Three Big Ballot Battles in WA | Seattle News

Olympia Heat Wave and Relief Efforts | Seattle News

Olympia’s facing a brutal heat wave with temps hitting 95° and nights barely cooling off—health officials urge everyone to stay hydrated, avoid heatstroke, and never leave kids or pets in cars. While rain is forecast for Thursday, dry conditions raise wildfire risks. Local groups are stepping up: shelters are extending hours, mutual aid teams are on standby, and Interfaith Works is collecting water, snacks, hats, and sunscreen to help those without AC or shelter. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/99d581528d54321c

Judge Halts Skydance-Paramount Merger | Seattle News

A federal judge in California has paused a blockbuster $11 billion merger between Skydance and Paramount, citing an antitrust lawsuit from 12 states that argue the deal would crush competition in Hollywood, leading to higher prices, fewer movies, and less creative variety. The temporary restraining order keeps the deal on ice while a key August hearing determines if the block will last — and whether this mega-merger’s future is sealed by law or saved by the courts. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/5364bf4c9aff3e62

Sixty-Nine-Year-Old Drug Smuggler Gets 15 Years | Seattle News

Sixty-nine-year-old John Michael Sherwood just got 15 years for trying to smuggle 300 pounds of meth and nearly a kilo of fentanyl from California to Canada via jet ski and inflatable raft — a scheme that started when a beachgoer found a duffle bag full of drugs. More bags were later found under a bridge, tying him to a Walmart purchase, U-Haul rentals, and motel stays — all caught on camera. Prosecutors called him the “FedEx of the drug world,” and with a history of federal felonies and a prior conviction overturned due to witness issues, the judge called his actions “desperate and harmful.” The drugs, worth $1.5 million, made this a high-stakes, high-stakes case — and a stark warning: international fentanyl smuggling won’t be tolerated. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/41f4a660dd8c310b

Washington State's Budget Fix Initiative | Seattle News

Washington’s budget crisis is getting a major overhaul as an 18-member committee of lawmakers, officials, and stakeholders launches a two-year probe to fix the state’s chronic financial gaps. Tasked with uncovering root causes in revenue forecasting, spending habits, and cost assumptions, the group aims to build sustainable fiscal plans — with help from nonpartisan experts. While some Republicans question the process’s intent, others hope for bipartisan clarity. The committee’s findings, due by year’s end, could reshape how Washington manages its finances after years of patchwork fixes and warning signs from credit agencies. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/38b53185ec4d0d78

Washington Schools Lag on Phone Policies | Seattle News

Thirty-one percent of Washington’s school districts still lack formal cellphone policies, leaving students’ phone use during school hours unregulated — a stark contrast to 31 other states and D.C. that already enforce restrictions. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has been pushing for mandatory “off and away” policies for two years, citing improved focus, fewer disruptions, and lower stress levels in schools that’ve already adopted them. A new bill targeting the 2027 legislative session aims to require all districts to implement such policies by the 2027-28 school year, with Governor Ferguson backing the effort. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/4d1899f812321930