NEWS

(WASHINGTON)- In 2025, union members accounted for an estimated 18.0 percent of wage and salary workers in Washington, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the estimated number of workers belonging to unions was 632,000. Nationwide, union members accounted for an estimated 10.0 percent of employed wage and salary workers, according to a news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Across states, the estimated rates of union membership varied widely, ranging from below 5 percent to nearly 25 percent. In addition to union members, another estimated 49,000 wage and salary workers in Washington were represented by a     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)- Washington, California and Québec on Tuesday released a draft linkage agreement for public review, the next step in the ongoing effort to form a shared carbon market between the three jurisdictions. A shared market would reduce greenhouse gases more efficiently by driving long-term, cost-effective investment in decarbonization, according to a news release from Ecology. Governor Bob Ferguson offered this statement on the significance of this milestone: “No state or province can handle the climate crisis alone. Working together will lead to greater progress in reducing emissions, as well as more predictability for businesses as they invest in     (read more)

(EVERETT)– The right lane of northbound Interstate 5 will close from 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, to 3 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at Marine View Drive (milepost 194), in Everett. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will perform maintenance during the lane reduction, according to a news release from WSDOT. People traveling in the area should expect delays.     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– This March, Washington is rolling out new commercials as part of the We Keep WA Litter Free campaign, reminding residents that preventing litter starts with everyday choices and that keeping our state clean takes all of us. The Washington Department of Ecology’s new ads focus on the split-second decision people make when they’re about to litter, especially when no one else is around. The commercials feature a marmot puppet that plays the part of our conscience, turning that inner voice into something you can actually see, according to a news release from Ecology. The marmot, Washington’s     (read more)

(SNOHOMISH COUNTY)- The Washington State Department of Transportation will have bridge inspections this week on I-5 near Arlington over the Stillaguamish River. Daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Monday, March 2 until 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, expect lane reductions over both directions of the I-5 Stillaguamish River bridge near Arlington for routine inspections. Bridge crews will take a single lane over the northbound I-5 bridge on Monday and Tuesday, then shift to the southbound I-5 bridge on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a news release from the WSDOT. People should expect to slow down near the work zone     (read more)