NEWS

(OLYMPIA)- The Washington State Department of Ecology is partnering with fire departments across the state to help protect firefighters from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – in firefighting foams. PFAS are resistant to heat which is one reason they are added to firefighting foams. But they also build up in people, animals, and the environment over time. Because many PFAS don’t break down easily, they’re often called “forever chemicals.” Firefighting foams containing PFAS are known to contribute to the disproportionately high levels of PFAS in firefighters’ bodies. That’s a concern because PFAS are linked     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Skagit County is holding a comment period and Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed agritourism code amendments and SEPA threshold determination. The comment period will be open from September 25, 2025, to October 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. The Planning Commission Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 6 p.m., according to a news release from the county. The proposed amendments, SEPA threshold determination, SEPA checklist, and other documents can be viewed by visiting the project page on the county's website.     (read more)

(PORTLAND, Ore)— Communities that have limited resources and face high risk from wildfire are getting additional support from the USDA Forest Service. In an announcement made Sept. 23, Oregon and Washington will receive $57 million in Community Wildfire Defense grant awards, funding 10 projects across the two states. These grants are part of more than $200 million being invested in 58 projects across 22 states and two tribes, according to a news release from the Forest Service. “These grants are about putting resources in the hands of those that know their lands and communities best, so that they can better protect their families, businesses, infrastructure and     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit Board of County Commissioners will host a series of budget work sessions over the next two weeks with each department and elected office to discuss 2026 budget requests. These work sessions are open to the public either in-person in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, or via Zoom at the link on the Commissioners’ website below, according to a news release from the county. www.skagitcounty.net/commissioners To view the schedule, please visit the Budget and Finance page on the county's website. While these meetings are open to the public, there     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)— Secretary of State Steve Hobbs responded to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Sep. 8 request for all fields of Washington’s voter registration list by directing his office to provide only the publicly disclosable information permitted under state law, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. Pursuant to RCWs 29A.08.710 and 29A.08.720 the publicly disclosable fields include information such as the registrant’s name, address, year of birth, and voting history. Protected information, including the last four digits of a Social Security number, a driver’s license number, or a full date of birth, is not subject to public disclosure, according to     (read more)