In yet another instance of Democrats rewarding illegal behavior, prosecutors in SeaTac have decided to drop misdemeanor charges against dozens of individuals who deliberately blocked rush-hour traffic during a pro-Palestinian protest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These activists, who caused flight delays and disrupted countless travelers, will face no real consequences for their actions. Instead, they’re being offered a sweetheart deal: avoid future crimes and complete a mere 10 hours of community service, and the charges vanish.

Of course, the leniency is yet another example of the left’s unwillingness to enforce the law when it comes to protestors who align with their political views. The decision to dismiss these charges, especially after some cases were already tossed due to a lack of public defenders, sends a clear message. Disrupting public order and inconveniencing thousands of people in the name of political activism will not only be tolerated but effectively endorsed by local authorities. This isn’t just about legal leniency; it’s about enabling illegal behavior under the guise of justice. Read more at the Seattle Times.

A Washington state worker seeking to opt out of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union had to turn to the Freedom Foundation for help after being told she couldn’t leave until October 2025. The Janus Supreme Court decision allows public employees to decide whether to support a union, but the union gave her incorrect information about her opt-out window. The Freedom Foundation, which has been assisting employees nationwide since the Janus ruling, confirmed that her actual opt-out date was in October 2024. The WFSE has seen significant membership and revenue declines since Janus, losing 27.4% of its financial supporters in the first year alone – and no one can really blame those who have decided to opt-out. Read more at Center Square.

During a Spokane city council meeting this week, discussions focused on expanding camping prohibitions following the passage of Proposition 1, which banned camping within 1,000 feet of parks, schools, and daycares. Councilmember Michael Cathcart proposed extending these restrictions to areas near comprehensive support services like shelters and addiction recovery centers. Supporters of the ordinance, including representatives from the Downtown Spokane Partnership, argued that the measure is necessary to address the disproportionate burden of social services concentrated in downtown Spokane. As expected, other proponents stressed the need to enforce these restrictions to maintain public safety and order. The city council is expected to vote on Cathcart’s ordinance on August 19. Read more at Center Square.

In a sensible policy push, Spokane Public Schools will implement a new policy next school year to restrict cellphone use in an effort to improve student engagement. The policy will ban cellphones in middle and elementary schools during school hours, and restrict their use in high schools to lunch and between classes. This ban also applies to other mobile devices like smartwatches and tablets but excludes school-issued laptops and medical devices. Headphones and earbuds are restricted unless approved by a teacher.

Initial violations will result in staff reminders, but repeated infractions will lead to confiscation of the device and possibly parental notification. Educators have discretion in enforcing the policy, which aims to balance structure with individual circumstances. Emergency access to phones will remain available, and contact can be made through school offices. Read more at Spokesman Review.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• The hosts break down the results of the Washington state primary election. Why are people reflexively voting for Cantwell? What did we learn in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional races? They touch on all those federal questions and pontificate about the major state races including OSPI, commissioner of public lands, and that other one.
• David Olson talks about his bid for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, including the role of OSPI, implications of I-2081, and his approaches to learning loss and school tech policies. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in schools and the need for more apprenticeships.
• Jacquelin Maycumber outlines her campaign for the 5th congressional district, her reasons for running, and her views on Congress’s role. She covers national debt, entitlement reform, the border crisis, and offers insights on the Jones Act.

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