Seattle Local — 2026-04-28#

Top Story#

Washington voters will decide the future direction of the state’s highest court, with an unusually large turnover of five out of nine Supreme Court seats up for election on November 3. This rare election cycle could prove pivotal for the state, shaping future rulings on major constitutional issues and tax policies like the controversial millionaire’s tax.

Local News#

State Sues Albertsons Over ‘Deceptive’ BOGO Deals · FOX 13 Seattle Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a lawsuit against grocery chains Albertsons, Safeway, and Haggen for allegedly deceptive buy-one-get-one-free promotions. The state claims the company artificially raised prices right before offering the promotions, overcharging Washington residents by more than $19 million over a five-year period.

Washington Seeks Injunction Against Tacoma ICE Facility · The Seattle Times Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown are taking legal action to force health inspections at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. The state requested a preliminary injunction after the facility’s operators denied entry to state health inspectors nine times, disregarding a federal lawsuit that permits access.

King County Considers Inspector General Following $800K Fraud · FOX 13 Seattle The King County Council is evaluating the creation of an independent Inspector General’s office to better track taxpayer dollars and identify waste. This legislative push follows audits and a Seattle Times investigation revealing that a county program manager allegedly funneled more than $800,000 to her own family members.

Snoqualmie Residents Protest Battery Storage Project · KOMO News Hundreds of Snoqualmie residents rallied and marched this weekend to protest a proposed large-scale lithium battery energy storage facility near Fisher Creek Park. Neighbors are uniting against the development, expressing frustration over a lack of community input and citing major safety concerns regarding the facility.

King County Sewer Bills Could See Double-Digit Hikes · KOMO News King County residents could face a nearly $100 annual increase in their sewer bills as the wastewater treatment division proposes a 12.75% rate hike starting in 2027. County officials state the extra revenue is necessary to modernize aging infrastructure, comply with federal regulations, and expand capacity to handle the region’s growing population.

Community & Lifestyle#

Western Washington is finally turning a corner from its cool, cloudy pattern, with dry, sunny weather arriving Wednesday and temperatures expected to push toward 80 degrees by the end of the weekend. In travel news, Alaska Airlines officially launched its first-ever nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome on Tuesday morning, taking another step in making Sea-Tac a global gateway. For those looking to enjoy the spring bloom, Skagit Valley’s Tulip Town and Roozengaarde have announced they are officially extending their tulip viewing season.