Washington governor proposes phone ban for schools starting 2027
Governor Bob Ferguson announced a legislative proposal that would require students to store cellphones and smart devices away from them during the school day, with the policy taking effect in
Washington opposes Canadian fast-track approval for oil pipeline
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and state Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller opposed Canada's decision to designate the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a "Project of National Interest" on Oct. 1. The
Washington minimum wage rising to $17.73 in 2027
Washington's minimum wage will rise to $17.73 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2027, a 3.5% increase from the current $17.13 rate, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. State
Eastern Washington wildfires destroy 649 homes, trigger federal aid request
Governor Bob Ferguson requested a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Eastern Washington following devastating wildfires in late July and early August 2026. The fires destroyed 649 homes, damaged
Washington accelerates housing permits with $475,000 in grants
Washington's Department of Commerce announced $475,000 in grants to eight local governments to accelerate residential building permit reviews. Recipients include Pierce County, Snohomish County
Washington signs $165M in broadband contracts for rural communities
The Washington State Broadband Office has finalized agreements with seven companies to expand internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the state, according to an announcement
Washington honors 15 workers who saved lives on the job
Fifteen Washington workers will be honored with this year's Lifesaving Awards for extraordinary rescue actions taken on the job, the state Department of Labor & Industries announced. The awards
Washington and California advance plan to link carbon markets in 2027
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and California Governor Gavin Newsom announced progress toward Washington joining the California–Québec carbon market in 2027. Washington completed the final step in
Governors and cities deepen climate action partnership
The U.S. Climate Alliance and Climate Mayors announced a new partnership at Climate Week NYC to coordinate climate action across states and cities. The Alliance comprises 24 governors representing
Washington state proposes 4.9% workers' comp rate increase
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9 percent increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers pay for workers' compensation insurance in 2027. If adopted,
Washington adds 2,400 free preschool slots through 42 new sites
Washington state announced 2,400 new slots in its Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program at 42 new sites for the 2026-27 school year, funded through a public-private partnership with the
Washington releases new data on dual credit program outcomes
Washington's Education Research and Data Center released its 2026 annual report on dual credit programs, finding that cumulative credits earned in high school correlate with higher rates of
Washington governor appoints Bree Black Horse to superior court
Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Bree Black Horse to Yakima County Superior Court Judge, effective immediately. The appointment fills a new position created by legislation Ferguson
Washington state seeks to revoke CoinFlip's cryptocurrency license
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is seeking to revoke the license of GPD Holdings, LLC, operating as CoinFlip, a cryptocurrency kiosk operator, citing deficient
Washington Governor Acts to Shield Health Coverage From Cuts
Gov. Bob Ferguson of Washington signed an executive order to help mitigate impacts in the state from H.R. 1, federal legislation that cut more than $1.3 trillion in health care and food assistance
Washington expands wildfire emergency to 12 counties
Governor Bob Ferguson amended Washington's wildfire emergency proclamation to add Benton, Columbia, Grant, Kittitas and Whitman counties, bringing the total coverage to 12 counties and three tribal
Washington state posts strong revenue and export gains as jobs grow
Washington's economy posted gains in key measures in recent months, according to the state's August economic report, though announced layoffs threaten momentum. The state added 21,100 jobs in July
Washington governor declares emergency as wildfire threatens water supply for 35,000
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency in Walla Walla County on Wednesday due to wildfire damage to the Mill Creek Watershed, which supplies drinking water for approximately
Washington coordinates business donations for wildfire relief
Washington's Department of Commerce and the State Emergency Operations Center are coordinating donations from businesses and nonprofits to aid communities hit by recent wildfires in Chelan, Ferry,
Washington proposes statewide ban on cellphones in K-12 schools
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced a proposal to ban personal smartphones and smartwatches from K-12 public school classrooms during instructional time, with implementation targeted for
Chemical manufacturer cited for ammonia tank safety violations
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) cited Nippon Dynawave, a pulp and paper mill in Longview, for failing to document safety inspection plans for an ammonia tank used in
Homeowners rebuilding from fires urged to verify contractors
Homeowners rebuilding after fire damage face heightened risk of contractor fraud, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. The agency is urging disaster victims to verify
Washington governor seeks federal tax relief for wildfire victims
Governor Ferguson of Washington requested federal tax relief for residents and businesses affected by recent wildfires, asking U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to postpone federal tax filing and
Governor Ferguson declares emergency over wildfire’s impacts on Walla Walla water supply, flood risk
WALLA WALLA —Governor Bob Ferguson todaydeclared a state of emergencyin Walla Walla County due to wildfire impacts to the Mill Creek Watershed, which tens of thousands of Walla Walla residents rely
Governor Ferguson, Department of Commerce coordinating donations from businesses and nonprofit organizations in response to wildfires
SPOKANE —Governor Bob Ferguson, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the State Emergency Operations Center are coordinating offers of large quantities of donated goods and services to
Governor Ferguson visits Pasco to discuss key legislative priority to remove cellphones in schools statewide
PASCO —Today Governor Bob Ferguson held an event in Pasco to discuss a top legislative priority for the upcoming session: Banning cellphones in schools statewide during school hours. Governor
Mayor Harrell Issues Proclamation Ending Limited Civil Emergency After SNAP Benefits Fully Restored
Mayor Harrell’s directive provided three weeks of emergency food assistance totaling up to $3 million in response to SNAP funding uncertainty during federal government shutdown Seattle—Yesterday,
Mayor Harrell Announces $27.8 Million to Community Organizations Through the Equitable Development Initiative
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced $27.8 million in awards to 33 projects through the Equitable Development Initiative, part of the City’s effort to support property ownership among
Mayor Harrell Signs New Police Contact to Permanently Expand CARE Department, Strengthen Accountability, and Improve Recruitment
Approval reflects monumental, nation-leading step forward in diversified public safety response Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed a new contract with rank-and-file Seattle police officers
Mayor Harrell Announces Sexual Assault Advisory Panel Recommendations and Implementation Plan
The Implementation Plan is supported by a $1.25 million investment Seattle—Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the Recommendations and Implementation Plan developed by the Sexual Assault Advisory