Governing

Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response

The agreement preserves the status of SPD officers as the highest paid in the state, according to Council staff. It also offers new bonuses for college degrees and bilingual skills, and it allows new civilian participation in the most serious misconduct investigations. The contract also expands the city’s unarmed Community Assisted Response and Engagement teams and allows them to respond to certain calls for the first time without a police escort.

Nine Alaska seismic stations to go dark in January, slowing West Coast tsunami alerts

Violent crime is on the decline in Washington state and nationwide

Preliminary data suggest that rates for violent and property crimes in Washington state fell in 2025, continuing the decline that began two years ago. That was the big takeaway in a briefing for state lawmakers Thursday.

City of SeaTac recenters around Angle Lake light rail station

SeaTac's old city hall sits near a freeway onramp. It's hard to reach if you don't drive. Officials say the building is crumbling anyway. So, they're starting over in a better spot.

Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI

Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.

What's in Seattle's budget? Mapping the $8.9 billion spending plan Mayor Harrell leaves for Wilson

The Seattle City Council last week approved Mayor Bruce Harrell’s $9 billion dollar budget for 2026. That means when Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson takes office in January, she and the new City Council will inherit those funding choices. Here’s what to know in the meantime — explained in pizza terms.

Sworn in early, Exec Zahilay is ready to shake up King County

Surrounded by kids from the audience and holding his baby daughter, Girmay Zahilay was sworn in Tuesday as the 10th King County executive and the youngest ever to hold the position.

Can a watershed have legal rights? The Snohomish River debate deepens

The tide is turning in a Snohomish County legal battle over whether a river and its watershed have legal rights that can be defended in court.

Oregon National Guard troops remain under federal control after appeals court order

Earlier on Wednesday, Gov. Tina Kotek announced the Oregon guard troops would be demobilized. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals put that on pause just over an hour later.