Violent crime in the United States fell by an estimated 9.3% in 2025, marking the largest year-to-year decline in the national violent crime rate since the FBI began estimating crime in 1936, according to new national data. The estimated murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate also fell 18.1%, to 4.1 killings per 100,000 people — tying…
Two Democratic Washington state Senate hopefuls are headed for a recount as just four votes separate them for second place in the primary and a spot on the November ballot. After examining challenged ballots Monday, Michael Shepard led Eamonn Collins with 13,125 votes to 13,121 in the 42nd Legislative District. Nearly 50,000 votes have been…
The number of refugees admitted to the United States during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is on pace to hit its lowest level on record, according to a new analysis. The new numbers reflect a steep decline in refugee admissions since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a new…
A powerful labor union and the governor’s office are at odds in contract negotiations for thousands of Washington caregivers, with the state proposing a wage freeze and the workers pressing for higher pay. Caregivers from Service Employees International Union 775 initially asked for a 12% hike over two years — 6% next year, and another…
State Democratic officials are preparing for chaos at the polls this November, as President Donald Trump casts doubt on election security and pushes for more federal involvement in local voting. “We’re no longer talking about hypothetical situations,” said Nick Brown, Washington state’s Democratic attorney general, noting the president’s push to nationalize election administration and to…
Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the political spectrum push for new restrictions. The company announced Thursday that it will recommend that police agencies retain license plate reader data for seven days, down…
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada. DNC Chair Ken Martin said during Saturday’s meeting that the early lineup reflects the diversity of the party’s electorate. “Our 2028 nominee, whoever they are, will have…
Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons was fined $15,000 on Friday by a state ethics panel for improperly using her position to steer public funds to a nonprofit where she worked, and trying to retaliate against the person who initiated the investigation against her. A unanimous Legislative Ethics Board concluded the Bremerton Democrat committed three violations…
The board that oversees Idaho’s largest public health district on Friday approved a quarter million dollar fund to fight invasive rats. The Central District Health board approved $250,000 in unspent reserve funds toward a “rodent abatement and prevention project.” The health district is still planning how to spend those funds, but some of it could…
The Pacific Northwest will need a massive buildout of new energy infrastructure over the next six years to meet rising electricity demand, according to a draft regional power plan released Thursday. Implementing the plan will cost the Pacific Northwest approximately $2.3 billion. And the rate of building will need to quicken to make it happen…
