NEWS
(OLYMPIA)– Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is encouraging Washington residents, public employees, and state retirees to help residents of Western Washington affected by flooding from this week’s atmospheric river. Secretary Hobbs authorized the activation of the Disaster Relief Center (DRC), a special function of the Office of the Secretary of State’s Combined Fund Drive (CFD), and initiation of a special fundraising campaign to benefit response and recovery efforts, Dec. 11, 2025, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. “Whenever disaster strikes, Washington’s residents and state employees have always stepped up to offer support (read more)
(MOUNT VERNON)- Skagit County Superior Court Judge Thomas L. Verge will retire on December 31st, 2025, culminating a 37-year legal career. Judge Verge served a total of 21 years on the bench in three different court systems throughout his uniquely varied legal career, according to a news release from the county. He first spent ten years in private practice in Mount Vernon focusing on criminal defense, civil law, and family law. He was elected as the Skagit County Prosecutor in 1998 for a four-year term ending in 2002. He then spent two years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Whatcom County before serving (read more)
(OAK HARBOR)— Students at Skagit Valley College’s Whidbey Island campus hosted a forum with their state lawmakers on Dec. 2, raising questions about the issues shaping their education, wellbeing, and future careers. The forum was organized by the Associated Students of Skagit Valley College (ASSVC) and brought together legislators from Washington’s 10th Legislative District, according to a news release from SVC. Senator Ron Muzzall, Representative Dave Paul, and Representative Clyde Shavers participated in the session, responding to a series of pre-screened questions submitted by students from across SVC’s campuses. “Our students are eager to understand how decisions in (read more)
(OLYMPIA)– A new report from the Washington Department of Ecology details how $1.5 billion of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) revenue was invested in local communities during the 2023-25 biennium - the most comprehensive accounting of CCA spending to date. The report can be found on Ecology's website. The investments can also be viewed on the CCA Dashboard. “The Climate Commitment Act is moving us toward a low-carbon economy and helping our most vulnerable communities adapt to the realities of climate change,” said Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller. “Having detailed, transparent information about CCA spending ensures that lawmakers can continue to guide those (read more)
(WINTHROP)– State Route 20 North Cascades Highway will close for the winter season at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Rainy Pass (elevation 4862 feet) and Washington Pass (elevation 5475 feet) will close between Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171). Depending on conditions, the closure points are typically moved to lower elevation closure points later in the season, moving to the Newhalem gate (milepost 120) on the west side and Early Winters gate (milepost 178) on the east side, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. WSDOT will close SR 20 North Cascades Highway for the winter due to conditions (read more)