A combination of algae and fungus is covering the capitol dome, giving it a weathered and dirtier-than-usual look. Lawmakers approved funding to clean it in this year’s budget, and work could start late this summer. (KING 5)

Jay Inslee’s enthusiasm for building a bullet train from Vancouver to Portland is delusional optimism. Columnist Danny Westneat points out that the passenger levels Inslee touts would be a drop in the bucket, and that major public projects are often deliberately underpriced to gain support. Inslee said in B.C., “When you build a high-speed rail line, you are building a monument to optimism,” apparently not realizing how that sounds to most people. (Seattle Times)

The Pierce County Council may ban heroin safe injection sites. “It’s not a safe-injection site,” said Councilmember Jim McCune, a sponsor of the resolution. “I think it’s an unsafe-injection site. It’s the wrong message to children and our society.” (Seattle Times)

Newly released records show many allegations of sexual harassment against the former acting president of Spokane Falls Community College, Darren Pitcher. Dr. Pitcher resigned last month amidst a human resources investigation. (Spokesman-Review)

Yakima County Commissioner Rand Elliott announced he will not seek re-election. “With my advancing years, I thought I’d spend a little more time with my family,” said Elliott, who won three terms as county commissioner. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

Representatives Matt Manweller (R-Ellensburg) and Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) gave the Daily Record access to their legislative email and calendars this week. “I think there was an understanding that we were trying to hide something so I figured the best way to confront that head on and say, ‘here is everything,’” Manweller said. (Ellensburg Daily Record)

Skyler Rude threw his hat into the ring to succeed retiring Rep. Terry Nealey (R-Dayton). Rude, currently a legislative assistant for the district’s state senator, Maureen Walsh, said he believes in the values of the region, for tax dollars to be spent responsibly, and reliable infrastructure. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)

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