By Bill Lucia | Editor
Law enforcement officials are preparing for potential threats from aerial drones ahead of the FIFA World Cup kicking off in Seattle. They are particularly worried about drones carrying dangerous payloads, like explosives. But even more benign acts, like flying a camera-equipped drone into restricted areas around matches or other events, could result in steep penalties. At this point, authorities have not identified any specific, credible threat to the tournament, which is now less than a week away.
Also in today’s edition…
A Washington company chooses Montana for an $800 million expansion.
State wildlife officials abandon plans to kill a wolf.
And, President Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee is blocked in court.
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Army Warrant Officer Gregory Hederich, an unmanned aerial systems operations technician assigned to the Washington Army National Guard’s 81st Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, operates a Ghost X drone during a counter-UAS field day demonstration at Yakima Training Center, Wash., June 2, 2026. (Photo by Joseph Siemandel/courtesy of U.S. Army)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
“The fans should feel very comfortable coming to Seattle and enjoying the games here,” Trent Heinrichs, the U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge in Seattle, told reporters yesterday. “We’re as prepared as we can possibly be,” he added.
Washington received $19.5 million in federal funding to detect and monitor unmanned aircraft during the World Cup. Seattle also received a $32 million federal grant for security more broadly, part of $625 million the feds awarded to the tournament’s 11 host cities.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently said his biggest security concern for the World Cup is drones. Drone operators caught flying their aircraft near the events could face felony charges and fines up to $100,000.
By Keila Szpaller
Washington-based Janicki Industries, a tool and parts maker, has chosen Montana as the site for a new $800 million manufacturing facility.
“Washington is our home, and that is not changing,” said company president John Janicki, according to a press release from Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office. “Our footprint in Washington has continued to grow but is slowing due to ever-increasing regulations and lack of business understanding at an executive and legislative level.”
“Decisions at the state level not only make it difficult for our employees to achieve the American Dream, but it is making it difficult for us to create new jobs for future employees by investing in local growth,” Janicki added, according to the release. “With this in mind, it is best for Janicki to focus its large-scale expansion into a more business-friendly environment, so we are pursuing out-of-state growth.”
The company said it expects its new facility in Great Falls, Montana, to create 1,000 jobs in the first five years and more than 2,000 after construction is complete, with average salaries ranging from $65,000-$120,000 depending on the position. In Washington, the company has facilities in Sedro-Woolley, Hamilton and Bellingham.
By Aspen Ford
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife rescinded an order to kill a wolf in northeastern Washington one week after authorizing the plan in response to attacks on livestock. A calf was killed and two others were injured in mid-May in the Aladdin Valley area of Stevens County. Three wolf packs inhabit the area. State wildlife managers have not determined which wolf or wolves were responsible for the attacks. Agency Director Kelly Susewind authorized staff on May 22 to kill one wolf. A week later, on May 29, he withdrew the order and moved the agency into an evaluation period, stating if another attack on livestock occurs, lethal removal would be reconsidered.
By Ariana Figueroa
The Trump administration’s effort to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers was struck down by a federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday. Judge Leo T. Sorokin found the fee placed on the H-1B visa by President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by creating a tax. “The President has no authority to levy a tax unless such a power is delegated by Congress through statute,” wrote Sorokin. Washington was among 20 states that sued over the visa fee. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the agency disagrees with the “blatant judicial activism dismantling President Trump’s historic efforts for immigration reform.”
ICYMI
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