Lobbying spending in Washington state has doubled since 2014 What’s it buying? In the last decade, money spent lobbying in Washington rose more steadily and dramatically than other U.S. state that tracks lobbying money — from around $41 million in 2014 to more than $90 million last year. Scott Greenstone Play AudioListen 5 mins
Beloved WSU bread-baking lab in Burlington threatened by Trump cuts Food research at Washington State University is being hit by federal funding cuts. That includes the WSU Breadlab in Burlington, which studies, grows, and bakes new kinds of whole grains. Casey Martin
Seattleite killed by Israeli sniper commemorated in legislation amid push for independent investigation A new House resolution is mostly symbolic in its recognition of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi’s life. But a Senate bill, if passed, would pressure the federal government to independently investigate her killing by an Israeli sniper last year. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Seattle crosswalk signals with deepfake Bezos audio may have been hacked with just a cellphone Instead of the little robotic voice that tells you to wait until it's safe to cross, at least five intersections in Seattle last week played the voice of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Tech experts say it was likely a product of generative artificial intelligence, or GAI. Casey Martin
Trump administration plans to end free IRS direct tax filing, AP sources say The Trump administration plans to eliminate the IRS’ Direct File program, an electronic system for filing tax returns directly to the agency for free, according to two people familiar with the decision. Associated Press
Washington state Democrats reveal sweeping new tax plan The plan cobbles together a range of hikes, including on businesses, capital gains, and property. A question now is whether Gov. Bob Ferguson will support the proposals. Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard
There's no such thing as 'local' and these Pacific Northwest industries prove it The tariff landscape is constantly shifting, but one thing has remained consistent: the Trump administration's claim that tariffs will protect American industry and reshore manufacturing. So, tariffs should be good for our iconic Pacific Northwest industries, right? Monica Nickelsburg
Washington 'sanctuary law' allows ICE agents to pick up people leaving prison. They often don't Washington state’s so-called “sanctuary law” is in the crosshairs of elected officials. But new data from the state’s department of corrections shows, even when the state works with federal immigration enforcement, the federal government isn’t always following through. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Trump's FEMA denies Washington disaster relief for 'bomb cyclone' windstorm The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied a request from Washington state last week to help pay for damage caused during a storm last year. Scott Greenstone
Tensions percolate among the Seattle City Council’s moderate majority Did City Council President Sara Nelson kick a political hornet’s nest? Seattle Times City Hall reporter David Kroman tells KUOW’s Kim Malcolm what he's seeing. John O'Brien Play AudioListen 6 mins
