Trade wars are taking a toll on Washington State’s ag producers. Auvil Fruit of Orondo exports 80 percent of the cherries it grows. “It was a very big hit. I don’t want to say a dollar loss, but it was a 20 percent decrease in price and volume,” said Ray Norwood, Auvil Fruit director of sales and marketing. (Capital Press)

Democratic state Sen. Christine Rolfes said that while she was surprised by the number of local teacher unions that went on strike, legislators did anticipate “messy” contract negotiations. Even after a huge injection of state funds into K-12, Rolfes says the state will need to take a close look at each district’s budget to find out why so many will likely face shortfalls in the future. Hmm…maybe because so many unions demanded, and school boards gave, raises the districts can’t afford? Maybe. (KUOW)

Governor Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson spent their Thursday battling it out on the softball field. The A.G.’s office won the first game of the revived series against the Governor’s office last year. The tradition dates back to the days of Gov. Dan Evans and A.G. Slade Gorton.” (Office of the Attorney General)

“Seattle’s elected leaders must be held accountable for their flagrant disregard of the state Open Public Meetings Act, which shows disdain for people they’re supposed to represent,” the Seattle Times editorial board says. Mayor Jenny Durkan and the city council secretly discussed the controversial head tax with wealthy donor Nick Hanauer and David Rolf of SEIU 775. (Seattle Times)

With Spokane teachers receiving large pay raises, the Spokane school district is looking at staff reductions – through attrition – to cut costs. “Yes we’re one of the most richly staffed districts in the state, so there will be some reductions in different staffing levels, and we’ll look at overall efficiencies,” Superintendent Shelley Redinger said. (The Spokesman-Review)

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