These were the five biggest Washington towns 150 years ago
From its 1853 roots, Washington Territory evolved with Walla Walla as a gold rush hub, while Seattle and Spokane's growth reshaped the landscape into the cities we know today.
Washington Venezuelans launch relief drive after devastating earthquakes
As first responders continue searching for people trapped beneath rubble in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes, people in Western Washington are stepping up to help survivors.
Boy, 15, charged in fatal Kent shooting apparently tied to gang rivalry
A 15-year-old boy seemingly had no idea a SWAT team was waiting in a stairwell of a Skyway apartment building to arrest him last week when he walked out of a third-floor unit and was taken into custody with a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his waistband, according to King County prosecutors.
Kirkland police investigated alleged human trafficker more than a year before his arrest
King County Prosecutors allege Nikita Tyukalo hosted parties at a rented mansion in Bellevue and recruited young women to produce online sex content.
Seattle mayor announces crime crackdown in troubled neighborhood
Seattle is taking a new approach to one of its most troubled neighborhoods, but not everyone agrees on what comes next. City leaders promise safer streets and renewed hope, while residents and business owners wait to see whether real change will follow. The debate is growing, and the stakes are...
Washington agrees to join carbon market with California and Quebec
OLYMPIA, WA – Washington took a key step Thursday to combine its carbon market with one operating in California and Quebec, a move expected to drive down costs for carbon-emitting businesses once the programs are joined. State
‘Prolific’ Bellevue, WA retail theft suspect back in jail just months after release
Janeice Downs, a prolific organized retail theft suspect released from prison in January, was rearrested on June 12 and charged with first-degree organized retail theft for a series of high-end shoplifting incidents across Western Washington. Investigators linked Downs to the theft of two Louis Vuitton handbags worth o
Kent School Board approves reduction of 229 employees
The Kent School Board approved a reduction of 229 employees to help cover an estimated $32.5 million deficit and to balance the 2026-2027 Kent School District budget. District leaders aren’t planning to lay off any teachers because they expect about 141 to leave through attrition, such as retiring, leaving the district
2 small earthquakes hit back-to-back in Washington
Two small earthquakes struck Washington just hours apart overnight Thursday. A 2.9-magnitude quake hit about a mile southeast of Easton at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Another quake hit about seven miles east of Carnation at around 1 a.m. Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Washington faces
Mercer Island superintendent knew of teacher sexual misconduct allegations
In October 2025, Mercer Island School District Superintendent Fred Rundle issued a press release saying that allegations detailed in an InvestigateWest story published that day were new to him. “We learned of an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a former Mercer Island High School teacher, Curtis Johnston, and a
