Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is visiting the Tri-Cities on Thursday to sign 11 bills into law, but several high-profile and controversial measures—particularly those involving parental rights, student privacy, and healthcare costs—are noticeably absent from his schedule.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has signed into law a sweeping measure that gives the state expansive new oversight authority over all privately run ICE detention facilities, including the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. House Bill 1232, backed by Democrat lawmakers, authorizes unannounced inspections by the state Department of Health and imposes fines of up to $1 million annually for violations—defined solely by the agency.
The Department of Justice has joined a lawsuit defending Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner after he defied the state's sanctuary policies to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Newborn babies in Washington are testing positive for drugs at a rate far above the national average, with many suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) caused by in-utero drug exposure. In Spokane County, the rate is nearly 3.5 times the national average, making it one of the hardest-hit areas in the country.
Washington State Senator Bill Ramos, a Democrat from Issaquah, passed away unexpectedly Saturday evening during a trail run. He was 69 years old. His death has shocked colleagues on both sides of the political aisle and left a notable void in the state’s legislative body.
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a federal investigation into Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) over policies that may violate key federal laws regarding parental rights and student privacy. The probe centers on a dispute with the La Center School District, which OSPI has pressured to adopt gender identity policies that require keeping students’ gender transitions confidential from their parents.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed the Trump administration’s economic strategy Wednesday, emphasizing plans for trade alliances with key partners to counter China while brushing off fears of a financial meltdown.
Eighty-eight veterans and their companions departed from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Tuesday for a memorable trip to Washington, D.C.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has declared it will not comply with new Title IX rules under President Donald Trump’s administration that would prohibit biological males from competing in female sports. Citing state inclusion laws, WIAA officials claim that enforcing the federal mandate would violate current Washington state statutes.
