Kent secured state approval under HB 2015 to keep a 0.1% safety sales tax and pursue state grants to hire additional officers. The move clears a path for roughly 10 new hires and a fast‑moving application window.

Cutoff day in Olympia left the 0.05 DUI proposal dead while bills on toxicology testing, face‑covering limits and supplemental budgets moved forward.

Washington’s $100M police-hiring program still hasn’t paid out. Officials blame complex eligibility rules and a new 0.1% sales-tax requirement that many cities are weighing.

Seattle officials say ALPR scans in the Real‑Time Crime Center are for criminal investigations only and federal agencies would generally need subpoenas for immigration queries.

After public pressure and a University of Washington audit showing federal access to Flock networks, Lynnwood's council voted to cancel the Flock Safety contract and remove the ALPR cameras. City staff will work out removal logistics and costs.

A busy two-day council run includes a possible confirmation vote for the mayor’s budget director pick, policing measures and library levy briefings. Watch live and follow agenda packets online.

Lawmakers advanced a plan to roll back a mortgage-lender tax break and send revenue to Washington's wildfire response account. DNR warns staff and grants could be cut.

A bipartisan plan to shift public defense costs to the state stalled in Olympia, leaving counties worried as lawmakers push an income tax to fill the gap.

A retired Benton County judge says he will file recall petitions against Port of Benton commissioners after an outside investigation flagged violations tied to Commissioner Scott Keller.

Federal records and reporting show ICE may lease space at Tukwila's Riverfront Technical Park near Boeing Field, prompting local concern and renewed protests.

A proposed state law would bar Tacoma from enforcing certain camping bans unless officials can show accessible shelter was available at the time, creating legal and logistical questions.

Ferguson says he'll back a millionaires' tax only if a large share of revenue is returned to Washington families and small businesses as the Senate advances the bill.

A Washington bill would route many late‑filed tort claims into arbitration first, pitting cash‑strapped counties against survivor advocates over transparency and costs.