The U.S. Supreme Court will be deciding whether requiring public sector workers to pay union fees is a violation of their First Amendment rights or not. The Washington Policy Center has been tracking this issue closely and released a statement on the decision. You can read it here.

Washington health insurance exchange rates have jumped 24% and will impact around 180,000. “We at the exchange understand that, yes, this is going to create a challenging environment that is going to be difficult,” spokesperson Michael Marchand said.

King County Metro bus drivers are getting $6.4 million in back pay after nearly 150 complaints from drivers led to an investigation by the Dept. of Labor. The investigation revealed King County Metro broke federal labor rules and wasn’t paying drivers enough for their work.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson has jumped on Everett’s bandwagon, filing a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. Ferguson is accusing Purdue of using deceptive marketing tactics for doctors and patients and plans to force the company to forfeit profits they may have made with the sales of OxyContin.

Spokane City Councilmember Mike Fagan has proposed a resolution to block the street renovation of North Monroe – proposing to stop removing lanes but to still allow for beautification measures, among others. If passed, the city would be off the hook for the $15 million tort claim filed against them earlier this month by the Monroe Street Business Association that was suing for “significant revenue losses” they expected to come with the street renovation.

The Federal Aviation Administration has banned drone flights near the Grand Coulee Dam in their restriction of drone flights within 400 feet of major U.S. landmarks.

Work release has been suspended at the Pasco Jail in order to provide for more space in the jail so they can take in the increasing numbers of female inmates that are being sent there.

The Selah City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Yakima County to place a ballot box near City Hall. State law now requires ballot drop-off boxes be installed in every incorporated city.

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