+ MSNBC: Why the White House is resisting making a deal to avert a shutdown

+ NBC News: OMB issues memo directing agencies to begin shutdown plan

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What a government shutdown would mean for Washington state

The federal government risks a shutdown at midnight, affecting Washington state’s 82,000 federal workers and services if Congress doesn’t reach a funding deal.

Excerpt from KING5 TV News, NBC Seattle:

The federal government faces a potential shutdown at midnight if Congress fails to reach a funding agreement, with significant implications for Washington state’s 82,000 federal workers and various government services.

While essential services such as U.S. Mail delivery and Social Security payments would continue, under a shutdown, many federal employees could face immediate impacts, affecting air travel, health care, and parks services.

The 2019 government shutdown provides a preview of potential impacts. 

For example, during that closure, park rangers were furloughed, along with non-governmental employees at hotels and restaurants at Mount Rainier.

In past shutdowns, TSA agents and air traffic controllers would be required to work without pay for the duration of the disruption. A Seattle-Tacoma International Airport spokesperson told KING 5 that they did not think the shutdown would impact travelers. 

Military personnel would remain on duty, but the status of thousands of civilian employees working on military bases remains unclear.

Veterans’ services would operate at reduced capacity. Medical care at Veterans Administration facilities, including the hospital at American Lake, would continue, but regional offices would close, and career counseling programs would be cancelled.

Congressional members from opposing parties have exchanged blame.

Firefighter arrested while battling fire is released by ICE in WA, lawyers say

Excerpt from The Olympian via MSN:

A 23-year-old wildland firefighter who has lived in the U.S. since he was 4 was arrested while battling an ongoing fire in Washington State, then spent weeks detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to his attorneys.

Rigoberto Hernandez Hernandez has now returned to his home in Keizer, Oregon, after attorneys with the Innovation Law Lab and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project sued the government on Sept. 19, challenging his arrest that led to his ICE detention, the organizations said in a Sept. 24 news release.

ICE released Hernandez from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, where he was held for nearly a month, on Sept. 23, according to the Innovation Law Lab.

“I am glad that I am home, and I am excited to see my family,” Hernandez said in a statement. “I want to give my thanks to everyone – for their prayers, for the rallies, for sharing about what happened to me and the other firefighter.”

Hernandez and another firefighter were taken into custody by Border Patrol on Aug. 27, when they were a part of a crew fighting the Bear Gulch fire in the Olympic Peninsula, according to a petition for habeas corpus and a motion for temporary restraining order that demanded his release. The blaze continues to burn in Washington.

Border Patrol agents had no grounds to arrest Hernandez, his attorneys argued in the filing. They accused agents of arresting Hernandez because he is Latino and after he asserted his right to remain silent.

Click here to read the full story.

+ News From The States.com: ‘Stay out of Seattle’: WA leaders tell Trump troops aren’t needed – This comes after Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed plans over the weekend to dispatch Oregon’s National Guard to nearby Portland. Local leaders fear Seattle could be next as the president federalizes National Guard troops and deploys them to major American cities.

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Gov. Bob Ferguson to meet WA National Guard after Trump orders troops to Portland

The city of Portland and state of Oregon have sued the Trump administration to block the planned deployment of National Guard troops there.

Excerpt from The Olympian:

Gov. Bob Ferguson and other top officials on Monday broadcast a message to the president: Keep troops out of Seattle and off Washington streets.

——

Now Washington leaders are gearing up for a similar scenario to potentially unfold in this state.

In a Monday social media post, Ferguson said the state stands in solidarity with Oregon. He said he’s concerned by Trump’s activation of troops to Portland, adding that he’s continuing to watch the situation.

“Over the weekend, we were in communication with Governor Kotek and her team, as well as (Seattle) Mayor Harrell. We’re meeting today with the Washington National Guard,” said Ferguson, who’s scheduled to be on an out-of-state vacation and work-related travel through Oct. 9.

“My team and I have been preparing for this possibility for some time. We do not need or want the president to militarize our streets.”

Trump recently suggested that Seattle, if he deems it unsafe, could lose its host-city status for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. His son, Donald Trump Jr., previously blasted Portland and Seattle as “craphole cities” and floated the possibility of a federal takeover of police forces in both.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said at a Sept. 29 press conference that Seattle doesn’t need the federal government to bring in military personnel, weapons and armored vehicles to make the city safer.

“There is not an insurrection here,” the mayor said, according to the Washington State Standard.

How did Thurston County end up with such a big budget deficit?

Thurston County is weighing deep spending cuts due to a growing structural deficit in its primary operating fund.

Excerpt from The Olympian via The Chronicle:

Thurston County officials are looking to slash the county’s spending in the face of a ballooning structural budget deficit.

Such cuts will lead to layoffs, backlogs and delays across a swath of public services, officials have warned. The scope of the problem begs the question: How did the county get to this point?

To answer that, The Olympian sat down with county officials at The Atrium this past week.

The officials attributed the county’s budget woes to factors out of their control, namely rising costs outpacing revenue from property and sales taxes as well as unfunded state mandates.

Thurston County is not alone in this challenge, Commissioner Carolina Mejia said. Counties big and small across the state are looking at cuts, she said.

“We’ve been telling the legislature for way before I even became a commissioner that counties were heading towards this cliff,” Mejia said.

Given current trends, Thurston County officials estimated earlier this summer that there would be a $23.8 million structural deficit in the county general fund for 2026.

As the county’s primary operating fund, the general fund is used to pay for many services related to public safety, public health, emergency response, permitting, property taxes, parks, roads and much more.

In the past week, the Board of County Commissioners made headway reducing the deficit with some early decisions. However, the county has until the end of the year to approve a new biennial budget. 

Property and sales tax growth has slowed down

Click here to read the full story.

Washington Discover Pass fee increases to $45 Oct. 1

By Matteah Davis, The Wenatchee World:

The annual Discover Pass fee will increase from $30 to $45 beginning Oct. 1, according to a news release.

The Discover Pass provides one year of unlimited entry to all Washington state lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

The pass grants access to:

• More than 100 state parks

• 350 recreation sites

• 700 water access spots

• More than 90 Natural Areas and Natural Resource Conservation Areas

• 33 wildlife areas

The annual Discover Pass can be transferred between two vehicles and purchased online, by phone, through recreational license vendors, or at state parks when staff is available. Many state parks also have automated pay stations for day and annual passes. Discover Passes can also be checked out for free from NCW Libraries with a library card.

The fee increase, the first since the Discover Pass was implemented in 2011, was approved by the state Legislature in April and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May.

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According to a news release, 71% of State Parks’ operating budget comes from Discover Pass sales and earned revenue. These funds support recreation and conservation efforts, including keeping bathrooms clean, maintaining trails, caring for forest health, and protecting seashores.

• Editor’s note: As more information from the Epstein Files is being released, Trump must divert attention from those news headlines: Musk, Bannon and Thiel named in new Epstein estate documents – from Politico.

+ KGW-8 TV, NBC Portland: Oregon leaders respond to Trump’s announcement that he’ll deploy troops to Portland, urge ‘calm’

+ KING-5 TV, NBC Seattle: Seattle says it ‘stands united’ with Portland after Trump threatens troop surge – Washington officials support Portland after Trump’s threat to deploy troops.

+ KING-5 TV, NBC Seattle: Oregon sues Trump administration over deployment of National Guard: ‘It is unlawful’

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Trump says he is authorizing military to use ‘Full Force’ in Portland

The president wrote on Truth Social that he is directing the Defense Department to send troops to Oregon.

Excerpt from Politico:

President Donald Trump is directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send U.S. troops to Portland, he said Saturday on Truth Social, making the extraordinary pronouncement that he is greenlighting the use of “Full Force, if necessary” in an American city.

“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” he wrote.

Further details about the president’s actions were not immediately clear — including what legal authority the president would rely on to authorize “full force” of the military in Oregon. A federal law, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, generally bars the president from using federal troops to enforce domestic law.

The order came as a surprise to many in the Pentagon, and several officials were unsure what the orders will actually entail.

One official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the order candidly, said they expect it to be a National Guard mission that would look similar to Los Angeles and Washington, which was focused on “supporting federal and local law enforcement,” by doing logistics and and not much more.

The official was unclear on what the president’s claim that “full force” was authorized meant.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said at a Saturday afternoon press conference that she spoke with Trump and Noem in separate calls in the morning, where she reiterated her view that Portland is not in need of federal intervention.

Kotek said she had no advance communication with the White House, and got official word on Trump’s plans only when he posted them on Truth Social.

Paper Clip Protest

Excerpt from Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance:

On Thursday [Sept. 18], E. Jean Carroll started it: Paper Clip Protest.

“Comely Reader! I suggest we all start wearing the paper clip. Subtler than a red hat, more powerful as a CONNECTION,” she wrote, explaining they were also worn during World War II as a sign of resistance against the Nazis.

Norwegian teachers and students wore paper clips to signal their opposition to Nazi occupation. They attached them to their lapels and wore them as jewelry, a symbol of solidarity binding them together as paper clips did with papers. It was a quiet act of defiance, expressing that Norwegians remained united against Nazi rule.

——

You probably have a paper clip in your desk or junk drawer that you can put on straight away.

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E. Jean Carroll Launches Campaign To Humiliate Trump

How to join the festivities

Excerpt from The Art of Giving:

If you thought E. Jean Carroll was done mopping the floor with Donald Trump, think again.

After trouncing him in court several times and making him cough up a jaw-dropping $88.3 million in damages (that’s a lot of “very legal, very cool” hush money he won’t be spending on gold toilets), Carroll is back, and this time she’s armed with… a paper clip.

Yes, a paper clip. Because why waste time with torches and pitchforks when you can bring down a wannabe autocrat with office supplies?

The Paper Clip Mutiny: Because Trump Can’t Handle Staples, Let Alone Resistance

Carroll’s “Paper Clip Mutiny” is the kind of protest that makes MAGA hats look like the sad, sweaty relics they are.

Why a Paper Clip? Because It’s the Only Thing Trump Hasn’t Tried to Sue Yet

The Humiliation Factor: Trump vs. Office Supplies

How to Join the Mutiny (No NDA Required)

• Wear a paper clip. On your lapel, your bag, your hat, your Zoom call.
• Hand them out. Give one to your friends, your family, your coworker who still thinks Trump is a “stable genius.”
• Post it. Snap a photo, tag #PaperClipMutiny, and watch the movement spread faster than Trump’s legal bills.
• Get creative. Leave paper clips in public places, on statues, at rallies, or anywhere a camera might catch them.
• Start a conversation. When someone asks, “What’s with the paper clip?” – tell them it’s the only thing in America that hasn’t been insulted by Trump. Yet.

The Last Laugh: Carroll 4+, Trump 0

E. Jean Carroll has already done what no one else could: she made Trump pay—literally and figuratively. Her victories in court are historic (four counting verdicts and appeals), her damages are record-breaking, and her ability to get under Trump’s skin is unmatched.

Now, with the Paper Clip Mutiny, she’s inviting the rest of us to join in the fun. It’s a movement that’s more durable than a non-disclosure agreement and more visible than a bad spray tan.

So grab a paper clip. Wear it with pride. And remember: this is how you humiliate a would-be autocrat – not with rage, but with ridicule. And a little help from Office Depot.

Cathay Pacific brings back Seattle flights

Excerpt from The Points Guy:

Cathay Pacific is set for its return to the Pacific Northwest.

The Hong Kong-based airline on Monday announced it will bring back nonstop flights to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) starting next spring.

It will mark the return of a route between Seattle and Asia that went away during the coronavirus pandemic and never came back — that is, until now.

Cathay Pacific will bring back its Seattle service to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) beginning March 30, 2026, with five weekly round trips.

Immediately, the flight should be a popular option for travelers with a stash of miles. Cathay Pacific is a partner of both American Airlines and Seattle’s hometown airline, Alaska Airlines.

New flights between Seattle and Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific’s new flights from Seattle to Hong Kong will run each week — Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays, once the service launches.

The carrier will operate its flights with its Airbus A350-900, which sports 38 lie-flat seats in its business-class cabin, plus 28 premium economy recliners on top of 214 seats in the main cabin.

Here’s how the itinerary shakes out during the spring, summer and early fall of 2026:

• SEA-HKG: Depart 11:50 a.m., arrive 4:45 p.m. the next day
• HKG-SEA: Depart 1:30 p.m., arrive 10:10 a.m. the same day

Seattle will be Cathay Pacific’s ninth North American destination, and its first since launching nonstop service to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) earlier this year.

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...Cathay Pacific’s opting to bring back a short-lived flight to the Pacific Northwest that it launched in 2019 but canceled amid COVID-19 cutbacks.

Things to do in Thurston County this fall: Casket races, corn maze and more

From a pie-eating contest to Arts Walk, there’s plenty of fall fun in store in the Olympia area.

Excerpt from The Olympian via MSN:

Experience Olympia & Beyond compiled a fall bucket list for Thurston County.

Admission and ticket prices vary by event, so check before you go.

Here’s a look at nine local ideas for fall fun, including one that runs into winter, per the destination marketing organization:

Rutledge Family Farm:The farm in Tumwater goes all-in on fall fun with a pumpkin patch, fire pits and a haunted corn maze, plus other activities and offerings. Dates: Opening day is Sept. 20.

Tumwater Falls Fest: The event celebrating Tumwater Falls at Brewery Park in Tumwater includes live music, art and food vendors, children’s activities and demonstrations, plus the chance “to explore the scenic half-mile loop trail along the Deschutes River highlighted by views of the cascading waterfalls, quiet pools, and views of the Old Brew Tower,” the city said on its website. Date: Sept. 27.

BOO-Coda: The town of Bucoda’s Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Halloween Festival is packed with Halloween fun, from a hearse procession and viewing to a pumpkin pie eating contest and casket races. Check the schedule for details. Dates: Oct. 1-31, with most events falling on weekends.

Fall Arts Walk: The two-day event in downtown Olympia features 100-plus artist exhibits and events; live music, comedy, dance and more; hands-on activities and vendors. Dates: Oct. 3-4.

Salmon Run: Watching the Chinook salmon run is a fall favorite in the Olympia area, starting in late August. “Gather near the 5th Avenue Bridge in Olympia and at the viewing windows along the fish ladder to see the salmon making their way upstream,” Experience Olympia & Beyond said. “Continuing the journey, spectators in Tumwater can observe the salmon at Tumwater Falls and Brewery Park through mid-October, where some fish are held for spawning and others continue their natural migration.”

All Kids Win Haunted 5K: A festive 5K for a good cause? That’s the idea behind the All Kids Win Haunted 5K, where participants are invited to costume up and raise money for the Thurston County nonprofit All Kids Win, which gets weekend food bags to kids in need. The 5K is at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey, with a virtual option available. Date: Oct. 25.

Boo-Bash at the Hands On Children’s Museum: The children’s museum in Olympia is getting its spooky spirit on with special offerings including a straw bale maze, farm stand photos, a haunted sluice where you can search for gems and fossils, a costume parade and more. Dates: Oct. 25-31.

LoveOly WinterFest: The downtown Olympia festival is happening near the end of fall, with an eye toward winter holiday fun. It includes music, food, holiday lights, a parade and more. Date: Nov. 30.

Oly on Ice: The pop-up rink that provides “a magical ice-skating experience under twinkling lights,” per Experience Olympia & Beyond, is returning to downtown Olympia. Dates: Nov. 21-Jan. 19.

• Editor’s note: The letter below was submitted to the Yelm Community Blog and the Nisqually Valley News by Natalie Oliverio, parent of a Yelm Schools student.
• Oliverio details the ramifications for Yelm property owners if the schools levy on the November ballot fails yet again.
• An educated voter is best for the future of our schools.

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Higher Property Taxes – The Possible Unintended Future Consequence of Another Failed Levy

By Natalie Oliverio, Yelm Resident:

This November, Yelm voters face a critical decision about the future of our schools and our community. The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy is not an extra or “optional” tax — it is the funding that allows Yelm Community Schools to keep classrooms staffed, buses running, and vital student programs alive. Whatever you feel about the current system for funding schools….without levy dollars, our district cannot balance its budget.

The reality is stark: if Yelm’s levy fails, the district may very well ultimately face insolvency. That would mean Yelm Community Schools could be dissolved and absorbed by a neighboring district such as North Thurston School District. For our community, that would bring two major consequences.

First, property taxes would go up. North Thurston’s current school levy rate is $4.27 per $1,000 of assessed value, significantly higher than Yelm’s currently proposed rate of $1.30 and significantly higher than Yelm’s previous rate through 2024 of $2.50. Yelm residents would end up paying more, not less, if we lose local control. The average property value in the Yelm School District is $489k. Being taxed at the North Thurston School District levy rate would result in an increase of about $1,452 in taxes above the Nov 2025 proposed Yelm levy rate.

Second, our voice as voters would shrink. There are about 24,000 registered voters in the Yelm School District. If merged into North Thurston School District, where there are approximately 72,000 registered voters, Yelm’s influence on school ballot measures would be diluted. What is now a voice of 1 in 24,000 would be diluted to 1 in 100,000 if Yelm is absorbed. Our community’s priorities and values would carry far less weight in future elections.

The stats noted herein were taken from the Thurston County Auditor and Thurston County Assessor sites. Please don’t take my word for it, do your own research as well.

If you are feeling the weight of high prices and high taxes, voting No on the upcoming levy may not provide the tax relief you are hoping for and instead may push our district toward insolvency, leading to higher taxes and a weaker voice for Yelm voters.

If you believe Washington’s school funding system is broken, or if you have concerns about how Yelm Community Schools manages its budget, there are avenues to demand accountability and advocate for reform. But the November levy vote is not the place to do it. Voting “no” does not fix the system — it only harms our students and weakens our community. Let’s push for change through the proper channels while still providing our kids with the resources they need today.

This levy is about more than schools — it’s about preserving Yelm’s independence, protecting our taxpayers, and ensuring our students have the resources they need to succeed. I urge my fellow residents: vote YES for Yelm schools this November. The cost of failure could be far greater than the levy itself.