Midterm Politics: President Trump used the GOP’s Dallas convention to attack Democrats as extremists and defend the Iran war, while doubling down on a promise to pay every adult American $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress—an effort Democrats are already trying to counter with targeted ad buys. Washington Health Care: Washington’s Office of Insurance Commissioner says self-employed and recently retired residents using state exchanges could see average 22.2% higher premiums in 2027, as Medicaid changes loom and the state scrambles to blunt coverage losses. State Courts & Schools: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit over a brutal 2023 Fish Bowl football hit, while a Kirkland father sued Lake Washington School District over an alleged failure to honor a religious opt-out from LGBT-related classroom instruction. Public Safety (Seattle): After a deadly Belltown gun violence weekend, Seattle’s public safety leaders pushed a $418,000 consultant contract for a gun violence intervention strategy, as police also faced scrutiny over staffing and response. Agriculture & Labor: USDA data shows Washington farm labor costs were second-highest in the U.S. in 2025, fueling renewed calls from the state AG for collective bargaining rights for farmworkers. Local Incidents: A small plane crash near Moses Lake’s sand dunes left the pilot uninjured, and Spokane homeowners report sewage flooding damage tied to the aftermath of the Complex Fires.