Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Federal Judge Blocks Washington State Law Forcing Priests To Break the Seal of Confession
A federal judge is giving clergy members in Washington a win by placing on hold a law that would force them to violate the seal of confession or face jail. A federal district court judge, David Estudillo, blocked enforcement of the law as multiple...

Seattle Mariners rookie Cole Young starting to turn a corner
With Julio Rodríguez’s surge in Detroit and Cal Raleigh continuing his record-setting season, the recent performance of Seattle Mariners rookie Cole Young could easily fly under the radar. Young, who is ranked as the Mariners’ No. 3 prospect and...

Seattle City Council names 6 finalists to replace Cathy Moore
The Seattle City Council has selected six finalists to fill the District 5 seat left open when former Councilmember Cathy Moore stepped down earlier this month. Moore's replacement will be selected on July 28. RELATED: Seattle City Council goes...
Washington state unemployment rate remains at 4.5%
Washington’s economy increased by an estimated 10,900 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in June 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate held steady at 4.5%. “Job growth in June was the strongest we’ve seen since January 2025,” said Anneliese...
Kiwi rower Zack Rumble apologises, cops booze ban over Seattle incident
Photo: Steve McArthur A top Kiwi rower who was arrested in Seattle after a post-regatta celebration bolted from police while being questioned over an alleged assault and then hid in a bush, official documents say. As first reported by RNZ in May,...

Four U.S. citizen children detained by Border Patrol in WA released
Immigration officials this week released four children, all U.S. citizens, to a family friend after the kids were detained with their mother for about two weeks. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol detained the Portland-based mother and children June...

Six finalists announced for Seattle City Council’s vacant District 5 seat
(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council has narrowed its list of candidates for its vacancy down from 22 candidates to five, featuring former elected officials, Seattle employees, community leaders, education officials and Amazon managers....
Washington Supreme Court limits how state can sentence immigrants previously convicted abroad
Tim Clouser / The Center Square The Washington Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday that prohibits judges from increasing an offender’s mandatory sentence range based on foreign convictions. The decision stemmed from a case where an Australian...

Starbucks return-to-office plan adds momentum to Seattle’s recovery
(The Center Square) – Starbucks is ordering its corporate employees to move closer to the city and work in-person four days a week as the coffee giant is the next major Seattle-based company to make employees return to the office. Starbucks CEO...

Sporting Kansas City hosts New York City FC at Children's Mercy Park
Sporting Kansas City is set to face New York City FC at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The match marks NYCFC's first visit to the venue since 2018. Tickets are available online with special offers like the Coca-Cola Family &...

Top NZ rower Zack Rumble apologises over Seattle incident, cops booze ban
Rumble said he “deeply regrets” his actions. “I take full responsibility for my actions, what I did was wrong, and I acknowledge that it was not okay, and will never be acceptable. I am doing everything possible to ensure that an event like this...

Five dividend-paying stocks with activist investors’ attention
What are we looking for? Sustainable dividends from sound companies under pressure to get even better. The screen Activist investors are once again in the spotlight, with U.S. player Starboard Value targeting online travel site Tripadvisor Inc...

State says it will continue support following federal shutdown of LGBTQ youth emergency line
Photo courtesy Pixabay. The LGBTQI+ Youth Subnetwork of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is shutting down as of July 17, following a federal decision announced last month to end this specialized service, the Washington State Department of Health...

READER REPORT: Big achievement for West Seattle ultramarathon swimmer and coach
We’ve had some great success stories about local athletes recently, and here’s the latest: Local ultramarathon swimmer Denise Simens, who also coaches high-school swimmers, competed at nationals in Portland last weekend, and her friend Chelsie P...

Immigration officials release Portland children detained near border
By Troy Brynelson / Oregon Public Broadcasting After two weeks in custody, four Portland children have been released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, OPB has learned. Their parents are still being held. Kenia Jackeline “Jackie” Merlos and...

33,000 WA adult education students in limbo as feds stall funds
By Spencer Pauley The Center Square • July 17, 2025 1:30 am The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges says nearly $13.8 million in withheld federal grant funding is negatively impacting the state’s technical colleges....

Washington prepares for end of 988 crisis line support tailored to LGBTQ+ youth
Emily Fitzgerald / Washington State Standard Specialty services for LGBTQ+ youth will be removed from the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline on Thursday, July 17, following a federal decision announced last month. The hotline will continue to...

Two Teens Charged with First-Degree Assault in Stabbing of 17-Year-Old Girl in West Seattle
Two teenagers from Snohomish County have been charged with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbing of a 17-year-old girl in West Seattle. The victim, who was caring for her grandfather at the time of the attack, is currently...

Washington State Budget Triggers Higher Business, Capital Gains and Estate Taxes in 2025
Starting in 2025, taxes are going up in the state of Washington. This is particularly true for large service businesses, estates and individuals earning capital gains. There is also an important change to the tax classification for certain service...

Washington state court upholds denial of benefits to immigrant who got $11K after move to Mexico
By Tim Clouser / The Center Square Despite being declared ineligible for unemployment benefits by the state, an immigrant received over $11,000 after moving back to Mexico; he claims he was available for remote work, and while a judge disagreed...