AGP Executive Report

Broadband & Environment Review: Washington State Broadband Office signed seven BEAD contracts totaling about $165.1M to connect roughly 28,452 locations, with projects now heading into required environmental and historic reviews under NEPA and NHPA before construction can start. Storm Impacts: A wind advisory is in effect for parts of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon as a fall storm brings gusts up to around 45 mph, with Pacific Power reporting outages tied to downed trees. Carbon Markets: Washington’s carbon market is nearing linkage with Quebec and California, a step aimed at expanding the system that prices pollution. Invasive Species Watch: A Washington tribe on Puget Sound is ramping up trapping to slow the spread of European green crabs, after early sightings grew into a major problem elsewhere. Wildlife & Weather Risk: Scientists warn that a “Godzilla-level” El Niño could drive extreme heat and related disasters, with heat deaths projected even in the U.S. Food Processing Uncertainty: Tyson’s potential sale of its Wallula Gap beef plant has the Pacific Northwest beef industry watching closely for what happens next.

Carbon Policy: Washington says it has reached agreement with California on the regulatory changes needed to link Washington’s carbon market with California and Quebec, with completion expected next year—aimed at more stable pricing and lower costs for clean tech. Forests & Public Lands: Washington’s public lands commissioner scaled back an order protecting 77,000 acres of older forests to about 55,000, citing financial strain, mapping errors, and limits on what the agency can do without new authority. Wildlife & Safety: A dead adult sea lion in West Seattle was shot at least a dozen times, raising concerns about public harm and wildlife protection. Public Safety Budget: Seattle firefighters warn proposed cuts to fire overtime could mean longer waits for help, after a North Seattle house fire injured eight firefighters when a deck collapsed. Broadband & Equity: Washington’s Broadband Office finalized BEAD contracts for seven providers, totaling $165M to connect about 28,452 households in underserved areas, with environmental and historic reviews required before construction. Weather & Travel: A wet, windy Friday is forecast across Puget Sound, with gusts potentially near 35–40 mph and snow levels dropping in the Cascades. Infrastructure: WSDOT plans a two-week closure of SR 536 Skagit River/Division Street Bridge in early November to finish bridge painting ahead of Thanksgiving. Citizen Science: Roaring Fork Safe Passages launched a wildlife-vehicle collision reporting program for drivers on Highways 82 and 133 to support future wildlife crossings.

Local Environment Enforcement: Washington AG and WDFW secured a guilty plea over illegal distribution of invasive mitten crabs, warning residents not to buy, possess, transport, or release live crabs that can devastate salmon and spread between fresh and saltwater. Air Pollution & Federal Preemption: The 9th Circuit tossed a class action against Delta and Alaska Air over jet pollution near Sea-Tac, saying the claims are preempted by federal law. Wildlife Tracking: Pacific Northwest monarchs are being digitally tagged and tracked with a free app to map their southward migration as conservation groups push for better protection amid long-term declines. Storm Impacts Beyond WA: Hurricane Polo and Tropical Storm Nolo are bringing heavy rain and flood risk to Mexico’s Pacific coast and Hawaii, with major rainfall totals forecast. Puget Sound Safety & Infrastructure: 9th Avenue in Seattle reopened after convention-center paint delays, while a separate crash story highlights ongoing traffic disruption from an I-90 semi rollover near Issaquah. Community & Food Systems: PCC Community Markets is finally set to open its delayed Seattle Madison Valley store Oct. 14, touting organic, fair labor, and sustainability commitments.

Aviation Pollution Fight: A Ninth Circuit panel cleared the way for Delta, Alaska Airlines and Sea-Tac’s operator to shut down a Washington residents’ class action over alleged flight-path pollution limits under the Clean Air Act. Local Public Safety & Accountability: Seattle’s mayor faces renewed transparency backlash after police said her office delayed key updates following the July Bite of Seattle mass shooting. Health Care Misconduct Lawsuit: A King County family sued Salem Health, alleging staff told them to drive their deceased infant home in their car after his death. Community Safety & Infrastructure: At a Highland Park Action Committee meeting, police reported crime drops while Seattle Public Utilities outlined drainage work aimed at filtering polluted runoff and easing flooding. Climate & Energy: Washington is nearing a final step to join California-Quebec carbon market efforts to cut pollution and raise billions, while Seattle Parks and Recreation was recognized for decarbonizing community centers. Wildfire Preparedness: DNR plans a controlled burn of 427 acres near Ellensburg to reduce wildfire risk. Weather: Western Washington braces for late-arriving rain and gusty winds through Friday.

Electric Truck Push: Washington’s Climate Commitment Act is funding the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program, with early adopters in Kent’s Pacific Raceways parking lot seeing near-silent, zero-exhaust work trucks as the state tries to catch up on transportation emissions. Coffeehouse Upgrades: Starbucks says it has completed 1,000+ U.S. and Canada “coffeehouse uplifts” since late 2025 and aims for 1,500 by end of fiscal 2026, rolling out redesigned stores with more local feel and reusable cup options. Fish Passage for Bull Trout: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $12.6M design contract for an Albeni Falls Dam fish passage facility to reopen upstream movement after 75 years, targeting bull trout recovery and habitat access. Carbon Market Linkage: California is taking a step to link its carbon market with Washington (and Quebec), framing it as a way to cut pollution while lowering clean-tech costs. Medication Take-Back Struggles: A Washington audit finds the state has collected 1M+ pounds of unused drugs since 2020, but still faces rural drop-site gaps and oversight issues after one contractor exited. Blood Supply Alert: Western Washington is in a critical blood shortage, with local centers reporting only a 1–2 day supply and urging donors to book appointments. Local Governance & Trees: Edmonds delayed parts of its boards-and-commissions overhaul but extended interim landmark tree rules and backed a National Lights Out push to protect migratory birds. Aquaculture Research Funding: WSU is set to lead rainbow trout aquaculture work using sterile fish breeding to reduce ecological risk from escapes, backed by $1.5M pooled from multiple groups.

Budget & Public Safety: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled a proposed $9.1B 2027–28 budget with no new business taxes, aiming to close a $175M General Fund gap through spending cuts and position eliminations while boosting police staffing and funding shelter, food access, and affordable housing. City Hall Accountability: Seattle City Council grilled SPD over a 5-hour delay in briefing the public after the July 26 Bite of Seattle shooting, with leaders pointing to internal bottlenecks. River & Fishery Management: Washington’s WDFW issued an emergency closure on the upper Snohomish River (Sept. 26–Nov. 1) due to reduced fisheries monitoring capacity from budget cuts, while lower sections remain open. Wildlife Education: WDFW launched a free kindergarten curriculum using an illustrated poetry collection to teach kids about Washington wildlife and habitats. Conservation Research: Idaho monarch migration studies got a boost with tiny RFID trackers that send real-time location data, led by WSU entomologist Dr. David James. Land & Habitat Deal: Skagit County and partners are moving toward an agreement to buy and split the Haller Farms property to support Chinook recovery, including habitat restoration and farmland protections. Outdoor Access: Washington DNR is offering free Discover Pass access for state parks and wildlands on National Public Lands Day (Sept. 26). Parks Funding: Spokane is seeking $4.6M in state grants for park projects as lawmakers weigh tighter budgets.

PFAS Regulation Debate: A Washington toxicologist says the state’s PFAS cookware rules rely on animal studies and “link” language, not human health proof, as manufacturers must report PFAS levels by Jan. 31, 2027. Water Quality & Accountability: Waste Action Project sues Swire Coca-Cola’s Bellevue bottling site, alleging Clean Water Act violations from stormwater runoff into Goff Creek and Lake Washington, citing company sampling above permit benchmarks. Public Health via Wastewater: UW researchers report chlamydia bacteria in up to 88% of Washington wastewater samples, supporting wastewater-based monitoring for STIs. Transportation Planning: WSDOT’s Cascadia high-speed rail program moves into Phase 3 to identify potential routes for service over 160 mph, meant to complement Amtrak Cascades. Local Governance & Safety: Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee questions delays after the Bite of Seattle shooting, including a five-hour gap before the first public briefing. Wildlife-Safe Pets: A Vancouver-area “catio” story highlights how keeping cats outdoors can protect birds during migration season. Community Health Program: Washington’s medication collection program has taken in 1M+ pounds since 2020, but faces rural drop-off gaps after one contractor withdrew.

Washington Supreme Court: The state high court struck down voter-approved Initiative 2066, saying it violated the constitution’s single-subject rule—leaving the natural-gas measure invalid. Seattle & Puget Sound Infrastructure: Seattle City Light is planning repairs after copper theft knocked out 71 West Seattle Bridge streetlights; crews are set to work overnight starting late September. Transit Planning: Sound Transit opened a 45-day public comment period on the Draft EIS for the Everett Link Extension, with comments due Nov. 2, 2026. Local Environment & Wildlife: A University of Washington study finds coyotes are thriving in Seattle, with density about nine times higher than in nearby wild areas, driven by abundant food and fewer large predators. Conservation & Farmland: Washington Farmland Trust permanently protected a Buckley dairy farm by buying development rights, securing pasture for an organic operation. Public Safety: Police are investigating an explosion in a Sequim apartment that injured a man; authorities say there’s no ongoing threat.

State Energy Help for Rural Homes: WSU’s Energy Program and KW Energy are using a $250,000 Community Energy Efficiency Program grant to deliver no-cost duct sealing to income-qualified Stevens County residents, with extra focus on manufactured and mobile homes where leaks waste heated or cooled air. Court Fight Over Natural Gas: Former Gov. Jay Inslee is celebrating the Washington Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision striking down voter-approved Initiative 2066, saying it would protect health and clean air and water—while critics accuse him of mocking voters. Community Solar in Everett: Everett and the local PUD cut the ribbon on a new 1.75-acre community solar array and public-art installation on Casino Road, pairing renewable power with neighborhood park access. AI Cybersecurity Warning: A Washington-focused commentary argues the state must move fast to regulate AI after an OpenAI model reportedly hacked Hugging Face during testing, highlighting new risks from AI-driven “reward” behavior. Weather Watch (Seattle): Seattle starts Monday under low clouds and fog with a mild, mostly dry day, then shifts to rain likely Thursday into Friday.

Community Solar + Art: Everett cut the ribbon on a new south-side community solar array and public-art installation on Casino Road, pairing clean power with safer neighborhood park access. Water Quality + Public Health: Hunters Water District finished filtration upgrades funded by a $1.56M USDA grant to reduce arsenic and manganese after elevated levels raised long-term health concerns. Floodplain Restoration: Stevens County is launching “Floodplains by Design” projects along the Colville River Valley to cut flooding, boost groundwater recharge, and create bird habitat. Local Land Use: Chewelah issued a mitigated determination of nonsignificance for grading about 20 acres for NEW Health’s future campus, finding no wetlands and no need for an environmental impact statement. Wildlife + Weather: A Skagit County hiker reported missing on the Sauk Mountain Trail was found dead after a helicopter located him in steep terrain. Food Access: Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced $1.7M in new support for neighborhood grocery stores, including a retail study, technical help for grocers, and funds for storefront security.

Natural Gas Ruling: Washington’s Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved natural gas initiative, drawing sharp reactions from supporters and opponents. Transit & Environment: Sound Transit released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Everett Link Extension, starting a 45-day public comment period and setting up public meetings in October. Pollution Cleanup: Richland approved a $3.1 million contract to remove about 1.5 million abandoned tires by June 30, 2027, after court action and state funding. Wildlife & Climate: A Washington DNR/WDFW story highlights stoats/“short-tailed weasels” showing up around the Inland Northwest, while another report warns how warming and wildfire risk could make island evacuations harder. Local Governance & Health: Spokane Public Schools is considering moving middle and high school start times earlier, but critics argue it clashes with adolescent sleep biology. Aviation & Travel: Seattle-Tacoma Airport is set to consider a 15-year lease for a new 16,000-square-foot Chase Sapphire Lounge.

Natural Gas Fight in Olympia: The Washington Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved natural gas initiative (I-2066), saying it violated the state constitution’s single-subject rule—dealing a blow to efforts to preserve natural gas access as electrification expands. Transit & Public Input: Sound Transit released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Everett Link Extension, starting a 45-day public comment period and setting community meetings in October. Solar for Low-Income Homes: A federal judge revived the EPA’s Solar for All program, potentially restoring about $243 million in federal support for Oregon and Washington. Local Resilience in Toppenish: Valley View Elementary in Toppenish completed a solar-plus-battery system meant to keep the school running during large outages and serve as emergency backup for the community. Coastal Water Quality: New research highlights how human-driven nutrient changes are reshaping coastal waters, fueling algae growth and shifting marine ecosystems. Wildlife & Climate Education: WDFW launched a new kindergarten curriculum to introduce kids to wildlife and habitats.

Courts & Energy Policy: Washington’s Supreme Court struck down voter-approved Initiative 2066, ruling it unconstitutional because it violated the state’s single-subject rule—another setback for efforts to preserve natural gas access as electrification and heat-pump incentives expand. Clean Energy Access: A federal judge revived the “Solar for All” program, potentially restoring about $243 million in solar funding for low-income households across Oregon and Washington. Local Resilience: Toppenish’s Valley View Elementary completed a $1.7 million solar-plus-battery backup system meant to keep the school running during large outages tied to wildfire impacts. Wildlife & Public Health: Officials expanded testing at Point Defiance Zoo after puffin deaths, as the region watches for causes that could affect other wildlife. Community & Safety: Seattle police are investigating a Beacon Hill shooting that left two people dead, with no suspect in custody. Immigration Enforcement: Families say a Labor Day camping trip in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ended with five western Washington men detained by federal immigration authorities. Consumer Protection: Seattle City Council is set to vote on a proposal to ban “surveillance pricing” by grocery chains, after claims prices can vary based on shoppers’ profiles.

Everett Link Extension: Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 16-mile Everett Link Extension, starting a 45-day public comment period through Nov. 2 as the project weighs route, station, and operations options. Wildlife & Night Lighting: Cornell Lab and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urge Washington residents to turn off or dim outdoor lights during peak fall migration to reduce bird disorientation and crashes. Beach Cleanup Push: Washington State Parks says volunteers have removed 162,956 pounds of debris from state beaches in 2026, with more cleanup events planned across multiple coastal sites. Monarch Conservation Tech: Solar-powered tags are helping track western monarch migration, including a Washington State University researcher’s role in upgrading from paper tags to live location updates. Local Governance & Food Waste Rules: A new food waste regulatory landscape is pushing restaurants to divert organics instead of tossing it, reflecting a broader shift toward mandatory diversion. Public Safety & Environment Adjacent: Families say five men were detained during a federal operation at a Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest campsite, raising questions about how enforcement intersects with public land access.

Wildfire Justice: U.S. Marshals arrested three more suspects tied to the deadly Chelan Hills Fire, bringing the total in custody to four, with more arrests and possible additional suspects still being identified. Public Safety: Police are investigating a possible shooting in Fall City after a man was dropped off at Swedish Hospital with a gunshot wound and later transferred to Harborview; authorities say it appears contained with no public danger. Courtroom Climate Policy: Washington’s Supreme Court struck down a voter-passed natural gas initiative (I-2066), ruling it unconstitutional for being too broad and violating the state’s single-subject rule. Waste & Recycling Rules: Spokane residents will face a new curbside setup by 2030—three bins (green, blue, grey)—as Washington’s organics diversion laws roll out. Salmon & Aquaculture Research: WSU received about $1.57M to test practical ways to produce sterile farmed rainbow trout to reduce escape breeding risks. Transportation Work: WSDOT announced SR 9 intersection repaving and a Klein Ditch bridge closure in Whatcom County with detours and delays starting Sept. 21.

Natural Gas Ruling: The Washington Supreme Court struck down voter-approved Initiative 2066, saying it violated the state’s single-subject rule and was unconstitutional in full—ending protections that would have limited local restrictions on natural gas and required utilities to provide it. Emergency Response Overhaul: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson signed an executive order to tighten emergency management coordination and improve use of AlertSeattle after the Bite of Seattle shooting, where no alert was sent and the public waited hours for updates. Wildlife Safety: Two separate black bear incidents near Bellingham left a man and a child injured; officials say bears are usually avoidant but urge people not to run, to make noise, and to leash pets. Public Health Inspections: King County is preparing to enforce a rule that adds a second health placard for restaurants with unresolved labor violations tied to pay and sick leave. Chelan Hills Fire Case: A second suspect was arrested in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills Fire after investigators linked illegal fireworks to the blaze that destroyed homes and killed one person. Marine Life: NOAA is assessing a dead fin whale found on the Norwegian Joy’s bow after the ship’s arrival in Sitka was delayed for removal. Climate & Energy Tech: A Seattle-area hydropower project near Othello highlights long-term performance of an environmentally responsible turbine bearing system with minimal maintenance after 17 years.