Give Us Again Our Library Funding: The feds reduce funding for Washington State libraries in prisons, in rural areas and on tribal lands. In response to The Seattle Occasions, an April 1 memo from the Institute of Museum and Library Companies terminated a $3.9 million grant they rely on. Washington State Librarian Sara Jones says will probably be troublesome to run a state library that’s “something near what folks acknowledge.” To not get all Studying Rainbow on you, however Chaka Khan stated it greatest. Books can take us anyplace (maybe twice as excessive). Taking books away from folks, particularly folks in robust conditions with restricted entry to data and leisure, is a burn-in-hell-for-free card.
Give the Staff Cash Too: The Washington State Federation of State Workers union staged a sit-in exterior Bob Ferguson’s workplace after which marched to the manager mansion Wednesday. They have been protesting the Governor’s proposed finances, which plans to chop their pay (within the type of 24 unpaid furlough days) as an alternative of honor the 5% normal wage will increase he promised. In response to the Washington State Customary, Ferguson rejected the union’s thought for a wealth tax, saying it might appeal to court docket challenges. Don’t knock it ’til you strive it, Bob.
Washington Colleges Chief Chris Reykdal has stated no to the US Division of Training’s order to halt variety packages. In a press release, Reykdal stated the order is an assault on states with civil rights legal guidelines that exceed (dwindling) federal requirements. The Division is threatening the federal funding of states that don’t comply. Final 12 months, Washington state obtained $1.4 billion from the feds for schooling, about 7 p.c of the general finances.
The Seattle Occasions reported yesterday that persons are simply sitting in jail in Seattle for weeks with out an legal professional, their constitutional proper. Public defenders instructed the Occasions this has occurred at the very least 15 instances prior to now 12 months, however these are simply the tales reported to division management. It in all probability occurs much more than that, they are saying. The problem began developing final 12 months, and with no repair, it simply saved developing. Learn extra right here.
Throughout his affirmation listening to to go the Nationwide Counterterrorism Heart, failed Washington congressional candidate Joe Kent wouldn’t reply Senate questions in regards to the Sign chat that mistakenly added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg whereas discussing US conflict plans. Democrats on the panel didn’t dispute Kent’s {qualifications} for the job. Perhaps they need to have. Kent has restricted intelligence expertise and associates with white nationalists, Christian nationalists, and different far-right extremists. He even helped increase a far-right paramilitary group, 1st Modification Praetorian, when it was simply getting began, in line with reporting from Mom Jones.
Within the Marketplace for a New E-bike? Enter the state’s e-bike rebate lottery. Individuals 16 and over who make 80% of their county’s AMI or much less (in King that’s $77,700 for singles, $88,800 for {couples}, and $99,900 for a 3 particular person family) can apply from now till April 23 for an opportunity to knock $1,200 off the invoice (at taking part retailers). Those that make greater than 80% AMI can apply to knock $300 off. The state will choose 10,000 winners at random.
The financial information is difficult to clarify. It’s type of like a monkey hitting itself within the face with a hammer. However it’s additionally like a clown rolling round in glass. So who’s to say what’s actually happening. After taking a excessive dive into an empty swimming pool, international markets gave a bloody smile and (damaged) thumbs up as they rebounded Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump delaying excessive tariffs on most nations for 90 days. However who is aware of if that may stick. He might simply change his thoughts once more. However don’t despair. At a Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee dinner Tuesday, Trump stated that he “is aware of what the hell” he is doing. Confidence completely restored, Chief. My dangerous. Whereas the EU reconsiders what to do about our dumb asses, the commerce conflict with China rages on. Trump’s 125% tariff on Chinese language items stays in place, as does China’s 84% tariff on US items.
In January, Virginia Nationwide Guard pilot Jo Ellis realized she’d commandeered the helicopter that crashed right into a passenger jet over Washington DC. Besides no, she completely hadn’t. Posts blamed her and DEI (as a result of she’s trans) for the catastrophe. Her employer despatched a safety element to guard her from nutjobs. She began carrying a gun and posted a “proof of life” video on Fb to attempt to dispel the rumors. It tousled her life. This week she sued Matt Wallace, the X influencer who promulgated the misinform his two million followers.
The US Postal service desires to boost the price of top notch stamps from 73 cents to 78 cents this summer season. The company says it wants this to remain financially steady. It won’t imply a lot to those that don’t ship loads of mail, however this improve might hit companies exhausting. However not as exhausting as privatizing the USPS, a silly thought floated by President Donald Trump and President2 Elon Musk final month.
Trump Indicators Order to “Make America’s Showers Nice Once more”: The order lifted power division restrictions on water circulate also called Joe Biden and Barack Obama’s “conflict on water stress” as all of us absolutely know. I can’t make enjoyable of him higher than he can, so I’ll let him take it away: “I wish to take a pleasant bathe to deal with my stunning hair,” he stated. “I’ve to face within the bathe for quarter-hour till it will get moist. It comes out drip, drip, drip. It’s ridiculous.”
Kash Patel was eliminated as performing director of ATF as a result of he didn’t present as much as work for weeks. In Patel’s protection, he’s stretched skinny. The poor man was main two federal legislation enforcement companies: the ATF and FBI. it’s robust instances when a person has to steer two federal companies to feed his household (he’s single). Patel’s been changed with Daniel Driscoll, the Military Secretary. The New York Occasions experiences it’s “extremely uncommon” for army guys to steer civilian legislation enforcement companies. However what precisely is uncommon as of late? Is Dan Bongino “typical”?
Performing ICE Director Todd Lyons says the US must run deportations extra like a enterprise. “Like [Amazon] Prime, however with human beings,” Lyons stated [evilly] on the 2025 Border Safety Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. He was chatting with a whole lot of representatives from tech and army firms vying to safe or develop federal contracts. “We have to purchase extra beds, we want extra airplane fights and I do know loads of you’re right here for that purpose … Let the badge and weapons do the badge and gun stuff, all the things else, let’s contract out.”
Girlboss Spacecraft: Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin is sending Katy Perry to house (for 11 minutes, so solely type of) on the primary all-female spaceflight. NPR compiled an inventory of 20 musicians who should go there first. However what if we went none at a time? I am with Olivia Munn, who instructed Jenna Bush Hager (GWB’s daughter) on the Right now Present: “What are they doing? Like why?”
The Climate: Anticipate a excessive of 67 and rain showers earlier than 1 p.m. In response to the Nationwide Climate Service, there’s a half probability showers stick to us by means of Sunday.
Some Music for You: Try this video of the Studying Rainbow theme track. Resulting from a “bug” in YouTube’s system (“can’t revert,” the uploader says), LeVar Burton’s face has been blurred out, giving a really creepy vibe. It has 1.3 million views, greater than some other model of this theme I might discover. Individuals are not speaking in regards to the blur within the feedback. I discover that creepy too.
