Public Health

May 2025

May 27, 2025

Sixth measles case confirmed in Washington from King County resident — Public Health officials say the case is unrelated to prior infections; exposure may have occurred during international travel, and vaccination status is unknown. (See all locations of potential exposure).

May 27, 2025

Washington health groups sue Trump administration over deletion of federal health data — The lawsuit alleges the removal of thousands of CDC and other public health webpages has harmed clinical care, research, and disease response efforts.

May 19, 2025

Canadian visitor with measles exposes public at over a dozen King County locations — The case marks the third measles exposure this year involving non-residents, with potential transmission sites including Sea-Tac Airport, gyms, restaurants, and shops between April 30 and May 3 (See all locations of potential exposure).

Despite nearly $3 billion in cuts, the state’s $78 billion budget for 2025–27 includes new funding for special education, law enforcement hiring, and homelessness services. Lawmakers prioritized core programs while delaying others, aiming to address immediate needs without tapping the state’s ...

May 12, 2025

Bill Gates to donate 99% of remaining wealth, Gates Foundation to close by 2045 — The $107 billion pledge will more than double the foundation’s spending, allowing it to distribute $200 billion over the next 20 years before winding down operations.

May 5, 2025

City attorney launches alternative to drug prosecution for misdemeanor cases — Defendants can avoid jail by completing treatment steps, passing drug tests, and staying arrest-free for 60 days to qualify for case dismissal.

April 2025

Washington state health officials confirmed a fifth case of measles this week, as infections climb both locally and nationally. The latest case involves an infant in King County who contracted the virus after exposure to a contagious traveler. Officials said the child was too young to be vaccinated....