Wire Service

  • 17909 Stories
  • Page 1 of 896
From left to right: Rep. Travis Couture, Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen. June Robinson, and Rep. Timm Ormsby speak during the general fund budget panel at the 2026 legislative session preview Jan. 9. Photo by Cassie Diamond

What’s on the agenda for Washington’s 2026 legislative session

With a looming $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion budget shortfall hanging over the Washington state legislature, House and Senate leaders and Gov. Bob Ferguson presented… Continue reading

 

Janet Abbott | Obituary

Janet Abbott | Obituary

Janet Abbott September 15, 1945- July 29, 2025 Janet Abbott, 79, beloved Wife and Mother passed away July 29, 2025. She was born in Kent,… Continue reading

 

On Dec. 8, 2025, the atmospheric river stretched thousands of miles from Guam to Washington before bringing moist subtropical air to the region for nearly a week. Photo from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-18 Satellite

Flood science: How December’s atmospheric river soaked Washington

After recovering from record-setting flooding, many in King County are wondering why December’s flooding has been more extreme and if climate change is to blame.… Continue reading

 

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo

New laws and taxes take effect in WA on Jan. 1

Tax hikes on big business and rental cars. Unemployment benefits for workers on strike. Those are just a few of the changes to state law… Continue reading

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
t

Renton Police Department will get more AI technology

Upgrades will assist with language translation, self-defense and drones.

t
The Enumclaw transfer station is accepting flood debris on weekends though Jan. 11, 2026. File photo

King County accepting flood debris for free

Three stations will take your garbage and yard waste on weekends through Jan. 11.

The Enumclaw transfer station is accepting flood debris on weekends though Jan. 11, 2026. File photo
Bruce Willard | Obituary

Bruce Willard | Obituary

Bruce Michael Willard October 28, 1938- December 3, 2025 Bruce Michael Willard of Kent, WA passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025, at age 87.… Continue reading

Bruce Willard | Obituary
Courtesy of WSDOT

Both directions of SR 167 closed in Kent and Auburn due to flooding

The Washington State Department of Transportation reports that both directions of State Route 167 between Kent and Auburn are closed from South 212th Street (milepost… Continue reading

Courtesy of WSDOT
Floodwater from the Snohomish River partially covers a flood water sign on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Sound Publishing photo)

Feds approve WA emergency declaration for record flooding

As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Dec. 12 approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding. Gov. Bob Ferguson… Continue reading

Floodwater from the Snohomish River partially covers a flood water sign on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Sound Publishing photo)
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson announced a state of emergency Dec. 10 over the flooding. Courtesy photo

Gov. Ferguson declares statewide emergency over major flooding

The flooding has affected SR 410 both near Greenwater and Sumner.

Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson announced a state of emergency Dec. 10 over the flooding. Courtesy photo
Chargers senior Giovanni Moimoi goes up for a dunk. Nathan Hyun / The Reporter

Kentridge opens season with win over River Ridge

Gio Moimoi has game high 29 points, Jaylen Keowla scores 19.

Chargers senior Giovanni Moimoi goes up for a dunk. Nathan Hyun / The Reporter
Kentwood’s Brandon Tagle boxes out for a rebound. Nathan Hyun / The Reporter

Kentwood’s late rally not enough against Auburn

Senior Brandon Tagle had 30 in the loss to six-time league winners.

Kentwood’s Brandon Tagle boxes out for a rebound. Nathan Hyun / The Reporter
An AR-15 rifle and a loaded magazine that were recovered from a suspect in a shooting incident at the Kent Station parking garage in 2019. (Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff’s Office)

WA’s ban on assault weapon sales survives another challenge

A judge last month once again upheld Washington’s 2023 law banning the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms classified as assault weapons. But the dispute is… Continue reading

An AR-15 rifle and a loaded magazine that were recovered from a suspect in a shooting incident at the Kent Station parking garage in 2019. (Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff’s Office)
t

SR 167 will see overnight closure in Auburn on Dec. 3-4

From 15th Street Northwest to S. 277th Street beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, to 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.

t
All permitted food businesses in King County, from restaurants to food trucks, should have a food safety rating sign from Public Health displayed for customers. Photo courtesy of Public Health - Seattle & King County

King County sees rise in unpermitted food vendors

Food safety rating signage now includes mobile food vendors.

All permitted food businesses in King County, from restaurants to food trucks, should have a food safety rating sign from Public Health displayed for customers. Photo courtesy of Public Health - Seattle & King County
Courtesy of Seattle Metro Pickleball Association Washington’s pickleball license plate.

Pickleball gets its own Washington license plate

Washington served up a new license plate Nov. 19, honoring the state sport of pickleball. In the works for three years, it is the second… Continue reading

Courtesy of Seattle Metro Pickleball Association Washington’s pickleball license plate.
Melvin Knott | Obituary

Melvin Knott | Obituary

Melvin Jeffery Knott July 23, 1939- November 16, 2025 It is with deep love and sadness that we share the passing of Melvin Jeffery Knott,… Continue reading

Melvin Knott | Obituary

Let’s get serious about solving WA’s energy challenges | Commentary

For residents of the Pacific Northwest, January 2024 might be memorable because of the winter storm that brought ice and severe cold to the region,… Continue reading

Kentwood players run together to move the ball. Photo provided by Robby Mullikin

Kentwood falls to Curtis in Week 10 playoff tussle

Conks stopped a game shy of the state tournament in 10-point loss to Vikings.

Kentwood players run together to move the ball. Photo provided by Robby Mullikin
On Nov. 6, “Too Tall” Winston of the Harlem Globetrotters visited students at East Hill Elementary School in Kent. The visit was coordinated by the accesso ShoWare Center, which is hosting the Globetrotters on Jan. 30, 2026, during their 100 Year Tour. The show includes the popular gravity-defying dunks and game-changing tricks, along with pre-game and post-game fun. Tickets can be purchased at accessoshowarecenter.com. COURTESY PHOTOS

Globetrotter ‘Too Tall’ Winston visits East Hill Elementary

On Nov. 6, “Too Tall” Winston of the Harlem Globetrotters visited students at East Hill Elementary School in Kent. The visit was coordinated by the… Continue reading

On Nov. 6, “Too Tall” Winston of the Harlem Globetrotters visited students at East Hill Elementary School in Kent. The visit was coordinated by the accesso ShoWare Center, which is hosting the Globetrotters on Jan. 30, 2026, during their 100 Year Tour. The show includes the popular gravity-defying dunks and game-changing tricks, along with pre-game and post-game fun. Tickets can be purchased at accessoshowarecenter.com. COURTESY PHOTOS