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Stepping up: 9 players who could raise Washington's ceiling in 2026

Rather than focus on established stars, let's look at less-heralded players who could step up.

KCRHA CEO Sought to Shield Records From Public Disclosure, Emails Suggest

By Erica C. Barnett King County Regional Homelessness Authority CEO Kelly Kinnison sought to exempt many of her emails from… The post KCRHA CEO Sought to Shield Records From Public Disclosure, Emails Suggest appeared first on PubliCola.

Washington is *still* one of the top states in the country for business, CNBC’s updated 2026 rankings say

It's once again narrative-busting time. Business network CNBC's latest Best States for Business rankings just got updated, and Washington remains a top state for business, coming in at number eleven. Washington ranked ahead of every other Left Coast state and every other state in the Pacific Northwest, including Republican-run Idaho, Republican-run Montana, and Republican-run Alaska. Washington is *still* one of the top states in the country for business, CNBC’s updated 2026 rankings say is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

COLUMN | Seattle Had No Homicides in June. Don't Use It to Justify More Policing.

After Seattle's first homicide-free June in 56 years, Marcus Harrison Green asks who gets credit for safety — and who keeps getting cut.

Mayor Katie Wilson: “Doing a Reset” on Housing Agenda, “Very Hopeful” About Police Chief

In Part 2 of our interview, the mayor talks about the police chief and potential cuts to SPD’s budget, the… The post Mayor Katie Wilson: “Doing a Reset” on Housing Agenda, “Very Hopeful” About Police Chief appeared first on PubliCola.

Council Proposal Would Delay Universal School Lunch Program, Fund Means-Tested Food Vouchers Instead

By Erica C. Barnett When I spoke to Mayor Katie Wilson on Tuesday, one of the key accomplishments she name-checked… The post Council Proposal Would Delay Universal School Lunch Program, Fund Means-Tested Food Vouchers Instead appeared first on PubliCola.

REVIEW | In Hillman City, a Menu that Spotlights Northern Mexico Includes a Surprise: Hot Dogs

Mayor Katie Wilson at Six Months In: “Incredibly Proud of What We’re Accomplishing”

The mayor talks about her shelter plan, encampment sweeps, why news vouchers aren’t happening this year, and more. By Erica… The post Mayor Katie Wilson at Six Months In: “Incredibly Proud of What We’re Accomplishing” appeared first on PubliCola.

Graham Platner drops out of Maine’s U.S. Senate race

Platner announced his campaign was suspending operations and he was filing paperwork to withdraw his candidacy in a video posted on Wednesday, July 8th to social platforms. The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27th to name a replacement nominee. The party says it will stage a nominating convention to do so. Graham Platner drops out of Maine’s U.S. Senate race is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

COLUMN | Why Was Tyran Stokes Presumed Guilty Over a 5-Second Video?

Glenn Nelson connects an unfounded amateur-standing complaint involving Rainier Beach’s star to the same rush to judgment that surrounded Brandon Roy at Garfield.

Washington’s Republican legislators keep showing everyone that they are running on empty and unworthy of people’s trust

In this open letter to Republican state lawmakers like Senator Judy Warnick, NPI's founder asks why they are fixated on suspending a law that voters already told them overwhelmingly they don't want to overturn, instead of belatedly standing up to Donald Trump. Washington’s Republican legislators keep showing everyone that they are running on empty and unworthy of people’s trust is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

Is this the end for Graham Platner?

The implosion of Platner's campaign, which happened rapidly after the oyster farmer was credibly accused of sexual assault, may end up being a gift for Democrats, contrary to the "Dems-in-Disarray" narrative that Beltway reporters are so enamored with. Is this the end for Graham Platner? is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.