Washington State – The Seattle Sun

August 2025

August 25, 2025

Washington joins states seeking FDA changes on abortion pill — The petition argues rules on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone are unnecessary given its safety record.

August 25, 2025

Postal Service fined for hazardous waste at Seattle site — The state Department of Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty after inspectors found repeated violations in storing and disposing of dangerous materials at the Bulk Mail Center.

August 25, 2025

Democratic AGs sue DOJ over crime victim funds — Twenty-one attorneys general, including Washington’s, filed suit to block the federal government from tying $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act grants to immigration enforcement.

August 25, 2025

Homelessness growth slows but continues statewide — The Department of Commerce’s Point in Time Count found 22,173 people homeless in January, up 4.4% from 2024.

August 18, 2025

Washington sues Trump administration over $9M in climate funding cuts — State AG says loss of NOAA funds jeopardizes programs preparing communities for wildfire, flooding, and other climate impacts.

August 18, 2025

Washington unemployment steady at 4.5% as job growth slows — State added 10,800 jobs in July, though construction lost 11,300 compared with last year.

Gov. Bob Ferguson is rejecting pressure from U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to roll back Washington’s sanctuary state laws, setting up a clash over immigration enforcement. In an Aug. 13 letter, Bondi warned that Washington’s policies “thwart federal immigration enforcement” and gave ...

August 4, 2025

Washington murder rate drops nearly 19% — New statewide crime data shows murders declined in 2024, alongside decreases in property crimes and violent offenses, though rates remain above pre‑pandemic levels.

August 4, 2025

Washington joins 21‑state lawsuit challenging USDA over SNAP data rule — The coalition argues the new directive requiring five years of personal data on recipients violates privacy laws and exceeds federal authority.

July 2025

July 28, 2025

Judge halts WA law on priest confessions — A federal judge blocked a new mandate requiring Catholic priests to report child abuse learned in confession, ruling it violates First Amendment religious freedoms.

August 2025

Washington joins states seeking FDA changes on abortion pill — The petition argues rules on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone are unnecessary given its safety record.

Postal Service fined for hazardous waste at Seattle site — The state Department of Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty after inspectors found repeated violations in storing and disposing of dangerous materials at the Bulk Mail Center.

Democratic AGs sue DOJ over crime victim funds — Twenty-one attorneys general, including Washington’s, filed suit to block the federal government from tying $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act grants to immigration enforcement.

Homelessness growth slows but continues statewide — The Department of Commerce’s Point in Time Count found 22,173 people homeless in January, up 4.4% from 2024.

Washington sues Trump administration over $9M in climate funding cuts — State AG says loss of NOAA funds jeopardizes programs preparing communities for wildfire, flooding, and other climate impacts.

Washington unemployment steady at 4.5% as job growth slows — State added 10,800 jobs in July, though construction lost 11,300 compared with last year.

Governor Ferguson vows to uphold immigrant protections despite federal pressure

Washington murder rate drops nearly 19% — New statewide crime data shows murders declined in 2024, alongside decreases in property crimes and violent offenses, though rates remain above pre‑pandemic levels.

Washington joins 21‑state lawsuit challenging USDA over SNAP data rule — The coalition argues the new directive requiring five years of personal data on recipients violates privacy laws and exceeds federal authority.

July 2025

Judge halts WA law on priest confessions — A federal judge blocked a new mandate requiring Catholic priests to report child abuse learned in confession, ruling it violates First Amendment religious freedoms.