-term consequences of such actions could be devastating to America's position as a global leader in higher education and scientific research. I implore you to take swift action. Please launch a thorough inquiry into these settlements, their legality, and their broader implications for academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Our democracy depends on checks and balances, and it is crucial that Congress exercises its oversight role in this matter.