The Washington Supreme Court ruled that DCYF must produce foster‑care files to five former foster youth in abuse suits, while allowing redactions and safeguards.

Retired first responders, led by former Sheriff Dave Reichert, filed a federal suit saying E2SHB 2034 unlawfully moves roughly $3.3B from the LEOFF Plan 1 pension trust. Actuaries warn the change raises the risk of future shortfalls.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is championing abstinence-based recovery and 'wellness farms' — and rolling $100M toward a pilot that has experts warning medications could be sidelined.

Washington officials asked a federal judge to force The GEO Group to let health inspectors into Tacoma’s Northwest ICE Processing Center after thousands of detainee complaints.

A state commission has reprimanded Judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai after an order said he touched a King County court clerk without consent. The judge must complete harassment training and the reprimand is on record.

The WSIB approved new private‑equity commitments that include funds with holdings tied to Kalshi and Flock Safety, prompting legal and climate worries. Critics say the state’s retirement money faces outsized risk and opaque fees.

Burien’s City Council appointed veteran manager Bob Larson as interim city manager; he’ll begin work Tuesday, April 28 amid a recent leadership shakeup.

South County Fire is proposing a roughly $420 million bond to rebuild and expand stations across south Snohomish County; a public hearing is set for May 5.

Two veteran Pierce County juvenile court officials were separated last week; an interim administrator was named as county leaders say operations will continue. The departures remove figures central to local reform work.

Councilmember Bob Kettle called a forensic audit of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority “damning,” after it found a $44.7M negative balance and about $8M unreconciled.

Everett’s council voted April 22 to put an EMS levy lid lift on the Aug. 4, 2026 ballot to restore the rate to $0.50 per $1,000 and shore up Everett Fire staffing. The city provided sample cost estimates for homeowners and said the funding would support EMS personnel and equipment.

A state task force is drafting changes to Washington high school graduation rules, from a possible fourth year of math to a senior‑year demonstration, ahead of a 2027 legislative proposal.

A federal appeals panel vacated the NLRB’s order that Starbucks' subpoenas were coercive and sent the case back for reconsideration under a new standard.