AI as an attorney? Student uses ChatGPT, Gemini to sue UW over alleged racial discrimination A California man is using AI as a team of lawyers, claiming colleges who rejected his son's application, including the University of Washington, did so based on racial discrimination. Monica Nickelsburg
Are prediction markets illicit gambling? Washington state says yes Washington is joining the queue of states bringing legal action against Kalshi, a popular prediction market. The platform allows users to wager money on everything from sports, to politics, to pop culture — and even military actions. Clare McGrane
Nearly 3 years after outcry, audit finds rural Washington jail in a better place A recent audit finds conditions are improving at the Klickitat County Jail in Goldendale, after county commissioners removed the jail from the sheriff’s oversight and created a department of corrections, as required by a legal settlement with the man’s family. Amy Radil
King County saw the most street immigration arrests across WA in 2025 Immigration arrests in King County increased more than 300% from January to December last year. That’s according to federal records obtained by researchers at the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Washington joins 24-state lawsuit seeking to block Trump's latest tariffs Washington is one of 24 states suing the Trump administration over its latest attempt to impose worldwide tariffs without congressional approval. Sami West
In Seattle, 9th Circuit judges consider Trump policy of mandatory immigrant detentions The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday in Seattle on the legality of the Trump administration’s expanded mandatory detention for immigrants who in the past have been able to seek release while awaiting the outcomes of their cases. Amy Radil
As ICE looks to expand detention facilities, several Western Washington cities consider bans City councils in Seattle, Burien, Renton, and Tukwila are considering temporary bans on issuing permits for detention facilities. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs gets bipartisan support among WA lawmakers In Washington state, Democrats and some Republicans are welcoming the U.S. Supreme Court decision restricting the president's ability to impose sweeping tariffs. Amy Radil
King County jurors convict Seattle man of hate crime for targeting transgender women A Seattle man is facing five to seven years in prison for attacking a transgender woman in the University District neighborhood last March. Amy Radil
Justice Department 'workaround' keeps former immigration judge as Seattle’s top prosecutor The Trump administration is using a workaround to retain its preferred U.S. attorney in Seattle, despite his lack of confirmation by the U.S. Senate. It’s a tactic the Justice Department has employed elsewhere, resulting in some legal challenges. Amy Radil
