Local

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.

In a tragic incident in central Washington, two men lost their lives while snowmobiling due to an avalanche, while two others survived. This event has led the National Weather Service to issue warnings regarding elevated snow levels and the heightened risk of flooding and avalanches in the region.

The Seattle Seahawks are set to host the San Francisco 49ers in a highly anticipated NFC Divisional Round rematch this Saturday. The stakes are significant, as the victor will progress to the NFC Championship game, bringing them one step closer to Super Bowl LX.

Marcelo Vargas-Fernandez, a former employee of Expedia Group, has been sentenced to four years in prison for secretly recording women using hidden cameras throughout the company's headquarters, including bathrooms.

Governor Bob Ferguson outlined his budget priorities, emphasizing infrastructure investment, tackling the housing crisis, and implementing a millionaire's tax. He proposed a one-time utility credit for low-income households and expanded funding for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

King County is expanding substance use treatment options and increasing access to safe spaces for recovery in response to the rising overdose rates in the Black community, with Susan McLaughlin appointed as co-interim director of the Department of Community and Human Services to oversee the effort.

Seattle's housing affordability crisis is driving families out of the city and shrinking student enrollment in Seattle Public Schools, with the cost of housing being far too high and the supply of affordable housing not meeting the growing demand.

Delta Dental of Washington has appointed Shawn McWashington, a WSU alumnus and former Amazon, Trupanion, and HomeStreet Bank leader, as its new Director of Sales to drive its sales strategy and business development efforts.

A powerful wave of solidarity washed over Cal Anderson Park as an estimated 6,500 people gathered for the "ICE Out for Good" rally in Seattle. The event, organized in response to the recent shooting death of Renee Good by ICE agents, highlighted the community's commitment to advocating for immigrant rights. Newly elected Mayor Katie Wilson addressed the assembly, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and affirming the city's commitment to upholding laws that prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE.

On January 11, 2026, the Seattle Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. The blaze, which escalated quickly, was fully extinguished by 2:16 p.m. Two individuals were treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter sustained injuries.