January 2026

In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the King County Council approved a first-in-the-nation motion calling on Congress to impose strict "guardrails" on any funding appropriated for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),. The motion, sponsored by Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, serves as a direct response to three civilian deaths at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and what local officials describe as a "culture of violence and lawlessness".

A Call for Accountability

The council’s action comes as a DHS funding bill is scheduled for a vote in Congress this week. The motion demands an immediate halt to "dangerous surges" of ICE agents and an end to the deployment of U.S. Border Patrol units into American cities, where they have been accused of terrorizing communities and violating constitutional rights.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion has announced her administration's legislative priorities for the 2026 session, focusing on a multi-faceted approach to improve the safety and well-being of the community. The 2026 agenda emphasizes reducing human trafficking, saving lives on roadways, investing in the healing of crime survivors, and strengthening accountability for those who exploit children.

Strengthening Protections and Funding for Crime Survivors

A cornerstone of Manion's priorities is stabilizing resources for victims. SB 5362 and HB 1487 aim to secure statewide funds for survivors, addressing a 90% decrease in federal funding since FY 2017. These resources are vital for community-based housing, crisis lines, and civil legal aid.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Boys basketball

Foster 96, Lakeside 68

Foster flattened the Lions in Saturday action.

Eastside Catholic 96, West Seattle 43

West Seattle went down to defeat Saturday.

Foster 80, Hazen 60

The Bulldogs hammered Hazen this past Friday.

Mt. Rainier 76, Auburn-Riverside 61

The Rams routed the Ravens on Friday.

Ballard 70, Ingraham 66

Ballard beat the Rams in a close game Friday.

Tahoma 65, Kennedy 63

The Bears edged the Lancers last Friday.

Newport 62, Highline 52

Newport sank the Pirates Friday.

O'Dea 81, West Seattle 61

South Seattle College (SSC) has announced a community discussion scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to address growing concerns regarding long-term vehicle parking in the Puget Ridge neighborhood.

The meeting comes after the City of Seattle contacted the college to explore the possibility of installing parking restrictions along a specific portion of 16th Ave SW located directly in front of the campus. The goal of the gathering is to bring together campus members and local neighbors to evaluate potential solutions for the area.

In a show of solidarity with protests taking place in Minnesota the group West Seattle Indivisible organized a march on Saturday January 24.

Hundreds of people gathered at Hiawatha Park next to West Seattle High School and then marched south on California Avenue to the West Seattle Junction. 

Many were in costumes including some women in costumes evocative of Handmaid's Tale.

Patient need is outpacing donations, and our local blood supply has hit emergency low levels. To keep up with hospital needs, Bloodworks has had to bring in blood from other parts of the country—a temporary and unsustainable solution, especially since shortages are happening nationwide.  

Bloodworks needs a steady stream of donors over the next month, to ensure patients in Pacific Northwest hospitals have immediate access to lifesaving transfusions for cancer treatments, trauma care, and birth complications.