LATEST NEWS

Starting Thursday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will accept applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant. Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $250,000 per project and projects may last for up to three years. WSDA’s Amber Betts said the application process is open to non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and Tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities.

It’s Aug. 15. We’re halfway through Hike-a-Thon — there’s still time to join in on the fun! Wildfire season continues across the Pacific Northwest. Thunder is in the forecast this weekend. Lake Sammamish State Park is piloting a program that offers the public use of a multi-terrain accessibility chair. And WTA wants to hear how forest road conditions have affected your hikes. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

(The Center Square) - With the new school year right around the corner, Washington’s 295 public school districts are busy trying to figure out how to comply with the recently implemented Final Rule changes to Title IX, created by the Biden administration. Twenty-six states have, at least for now, blocked the changes, and as previously reported by The Center Square, The Washington Parents Network had planned to file a legal challenge to the Title IX changes, but opted to wait for the 11th Circuit Court...

With cases of Chronic Wasting Disease reported in Idaho, California, and now Washington, Oregon is surrounded by the disease that is fatal for deer, elk and moose. Michelle Dennehy, with Oregon Fish and Wildlife, said animals can carry CWD and transmit it for a long time. "In most cases, when...

Washington state is set to distribute $28.5 million in rebates to farmers and haulers of farm goods, providing partial refunds for cap-and-trade surcharges on fuel. The Department of Licensing (DOL) has announced that it will activate a website on August 26 to begin accepting applications for the rebates. The program, designed to quickly and efficiently return funds to the agricultural industry, will operate on a first-come, first-served basis until the money is exhausted, the Capital Press reported.

JOINT STAFF REPORT – FALL FACT SHEET NO. 2b. Buoy 10 and Mainstem Fall Recreational Salmon Fisheries. • The Buoy 10 to west Puget Island (WPI) fishery is scheduled to be open August 1–29 for hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho retention, August 30 – September 3 for Chinook and hatchery coho, and September 4 – December 31 for hatchery coho.

(The Center Square) - A proposed battery energy storage system near Goldendale under consideration by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council would, if ultimately approved by Gov. Jay Inslee, be able to provide 200,000 homes with electricity for up to four hours. It’s a facility that Washington residents might need if the state is unable to meet future energy demands, which the company behind the project warns is growing more likely. ...

Holden Village, an isolated mountain community situated deep within the “American Alps” of Washington State, has achieved a remarkable milestone with the commissioning of a new advanced composting system: One hundred percent of the community’s food waste is being recycled into high value compost for local landscaping, gardening and restoring the sensitive ecosystem, with a composting system that eliminates odors and requires minimal material handling.

Question: Can you get a DUI while driving a riding lawn mower on the road?. Answer: You’ve got the law, and then you’ve got the interpretation of the law. The law would appear to be the easy part, so let’s start there. In Washington, “A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state” and is impaired. Pretty clear, right?

Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert will battle to be Washington’s next governor in November after storming to the front of the 28-person field in the Aug. 6 primary election. Ferguson, 59, the three-term attorney general, had hauled in around 45.5% of the vote, according to results posted...

In a significant effort to restore salmon habitats hampered by state highways, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been making strides following a 2013 federal court order. As detailed in a recent WSDOT blog post, the department has to date corrected 145 barriers, which has reopened 572 miles of fish habitat. WSDOT is currently working on 160 additional sites to further meet the court's directive, aiming to restore access to 70% of the blocked habitat. The remaining 20% necessitates an estimated $4 billion in additional funding to meet the 90% restoration goal.

An average Washington family with two cars pays an extra $600 dollars a year in fuel and home heating costs for the year 2023 based on price increases related to The Climate Commitment Act law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, according to the Washington Policy Center. Washington Policy Center environmental...

(The Center Square) - A Washington state worker trying to opt out of her union, had to get help from a national organization for advice on standing up to leadership. The worker, represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), demanded her freedom from the union back in April, but was told she was required to continue paying dues until her next “opt-out window” opened in October 2025. Frustrated...

Leaders in Washington State’s capital city of Olympia voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass a resolution locally decriminalizing psilocybin and certain other psychedelic plants and fungi. It’s the latest locality in the state to pass such a measure following similar changes in Seattle, Port Townsend and Jefferson County.

SEATTLE – The times are changing – literally. Well, at least the Anacortes/San Juan Islands ferry times. Washington State Ferries is hosting an online open house to share information and gather feedback on proposed changes to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands sailing schedules. The open house will be online through Friday, Aug. 23.

Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) will host the 14th annual Summer Networking from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 at The Mill on Lake Stevens – in collaboration with the City of Lake Stevens and Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce. This event provides a casual networking opportunity for all...

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – It’s the second weekend of the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden and once again, it’s going to be packed with fun activities for everyone. Once you have bought your entry ticket, there are plenty of free events to check out including the...

Whatcom Young Professionals will host their annual fundraiser on Thursday, September 5th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Fishermen’s Pavilion, benefitting the Max Higbee Center. The retro-themed event will feature food trucks, ice cream, local beer & cider, a DJ dance party, and raffles for over $2,500 in gift certificates donated by local businesses.

EVERETT, AUG. 15: The Everett city council heard a briefing of a potential ordinance establishing a voluntary separation incentive for city employees to help address the city’s projected $12.6 million deficit for 2025. Lori Cummings, Senior Executive Director of the Mayor’s office said the goal moving forward is to...

In Wednesday’s (8/14) Whatcom Talk (Washington State), Margaret Bikman writes, “The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra … boasts top-tier local musicians tackling challenging repertoire, draws celebrated national and international soloists, and enjoys devoted community support…. For longtime symphony-goers to curious first-time audience members, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra offers traditional works by well-known composers and adventurous pieces by contemporary artists, all performed by incredibly talented local musicians…. The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2024/2025 season this September—its eleventh with Maestro Yaniv Attar…. This season marks the 10th anniversary of BSO launching its ‘Harmony From Discord’ series—a celebration of music that has survived oppression that strives to bring lost compositions back into the light. Attar, a native of Israel and trained at Juilliard, has watched BSO’s progression with excitement and pride…. Gail Ridenour, BSO’s executive director … who’s been co-principal oboe for nine years, loves the blend of compositions throughout the upcoming season. ‘It combines traditional works by composers like Mozart and Beethoven with contemporary composers creating powerful pieces,’ she says…. ‘The orchestra continues to grow and strive through adventurous programming,’ Attar says with a smile, ‘and our audience recognizes it and loves it!’ ”