By Bill Lucia | Editor
Welcome back to the Daily Standard's weekend edition, where we recap some of the week's top stories.
Quote of the week: “We’re as prepared as we can possibly be.”
That’s Trent Heinrichs, U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge in Seattle, discussing World Cup security measures earlier this week. “The fans should feel very comfortable coming to Seattle and enjoying the games here,” Heinrichs said.
As many as 750,000 people are expected at World Cup events in the Seattle area. Kickoff for the city’s first match, Belgium vs. Egypt, is Monday at noon at Lumen Field, AKA Seattle Stadium, where grass has been laid atop the artificial turf. Whether crowds in the region will meet earlier expectations remains to be seen.
The U.S. got off to a roaring start in the tournament yesterday in the Los Angeles area, defeating Paraguay 4-1. The U.S. will play in Seattle next Friday, squaring off with Australia. That’s also a noontime match. The full match schedule is here.
Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Security is a significant concern during the tournament, which will feature six Seattle matches, with the final one in the city on July 6. Officials said this week they are especially focused on the possible threat of aerial drones carrying dangerous payloads, like explosives. (They did not flag specific, credible threats.) The areas around Lumen Field and other World Cup events are definite No Drone Zones, with felony charges and fines up to $100,000 possible for drone operators who violate the flight restrictions.
Washington’s Military Department has spent about a year working on counter-drone measures ahead of the World Cup. The Seattle police also got some special training. Washington received $19.5 million in federal funding to detect and monitor unmanned aircraft, as part of $250 million in federal grants awarded to the cities hosting matches.
The Seattle Fire Department has some simple tips for staying safe at World Cup events, such as having a planned meetup spot in case groups get separated, signing up for emergency alerts, and carrying a power bank to recharge cellphones.
Something else to consider: Monday will be hot — at least by Pacific Northwest standards. A National Weather Service outlook yesterday predicted Seattle highs in the mid to upper 80s.
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Mountain roads
Contractor crews repave a damaged section of the North Cascades Highway on June 5. (Photo courtesy of WSDOT)
State Route 20 through the North Cascades should be reopened by Friday, June 19, following major repairs, the Washington State Department of Transportation said this week. The road sustained major storm damage in December, and a segment between the Ross Dam trailhead and Porcupine Creek at milepost 156 has been closed this spring. Updates and more information can be found on the department’s SR 20 blog and on the agency’s webpage for the repair project.
Cage matches
An Ultimate Fighting Championship ring on the White House South Lawn on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
If you’re looking for alternative programming to the World Cup this weekend, there’ll be Ultimate Fighting Championship cage matches on the White House lawn Sunday night. The mixed martial arts fights will take place on President Trump’s 80th birthday and are also billed as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event gets underway at 8 p.m. and will stream on Paramount+. The U.F.C. company is led by Dana White, a Trump ally, who delivered primetime speeches for Trump at the last three Republican National Conventions. Polymarket, Bud Light, Crypto.com and Dodge are among the sponsors of the event.
Our Washington, D.C. Bureau has more: Corporate logos abound on White House grounds in prep for fights by Trump-allied UFC
Where’s the governor?
He’s heading to Stehekin next week for a few days, according to his office. The tiny community at the north end of Lake Chelan is still recovering from December’s severe storms and flooding. Will Ferguson attend any World Cup games? He’s not scheduled to in his official capacity, his office says. But it’s unclear if he’ll go on his own time as a fan.
Schedule records show that in the past week or so, he had separate calls planned with the presidents of the University of Washington and Washington State University, and also a call with Puget Sound Energy’s president and CEO, Mary Kipp. The utility has been raising rates as it attempts to meet state requirements for transitioning away from fossil fuels. The universities could be facing a tough state funding situation as Ferguson warns of significant shortfalls in the upcoming budget. A governor’s office spokesperson did not respond to questions about what those calls covered.
Last Friday, Ferguson held his fourth annual fundraising lunch in Spokane, with tickets starting at $75 and premier sponsorships up to $4,800.
Ferguson is also trying to raise a few bucks in the wake of his recent social media spat with Rep. Jim Walsh, the chairman of the state Republican Party. Walsh suggested that he was considering a run for governor in 2028. Ferguson chimed in, dismissing Walsh as a “big talker” and suggesting he “won’t have the guts to actually take me on.” Walsh then proposed that Ferguson meet him for a series of debates leading up to 2028, a challenge the governor did not accept.
Cut to this week, and Ferguson’s campaign sent out a fundraising email with the subject line, “a possible Republican opponent,” which pointed to Walsh toying with the idea of a 2028 run. “His comments are an early reminder that the opposition is already preparing and eyeing the Governor’s office,” the email says, before making the ask for contributions. Campaign finance filings show Ferguson has already raised about $2 million for a 2028 reelection campaign.
IN OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK…
Over 200 new state laws took effect on Thursday.
A judge rejected a challenge from major pharmaceutical companies against Washington’s new law trying to reduce prescription drug prices for hospitals.
Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons got her long-sought opportunity to publicly defend herself against an array of ethics charges.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments in a dispute over the massive Horse Heaven wind project, with opponents arguing state officials failed to follow permitting requirements for the planned 72,500-acre facility.
The Ballmer Group is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to fund 10,000 new affordable rental homes in Washington state, a dramatic investment focused on keeping families out of homelessness.
Eastern Oregon residents who have lived for years with contaminated water can move forward with a class action lawsuit against the Port of Morrow and large food processors in the area, a federal judge ruled.
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