Senate Reschedules Surgeon General Confirmation Hearing for Casey Means After October Delay

Federal Government

Senate Reschedules Surgeon General Confirmation Hearing for Casey Means After October Delay

The U.S. Senate Health Committee has resumed its confirmation process for Surgeon General nominee Dr. Casey Means, whose hearing was postponed in October 2025 after she went into labor. The outcome could shape public‑health priorities that affect communities across Southwest Washington.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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Federal Government

Federal Charge Filed After 3D‑Printed Guns Recovered in Thurston County Crash

A Lewis County man prohibited from possessing firearms is facing a new federal charge after deputies recovered two 3D‑printed “ghost guns” during a January pursuit, according to federal prosecutors.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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Public Safety

Amber Alert Issued for Two Missing Sisters with Ties to Southwest Washington

Oregon officials issued an AMBER Alert for two Multnomah County sisters believed to be in danger, prompting cross‑border attention from Southwest Washington communities along the I‑5 corridor.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

Washington’s Updated Campaign‑Finance Penalties Take Effect, Shaping Enforcement Ahead of 2026 Races

Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission updated its penalty schedule for campaign‑finance violations effective November 5, 2025, raising baseline penalty ranges and shaping enforcement heading into the 2026 election cycle.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

State Campaign‑Finance Rule Changes Advance as PDC Reports Rising Pre‑Election Caseload

Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission advanced plans to overhaul campaign‑finance reporting requirements while reporting a surge in pre‑election complaints and renewed enforcement activity.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

PDC Schedules 2026 “Lunch and Learn” Training Sessions, Offering Local Filers Midday Support

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has released its 2026 schedule of noon “lunch and learn” trainings, offering short, topic‑focused sessions on lobbying and disclosure requirements relevant to filers statewide, including those in Cowlitz County.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

Washington Recodifies Campaign‑Finance Statutes, Shifting PDC Citations to RCW 29B

Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission has shifted all campaign‑finance statutes to the new Title 29B RCW as of January 1, 2026, an administrative reorganization affecting citation numbers but not the substance of state law.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

January PDC Actions Carry Direct Implications for Cowlitz County Elections

Washington’s campaign‑finance regulators reviewed key legislative proposals and recent enforcement actions in January, with several potential changes carrying direct implications for local campaigns and public offices in Cowlitz County.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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State Government

Washington State PDC Reminds Local Officials: F‑1 Disclosures Due April 15, Virtual Trainings Available

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission is reminding officials that annual F‑1 financial disclosures are due April 15, with several free virtual training sessions scheduled ahead of the deadline.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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Sports

Statewide High School Hoops Tighten as Playoffs Approach, With Local Eyes on Regional Seeding

With statewide high school basketball matchups tightening ahead of the postseason, late‑season results are shaping district seeding that will affect teams across Cowlitz County.

The Feed

Feb 25, 2026

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Federal Government

House Rejection of ROTOR Act Raises Questions for Southwest Washington Airspace

The House’s rejection of the ROTOR Act—an aviation‑safety bill tied to a deadly 2025 collision—raises questions for Southwest Washington’s increasingly crowded airspace, where civilian and military flights regularly intersect.

The Feed

Feb 24, 2026

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Federal Government

BLM Proposal in Southeast Oregon Revives Long‑Running Debate Over Federal Grazing Rights

The BLM’s proposal to reopen grazing allotments near Steens Mountain—land once tied to the Hammond ranching dispute—has drawn new protests from conservation groups and reopened longstanding debates over federal land management across the rural West.

The Feed

Feb 24, 2026

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Columbia Countercurrent

Jefferson County’s Prosecutor Shortage Raises Questions for Rural Justice Systems