AGP Executive Report

Spokane Wildfires: More than 60,000 people were ordered to evacuate as fast-moving fires tore through the Spokane area, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses and turning the Spokane Convention Center into a Red Cross shelter for evacuees, including residents from care facilities; officials say over 250,000 acres burned statewide and Gov. Bob Ferguson has requested federal help, including FEMA. State & Local Response: Avista began its evaluation process after the worst of the weekend’s fire activity, while Spokane County and city officials pushed evacuation and recovery support as containment remained limited. Water Policy Vote: West Plains voters will decide whether to create an aquifer protection area, a local tax measure tied to safeguarding groundwater. Primary Politics Watch: With Washington’s top-two primary on Tuesday, AP reports nine candidates are competing for two seats in a key congressional race, alongside contests for other House seats, the Legislature, and state Supreme Court. Left-Wing Politics: Socialist Rep. Kshama Sawant argues DSA-backed wins show working-class voters want a more confrontational left, not just incremental change within Democrats.

Spokane Wildfire Emergency: California’s interagency incident team has been deployed to the “Spokane Complex Fire” as three blazes (Old Trails, Fairview, Autumn Lane) burn thousands of acres with 0% containment, destroying 600+ structures and driving roughly 60,000 evacuations; Gov. Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and requested FEMA help, while officials warn winds and dry conditions could keep the next days dangerous. Courts & Voting Disruptions: Spokane County courts issued an emergency order continuing jury trials through at least Aug. 10, and the Spokane County Auditor’s office is offering replacement ballots for evacuees and voters who can’t access their packets ahead of Tuesday’s primary. State Policy Crosscurrents: Separate from the disaster, the Senate is still blocking a daylight saving time fix, leaving the Nov. 1 clock change in place despite medical groups’ push for permanent standard time. Sports Culture Fight: Caitlin Clark weighed in briefly on Sophie Cunningham’s transgender-athlete controversy, again deferring to leagues and governing bodies—keeping the debate front and center in Washington-area sports coverage.

Wildfire Emergency in Spokane: Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and imposed a burn ban as fast-moving blazes—led by the Old Trails Fire—pushed into residential areas, triggering Level 3 “leave now” evacuations and leaving about 60,000 people without power. Officials said Old Trails had burned roughly 3,500 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures, with thousands of homes threatened as strong winds and extreme heat drove rapid fire growth. Local Transit Politics: Spokane voters face a decision on renewing the STA sales tax that funds public transportation; supporters say it preserves service and future plans, while opponents argue the timing is off. Federal Courts/Justice: A judge rejected DOJ efforts to force recusal in the Roger Rogoff case, keeping the fight over whether a president can fire a judge-appointed U.S. prosecutor alive. Land-Use Risk Research: UW researchers released a national building-level landslide exposure map, highlighting how many Americans live in landslide-prone areas and where recovery gaps may be worst. Sports & Culture: Seattle’s Seahawks roster check continues as training camp moves on; meanwhile, WNBA trans-athlete debate remains a flashpoint after renewed comments and backlash around Sophie Cunningham.

Wildfire Emergency: Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and burn ban as wildfires surged across Washington, with more than a quarter-million acres burning and Spokane hit hardest by the Old Trails Fire—prompting Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations, thousands of people without power, and evacuations of major facilities including Spokane’s VA hospital. Local Public Safety: Spokane County and the city expanded evacuation zones as the fire jumped the Spokane River, with shelters opening at Spokane Falls Community College and the Spokane County Fairgrounds for pets. Statewide Response: Officials said about 4,000 firefighters were battling a dozen-plus blazes statewide, warning conditions are “not normal” as heat and wind drive extreme fire behavior. Seattle Events Disrupted: Seafair’s Blue Angels show was canceled Saturday due to high winds, even as the wildfire emergency unfolded statewide. Immigration Oversight: Rep. Pramila Jayapal condemned an ICE arrest in West Seattle as an “ICE kidnapping,” alleging abuse and demanding answers from ICE. Sports/Community: The Mariners traded Luis Castillo to the White Sox for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and prospects. International Spotlight: Guyana para table tennis player Gibran Safaraz was selected for an ITTF high-performance training camp in Spokane.

Seattle Public Safety Shakeup: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson accepted Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation and named Andre Sayles interim, after intense backlash over the city’s response to the Bite of Seattle festival shooting; documents say Barnes’ optional resignation deal included about $700,000 in severance. Housing & Local Tax Policy: Everett expanded its MFTE tax exemption program, widening where developers can qualify and dropping the unit threshold from 16 to 4, aiming to speed multifamily construction. Transportation & Transit Reliability: Seattle’s Denny Way Bus Reliability Project adds a new traffic pattern starting Saturday, rerouting eastbound drivers to improve Route 8 bus reliability ahead of a bus-only lane later this month. Education & LGBTQ Student Privacy: Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal hit back at a U.S. Department of Education push for changes to student gender privacy rules, arguing Washington’s protections already comply with federal law. Supreme Court Watch (Youth Safety): The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review Washington’s SB 5599, a law expanding when runaway youth shelters can delay parent notification for minors seeking protected healthcare.

Seattle policing shake-up: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson defended asking Police Chief Shon Barnes to resign after the Bite of Seattle festival shooting, saying it was “the right decision,” and named Deputy Chief Andre Sayles interim chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement. Public safety & accountability: The city faced backlash over a slow, five-hour delay in updates; police also released bodycam showing officers treating victims and taking a 15-year-old into custody as the homicide investigation continues. Immigration courts: A federal appeals court dealt the Trump administration a setback on mass detention, ruling that many immigrants held inside the U.S. should have had a chance to seek release while cases move forward. Federal pressure on schools: The U.S. Department of Education demanded Washington revise student-record policies tied to parental access and transgender rights. ICE expansion: Reporting says ICE is seeking contractors for new detention facilities, including a Seattle-area site, to add thousands of beds. Housing & infrastructure: Seattle’s library levy fight is unfolding alongside warnings that the city’s deferred maintenance bill runs into the billions. State courts & policy: A Washington Supreme Court-related dispute over a Supreme Court appointee’s weekly meetings with a predecessor is drawing criticism ahead of the next term.

Seattle Public Safety: Mayor Katie Wilson accepted Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation after the Bite of Seattle festival shooting, naming Deputy Chief Andre Sayles interim as scrutiny grows over Barnes’ absence during the crisis and a slow public information rollout. State Courts: Washington Supreme Court ruled WSU must protect students from foreseeable fraternity hazing harm after the death of Sam Martinez in 2019, setting up a jury trial. Education & Federal Oversight: The U.S. Department of Education is pressing Washington to change student-record sharing policies, citing federal court rulings and concerns tied to transgender student privacy. Labor & Boeing: Boeing sent a contract offer to SPEEA, with union negotiators endorsing the proposal as the current contract nears expiration and strike risk could affect jet certification timelines. Higher Ed Free Speech: A FIRE survey graded Washington schools poorly on free-speech protections, with Evergreen State College in the worst category. Economy & Housing: Washington’s new millionaire income tax is blamed for worsening Seattle-area housing market conditions as high-end sellers list faster than buyers can absorb.

Seattle Police Shake-Up: Mayor Katie Wilson accepted Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation after backlash over the city’s slow public updates following the Bite of Seattle festival shooting; Deputy Chief Andre Sayles was named interim chief as the mayor apologized for a five-hour information delay and City Council members demanded answers. Immigration Detention: A Ninth Circuit ruling says many detained immigrants in Tacoma’s ICE center are entitled to bond hearings, potentially affecting hundreds across the western states covered by the court. Local Elections: Asotin County sheriff candidate Blake Richards picked up endorsements from nine Washington sheriffs ahead of the Aug. 4 election. Spokane Housing: Spokane City Council passed a “Renter’s Right to Cooling” ordinance requiring landlords to provide AC if requested, with tenant remedies if they don’t. Legal/Schools: Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal pushed back on a federal inquiry into student record disclosure policies, saying state law already complies with parents’ rights. Public Safety/Crime: Tacoma police are searching for a man accused of armed robberies who allegedly ditched his GPS ankle monitor.

Seattle Police Leadership Shakeup: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has fired Police Chief Shon Barnes, according to multiple local outlets, after the Bite of Seattle festival shooting and renewed scrutiny over his whereabouts and the department’s delayed public response. Community Pushback: Black community leaders and partner organizations rallied at City Hall in opposition to the dismissal, while supporters argued Barnes is being targeted amid political pressure. WNBA Fallout in Seattle: The Seattle Storm suspended minority co-owner Celeste Keaton for five home games and fined the team after she directed expletives at two teen fans tied to a Sophie Cunningham anti-trans rally; the Storm apologized and said fans deserve respect. Public Safety & Accountability: Police and court filings continue to shape the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle shooting, including questions about suspects and weapons. Spokane Heat Relief: Spokane City Council approved a “right to cooling” ordinance requiring rentals to provide adequate cooling options and allowing lease termination if tenants lack a cooling room. ICE vs. State Oversight: New ICE draft contract terms would keep 5,500 detention beds beyond state health and safety oversight, setting up fresh legal fights that include Washington.

Spokane Housing & Heat Protections: Spokane City Council passed the “Renter’s Right to Cooling” ordinance, requiring rental units to have adequate cooling in at least one room and giving tenants options to terminate leases or deduct installation costs up to $500, with new construction requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027. Spokane Budget Cuts: The Spokane City Council plans to lay off two remaining policy managers—Alex Gibilisco and Nicolette Ocheltree—by Aug. 7, ending much of a long-running effort to expand council capacity. Immigration Fallout in Spokane: Haitian residents are scrambling after Temporary Protected Status officially expired, with community leaders warning many could lose work authorization and face deportation risk. ICE Airport Dragnet: A new report says ICE is using plainclothes agents at airports nationwide, with TSA data-sharing helping target travelers and workers, including people not accused of crimes. Seattle Gun Violence Case: In the Bite of Seattle shooting, prosecutors say bullets that killed two bystanders don’t match the ghost gun allegedly fired by a 15-year-old, while investigators continue to identify other shooters. Seattle Food Aid Deal: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the City Council reached agreement to fund universal school meals and weekend/holiday food support for low-income students, ending a months-long standoff. Election Mail Warning: Washington election officials urged voters to use drop boxes instead of USPS mailboxes late in the cycle, warning postmarks may not reflect when ballots were deposited. Wildfire Mutual Aid: California’s CAL FIRE is sending an incident management team to Washington for the Sinlahekin Fire under the Northwest Compact. WNBA Inclusion Backlash: The Seattle Storm apologized after a co-owner’s profanity-filled outburst at two teenage fans tied to the Sophie Cunningham trans debate.

Bite of Seattle Security Scrutiny: Sunday’s deadly shooting at Seattle Center’s Bite of Seattle has reignited debate over how the city keeps major festivals open while protecting crowds, with vendors and attendees questioning whether security planning was enough as Seafair Weekend approaches. State Budget Pressure on Disability Support: Nearly 40 bipartisan Washington lawmakers are urging Gov. Bob Ferguson and DSHS to protect the Parent to Parent program, warning it could be cut after August amid budget woes. King County Housing Funding Push: King County Executive Girmay Zahilay is forming a steering committee to explore a countywide housing levy and other revenue options to fund shelters and affordable housing as federal support remains uncertain. Seattle Police Leadership Fallout: Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank attacked Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes after a tense reporter confrontation tied to questions about Barnes’s whereabouts during the Bite of Seattle response. Education Policy Proposal: State Superintendent Chris Reykdal is proposing a mandatory yearlong “postsecondary launch” course for high school seniors, combining civics, financial literacy, and post-graduation planning. Costco Email Settlement: Washington Costco shoppers may qualify for cash under a proposed $14M settlement over allegedly misleading promotional email subject lines, with payouts depending on valid claims. Sports & Culture Flashpoints: The WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham trans-athlete controversy spilled into Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena week, with teams saying they had no knowledge of a rally tied to two Washington state initiatives.

Spokane Street Redesign: Spokane is taking public comments on a major Spokane Falls Boulevard overhaul tied to water-pipe replacement, with options ranging from adding dedicated bike lanes and narrowing lanes to converting parts of the one-way street into two-way traffic. Seattle Center Shooting Fallout: Seattle police say a 15-year-old suspect used a ghost gun and that the Bite of Seattle attack was targeted and likely gang-related, with investigators still hunting for additional suspects. Accountability Clash: The mayor and police leadership face renewed scrutiny over why a public briefing took hours, while Chief Shon Barnes defended his travel and a tense reporter exchange. Gun Violence Policy Push: Seattle Councilmember Maritza Rivera is calling for more aggressive action after multiple shootings in days. Millionaires Tax Fight: A lawsuit challenges Washington’s ballot wording for the “millionaires tax” repeal, focusing on 21 words about how repealing the tax could reduce funding for schools and human services. Spokane Transit: Supporters of the STA sales tax renewal are accusing opponents of misleading voters about service cuts if the measure fails. Public Safety Lawsuit Costs: Spokane’s firefighter vaccine mandate case heads toward a March 2027 trial, with the city still spending heavily on legal fees. Local Politics: Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward sues the city over a 2023 council resolution condemning her association with Sean Feucht and Matt Shea. State Disability Funding: Nearly 40 lawmakers urge Gov. Ferguson to protect the Parent to Parent program for families of children with developmental disabilities.

Seattle Center Shooting: Seattle police say the Bite of Seattle gunfight may have been gang-related, with court documents now pointing to at least three suspects; a 15-year-old is in juvenile detention after a judge found probable cause, while investigators continue searching for others as victims’ identities were released and a toddler was discharged. Police Accountability: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and SPD leadership faced renewed scrutiny over the response and public communication after the weekend attack, including criticism of how long residents waited for basic updates. State Ballot Fight: Washington AG Nick Brown’s office is defending the ballot wording for the income tax repeal measure, while former Sen. Lynda Wilson calls it a scare tactic because the tax won’t generate revenue until 2029. Disability Services: Parents of children with developmental disabilities fear Washington’s Parent to Parent support program could be cut after August amid state budget pressure. Olympia Politics: A third-party candidate, Aaron Croft, is pushing an independent voice in the WA House as the election season heats up. Courts Watch: Bryan Kohberger is seeking to reopen his Idaho murder case, arguing his guilty plea should be withdrawn.

Seattle Center Shooting Update: Police say the Bite of Seattle gunfight involved at least three suspects, with a 15-year-old in custody and a 19-year-old identified as one of the dead; investigators are still hunting at least one other unknown suspect, and officials describe the violence as possibly gang-related while reviewing video and shell casings. Court/Accountability: A judge ordered the teen held in juvenile detention on firearms and assault allegations as questions swirl about when officials shared key details with the public. Spokane Primary Watch: Spokane County voters head to the August primary to choose two finalists for county auditor, with three candidates—Michael Cathcart, Callie Gee and Dale Whitaker—seeking to replace long-time auditor Vicky Dalton. West Plains Data Center Debate: Spokane County discussions about a potential West Plains data center are drawing calls for more transparency, with residents pushing for a moratorium while county leaders weigh infrastructure and public impacts. Tacoma Budget & ICE Oversight: Tacoma leaders continued budget planning amid rising costs and housing/environment priorities, while a federal judge ordered the GEO Group to allow Washington State Department of Health inspectors into the Tacoma ICE facility. 5th District Race: Richard Freudenberg highlighted infrastructure, medical access and tariffs in a south-central Washington candidate interview. State Supreme Court/Legal Process: A Washington bar association profile of Supreme Court Justice Theo Angelis is drawing scrutiny for timing during the run-up to the Aug. 4 primary.

Seattle Center Shooting: A gang-related shootout at the Bite of Seattle food festival killed 3 people and wounded 4, including a toddler; police say one suspect surrendered while a second fled, with investigators still piecing together motive and whether more shooters were involved. Public Safety & Accountability: The incident has reignited scrutiny of city security choices and how quickly police responded, as officials delayed a news conference and urged witnesses to come forward. Labor & State Government: Washington public employees represented by WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 announced statewide walkouts, citing record state lawsuit payouts and warning that austerity is driving avoidable harm and staffing shortages. Energy & Legal Fight: AGs from 19 states and DC joined a lawsuit challenging a wind farm freeze tied to national security reviews, arguing it unlawfully blocks projects and raises costs. Local Politics & Elections: Walla Walla Valley races are heating up ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, with a look at who’s funding candidates and how money is shaping the contest. Economy & Infrastructure: HD Hyundai Samho won a Port of Tacoma contract to supply four new cranes, supporting terminal modernization and capacity for larger vessels.

Violence & Public Safety: Seattle Center’s Bite of Seattle festival turned into a mass-casualty scene Sunday night near the Space Needle, with police and fire officials reporting at least 2 dead and 5 wounded, including a toddler, as investigators work to determine what triggered the shooting and whether anyone is in custody. State & Federal Voting: A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to lift an injunction blocking parts of a mail-in voting order in 23 states, keeping the fight over election rules in the courts as November approaches. Agriculture & Trade: USDA’s top foreign trade official, Luke Lindberg, visited Washington growers and the Port of Seattle, arguing Trump’s tariff strategy is opening overseas markets and narrowing the U.S. agricultural trade deficit. Local Elections Watch: Pacific County’s ballot return pace remains low as voters head into the final stretch of the primary, with drop boxes and deadlines set for Aug. 4. Environment & Land Use: The Three Queens Fire has shut a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail and cut access to Spectacle Lake, with no reopening date and limited evacuation options cited.