Spokane Wildfires Improve, but Evacuation Zones Remain in Place
Cooler weather helped firefighters near Spokane on Aug. 5, but evacuation zones remained as officials warned of hotter, drier and windier conditions.
Washington
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Vancouver Police Explain Changes to Automatic Misdemeanor Citations
Vancouver officials say police changed how automatic citations are handled for some low-level misdemeanors, but key implementation details remain unclear.
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Port of Tacoma Approves Cold-Storage Lease With Up to 400 Jobs
The Port of Tacoma approved a lease for a new cold-storage facility that could support up to 400 jobs, though key project details remain undisclosed.
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Quincy’s data-center growth is reshaping jobs, land and power infrastructure
A regional report details how data centers serving Microsoft and Yahoo are changing Quincy’s workforce, construction activity, land negotiations and transportation planning.
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University Place school-crosswalk project reaches summer construction phase as district bond work advances
Sound Pacific Construction began work May 27 on University Place school-route safety improvements, while a February bond approval sets district replacement and renovation projects in motion.
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Kittitas County opens 2026 small-capital infrastructure grant process
Kittitas County has opened applications for a 2026 grant program supporting public infrastructure tied to economic development, with COG recommendations due by Aug. 19.
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Ellensburg schedules Aug. 18 panel on accessory dwelling units
A public homeowner panel on accessory dwelling units is scheduled for Aug. 18 at the Hal Holmes Community Center in Ellensburg.
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Woodinville seeks public input on Eastrail park and trail vision through Aug. 30
Woodinville’s online Eastrail visioning survey is open through Aug. 30, with outreach planned at three local events.
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Gig Harbor issues notice to proceed for 38th Avenue Phase 2 as utility work continues
Gig Harbor has issued a Notice to Proceed for Phase 2 of the 38th Avenue Improvement Project, but utility relocation must be completed before city construction begins.
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Hospital bond measure headed to ballot in Newport, Washington
A hospital bond measure serving the Newport-area community is headed to voters, but the available report does not yet identify the amount, tax structure or election date.
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Lakewood weighs zoning changes for cannabis businesses
Lakewood’s planning process is considering rules that would allow cannabis retailers, processors, producers and testing labs, with council action targeted Sept. 2.
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Bellevue opens nearly $25M affordable-housing funding opportunity
Bellevue is seeking affordable-housing proposals for up to $24.95 million in potential funding, with applications due to ARCH by Sept. 11.
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Wildfire smoke returns to Western Washington as Spokane fires drive unhealthy-air concerns
Smoke from the Spokane Complex moved west toward Western Washington on Aug. 3-4. Here is who faces greater health risks and how residents can reduce exposure.
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Washington proposes Clean Vehicles rule changes as Aug. 13 comment deadline nears
Ecology is proposing updated emissions standards, fallback rules and fleet-reporting authority. Virtual public hearings are Aug. 4 and 5, and written comments are due Aug. 13.
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Spokane-area wildfires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate
Spokane-area wildfires had forced about 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed at least 600 structures by August 3, disrupting shelter, schools and courts.
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Spokane-area wildfires leave hundreds of structures destroyed as evacuations continue
The Old Trails, Fairview and Meadowview fires are being managed as the Spokane Complex after preliminary reports put structure losses at roughly 600 to 640 and evacuations at about 60,000 people.
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Spokane-area wildfire complex forces mass evacuations and destroys at least 600 structures
About 60,000 people were evacuated in the Spokane area by Aug. 2 after wind-driven fires destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said.
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Washington leads lawsuit seeking to preserve school mental-health grants threatened by federal termination
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown led a 15-state lawsuit filed July 10 seeking to block the U.S. Department of Education from ending school mental-health grants. The state projected Washington schools and universities could lose more than $20 million.
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Washington joins $23andMe bankruptcy settlement over genetic-data breach affecting more than 220,000 state residents
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s office said the state joined 42 attorneys general in a settlement involving 23andMe’s bankruptcy trustee over allegations tied to the company’s 2023 data breach.
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Olympia’s 478-unit West Bay Yards project wins approval after appeal is denied
A 478-apartment development proposed for Olympia’s West Bay waterfront can move forward after its approval was upheld and an appeal was denied, according to reporting published July 25.
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Spokane County primary election deadline is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4
Spokane County ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, the day of the countywide 2026 primary. In-person registration and voter updates are available until the same deadline; unofficial results are expected around 8:15 p.m.
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Seattle mayor defends police-chief ouster after fatal festival shooting
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned July 30 after criticism of the department’s response and communications following a fatal shooting at Bite of Seattle. Mayor Katie Wilson defended the decision the next day as Deputy Chief Andre Sayles took over on an interim basis.