By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
With the midterms just a week away, Washington’s top federal prosecutors said Monday that they’d found evidence of 405 noncitizens fraudulently registered to vote here. Those people have allegedly voted upward of 1,500 times over the course of decades. This comes as the feds have lodged overblown allegations of voter fraud in other states in an attempt to back up President Donald Trump’s claims in the years since his 2020 election loss.
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs pushed back on the claims, noting one of the provided records dated back to 1994.
Also in today’s edition…
• A program to boost Washington 9th graders appears to be paying dividends.
• The number of uninsured Americans continues to rise.
• And, rising prices color election campaigns across the country.
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By Jake Goldstein-Street
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Charles Neil Floyd said prosecutors haven’t charged any of the alleged fraudulent voters with a crime, but “I do anticipate that we will.” He’s asking the state to set aside their ballots for next week’s midterm election pending confirmation that they’re voting legally.
Hobbs said his office is “carefully reviewing the request and assessing the information sought to ensure that our response complies with applicable state and federal laws.” Voter fraud is incredibly rare in Washington, he said, and when these cases are found, they’re forwarded to local authorities for prosecution.
By Aspen Ford
Under the Ninth Grade Success initiative, Washington teachers and other school support staff pair up with students dealing with low grades, truancy, poor behavior and more. A recent state evaluation shows it’s working: More students pass their classes and stay on track to graduate. Around 60 schools participate in the program. Those that do typically see a 6 percentage point boost in freshman students passing their classes, according to the evaluation.
Dr. Navdeep Lehga sets up equipment in the exam room of a mobile clinic in Mendota, California in 2025. (Photo by Larry Valenzuela/CalMatters/CatchLight Local)
By Shalina Chatlani
The uninsured rate for American adults ages 19-64 rose to 11.2% this year, up from 8.9% in 2024, according to a new report. The uptick is due in large part to many people no longer being able to afford Affordable Care Act coverage after Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year.
By Kevin Hardy
As the political environment continues to sour for Republicans, a new analysis released Monday underscores just how expensive everyday life has become in America: Gas and electricity prices are rising much faster than paychecks. Housing, childcare and healthcare are becoming a bigger strain for millions of people. High prices are pinching people across income brackets, with an estimated 49% of families unable to afford the basic costs of living, for example.
ICYMI
These measures on WA ballots could shake up local government | by Jerry Cornfield
Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, the DOE keeps fighting their claims. | by Lizz Giordano and Brandon Block
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