Proposed Washington Bill Could Impound Cars With Expired Tabs and Criminalize Out-of-State Registrations

State Government

Proposed Washington Bill Could Impound Cars With Expired Tabs and Criminalize Out-of-State Registrations

Washington’s proposed SB 6176 would allow cars with expired tabs to be impounded and could criminalize residents registering out-of-state to avoid fees, with significant potential impact for border communities like Longview and Kelso.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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State Government

Washington Office of Independent Investigations Seeks New Director After Rogoff’s Resignation

Roger Rogoff, the inaugural director of Washington’s Office of Independent Investigations, has announced his resignation. Chief of Staff Jane Nesbitt will serve as interim director while the governor searches for a permanent replacement.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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State Government

Washington Senate Passes Bill to Ban Masked Law Enforcement—What It Means for Southwest Washington

Washington State Senate approves bill banning opaque face masks for state, local and federal law enforcement. What this means for Cowlitz County communities.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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Local Government

Parents at Peninsula Elementary Protest Over Staffing and Safety Concerns

Parents and staff at Peninsula Elementary School in North Portland are calling on Portland Public Schools to address what they say are unsafe conditions and understaffed classrooms.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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Local Government

Cowlitz County Opens Applications for 2026–27 Tourism Grants

Cowlitz County Tourism is now accepting applications for its 2026–27 Large Grant Program, offering up to $200,000 to support local events and attractions that bring visitors to the region.

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Jan 29, 2026

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Transportation and Infrastructure

Electric School Buses Join Local Fleets Serving Cowlitz and North Clark Districts

The KWRL Transportation Cooperative has unveiled 14 new electric school buses and 16 charging stations serving Woodland, Kalama, Ridgefield, and La Center schools, supported by federal clean energy grants.

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Jan 29, 2026

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State Government

Sen. Jeff Wilson Backs Bill to Lower Washington’s DUI Limit to 0.05%

The Washington State Senate voted 26–23 to lower the legal DUI limit to 0.05%, with Longview Sen. Jeff Wilson breaking ranks to support the measure.

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Jan 29, 2026

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Public Safety

Kalama SWAT Standoff Ends in Apparent Suicide of Wanted Longview Man

A 25-year-old Longview man wanted on multiple felony warrants died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a SWAT standoff in Kalama earlier this week, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.

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Jan 29, 2026

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State Government

Washington Legislature Advances Reckless Driving Threshold Bill

Washington lawmakers have advanced a bill to explicitly define traveling 30 mph over the speed limit as reckless driving—a move that could bring jail time, fines, and license suspensions for extreme speeders, and strengthen enforcement tools for communities like Longview and Kelso.

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Jan 29, 2026

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Public Safety

Vancouver Police Remember Officer Don Sahota Four Years After His Death

The Vancouver Police Department held a memorial honoring Officer Don Sahota, four years after he was killed in the line of duty, reflecting on his enduring legacy of service and community impact.

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Jan 29, 2026

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Federal Government

ICE confirms Oregon Coast detention center plans could resume this summer

Federal court filings reveal ICE had planned to build a temporary detention center in Newport, Oregon, and may resume the project later this year.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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State Government

Advocates Push State to Activate $42M Brockmann Mental Health Campus Near Mount Vista

Southwest Washington advocates are urging the state to let an outside agency open and run the unused $42 million Brockmann Mental Health Campus near Mount Vista, arguing that its vacancy worsens regional treatment shortages affecting counties like Cowlitz.

The Feed

Jan 29, 2026

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