🇺🇸 Bob Ferguson — Governor of Washington

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2026-10-02

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Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on West Coast Oil Pipeline. Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on West Coast Oil Pipeline Publish Date October 02, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… October 2, 2026 - 9:05am Story Body OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller offer the following joint statement regarding the Oct. 1 decision by the Canadian Major Projects Office to list the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a “Project of National Interest”: "We are disappointed in the decision today by the Government of Canada to list the proposed oil pipeline as a project of national interest. The classification puts the project on a fast track, limiting environmental reviews and the abil

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[{"title": "Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on West Coast Oil Pipeline", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on West Coast Oil Pipeline Publish Date October 02, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… October 2, 2026 - 9:05am Story Body OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller offer the following joint statement regarding the Oct. 1 decision by the Canadian Major Projects Office to list the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a “Project of National Interest”: \"We are disappointed in the decision today by the Government of Canada to list the proposed oil pipeline as a project of national interest. The classification puts the project on a fast track, limiting environmental reviews and the ability to provide input. \"The proposed project would bring a massive expansion in both the volume of crude oil and the number of tankers transiting the Salish Sea. If a project of this scale is going to proceed, it needs to come with a corresponding commitment to also increase our region’s capacity to prevent and respond to a catastrophic spill. \"Washington State has worked for decades to ensure that we are ready to respond to a major oil spill on either side of the border. These existing resources would be insufficient in the face of this scale of expansion. \"This project would bring supertankers to the Salish Sea that have been barred from Washington ports since the 1970s. It would double the volume of Canadian crude oil transiting through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass. Tankers of this size would be unprecedented in these waters. Each of these ships has a capacity of up to 92 million gallons of oil. That’s 260% more oil than the largest tankers currently in these waters. And the capacity of each of those vessels is eight times the volume of oil spilled during the Exxon Valdez spill. \"Such a spill would pose an existential threat to the Southern Resident Killer Whales, to the unique ecosystems of the Salish Sea, and to the Tribal and First Nations communities that depend on these marine resources. \"If this project proceeds, it is critical that the Canadian government make detailed commitments to safeguard our shared marine waters and fill these gaps in our response capabilities.\"", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/joint-statement-governor-bob-ferguson-and-ecology-director-casey-sixkiller-west-coast-oil-pipeline", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-10-02", "updated_at": null, "event_date": "2026-10-02", "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Explicit 'today' in source text, anchored to publication date", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-10-02T16:05:31+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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2026-09-29T18:34:19+00:00

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Bob Ferguson

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson creates Governor’s Space Council", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson creates Governor’s Space Council Publish Date September 29, 2026 Dan.Jackson@GO… September 29, 2026 - 11:34am Story Body Group will advise Governor on maintaining our competitive edge in the space economy SEATTLE — Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Space Council at the Museum of Flight yesterday in Seattle. The body, which includes representatives from the commercial space industry, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, higher education institutions, labor and more, will advise Governor Ferguson on how to keep Washington competitive in the industry and identify ways the state can improve its standing as a global leader in the space economy. The council will also look for ways we might be able to develop Washington-based commercial launch capabilities. “Washington has deep roots in the space industry,” Governor Ferguson said. “But the industry moves at an incredible pace. To remain a national leader, we cannot be complacent. My council will help us innovate and adapt as this sector rapidly grows.” Washington state is already a global leader in the space industry. For example, Boeing workers in Kent built the lunar rovers that explored the surface of the moon during the Apollo missions. Since then, generations of Washington companies have made leaps forward in software, propulsion, materials, telecommunications and much more. Washington is home to more than 90 space companies employing more than 13,000 workers. They generating approximately $4.6 billion in annual economic activity and $1.6 billion in annual payroll. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s operational satellites are built in Washington. Washington’s premiere universities play a critical role in research, development and growing the industry’s future workforce. Space Council Details Specifically, the Governor’s Space Council will: Evaluate Washington’s competitive position relative to other leading states and nations in the commercial space economy; Identify barriers and opportunities for industry growth; Evaluate workforce development, education, and research needs; Assess infrastructure and supply chain capacity; Evaluate opportunities and requirements for Washington-based commercial launch capabilities and other space-related infrastructure; and Advise the Governor on options and recommendations to strengthen Washington’s leadership in commercial space and aerospace innovation. The Governor’s Space Council members include: Andy Lapsa, Stoke Space Rob Meyerson, Interlune Jeff Thornburg, Portal Space Systems Austin Link, Starfish Space Colin Doughan, Gravitics Michael Edmonds, Blue Origin Lisa Scalpone, Amazon LEO Cornelia Rosu, SpaceX Kelly Maloney, Space Northwest Kent Mayor Dana Ralph Redmond Mayor Angela Birney Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-47 th District Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-13 th District Brendan Wales, FUSE Jason Chan, IAM 751 Ray Goforth, SPEEA Bill Pike, PNNL Dr. Mehran Mesbahi, University of Washington Washington State University President Betsy Cantwell Lynn Strickland, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee Trevor Devaney, Hi-Rel Laboratories Scott Keeney, nLIGHT Philip Johnston, Starcloud", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-creates-governors-space-council", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-29", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-29T18:34:19+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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Bob Ferguson

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action Publish Date September 28, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 28, 2026 - 1:40pm Story Body Federal request would unlock estimated $11.2 million in assistance for individuals, $117.7 million for state debris cleanup and emergency costs OLYMPIA — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting a federal Major Disaster Declaration following devastating wildfires in Eastern Washington. At an event in Spokane today detailing the request, Governor Ferguson also announced additional state-level actions to help communities rebuild, including suspending additional regulations, and upcoming legislation to give sales tax relief on costs related to home rebuilding. Video of the event is available here , photos are available here . In late July and early August 2026, multiple huge wildfires raged through Eastern Washington. Their severity broke records. The fires destroyed hundreds of homes, forced mass evacuations from homes and hospitals, caused widespread power outages, disrupted essential services, and caused long-term damage to ranching and agricultural businesses in rural communities. Dozens of our heroic firefighters were injured in the line of duty. The damage left in the fires’ wake continues to overwhelm state, local, Tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector capabilities. A preliminary damage assessment conducted by the Washington State Emergency Management Division, FEMA and local jurisdictions across the four counties found the fires: Destroyed 649 primary residences Damaged an additional 2,542 homes Burned nearly 369,000 acres. “These fast-moving wildfires devastated communities around our state, and overwhelmed state and local response capabilities,” Governor Ferguson said. “While the impact in monetary terms is significant, the damage goes far beyond the numbers. Whole neighborhoods are gone, and communities have been changed forever. Federal financial assistance is critical to help these communities recover and rebuild. My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster.” Request for federal assistance for families, debris removal and emergency costs s part of his request for a Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Ferguson requested FEMA to open Individual Assistance funds for survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. If granted, Washingtonians could qualify for an estimated $11.2 million in funds to help with their emergency costs. Washington’s application includes all the counties experts believe meet the criteria that FEMA uses for this program. Governor Ferguson is also requesting two types of FEMA Public Assistance funds to assist with debris cleanup, and recover costs from the emergency response, such as deploying hundreds of generators and conducting door-to-door evacuations. These funds would support recovery in 11 counties: Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman and Yakima counties. If granted, Washington could qualify for an estimated $117.7 million. Governor Ferguson will request additional types of FEMA Public Assistance, such as support for rebuilding of damaged roads and infrastructure, in October. Governor Ferguson’s request is supported by bipartisan letters from every member of Washington’s congressional delegation , and the leaders of all four state legislative caucuses . Governor Ferguson’s request asks FEMA to approve the maximum funding available for its Individual Assistance program. To be clear, this amount will not make all Washingtonians whole. The program provides a maximum of $42,500 per individual. If FEMA approves Individual Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, the next step for residents is to apply directly with FEMA. FEMA Individual Assistance is intended to support individuals with limited means to help repair their homes or find stable housing until a more permanent solution is available. While Individual Assistance is not intended to fully fund individual recovery, it is a critical piece of the puzzle. More information on FEMA Individual Assistance here . The federal government previously granted an emergency declaration , short-term federal resources to assist in the immediate response. Governor Ferguson has also successfully requested a federal public health emergency declaration to increase access to healthcare and critical services, and federal tax extensions for individuals and businesses impacted by the wildfires. State support for rebuilding Governor Ferguson announced additional state actions today following up on his expanded emergency proclamation from August 10 , which suspended and waived numerous state laws to help assistance move quickly. In that proclamation, the governor directed state agencies to provide information about other actions the state could take to make it easier for people to rebuild their homes. Governor Ferguson asked Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to lead this effort. Based on the recommendations of the Lieutenant Governor and state agencies, Governor Ferguson announced three major actions. First, the governor will urge the Washington State Building Code Council to use its emergency rulemaking authority to provide targeted flexibility for homeowners rebuilding their property. Specifically: Allowing homeowners the option to rebuild their home to an earlier version of the energy code. Governor Ferguson will work with the Building Code Council to allow: Homes built prior to 2015 to build to 2015 energy standards, and Homes built after 2015 to rebuild to the energy code that existed when the original home was built. That flexibility would only apply to homeowners who owned their property at the time of the wildfires. It would not apply if the owner sells their property and the new owner wants to build. The new owner would be required to build to current standards. This will help make it more affordable for people to rebuild their neighborhoods, and support local jurisdictions in their effort to expedite processing time for permits. Second: Governor Ferguson will propose legislation offering sales and use tax rebates for costs related to rebuilding after a declared disaster. This would apply to state and local taxes. As very rough example, if a homeowner spends $400,000 rebuilding in Spokane, they could qualify for a rebate of approximately $36,000. Third: Governor Ferguson will sign a new amendment to his emergency proclamation to take several additional actions, including: Directing the Department of Ecology to temporarily grant permit exemptions for debris piles to expedite removal; Waiving the state fee on building permits in affected counties; and Eliminating the cap on emergency public works grants for cities and counties impacted by the wildfire emergency. This change gives the Public Works Board discretion to provide additional funding for emergency-related projects. Previously, Governor Ferguson designated $2.5 million in state Individual Assistance and other emergency cash assistance to support people’s immediate needs. So far, the state has successfully distributed nearly $1 million in assistance to more than 600 households. Information on how to apply for state Individual Assistance is available here . Information on Disaster Cash Assistance is available here . County, tribal impacts The wildfire impacts to the counties and tribe applying for Individual Assistance were extensive. Most of the destroyed homes were in Spokane County: 615 primary residences were destroyed, and four sustained major damage. More than 65,000 people were evacuated as the three fires burned more than 9,900 acres. Essential services and critical infrastructure were disrupted, including court operations, municipal services, power, communications and water systems. Hundreds of residents faced boil-water advisories, and at least 13 homes were flooded with sewage following a water system failure. And healthcare was significantly disrupted: two adult family homes were destroyed, more than 1,900 healthcare workers were displaced or evacuated, and medically vulnerable patients required relocation or temporary shelter. “The Board of County Commissioners stands united with the Governor in his request for a Major Disaster Declaration by the President and FEMA,” said Spokane County Commission Chair Mary Brooks. “This declaration is critical as Spokane County starts its long term recovery following the destructive Spokane Complex Fires.” In Okanogan County, more than 300,000 acres burned across the Kaiser Canyon and Sinlahekin fires. Twelve primary residences destroyed and additional structures damaged or destroyed. Rural geography compounded the impacts: Many residents live significant distances from medical care, pharmacies, groceries, schools and government services. Consequently, evacuations therefore created additional transportation, lodging, food and relocation costs for affected households. In Stevens County, more than 19,000 acres burned across three major fires, with extensive impacts to private, Tribal and state lands. Fourteen primary residences were destroyed. Repeated evacuations disrupted communities, including areas around Gifford, Hunters and the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation. “Stevens County stands in support of the Governor’s request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration, recognizing that while the 2026 wildfires may appear manageable from afar, their cumulative impacts place a significant strain on rural counties like ours, where limited financial capacity makes balancing immediate recovery needs and long‑term stability a critical tipping point,” the Stevens County Commissioners wrote in support. In Benton County, 40,0000 acres burned, destroying one home and requiring evacuations over multiple days. And fires threatened agricultural lands, crops, fencing, utilities, transportation routes and other property, creating economic and household impacts for rural residents and agricultural operations. On the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation, fires destroyed seven primary residences, and burned 4,000 acres on the reservation. More than 400 homes were threatened, requiring evacuations and sustained firefighting operations to protect lives and property.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-requests-federal-major-disaster-declaration-four-counties-additional-state-level", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-28", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-28T20:40:19+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}, {"title": "Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action Publish Date September 28, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 28, 2026 - 1:40pm Story Body Federal request would unlock estimated $11.2 million in assistance for individuals, $117.7 million for state debris cleanup and emergency costs OLYMPIA — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting a federal Major Disaster Declaration following devastating wildfires in Eastern Washington. At an event in Spokane today detailing the request, Governor Ferguson also announced additional state-level actions to help communities rebuild, including suspending additional regulations, and upcoming legislation to give sales tax relief on costs related to home rebuilding. Video of the event is available here , photos are available here . In late July and early August 2026, multiple huge wildfires raged through Eastern Washington. Their severity broke records. The fires destroyed hundreds of homes, forced mass evacuations from homes and hospitals, caused widespread power outages, disrupted essential services, and caused long-term damage to ranching and agricultural businesses in rural communities. Dozens of our heroic firefighters were injured in the line of duty. The damage left in the fires’ wake continues to overwhelm state, local, Tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector capabilities. A preliminary damage assessment conducted by the Washington State Emergency Management Division, FEMA and local jurisdictions across the four counties found the fires: Destroyed 649 primary residences Damaged an additional 2,542 homes Burned nearly 369,000 acres. “These fast-moving wildfires devastated communities around our state, and overwhelmed state and local response capabilities,” Governor Ferguson said. “While the impact in monetary terms is significant, the damage goes far beyond the numbers. Whole neighborhoods are gone, and communities have been changed forever. Federal financial assistance is critical to help these communities recover and rebuild. My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster.” Request for federal assistance for families, debris removal and emergency costs s part of his request for a Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Ferguson requested FEMA to open Individual Assistance funds for survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. If granted, Washingtonians could qualify for an estimated $11.2 million in funds to help with their emergency costs. Washington’s application includes all the counties experts believe meet the criteria that FEMA uses for this program. Governor Ferguson is also requesting two types of FEMA Public Assistance funds to assist with debris cleanup, and recover costs from the emergency response, such as deploying hundreds of generators and conducting door-to-door evacuations. These funds would support recovery in 11 counties: Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman and Yakima counties. If granted, Washington could qualify for an estimated $117.7 million. Governor Ferguson will request additional types of FEMA Public Assistance, such as support for rebuilding of damaged roads and infrastructure, in October. Governor Ferguson’s request is supported by bipartisan letters from every member of Washington’s congressional delegation , and the leaders of all four state legislative caucuses . Governor Ferguson’s request asks FEMA to approve the maximum funding available for its Individual Assistance program. To be clear, this amount will not make all Washingtonians whole. The program provides a maximum of $42,500 per individual. If FEMA approves Individual Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, the next step for residents is to apply directly with FEMA. FEMA Individual Assistance is intended to support individuals with limited means to help repair their homes or find stable housing until a more permanent solution is available. While Individual Assistance is not intended to fully fund individual recovery, it is a critical piece of the puzzle. More information on FEMA Individual Assistance here . The federal government previously granted an emergency declaration , short-term federal resources to assist in the immediate response. Governor Ferguson has also successfully requested a federal public health emergency declaration to increase access to healthcare and critical services, and federal tax extensions for individuals and businesses impacted by the wildfires. State support for rebuilding Governor Ferguson announced additional state actions today following up on his expanded emergency proclamation from August 10 , which suspended and waived numerous state laws to help assistance move quickly. In that proclamation, the governor directed state agencies to provide information about other actions the state could take to make it easier for people to rebuild their homes. Governor Ferguson asked Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to lead this effort. Based on the recommendations of the Lieutenant Governor and state agencies, Governor Ferguson announced three major actions. First, the governor will urge the Washington State Building Code Council to use its emergency rulemaking authority to provide targeted flexibility for homeowners rebuilding their property. Specifically: Allowing homeowners the option to rebuild their home to an earlier version of the energy code. Governor Ferguson will work with the Building Code Council to allow: Homes built prior to 2015 to build to 2015 energy standards, and Homes built after 2015 to rebuild to the energy code that existed when the original home was built. That flexibility would only apply to homeowners who owned their property at the time of the wildfires. It would not apply if the owner sells their property and the new owner wants to build. The new owner would be required to build to current standards. This will help make it more affordable for people to rebuild their neighborhoods, and support local jurisdictions in their effort to expedite processing time for permits. Second: Governor Ferguson will propose legislation offering sales and use tax rebates for costs related to rebuilding after a declared disaster. This would apply to state and local taxes. As very rough example, if a homeowner spends $400,000 rebuilding in Spokane, they could qualify for a rebate of approximately $36,000. Third: Governor Ferguson will sign a new amendment to his emergency proclamation to take several additional actions, including: Directing the Department of Ecology to temporarily grant permit exemptions for debris piles to expedite removal; Waiving the state fee on building permits in affected counties; and Eliminating the cap on emergency public works grants for cities and counties impacted by the wildfire emergency. This change gives the Public Works Board discretion to provide additional funding for emergency-related projects. Previously, Governor Ferguson designated $2.5 million in state Individual Assistance and other emergency cash assistance to support people’s immediate needs. So far, the state has successfully distributed nearly $1 million in assistance to more than 600 households. Information on how to apply for state Individual Assistance is available here . Information on Disaster Cash Assistance is available here . County, tribal impacts The wildfire impacts to the counties and tribe applying for Individual Assistance were extensive. Most of the destroyed homes were in Spokane County: 615 primary residences were destroyed, and four sustained major damage. More than 65,000 people were evacuated as the three fires burned more than 9,900 acres. Essential services and critical infrastructure were disrupted, including court operations, municipal services, power, communications and water systems. Hundreds of residents faced boil-water advisories, and at least 13 homes were flooded with sewage following a water system failure. And healthcare was significantly disrupted: two adult family homes were destroyed, more than 1,900 healthcare workers were displaced or evacuated, and medically vulnerable patients required relocation or temporary shelter. “The Board of County Commissioners stands united with the Governor in his request for a Major Disaster Declaration by the President and FEMA,” said Spokane County Commission Chair Mary Brooks. “This declaration is critical as Spokane County starts its long term recovery following the destructive Spokane Complex Fires.” In Okanogan County, more than 300,000 acres burned across the Kaiser Canyon and Sinlahekin fires. Twelve primary residences destroyed and additional structures damaged or destroyed. Rural geography compounded the impacts: Many residents live significant distances from medical care, pharmacies, groceries, schools and government services. Consequently, evacuations therefore created additional transportation, lodging, food and relocation costs for affected households. In Stevens County, more than 19,000 acres burned across three major fires, with extensive impacts to private, Tribal and state lands. Fourteen primary residences were destroyed. Repeated evacuations disrupted communities, including areas around Gifford, Hunters and the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation. “Stevens County stands in support of the Governor’s request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration, recognizing that while the 2026 wildfires may appear manageable from afar, their cumulative impacts place a significant strain on rural counties like ours, where limited financial capacity makes balancing immediate recovery needs and long‑term stability a critical tipping point,” the Stevens County Commissioners wrote in support. In Benton County, 40,0000 acres burned, destroying one home and requiring evacuations over multiple days. And fires threatened agricultural lands, crops, fencing, utilities, transportation routes and other property, creating economic and household impacts for rural residents and agricultural operations. On the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation, fires destroyed seven primary residences, and burned 4,000 acres on the reservation. More than 400 homes were threatened, requiring evacuations and sustained firefighting operations to protect lives and property.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-requests-federal-major-disaster-declaration-four-counties-additional-state-level", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-28T20:40:19+00:00", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Source publication timestamp", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-28T20:40:19+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-05T23:24:00+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and California Governor Gavin Newsom take next steps in linking carbon markets in 2027 during New York Climate Week", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and California Governor Gavin Newsom take next steps in linking carbon markets in 2027 during New York Climate Week Publish Date September 23, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 23, 2026 - 8:08am Story Body Washington completes the final step in its linkage process, California formally authorizes linkage OLYMPIA — Today, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and California Governor Gavin Newsom announced they have taken the next steps toward Washington joining the California–Québec carbon market in 2027. Together, these three jurisdictions would rank as the third-largest economy in the world. Washington crossed a major milestone. The state concluded its linkage process by finalizing regulatory changes that make Washington’s market compatible with the California–Québec carbon market, such as aligning rules for how auctions are conducted. With that, Washington completed the steps it needs to take in order to link markets, the culmination of three years of rigorous analysis and public engagement. Governor Newsom shared today that he has authorized California to move forward with linkage, making the formal findings legally required for California to move ahead with the final step to link the two markets. California law requires that the Governor make specific findings about a partner state’s carbon market before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) may proceed with linking markets. California’s action allows CARB to begin the public regulatory process in that state — the final step before the markets are formally linked. Québec is also working toward regulatory updates this year. Earlier this year, the three jurisdictions signed a linkage agreement that laid the groundwork for joint operations. The jurisdictions are expected to link markets in 2027. “States and subnational governments are stepping up and leading at a time when the federal government is trying to dismantle U.S. climate policy,” said Governor Ferguson. “Linkage isn’t just good climate policy — it’s smart economics. Linking will unlock greater emissions reductions, lower the cost of clean technologies, and create good ‑ paying jobs in high ‑ growth industries. We’re excited to be moving forward.” “California has long shown climate action means a stronger economy, cleaner air, and billions of dollars of investment back into communities across our state,” Governor Newsom said. “Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his big-polluter cronies are hell-bent on doing the opposite: more pollution, more uncertainty, and higher costs for working families. California is choosing a different path. We’re choosing certainty, partnership, and clean energy. By joining forces with our partner in Washington state, we will build a stronger, more durable carbon market that will drive investment, cut pollution, and power the clean economy of the future.” California was the first U.S. state to launch a carbon market in 2013. In 2014, it joined with the Canadian province of Québec. In 2023, Washington became the second U.S. state to launch a carbon market. Washington’s market was designed to link so businesses could access the benefits of a larger market. This unprecedented climate partnership means businesses in all three jurisdictions can make more predictable, long-term investments in reducing greenhouse gases. With greater investment, the cost of emission-reducing technologies will go down, leading to even higher rates of adoption and local economic benefits like job growth. Putting an economy ‑ wide price on greenhouse gas emissions is widely seen as the best policy tool for addressing climate change, and carbon markets are the most affordable way to do it. In this market-based system, the state sets an overall limit on emissions that declines each year, but it does not set the price of emissions. Instead, the price is set through auctions where companies compete to purchase allowances for every metric ton of greenhouse gases they emit. The price can easily adapt to changes in market conditions, and companies that can reduce emissions at the lowest cost move first. In a linked market, each jurisdiction will contribute their supply of allowances to joint auctions, creating a single carbon price across all three. Larger markets provide more stable prices, and price stability is a key part of accelerating decarbonization because it gives businesses the certainty they need to plan for long ‑ term, capital ‑ intensive projects. Over time, as more companies invest in emissions ‑ reducing technologies, those technologies become cheaper, making it easier for others to take action. The Washington-California-Québec carbon market is expected to lead to greater total emissions reductions across the three jurisdictions. Washington’s addition to the market also creates momentum for other states and other subnational governments to implement linkage ‑ ready carbon markets by paving a clear pathway for others to follow.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/washington-governor-bob-ferguson-and-california-governor-gavin-newsom-take-next-steps-linking-carbon", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-23", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-23T15:08:19+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "U.S. Governors and Mayors Supercharge State-City Climate Collaboration at Climate Week NYC", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "U.S. Governors and Mayors Supercharge State-City Climate Collaboration at Climate Week NYC Publish Date September 22, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 22, 2026 - 12:12pm Story Body NEW YORK, NY — As the U.S. federal government continues its retreat from global climate efforts, governors and mayors representing America’s top state- and city-led climate action coalitions — the U.S. Climate Alliance and Climate Mayors — came together today at Climate Week NYC to announce a new joint partnership that supercharges non-federal climate collaboration, reinforcing the strength and durability of American climate leadership. The new agreement was announced during an event featuring leaders of both organizations, including Climate Mayors chair Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Alliance co-chair Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, as well as Alliance executive committee member New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who provided remarks via video message. Alliance co-chair Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was originally scheduled to participate, but was unable to attend due to flight disruptions in the Northeast. The Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors — representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population — sustaining America’s fight against climate change with bold, state-led action. “We’re facing a hostile federal administration, intent on taking us backward,” said Alliance co-chair and Washington Governor Ferguson . “The governors and mayors in our partnership are not going to let that happen. Together, we are a force. By working together, we can continue to make meaningful progress on climate, clean energy, electrification, and more.” “The partnership we’re announcing today is built on a simple idea: When governors and mayors get together, we get things done. We don’t make promises, we make plans, and we turn those plans into real progress for real people,” said Alliance co-chair Delaware Governor Matt Meyer . “Let’s be clear about what we’re fighting for — we’re reducing pollution, we’re building resilience, we’re expanding clean energy. We’re leveraging the technologies of tomorrow for generations to come and we’re doing these things because they improve people’s lives.” Climate Mayors is the nation’s largest and most diverse coalition of city leaders — representing more than 350 mayors across 47 states — committed to advancing climate action that lowers costs, cuts pollution and strengthens communities. “Our progress is not happening in isolation. It is the result of cities and states working together, sharing what works, and bringing proven solutions to deliver cleaner air, stronger communities, greater affordability, and a more resilient future for our residents,” said Climate Mayors Chair and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean . “We are accelerating the solutions already working in our cities and states, turning local innovation into national momentum, and demonstrating what’s possible when leaders across levels of government work together.” Despite federal rollbacks and attempts to undermine the irrefutable science underpinning climate action, America’s states and cities retain significant authority to continue developing, adopting, and implementing solutions to climate change. In fact, states and cities in the U.S. have long worked together to advance policies addressing climate change, serving as laboratories of innovation for impactful and scalable climate solutions. These solutions have already delivered meaningful progress in communities across the country. Since 2005, the Alliance’s members have collectively cut electricity sector emissions by 44 percent and quadrupled electricity generated by wind and solar, while growing their economies by 37 percent. In Climate Mayors cities, as the collective population grew 1.2 percent and collective economies grew 11.3 percent between 2019 and 2024, fossil fuel consumption per person fell 3.5 percent — a clear sign that cities are decoupling economic growth from fossil fuel use. This shift translated into $27.2 billion less fossil fuel spending over five years in Climate Mayors cities. Lower fuel use is putting money back into household budgets, saving people on average $1,000 a year. Through this new partnership, the Alliance and Climate Mayors will work to achieve a series of shared objectives, including to: Accelerate the deployment of clean energy and technologies across U.S. states and cities, including to lower household energy costs, grow the economy, and bolster U.S. energy security. Reduce greenhouse gas pollution consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Support the creation of good-paying jobs in climate and clean energy fields. Promote consistency and minimize disruption across federal administrations and fluctuations in federal policy priorities. Leverage opportunities for collective action to drive policy innovation, transform markets, and lay the foundation for future federal action. Share U.S. state and city progress with the global community. Together, the coalitions will advance bold and sustainable climate change solutions through peer learning, intergovernmental exchanges, and shared resource development. The cross-sectoral work will focus on clean electricity and energy affordability, healthy buildings and communities, transportation decarbonization, climate resilience, building and supporting a climate-ready workforce, and more. These areas of engagement build on the already strong foundation of state and local climate partnership over the past two years. This includes the Alliance and Climate Mayors spotlighting U.S. climate progress together at London Climate Action Week and leading a delegation of leaders to COP30 and the Local Leaders Forum in Brazil , in partnership with America Is All In. The coalitions also joined forces to encourage Americans to take advantage of cost-saving federal clean energy tax credits before they expired, following passage of President Trump’s H.R. 1. The coalitions will build on this partnership later this year at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. Today’s event was part of America Is All In’s Local to Global Exchange , which brought together local, state, and global leaders to highlight how they’re collaboratively deploying ambitious climate solutions that create tangible community benefits — from lowering energy costs to reducing air pollution. “After so many years in government, there is one thing I know to be true: real and lasting progress always comes from the bottom up. The more local leaders are supported and empowered across the United States, the faster and farther we’ll go, which is why I’m thrilled to see these two great organizations working together to lead our clean energy revolution,” said America Is All In Chair and former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy . “States and cities are laser-focused on tackling ‘kitchen table’ issues and grabbing every opportunity they can to invest in technologies that lower costs, cut pollution, deliver healthier homes, and create good-paying union jobs to protect their communities.” The full joint partnership agreement signed today by the executive directors of the U.S. Climate Alliance and Climate Mayors can be found here .", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/us-governors-and-mayors-supercharge-state-city-climate-collaboration-climate-week-nyc", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-22", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-22T19:12:11+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson, DCYF announce 42 new early education sites, serving 2,400 additional children this school year", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson, DCYF announce 42 new early education sites, serving 2,400 additional children this school year Publish Date September 21, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 21, 2026 - 1:23pm Story Body Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program offers free preschool and family support for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds OLYMPIA – Today, Governor Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released a list of 42 new sites across the state adding new slots for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) in the 2026-27 school year. The new sites and expansion at existing ECEAP providers will add approximately 2,400 new ECEAP slots, funded by an innovative public-private partnership between the State of Washington and the Ballmer Group. In November 2025, Governor Ferguson, DCYF Secretary Tana Senn and representatives from Ballmer Group Philanthropy announced a new grant to dramatically expand ECEAP in Washington. The Ballmer Group’s grant is expected to fund up to 10,000 additional seats for ECEAP’s school-day model over the next 10 years, totaling approximately $1 billion in support for early learning. The approximately 2,400 new slots and 42 new sites are a slight decrease from what was previously announced ; however, this number has successfully exceeded the state’s original goal of expanding to 2,000 new students in the first year. Some sites that previously accepted funding have since returned funds due to workforce shortages and unforeseen challenges with opening a new classroom. DCYF continues to work with applicants to address barriers to service. In the 2026-27 school year, state and Ballmer Group grant funds will be used to award over $251 million to early learning providers. The slots are being added at 105 current ECEAP sites and 42 new sites. “As we’re facing budget challenges, our public-private partnership is expanding access to high-quality early education for thousands of kids across our state,” Governor Ferguson said. “This expansion means more children, including our most vulnerable, will get the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.” ECEAP is Washington's state-funded PreK program for children ages 3 and 4. The program provides access to free, high-quality preschool to eligible low-income families. More information about ECEAP, including how to locate a provider and apply, is available here . Information on how to become an ECEAP provider is available here . New ECEAP sites: City Site Name Battle Ground Pleasant Valley Primary Benton City Family Child Care Home* Benton City Carrusel Child Care Center Blaine Blaine Primary School Burlington Westview Early Learning Center Centralia Pacific Northwest Early Learning Center - Plum Street Concrete Concrete Elementary School Connell Connell Child Development Center Des Moines College for Kids Federal Way College for Kids Federal Way College for Kids Federal Way Planting Flowers Federal Way Green Gables Elementary School Ferndale Mountain View Elementary Graham Nelson Elementary School Joint Base Lewis-McChord Meriwether Elementary School Kelso Wallace Elementary School Kennewick My Little Planet Early Education Academy LLC Kent College for Kids Kent Family Child Care Home* Lakewood Just Like Home Daycare Center Lakewood Pierce College Milgard Child Development Center Lynden Lynden School District – Isom Elementary School Lynden Lynden School District – Main Street Campus Lynnwood Volunteers of America Western WA Lynnwood Neighborhood Center Renton Family Child Care Home* Renton Family Circle Learning Center Renton Launch Learning at Cascade Vista Richland D & O Kids LLC Seattle Refugee Women's Alliance - Nook Seattle Refugee Women's Alliance - Othello Seattle Rise and Shine Sedro-Woolley Good Beginnings Preschool Spokane CME ECEAP Southwest Spokane Tacoma Birth to Five Learning Center Tukwila Inspire Kids Early Learning Center Tukwila Nimo Early Learning Center Vancouver Lincoln Elementary Wapato Inspire Development Center – Wapato Warden Warden Child Development Center Wishram Wishram Elementary School Yacolt Yacolt Elementary *Licensed Family Home Child Care site names have been redacted per WA Initiative 1501 . What is ECEAP? ECEAP was created in 1985 to offer free preschool and family support for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds. Families can qualify if their income is at or below 36 percent of the state median income . For a family of four, that’s $50,152 per year. Families can also qualify based on other factors, including: Environmental factors such as homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or incarcerated parents. Developmental factors such as developmental delay or other special needs. In addition, children with disabilities who qualify for special education services and/or previously participated in certain Birth to 3 programs are also eligible for ECEAP.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-dcyf-announce-42-new-early-education-sites-serving-2400-additional-children-school", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-21", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-21T20:23:25+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson appoints Bree Black Horse to Yakima County Superior Court", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson appoints Bree Black Horse to Yakima County Superior Court Publish Date September 09, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… September 10, 2026 - 8:25am Story Body Black Horse joins Yakima County Bench in first expansion in nearly 20 years OLYMPIA – Today Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Bree Black Horse to the position of Yakima County Superior Court Judge. Black Horse’s appointment, effective today, fills the new position created by a law signed by Governor Ferguson earlier this year. This is the first new position added to the Yakima County Superior Court since 1998. Black Horse is a career litigator with more than 12 years of experience handling criminal and civil cases in federal, state and Tribal courts. She currently practices at the law firm of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, where she represents Tribal governments and enterprises in complex civil litigation and governmental matters. She also serves as director and adjunct professor of law for the Seattle University School of Law Central Washington Hybrid Hub and leads its Pipeline Initiative, a regional partnership between Seattle University School of Law, Heritage University in Toppenish and the AccessLex Institute focused on expanding access to legal education and addressing the shortage of attorneys in Central Washington. “Bree Black Horse is an accomplished and diligent attorney with broad legal knowledge and deep roots in the Yakima County community,” Governor Ferguson said. “She will be a strong addition to the bench.” “I am honored and grateful to Governor Ferguson for the opportunity to serve the people of Yakima County,” Black Horse said. “I have tremendous respect for the responsibility entrusted to our judges, and I am committed to serving with integrity and humility. Every person who comes before the court deserves to be heard, treated with dignity and respect, and to have their case considered fairly and impartially.” Black Horse previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, where she became the first regional prosecutor in the Northwest dedicated to addressing cases involving Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Based in Yakima, she served the U.S. Justice Department’s Northwest Region, covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California. She investigated and prosecuted violent crime, child exploitation, narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses, including MMIP cases and related violent crimes in Indian Country, while working with federal, Tribal, state and local law enforcement partners throughout the region. Black Horse also served as a public defender and legal aid attorney for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, where she represented Tribal members in criminal proceedings and a broad range of civil matters, including family law, probate, housing and public benefits. Earlier in her career, Black Horse served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Chief Judge Brian Morris in the District of Montana. Black Horse has also held leadership roles in numerous legal and community organizations, including serving on the boards of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, the Eastern District of Washington Federal Bar Association and Northwest Harvest, and as president of the Washington Women Lawyers Yakima Chapter. She is also a co-founder and administrator of the Washington Women Lawyers Yakima Legal Education Fund, which supports students from Central Washington pursuing legal education. Black Horse’s honors include Seattle University School of Law’s Woman of the Year, recognition as a Yakima Herald Republic 39 Under 39 honoree and the Washington Women Lawyers Yakima Chapter Member of the Year award. Black Horse earned her bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University and received her law degree from Seattle University School of Law, where she co-founded and served as editor-in-chief of the American Indian Law Journal.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-appoints-bree-black-horse-yakima-county-superior-court", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-10", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-10T15:25:10+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson signs executive order to mitigate impacts of H.R. 1", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson signs executive order to mitigate impacts of H.R. 1 Publish Date September 03, 2026 Conall.Anderso… September 3, 2026 - 2:23pm Story Body State efforts so far have saved Apple Health coverage for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians SEATTLE – Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order today to help mitigate the impacts in Washington state from H.R. 1, federal legislation gutting health care and food assistance nationwide. President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1 more than a year ago, cutting more than $1.3 trillion in health care and food assistance nationwide. Many health care coverage impacts are coming in the next several months. Washington is required to implement H.R. 1, and has already been forced to spend nearly $100 million to do so. If Washington state were to pay for everything H.R. 1 cuts, it would cost an estimated $3.2 billion per biennium. Two major impacts are coming in the next several months: Starting Oct. 1, H.R. 1 drastically limits the Medicaid eligibility for lawfully present immigrants. Before the state took action, 14,000 lawful immigrants were set to lose their Apple Health coverage. Starting Jan. 1, more than 600,000 Washingtonians will be subject to work requirements for the first time in order to keep their Apple Health coverage. These individuals will also be required to reapply twice as frequently. “In the richest country in the world, Donald Trump is kicking the most vulnerable people off their health coverage,” Governor Ferguson said. “The Big Bad Betrayal Bill is devastating to our health care system. But we are not powerless. I asked my team to find ways to blunt the impact of H.R. 1 on Washingtonians, and they delivered. Their work has preserved health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. The work continues, and my executive order lays out our next steps.” At a press conference in Seattle today, Governor Ferguson highlighted two major achievements: Saving Apple Health coverage for 3,000 Washington immigrants, and implementing an automated verification hub to help 400,000 Washingtonians keep their Apple Health coverage. Photos from the event are available here . Video is available here . He also highlighted that even with these accomplishments, at least 200,000 are projected to lose their Apple Health coverage by the end of 2027 as a direct result of H.R. 1. Because of the long delay between passing the bill and many of the elements of the bill going into effect, too many people are unaware of what is coming, and what their options are. The governor encouraged everyone with Apple Health to make sure their information is current, and to look out for communications from Apple Health. He asked Washingtonians to help spread the word, and help loved ones verify their information. Protecting Apple Health coverage for lawfully present immigrants Washington state is doing extensive outreach to immigrant communities with our health care navigators, the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance and community partners, providers, and labor. This team has helped people update their information and, in some cases, take steps to transition to an immigration status that will allow them to continue to qualify for Medicaid coverage. Those efforts have helped 3,000 Washington immigrants keep their health care coverage. Instead of 14,000 immigrants losing Apple Health on October 1, those efforts have brought that number down to 11,000. Nation-leading verification hub protects Apple Health for 400,000 Washingtonians Washington is leading the nation in building an automated verification hub. Every additional form or documentation requirement creates another opportunity for someone to lose coverage, not because they are ineligible, but because the process is too difficult. This hub will bring together data that is already available to automatically confirm eligibility, so people don’t have to submit new paperwork every six months. Washington state expects this will help 400,000 people keep their Apple Health. Executive order sets a path forward, impacts remain Governor Ferguson signed an executive order laying out a path forward. The order emphasizes Washington state will continue doing the work mentioned before, such as building our verification hub. Next, it establishes a formal committee: The H.R. 1 Continuous Medicaid Response Committee. The committee will be led by Washington’s health services agencies, in consultation with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Health Benefit Exchange and other agencies. They will have a number of responsibilities, including: monitoring for impacts on Washingtonians and our healthcare system; coordinating responses to future changes; develop a proposal to create a Healthcare Access and Affordability Council, which will develop short-term and long-term strategies to help people keep their health care coverage, and control health care costs; and identifying barriers, coverage disruptions and opportunities for state action. Governor Ferguson’s order also directs a coordinated statewide public awareness campaign, focused on getting the word out to all impacted Washingtonians. The order directs the Department of Health to develop a data accountability system, to track who is losing coverage, and where there are gaps so the state can take additional action, and understand the true impact of H.R. 1 in our state. Governor Ferguson’s order also directs DSHS to work with philanthropic organizations and other partners to expand the capacity and reach of the state.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-signs-executive-order-mitigate-impacts-hr-1", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-03", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-03T21:23:55+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson adds five additional counties to wildfire emergency proclamation unlocking state protections, assistance", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson adds five additional counties to wildfire emergency proclamation unlocking state protections, assistance Publish Date August 31, 2026 Dan.Jackson@GO… August 31, 2026 - 5:24pm Story Body Action adds Benton, Columbia, Grant, Kittitas, and Whitman counties OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson today amended his wildfire emergency proclamation to include five additional counties, and extend certain state protections and assistance for another 60 days. Today’s amendment adds Benton, Columbia, Grant, Kittitas and Whitman counties, bringing the total number counties covered by the state of emergency to 12, along with three Tribal Nations. The Governor’s amendment extends by 60 days: Eligibility for the State Individual Assistance Program , to assist with immediate needs such as food, temporary housing or other expenses. The Governor’s emergency proclamation makes everyone who lost their home eligible to receive this assistance, regardless of their household income or whether they have insurance. The Governor’s expansion of the Family Emergency Assistance Program to include families without children and allow families to access the program each month if needed. Additionally, the amendment extends two housing protections in Governor Ferguson’s proclamation until Sept. 30. Those provisions prohibit landlords from treating wildfire displacement as abandonment, or evicting tenants because they have taken in displaced individuals and pets due to the wildfires. “Wildfires have destroyed Washingtonians’ homes across a broad geographic area,” Governor Ferguson said. “We remain laser-focused on assisting Washingtonians who have lost so much. My emergency proclamation extends important protections and expands eligibility to ensure everyone impacted can seek the help they need.” Governor Ferguson first declared a statewide wildfire emergency on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 1. The proclamation includes a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2026. It also allows Washington state to access additional resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact , a nationwide mutual aid system. Governor Ferguson amended the proclamation on August 10 to suspend state laws, protect tenants and open cash assistance to help those impacted by Washington’s devastating wildfires for eight counties and three tribes. The emergency proclamation Governor Ferguson signed on Aug. 10 expands access to the state’s disaster cash assistance program, increases access to vital documents lost in the fires, makes it easier to get unemployment benefits, and temporarily suspends regulatory requirements for health care facilities and providers so health care remains accessible. It also eases requirements for businesses to help them remain viable beyond the disaster. The five new counties added today join Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Douglas and Yakima counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. For individuals Many Washingtonians have lost everything, including critical personal documents like their driver’s license, ID card, birth certificate, and vehicle and vessel titles. The Governor’s emergency proclamation requires that there is no charge for Washingtonians who lost their documents due to wildfires to obtain new copies of personal documents through the Department of Health and the Department of Licensing. Here is a link to the form to request replacements for vital records lost in the fires from the Department of Health at no charge. This includes certificates for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that took place in the state of Washington. You can visit any driver licensing office statewide for free replacements of driver's licenses, ID cards, and other Department of Licensing records lost in the fires. The Governor’s emergency proclamation enables the Department of Licensing to grant extra time for people to renew their business and professional licenses. This includes licenses for cosmetology, notaries, real estate, security guards, and numerous other professions. Check your professional license to see if it was issued by the Washington Department of Licensing — if so, contact DOL to see if you qualify for an extension if you miss your renewal deadline because of the wildfires. Washington state has the State Individual Assistance Program for people who have lost their homes during a declared emergency. The Governor’s emergency proclamation makes everyone who lost their home eligible to receive this assistance, regardless of their household income or whether they have insurance. The Governor's emergency proclamation activated $1 million in Disaster Cash Assistance to help people meet their basic needs. Information on how to apply, and more on other cash assistance programs, available here . Washington state also has the Family Emergency Assistance Program. It provides cash assistance to families with children during a disaster. The Governor’s emergency proclamation extends this program to include families without children. Typically, that Family Emergency Assistance Program is only available to families once per year. The Governor’s emergency proclamation allows families impacted by wildfires to access the program each month if needed. State law requires that in order to get unemployment assistance, you must wait one week before getting benefits. The Governor’s emergency proclamation suspends the waiting period so Washingtonians out of work due to the wildfires will receive their unemployment benefits right away. Normally, individuals receiving unemployment benefits also must prove weekly they are actively searching for a job. The Governor’s emergency proclamation suspends the job-search requirement for those affected by the wildfires. The wildfires have caused a housing crisis for many Washingtonians. The Governor’s emergency proclamation prohibits some eviction-related actions to keep Washingtonians housed during this challenging time. The Governor’s emergency proclamation limited the ability to serve or act on eviction orders for two weeks following his Aug. 10 proclamation, unless there was an immediate health or safety risk, or unless the tenant received a full 90 days’ notice in writing of the owner’s intent to occupy or sell the property. Washingtonians across the state have taken in neighbors, friends and strangers during this crisis. Their generosity should not put them in danger of eviction. The Governor’s emergency proclamation prohibits landlords from evicting their tenants for hosting people and their pets who have been displaced by the wildfires. This protection is extended for an additional 60 days. Current law allows landlords to take possession of property that’s been abandoned without an eviction notice. The Governor’s emergency proclamation prohibits landlords from utilizing this tool when a resident had to leave because of the fires. This protection is extended for an additional 60 days. For health care Health care providers play a critical role in providing care during an emergency, and they shouldn’t have to worry about renewing their licenses right now. The Governor’s emergency proclamation enables the Department of Health to grant extra time for health care providers to renew their licenses so they can continue providing care without worrying about having to file paperwork. Medical assistants provide essential basic health care. Normally, they must have a supervising provider physically present at all times. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives that requirement as long as the supervising provider is immediately available. This enables assistants to provide important health care services without delay. Hospitals are facing staffing shortages as the local workforce is directly impacted by fires and evacuations. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives the requirement that hospitals document and verify providers’ clinical privileges. This temporary waiver will help facilities add and retain health care providers quickly during the emergency. Health care facilities, including hospitals, need to quickly stand up alternative care sites during emergencies. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives state laws regarding the construction of new health care facilities in fire-impacted areas. In an emergency, hospitals need the flexibility to provide care at alternative sites. To add flexibility, the Governor’s emergency proclamation waives the requirement that hospital licenses be only for the specific premises named in their original license application. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives a similar requirement for pharmacy licenses, allowing them to operate at alternative locations. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives the requirement that pharmacies must display their license, to further remove barriers to providing medications to Washingtonians. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives restrictions on admissions and capacity limitations for adult family homes and assisted living facilities, and temporarily suspends certain paperwork requirements, so that these facilities can focus on serving residents who have been displaced by the wildfires. For businesses and state agencies: During an emergency, essential supplies to communities and firefighters must move as quickly as possible. The Governor’s emergency proclamation suspends the rules limiting the number of hours that truck drivers can be behind the wheel, as long as they have had enough rest. Impacted businesses should not be penalized with fees for filing taxes late. The Governor’s emergency proclamation waives those late fees for employers who can’t file or pay their second-quarter 2026 taxes on time because of the wildfires. Rebuilding homes lost to the fires should be as streamlined as possible. The Governor’s emergency proclamation directs state agencies to submit reports in September identifying statutes, regulations or building code provisions that can be waived or suspended to streamline state regulations and permitting requirements for people who are rebuilding Governor Ferguson and state agencies are examining additional potential actions to help with recovery and rebuilding. Federal Actions The Governor is working closely with the federal government to ensure quick action to help Washingtonians. Governor Ferguson appreciates the quick response from the federal government during this disaster. The Trump Administration granted Governor Ferguson’s request for a federal emergency declaration for six counties and three Tribal nations in Easter Washington as the wildfires continue to burn. The declaration covers Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima Counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. It unlocks help for local governments with costs for evacuating and providing emergency shelters for those displaced by the wildfires. It also provides assistance for emergency food and water, search and rescue operations and more. The federal emergency declaration does not provide individual assistance. That comes only after President Trump issues a major disaster declaration. The state will seek a major disaster declaration once a comprehensive survey of the damage has been completed in coordination with local governments, FEMA and the state’s Emergency Management Division. Washington’s request is expected to be due in mid-September. In the wake of the emergency declaration, the United States Department of Health and Human Services approved Governor Ferguson’s request to declare a Public Health Emergency in response to the devastating wildfires. The public health emergency declaration increases access to health care and critical services for those impacted by wildfires. It is speeding up refills or replacements for medication and medical supplies, reduce paperwork and authorization requirements for providers, allow for alternative care settings and temporarily relax other requirements. On Aug. 20, Governor Ferguson also sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting disaster tax relief for people impacted by Washington’s wildfires . In his letter, Governor Ferguson requests a one-year postponement of all applicable deadlines for affected taxpayers to file and pay their federal taxes. Postponing these deadlines will give much-needed flexibility to taxpayers whose ability to meet federal tax obligations may be disrupted by evacuations, property damage, business interruption, displacement, loss of records, restricted access, or other impacts related to the wildfires. Ferguson working on FEMA Major Disaster Declaration In addition to this work, Ferguson is preparing an application for a major disaster declaration, due Sept. 29. The federal emergency declaration granted by President Trump brought in federal resources to assist in the response. It did not offer assistance to individuals or municipalities to repair damage. That will come if President Trump grants a Major Disaster Declaration, which will unlock more resources, including individual assistance. In order to get that declaration, the state must meet several requirements: Show the scale of the disaster is beyond our ability as a state to fully respond; Confirm we have taken appropriate action as a state under our emergency plans; Provide an estimate on the amount and severity of damage to the public and private sector; Describe the resources utilized to alleviate the disaster; and Provide preliminary estimates on the types of assistance needed. The Washington State Emergency Management Division is already coordinating with local governments on damage assessments. There are three types of FEMA disaster assistance, and Governor Ferguson plans to ask for all three. They are: Individual Assistance. This aid can help with a variety of costs individuals face following a disaster, including temporary housing, home repair, counseling and legal services. Public Assistance. This can be provided to state, tribal and local governments, and certain nonprofits, for emergency work to repair or replace facilities damaged by the disaster. That would include things like roads and bridges, utilities, parks and more. Hazard Mitigation Assistance: This aid can be provided for forward-looking projects like fire prevention.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-adds-five-additional-counties-wildfire-emergency-proclamation-unlocking-state", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-09-01", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-09-01T00:24:57+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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[{"title": "Governor Ferguson declares emergency over wildfire’s impacts on Walla Walla water supply, flood risk", "time": null, "end_time": null, "summary": "Governor Ferguson declares emergency over wildfire’s impacts on Walla Walla water supply, flood risk Publish Date August 28, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… August 28, 2026 - 10:01am Story Body Emergency measures and federal support are needed to protect city’s watershed from contaminants WALLA WALLA — Governor Bob Ferguson today declared a state of emergency in Walla Walla County due to wildfire impacts to the Mill Creek Watershed, which tens of thousands of Walla Walla residents rely on for their drinking water. The Paradise Fire, which began in mid-July, has burned more than 8,000 acres across Walla Walla and Columbia counties, including areas within the 21,440-acre Mill Creek Watershed. The City of Walla Walla relies on the watershed as a primary source of drinking water for approximately 35,000 residents. Governor Ferguson visited the Paradise Fire incident command center at Walla Walla Community College on Wednesday for a briefing. “The impacts from wildfires do not end when the flames go out,” Governor Ferguson said. “Wildfires can have long-lasting impacts. We are in this for the long haul to ensure communities get the help they need.” The Paradise Fire and future wildfires threaten to contaminate the watershed with ash and sediment that the City of Walla Walla’s water treatment plant does not have the capability to remove. The wildfire will also significantly change the watershed conditions and increase the risk of flooding, landslides, debris flows, and sedimentation. Governor Ferguson’s emergency proclamation allows Walla Walla to seek federal assistance to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts to the area, protecting the city’s water supply and managing future flood risk. Governor’s actions on wildfires Governor Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 1. The declaration includes a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2026. It also allows Washington state to access additional resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact , a nationwide mutual aid system. Governor Ferguson amended the proclamation on Aug. 10 to suspend state laws to help those impacted by Washington’s devastating wildfires for eight counties and three tribes. Ferguson has pledged to continue to amend that emergency proclamation to expand when new needs are identified. On Aug. 20, Governor Ferguson also sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting disaster tax relief for people impacted by Washington’s wildfires . In his letter, Governor Ferguson requests a one-year postponement of all applicable deadlines for affected taxpayers to file and pay their federal taxes. Postponing these deadlines will give much-needed flexibility to taxpayers whose ability to meet federal tax obligations may be disrupted by evacuations, property damage, business interruption, displacement, loss of records, restricted access, or other impacts related to the wildfires.", "location": null, "press_status": null, "source_url": "https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-declares-emergency-over-wildfires-impacts-walla-walla-water-supply-flood-risk", "category": "News", "published_at": "2026-08-28", "updated_at": null, "event_date": null, "timezone": null, "timezone_basis": "unknown", "timezone_evidence": null, "source_adapter": "rss", "source_tier": "official_government", "date_evidence": "Legacy publication-date grouping; original timestamp unavailable", "location_evidence": null, "subject_countries": [], "incoming_publication_at": "2026-08-28T17:01:26+00:00", "revision_recorded_at": "2026-10-04T07:20:48+00:00"}]

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Governor Ferguson visits Pasco to discuss key legislative priority to remove cellphones in schools statewide. Governor Ferguson visits Pasco to discuss key legislative priority to remove cellphones in schools statewide Publish Date August 26, 2026 Brionna.Aho@GO… August 26, 2026 - 11:58am Story Body Proposal will require personal smart devices to be “Away for the Day” in K-12 public schools in Washington state by Sept. 2027 PASCO — Today Governor Bob Ferguson held an event in Pasco to discuss a top legislative priority for the upcoming session: Banning cellphones in schools statewide during school hours. Governor Ferguson was joined by school district leaders, students and teachers at Pasco High School to talk about his proposal. Pasco High School currently does not allow student cell phon

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