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US President Donald Trump has extended invitations to numerous nations to participate in his "Board of Peace," a new initiative aimed at addressing international conflicts. However, the board has primarily attracted support from Middle Eastern monarchies, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and at least one leader facing allegations of war crimes.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has released a report indicating that Black unemployment has surged to recession levels under President Donald Trump's administration. The report highlights that Black youth unemployment is now over three times the national average, and a significant number of Black federal employees have been disproportionately affected by layoffs.

Judge LeRoy McCullough retired from the King County Superior Court after 50 years of service, leaving a legacy of justice, dignity, and commitment to equity and community service.

Seattle honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by holding an event that included an Opportunity Fair, workshops, a rally, and a march, reminding attendees that King's work is unfinished and that his dream requires daily action to fight for justice, equity, and unity.

Byrd Barr Place is leading a statewide Community Needs Assessment to amplify the voices of Black people across Washington state and address the challenges facing Black communities.

This year marks the 40th observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to reflect on Dr. King's enduring call for global unity and unconditional love. His Nobel Peace Prize acceptance lecture offers profound guidance on how to heed this call, emphasizing the necessity of addressing racial injustice, poverty, and war to ensure humanity's survival.

In response to heightened concerns over ongoing ICE operations in Minneapolis, a Minnesota military recruiter has advocated for high school students to consider enlisting in the National Guard. The recruiter emphasized a program that potentially offers deportation protection for the immediate family members of service members, reflecting broader efforts to address immigration-related anxieties within the community.

A church service in St. Paul, Minnesota was disrupted by protesters targeting a local ICE official who also serves as a pastor, prompting a federal investigation into the demonstration and a commitment to pursue legal action against those involved.

President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to acquire Greenland have sparked a significant diplomatic crisis between the United States and Europe. The President is leveraging the threat of tariffs to compel Denmark into negotiations, a move that has raised concerns among some of his advisors who caution against such an aggressive approach.

In Olympia, lawmakers convened a public hearing on Senate Bill 5956, a legislative proposal aimed at restricting the use of AI systems as the sole or decisive factor in student discipline cases. The bill mandates the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to revise its guidance and directs the Washington State School Directors' Association to create a model policy for school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education settings, ensuring protections against potential biases and safeguarding student rights.