Local Governments in the News

Oak Harbor annexation may face legal fight  (South Whidbey Record, April 16, 2026)

Whatcom County releases data tracking site in line with Justice Project objectives  (My Bellingham Now, April 16, 2026)

Ed Meece named new Cheney administrator  (Cheney Free Press, April 15, 2026)

Federal attacks on vote-by-mail, voter eligibility worry WA election officials  (Cascadia Daily News, April 15, 2026)

Historic preservation and adaptive reuse: Securing Seattle's historic Pioneer Square  (Urban Land, April 14, 2026)

Work underway to create new WA housing agency  (Washington State Standard, April 14, 2026)

Pasco City Council to weigh easier event permit rules for downtown  (NBC Nonstop Local News, April 13, 2026)

San José is not just training its staff on AI, it’s educating the public  (Smart Cities Dive, April 13, 2026)

What a fourth year of drought means for Yakima Basin farms, fish and drinking water supplies  (Yakima Herald-Republic, April 10, 2026)

Mason County offers deed fraud prevention tool to property owners  (Shelton-Mason County Journal, April 10, 2026)

Tacoma leaders push back on possible cuts to light rail extension  (KNKX, April 9, 2026)

Seattle police begin Neighborhood Resource Officer program after successful pilot in park  (MyNorthwest, April 9, 2026)

Lacey parks board recommends outsourcing naming rights to boost revenue  (JOLT, April 8, 2026)

Othello residents asked to fill out comprehensive plan survey  (Columbia Basin Herald, April 8, 2026)

Bold vision for the future of West Richland. Public invited to speak up  (Tri-City Herald, April 7, 2026)

Renton expands EV charging infrastructure for growing city fleet  (Renton Reporter, April 7, 2026)

Walla Walla takes proactive approach to financial planning with long-range model  (Apple Valley News, April 6, 2026)

Spokane County to set terms and conditions for e-bikes in county parks  (The Spokesman-Review, April 6, 2026)

Washington to require AI labels and set limits on chatbots  (Axios, April 3, 2026)

School-to-housing conversions are the fastest-growing sector of adaptive reuse  (Planetizen, April 3, 2026)

New agritourism rules are proposed in Skagit County. Here’s what to know  (Cascadia Daily News, April 2, 2026)

Spokane may need to hire dozens of public defenders  (The Center Square, April 2, 2026)

World Cup ‘spillover tourism’ could benefit Whidbey  (South Whidbey Record, April 1, 2026)

Bainbridge Island reviews proposed changes to short-term rental ordinance  (Bainbridge Island Review, April 1, 2026)

How bad is WA’s summer drought going to get?  (The Seattle Times, March 31, 2026)

Washington adds safeguards for Flock cameras  (Washington State Standard, March 31, 2026)

WA prepares to roll out $112 million medium heavy duty EV subsidy program  (The Center Square, March 30, 2026)

Pasco updates transportation plan, seeks resident input on future road projects  (Apple Valley News, March 30, 2026)

Could light rail across Lake Washington make Seattle the next Copenhagen?  (KUOW, March 27, 2026)

Food cart pod proposed for downtown Vancouver  (The Columbian, March 27, 2026)

Spokane County approves fee for body camera video requests  (KREM2, March 26, 2026)

Chelan County residents asked to comply with new ADU law  (The Wenatchee World, March 26, 2026)

Cashmere surpluses former library site, eyes redevelopment  (The Leavenworth Echo, March 25, 2026)

Trump housing order could mean new barriers to federal funding for cities  (Smart Cities Dive, March 25, 2026)

Some Bellingham alleys may close to curb crime, with nearby businesses at a ‘tipping point’  (Cascadia Daily News, March 24, 2026)

Lacey City Council adopts ordinance repealing social card game ban  (JOLT, March 24, 2026)

Langley plans to install ‘edge lane road’  (South Whidbey Record, March 23, 2026)

Rethinking the governance of property can help communities adapt to climate change  (Brookings, March 23, 2026)

Skagit County and city officials meet to discuss North Star behavioral health and housing initiative  (GoSkagit, March 20, 2026)

Kennewick moves forward with effort to reclaim Columbia River waterfront land  (Apple Valley News, March 20, 2026)

Thurston could become 1st county in U.S. to mandate energy assessment before home sales  (KOMO, March 19, 2026)

Up to $142M in economic benefits could come from being World Cup-adjacent, one city finds  (Smart Cities Dive, March 19, 2026)

Five years since the Blake decision in Washington state  (Cascade PBS, March 18, 2026)

Port of Olympia joins coalition formed to support shipbuilding industry  (JOLT, March 18, 2026)

Kennewick discusses capital projects for 2026 including city hall renovation or replacement  (Apple Valley News, March 17, 2026)

Pasco wants to rejoin conservation district. Here’s why it matters  (Tri-City Herald, March 17, 2026)

Sequim hires new economic development director  (Sequim Gazette, March 16, 2026)

Cashmere hears public comment on storage moratorium  (The Leavenworth Echo, March 16, 2026)

Spokane County eyes bodycam redaction fees amid footage requests from YouTubers  (The Center Square, March 13, 2026)

Bainbridge Island Metro Parks form first-ever union  (Bainbridge Island Review, March 13, 2026)

Council advances Hyun Kim for Tacoma city manager  (Tacoma Weekly, March 12, 2026)

WA takes another step to link its carbon market with California and Quebec  (KNKX, March 12, 2026)

Sunnyside to raise monthly utility fee to $22.40 as emergency service costs climb  (KIMA, March 11, 2026)

Spokane council compromises on public testimony, approves other procedural changes  (The Spokesman-Review, March 11, 2026)

Long Beach, Ilwaco buoyed by strong sales tax revenue in 2025  (Chinook Observer, March 10, 2026)

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown FIFA World Cup 2026 matches  (KOMO, March 10, 2026)

Kennewick police to propose ordinance on Bitcoin ATM regulation  (NBC Nonstop Local News, March 9, 2026)

Port of Moses Lake advances major infrastructure projects to boost economic development  (Apple Valley News, March 9, 2026)

Graffiti-removal effort targets downtown Ellensburg  (Ellensburg Daily Record, March 6, 2026)

Lacey City Council approves pooling of opioid settlement funds with partner cities and county  (JOLT, March 6, 2026)

Chinook voters consolidate commissioner districts  (Chinook Observer, March 5, 2026)

City, Land Trust acquire 134 acres in Wenatchee Foothills  (NCW Life Channel, March 5, 2026)

Denver cut street homelessness nearly in half  (Governing, March 4, 2026)

Newport loses $330,000 in city funds after scammers impersonate town’s insurance provider  (Spokane Public Radio, March 4, 2026)

Bellevue reports major crime drop in 2025 as police-community partnerships expand  (KOMO, March 3, 2026)

Winthrop asks WDFW for help with trapping, relocating wild turkeys  (Methow Valley News, March 3, 2026)

Selah names a new City Administrator  (KIMA, March 2, 2026)

Leaders sound the alarm for physical and cyber attacks ahead of summer World Cup  (Route Fifty, March 2, 2026)

Lynden council to regulate motor scooters, similar devices  (Lynden Tribune, February 27, 2026)

A record fourth year of drought in the Yakima Basin is likely  (Washington State Standard, February 27, 2026)

Thurston County receives nearly $600,000 for local planning related to salmon recovery  (The Chehalis Centralia Chronicle, February 26, 2026)

Oroville City Council advances $7.3 million runway project  (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, February 26, 2026)

Next steps set for independent coroner’s office in Clallam County  (My Clallam County, February 25, 2026)

Bureau of Reclamation declares Yakima-Tieton Canal an emergency  (Yakima Herald-Republic, February 25, 2026)

Lynnwood becomes one of the 1st in the state to terminate Flock contract  (Everett Herald, February 24, 2026)

Union Gap advances downtown revitalization project to create city's first true downtown core  (Apple Valley News, February 24, 2026)

Spokane City Council considers new meeting day, limits to public testimony and other reforms  (The Spokesman-Review, February 23, 2026)

What to know about controversial automated license plate readers in WA  (The Seattle Times, February 23, 2026)

Clark County planners: Expand urban growth boundaries  (The Columbian, February 20, 2026)

Final review of Whatcom County’s plan for future growth underway  (Cascadia Daily News, February 20, 2026)

AI is ‘the wild west right now.’ These experts explain how cities can use it ethically.  (Smart Cities Dive, February 19, 2026)

More affordable housing units are coming to Lynnwood. Here’s what to expect  (KNKX, February 19, 2026)

Plans for the future of Pullman begins with community input  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, February 18, 2026)

Sunnyside Mayor Vicky Frausto wants the community to be involved in city decisions  (Yakima Herald-Republic, February 18, 2026)

Look inside the largest local, public project taking shape in Tri-Cities  (Tri-City Herald, February 17, 2026)

Whatcom County Council hears update on flood recovery plan ahead of key presentation  (My Bellingham Now, February 17, 2026)

The best tactics for tackling speeders  (Bloomberg CityLab, February 13, 2026)

Seattle just built the world’s first light rail on a floating bridge  (Fast Company, February 13, 2026)

More cities are looking to expand multilingual access to services. Could AI spell the answer?  (Smart Cities Dive, February 12, 2026)

Selah moves forward with major infrastructure projects including civic center and wastewater plant  (Apple Valley News, February 12, 2026)

City of Lacey launches Community and Cultural Events Grant pilot program  (JOLT, February 11, 2026)

Proposal would boost Kent mayor’s annual salary to $240,000  (Kent Reporter, February 11, 2026)

Douglas County launches long-term review of farmland zoning  (NewsRadio 560 KPQ - KPQAM, February 10, 2026)

How Mountlake Terrace involved community in addressing City budget deficit  (MLT News, February 10, 2026)

WA Cares Fund pilot program offers early access to long-term care benefits for some residents in Spokane County  (KREM2, February 9, 2026)

Everett ordinance would make unpermitted food stands a misdemeanor, allow seizures  (KOMO, February 9, 2026)

Mayors group rolls out AI playbook  (Route Fifty, February 6, 2026)

Grandview advances major water infrastructure project with new three-million-gallon reservoir  (Apple Valley News, February 6, 2026)

Esperance annexation talks ramp up in Edmonds  (Everett Herald, February 5, 2026)

Spokane landlords now required to engage in eviction prevention programs, council votes  (The Spokesman-Review, February 5, 2026)

Enumclaw to hold second BESS moratorium public hearing  (The Courier-Herald, February 4, 2026)

Program embeds mental health professionals with first responders  (Snohomish County Tribune, February 4, 2026)

Beyond digitization: Why workflow automation is now essential for local government modernization  (ICMA, February 3, 2026)

‘A chance to give back’: Safety City remains a Lewis County tradition for students, public safety professionals  (The Chehalis Centralia Chronicle, February 3, 2026)

Stung by a court ruling, WA looks to clarify what is an ‘election’  (Washington State Standard, February 2, 2026)

Dogs bring joy, comfort to local city offices  (Snoqualmie Valley Record, February 2, 2026)

Cle Elum adds assistant city administrator to staff at city hall  (Ellensburg Daily Record, January 30, 2026)

State program CHIPS in to support three local affordable housing projects in the Methow  (Methow Valley News, January 30, 2026)

Short-term rental review from Pullman city officials is coming along  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, January 29, 2026)

Jefferson board rates areas of economic development  (Peninsula Daily News, January 29, 2026)

Illegal pop-up taco stands are coming back, WA health officials have a plan  (Tri-City Herald, January 28, 2026)

South Whidbey Fire/EMS unveils new training structure  (Whidbey News-Times, January 28, 2026)

Camas revisits idea of stronger council running city  (The Columbian, January 27, 2026)

As Washington gets sued over rent control, another question emerges: What happens if mobile home parks sell?  (Spokane Public Radio, January 27, 2026)

Walla Walla Valley population trends pose challenges  (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, January 26, 2026)

City-wide branding open house set for Feb. 11 at Mountlake Terrace City Hall  (MLT News, January 26, 2026)

Everett selects volunteers to review city charter  (Everett Herald, January 23, 2026)

Some 911 calls in SnoCo being triaged with AI  (Snohomish County Tribune, January 23, 2026)

Olympia City Council approves urban agriculture code updates, opens opportunity for community farming  (JOLT, January 22, 2026)

Chelan County, Port of Chelan near agreement on Malaga TIF district  (The Wenatchee World, January 22, 2026)

Whatcom flood victims want action right now  (Lynden Tribune, January 21, 2026)

San Juan County will stick with 32-hour government workweek  (The Seattle Times, January 21, 2026)

Generation Z in local government: Who they are and how to engage  (ICMA, January 20, 2026)

Counties wrestle with data centers’ power consumption  (Route Fifty, January 20, 2026)

Ban of kratom comes back before Cle Elum City Council  (Ellensburg Daily Record, January 16, 2026)

"Multi-gen Floor Plans" and more: How builders are responding to the multigenerational housing boom  (Planetizen, January 16, 2026)

Port Townsend plans for street projects in 2026  (Peninsula Daily News, January 15, 2026)

Thurston County seeks $10 million to accelerate salmon habitat restoration  (Jolt, January 15, 2026)

DNR grants NCW fire districts surplus wildfire engines  (NCW Life Channel, January 14, 2026)

Leverage zoning to fight against criminalizing homelessness  (APA Blog, January 14, 2026)

Washington State Ferries to test public Wi-Fi service this summer  (Washington State Standard, January 13, 2026)

Franklin County seeks volunteers for Pasco ballot measure committees  (Apple Valley News, January 13, 2026)

What’s on the 2026 Horizon for NLC’s Federal Advocacy  (National League of Cities, January 12, 2026)

See NACo's 2026 federal policy priorities for counties  (NACo, January 12, 2026)

Seattle's new Waterfront Park sees 3.2M visits in first season, boosts local economy  (KOMO, January 9, 2026)

Washington state trails in data center growth  (Axios, January 9, 2026)

SnoCo offers programs to assist in flood mitigation and recovery  (Everett Herald, January 8, 2026)

Clallam County plans spring town halls on charter review proposals  (My Clallam County, January 8, 2026)

Kennewick tackles 'forever chemicals' with new water treatment system  (NBC Nonstop Local News, January 7, 2026)

Skagit County commissioners extend agritourism moratorium  (GoSkagit, January 7, 2026)

Whatcom County implements AI-policy, encourages cautious use  (Cascadia Daily News, January 6, 2026)

$126M incentive program for zero-emission trucks nears launch in WA  (Washington State Standard, January 6, 2026)

How Bainbridge Island prepares for extreme winter weather  (Bainbridge Island Review, January 5, 2026)

Toppenish Police Department’s new building improving its operations  (Apple Valley News, January 5, 2026)

Chehalis UGA residents craft petition demanding vote of the people for annexation  (The Chehalis Centralia Chronicle, January 2, 2026)

State looks to change how local growth decisions can be challenged  (The Leavenworth Echo, January 2, 2026)

Snohomish county getting new 911 "AI copilot"  (Axios, December 18, 2025)

Governor Ferguson outlines significant flooding impact statewide  (NBC Nonstop Local News, December 18, 2025)

Yakima Parks and Recreation to build new outdoor exercise gym  (Apple Valley News, December 17, 2025)

Hwy 2 will be closed 'for months' due to storm damage, possibly debilitating ski season  (KOMO, December 17, 2025)

Bainbridge Island adopts ADA plan, $3.6 million in fixes to start  (Bainbridge Island Review, December 16, 2025)

Clallam County expected to surplus 13 properties of various acreage  (Peninsula Daily News, December 16, 2025)

Spokane Land Bank provides options for affordable housing  (Spokane Public Radio, December 15, 2025)

Drug use on public transit erodes safety and traumatizes staff. A 7-step plan can help cities respond.  (Smart Cities Dive, December 15, 2025)

Whatcom, Skagit floods resurrect painful memories of past disasters  (Cascadia Daily News, December 12, 2025)

Ephrata town hall highlights local growth  (Columbia Basin Herald, December 12, 2025)

Spokane County Sheriff's Office seeks $8.2M grant to counter drone threats during World Cup festivities  (KREM2, December 11, 2025)

Historic number of Latinos now serve on Pasco City Council  (Tri-City Herald, December 11, 2025)

3 Supreme Court cases local leaders shouldn’t ignore  (Smart Cities Dive, December 10, 2025)

Battery storage systems in Enumclaw? Not so fast  (The Courier-Herald, December 10, 2025)

Tacoma City Council modifies housing initiative to address landlord concerns  (The Center Square, December 9, 2025)

Oak Harbor maps out ‘stay out of designated area’  (Whidbey News-Times, December 9, 2025)

Wenatchee Police Department shuts off Flock cameras after public record ruling  (NCW Life Channel, December 8, 2025)

Sunnyside’s budget battle: how community voices saved local services  (Apple Valley News, December 8, 2025)

Lewis County establishes oversight committee for short-term rentals  (The Chronicle, December 5, 2025)

Whitman County to hold hearing on wind code revisions  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, December 5, 2025)

Chelan PUD outlines path to meet and exceed state clean energy requirements  (The Leavenworth Echo, December 4, 2025)

King County sees rise in unpermitted food vendors  (Kent Reporter, December 4, 2025)

Light rail expansion takes on increased urgency as 1.5 million more expected to move to western Washington  (KING 5, December 3, 2025)

‘Build it Together’ challenge seeks ideas for Leavenworth workforce housing solutions  (NCW Life Channel, December 3, 2025)

Washington lawmakers want to regulate license plate readers  (Washington State Standard, December 2, 2025)

Prosser City Hall’s big move: A bold partnership with Benton County  (Apple Valley News, December 2, 2025)

La Conner kicks off art competition for new town logo  (GoSkagit, December 1, 2025)

‘Gold standard’: Vancouver’s regional police academy receives highest score ever recorded by governing organization  (The Columbian, December 1, 2025)

Pasco to launch new utility billing portal for easier access  (NBC Nonstop Local News, November 20, 2025)

States and localities may get more federal cybersecurity money  (Governing, November 20, 2025)

Aberdeen approves footprint for US 12 Highway Rail Separation Project  (The Daily World, November 19, 2025)

Public meeting mulls over Port of Malaga's TIF proposal  (The Wenatchee World, November 19, 2025)

Washington state cities turn off license plate reader cameras amid ruling on data access  (GeekWire, November 18, 2025)

In a sea of municipal budget crises, Ferndale floats  (Cascadia Daily News, November 18, 2025)

New Royal City mayor focused on proactive management  (Columbia Basin Herald, November 17, 2025)

In 2021 an ambulance ride in Spokane was $975. Next year it will be more than 5 times higher  (The Spokesman-Review, November 17, 2025)

How government leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development  (Route Fifty, November 14, 2025)

AI tools for law enforcement are proliferating. Now cities and states are setting guardrails for their use.  (Smart Cities Dive, November 14, 2025)

US Census releases most accurate, granular housing data yet  (Planetizen, November 13, 2025)

Washington opens $25 million grant program to reduce diesel pollution statewide  (Apple Valley News, November 13, 2025)

Pre-arrest diversion program for low-level crimes debuts in Poulsbo  (Kitsap Daily News, November 12, 2025)

Are Kennewick drivers spending more time waiting on long, slow trains?  (Tri-City Herald, November 12, 2025)

Phoenix plans digital twin to solve regional challenges  (Route Fifty, November 10, 2025)

Spokane clean air officials celebrate milestone  (Spokane Public Radio, November 10, 2025)

Lewis County commissioners approve new guidelines for UGA management  (The Chronicle, November 7, 2025)

Federal Way approves expansion of Flock Safety cameras  (Federal Way Mirror, November 7, 2025)

City of Pasco seeking applicants for vacant city council position  (NBC Nonstop Local News, November 6, 2025)

Chelan County Fire District 3 launches Community Fire Brigade  (The Leavenworth Echo, November 6, 2025)

Modular momentum: Boulder's new approach to housing  (Planning Magazine, November 5, 2025)

Can a political office be truly ‘nonpartisan’?  (Cascadia Daily News, November 5, 2025)

Yakima Basin water leaders emphasize cooperation amid unprecedented shutoff  (Yakima Herald-Republic, November 4, 2025)

Pacific County selects new auditor  (Chinook Observer, November 4, 2025)

Olympia and Tumwater eye expansion of CARES Program  (JOLT, November 3, 2025)

Spokane City Council outlines plan for funding distribution after mayor declares emergency  (KREM2, November 3, 2025)

Skamania County eyes penalties as it ties rescues record  (The Chronicle, October 31, 2025)

Seattle painting more than 200 new bike and scooter ‘corrals’ in new push to keep city’s sidewalks clear  (Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, October 31, 2025)

Port of Moses Lake looking for more water  (Columbia Basin Herald, October 30, 2025)

Jefferson County working on homeless encampment policy  (Peninsula Daily News, October 30, 2025)

Waymo takes autonomous cars for a spin in Seattle and Bellevue  (KNKX, October 29, 2025)

Lewis County Juvenile Court engages with youth early and often  (The Chronicle, October 29, 2025)

Flock Safety setting allowed U.S. Border Patrol access to Wenatchee Valley license plate data without police knowledge  (NCW Life Channel, October 28, 2025)

How AI can aid in procurement and purchasing for cities and counties  (Route Fifty, October 28, 2025)

Mountlake Terrace City Council hears updates on federal transportation grants and effects of government shutdown  (MLT News, October 27, 2025)

Kent City Council adopts ordinance to end grocery store covenants  (Kent Reporter, October 27, 2025)

Chelan PUD joins regional Markets+ energy network  (The Leavenworth Echo, October 24, 2025)

Washington’s rural hospitals brace for Medicaid cuts, possible closures  (Spokane Public Radio, October 24, 2025)

Immigration enforcement agencies accessed WA license plate data through city Flock cameras, report finds  (KUOW, October 23, 2025)

On Friday, the County Superior Court will decide if the Snohomish River has rights  (Everett Herald, October 23, 2025)

Police chiefs say the nation’s rhetoric has become dangerous. They’re calling for a reset.  (Smart Cities Dive, October 22, 2025)

Whitman County Sheriff’s Office receives $15,000 grant  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, October 22, 2025)

New crew eyed to tackle sidewalk defects in Olympia  (JOLT, October 21, 2025)

Champurrado and civics at Methow Park block party  (The Wenatchee World, October 21, 2025)

Yakima County voters to consider cannabis ban on the ballot  (Yakima Herald-Republic, October 20, 2025)

Should the bus be free? Transit advocates are divided  (NPR, October 20, 2025)

Broad, bipartisan task force in Spokane County hopes compromise criminal justice tax could succeed where jail tax failed  (The Spokesman-Review, October 2, 2025)

Utilities and telecoms turn to WA lawmakers for help as copper wire theft surges  (Washington State Standard, October 2, 2025)

Pasco develops comprehensive safety plan to reduce traffic deaths and injuries across all transportation modes  (Apple Valley News, October 1, 2025)

Vancouver’s homeless response manager swaps strategies with other cities on national problem  (The Columbian, October 1, 2025)

Federal Way City Council awards contract for ADA retrofits in city center  (Federal Way Mirror, August 20, 2025)