Federal Government

Congressman Larsen to host live telephone town hall May 25

Second District Congressman Rick Larsen will host a live telephone town hall to answer constituents’ questions starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 25.  Visit the livestream at larsen.house.gov/live or dial in to 855-962-0954 to participate.

Candidate filing for federal, state and county office opens May 16

Candidate filing begins at 9 a.m. Monday, May 16, for the 2022 ballot. There are 41 offices available for filing including U.S. senator, U.S. representative, state senator, state representative, judicial positions, county prosecuting sttorney and public utility district commissioner.  Candidate filings for political party precinct committee officer positions will also be accepted. A complete list…

Rep. Larsen praises affordable connectivity benefit aimed at shrinking digital divide

Congressman Rep. Rick Larsen on Tuesday applauded the launch of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an initiative made possible by the federal government’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide most eligible households with $30 off their monthly internet bill. More than 1.4 million Washingtonians are eligible for the ACP. For more information, including…

Reminder: May 2 deadline for high school students to participate in 2022 Congressional Art Competition

The deadline is approaching for all high school-aged students who live or attend school in Washington’s Second Congressional District to showcase their artistic talents in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. Art submissions and forms are due to Congressman Rep. Rick Larsen’s office by Monday, May 2 at 5 p.m. Accepted mediums include drawings, paintings, photography, computer-generated art,…

Edmonds firm named 2022 SBA Seattle District Small Business Exporter of Year

Richard Brinton, founder and president of BBD International in Edmonds, is the U.S. Small Business Administration Seattle District 2022 Small Business Exporter of the Year. Founded in 1997, BBD International began by exporting construction equipment. Today, Brinton’s expertise lies in providing parts for high pressure waterjet cutting machines, pierce nuts and military equipment. Success for…

Congressman Larsen to host telephone town hall April 21 on environmental issues

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen will host a live telephone town hall at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21 on environmental issues facing northwest Washington and efforts to fight climate change. Experts from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group will join the Second District congressman to hear constituents’ concerns…

Officials break ground in Lynnwood for Swift Orange Line transit route

Approximately 100 people gathered at the Lynnwood Transit Center Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Swift Orange Line rapid transit route. Among those in attendance were Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen, State Sen. Marko Liias, Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell and…

Puget Sound area transit agencies no longer requiring face masks

Agencies providing transit services to riders throughout the Puget Sound region announced Tuesday that face coverings will no longer be required on transit, at transit facilities or in transit hubs. The change is effective immediately, and includes the following agencies: Community Transit Everett Transit King County Metro Kitsap Transit Pierce Transit Seattle Department of Transportation…

Free admission to national parks on April 16 kicks off National Park Week celebration

Entrance fees at national parks will be waived on April 16 to mark the beginning of National Park Week 2022, which runs from April 16-24. The National Park Service partners with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of the parks, for the annual celebration every April that encourages people “to explore amazing places, discover stories…

Department of Justice, Port of Edmonds resolve complaint regarding ADA violations

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Port of Edmonds have resolved a complaint by a port customer that the port violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it altered the parking lot at the port marina and failed to provide appropriate accessible parking spaces. As part of the settlement, the Port of Edmonds…

Community Transit receives $37.1 million in federal grant funds for Swift Orange Line

Community Transit said it received notification this week from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that it is receiving a $37.1 million grant that clears the way for construction of the Swift Orange Line. The Orange Line will connect Edmonds College with Mill Creek via the Lynnwood light rail station. Both new services begin operating in…

U.S. Rep. Larsen visits Edmonds College Construction pre-Apprenticeship Program

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen visited the Edmonds College Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center at Paine Field last week to see firsthand the second cohort of the Construction pre-Apprenticeship Program (CAP) completed their third week of the 10-week program. Larsen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was joined by Edmonds College President Dr….

Leader of Neo-Nazi group sentenced for plot targeting journalist and advocates

Kaleb Cole, 25, a leader of the Neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, was sentenced Tuesday in Seattle to seven years in prison for his role in a plot to threaten and intimidate journalists — including including TV journalist and Edmonds resident Chris Ingalls — and advocates who worked to expose anti-Semitism. At the sentencing hearing, U.S….

State redistricting maps will shuffle Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds are likely to see some changes made to their current districts under the state’s redistricting plan for the next decade. Using 2020 U.S. Census data, the Washington State Redistricting Commission was tasked with redrawing the boundaries of Washington’s 49 legislative and 10 congressional districts so as to create districts nearly equal…

U.S. Rep. Larsen to host veterans telephone town hall Thursday  

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen will host a live telephone town hall Thursday, Nov. 4 on issues facing Northwest Washington veterans and their families. Leaders from VA Puget Sound and the Seattle-area VA Office will join Larsen to hear veterans’ concerns and help answer questions about benefits available to veterans and their families. At 5:15 p.m….

2021 Congressional App Challenge open to local middle, high school students

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen on Monday announced the launch of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge, open all middle and high school students who live or attend school in the 2nd Congressional District (which includes Brier, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood). The annual competition runs through Monday, Nov. 1,  The Congressional App Challenge (CCA) is an opportunity for students to create programs or apps…

IRS warns taxpayers about Child Tax Credit scams

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division is warning taxpayers about Child Tax Credit-related scams, which criminals may use to steal money and personal information. While millions of American families started receiving the advance Child Tax Credit payments last week, criminals were already looking for innovative tactics to take advance of unwitting victims, the IRS…

Major federal awards announced for Sound Transit light rail projects

Washington state’s two U.S. senators — Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell — on Friday announced that Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link and Federal Way Extension light rail projects will be receiving two new Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program wards, administered by the Federal Transprotation Administration. The funding for the award comes from the American Rescue Plan….