Lynnwood Times

08/10/2025

The annual Evergreen State Fair, which has been part of summer memories in Snohomish County for 116 years, will kick off with Opening Day on August 21.

2025 Evergreen State Fair Guide: Concerts with Wynonna Judd, Fireworks, Attractions, and Ticket Info in Monroe, WA

08/09/2025

🔔UPCOMING EVENT: The 9th Annual "A Night to Remember, A Time to Act" will be on Thursday, August 28, in the Snohomish County Plaza at 3000 Rockefeller in Everett.

This event honors those lost to overdose, raises awareness about the impacts of substance use, and celebrates individuals in recovery.

The event, hosted by Hope Soldiers, will be an interactive experience for attendees with a panel including Executive Somers, service representatives, and people with lived experience.

Join us as we continue to bring awareness, reduce stigmas, celebrate recovery, take a moment of silence for those still struggling, and remember those we’ve lost.

Please feel free to bring a photo of a loved one lost to overdose for the tribute wall.

Resource Fair 5pm-6:15pm
Candlelight Vigil at 6:15pm
Program 6:30pm-8pm

08/09/2025

🚨TEXAS GOP WAR ON DEMOCRATS: ABBOTT AND PAXTON'S RELENTLESS ONSLAUGHT AGAINST RUNAWAY DEMS AND O'ROURKE

As the legal and political war against the Texas Democrat lawmakers intensify, former U.S. Representative and failed Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, during a Powered by People event in New Orleans on August 7, told supporters to "F**k the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes!"

O'Rourke is advocating for Texas Democrats to stop what he described as Donald Trump's "power grab” with the latest redistricting effort by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against O'Rourke and his organization, Powered by People, for alleged unlawful fundraising activities related to supporting Texas House Democrats who fled the state to break quorum.

On August 8, 2025, a judge granted Paxton a temporary restraining order that blocks O'Rourke and his group from using donations to financially support the quorum-breaking Democrats, but this does not extend to freezing O'Rourke's personal assets. The order specifically targets the use of funds raised by Powered by People for covering travel, hotel bills, or dining expenses for the lawmakers during special legislative sessions.

Below is a summary of the actions taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and AG Ken Paxton against Democrat lawmakers and O'Rourke:

- Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to locate and arrest Texas House Democrats who fled the state to break quorum and prevent redistricting legislation, with this order remaining in effect until all are accounted for (announced around August 4, 2025).
- Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate fleeing Texas House Democrats for potential violations of Texas law, including bribery related to soliciting or accepting funds to break quorum (August 4, 2025).
- Governor Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court seeking the removal of Texas Democrat Caucus Chair Representative Chris Turner (referred to as Gene Wu in some reports) for abandoning his duties by fleeing the state (August 5, 2025).
- Governor Greg Abbott stated that the FBI is assisting in tracking down the fleeing Democrats and threatened consequences, including potential removal from office and felony charges (around August 7, 2025).
- Governor Greg Abbott supported the Texas House's revocation of direct deposit payments for absent Democrats and imposition of $500 daily fines, emphasizing consequences for not fulfilling duties (around August 8, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Beto O'Rourke's organization, Powered by People, for allegedly unlawfully funding and bribing Texas House Democrats who fled the state (August 6, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into a Soros-funded PAC (Texas Majority PAC) for unlawfully funding runaway Democrats (August 7, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton took legal action with House Speaker Dustin Burrows to enforce Texas arrest warrants on runaway Democrats in other states, pursuing extradition and accountability (August 7, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Beto O'Rourke and Powered by People for unlawful fundraising and deceptive practices to support the fleeing Democrats, referring to it as "Beto Bribes" (August 8, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a temporary restraining order from a judge blocking Beto O'Rourke and his group from using donations to financially support the quorum-breaking Democrats (August 8, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court to vacate the seats of 13 specific Texas House Democrats who fled, declaring their absence as abandonment of office (August 8, 2025).
- Attorney General Ken Paxton asked an Illinois court to honor Texas arrest warrants for the Democratic lawmakers who fled to that state (August 8, 2025).

08/09/2025

Seattle’s vibrant spirit shines through two stunning new murals celebrating human rights and counterculture! Created by local artist Leo Shallat and international star INO, these murals mark the start of the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ journey.

The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Organizing Committee (LOC) commissioned two newly completed, large-scale murals in downtown Seattle

08/09/2025

🔔HAPPENING NOW: The 4th annual Mariner Fest presented by Project Girl Mentoring Group, Everett Housing Authority & Sno-Isle Libraries - Mariner Community Campus is this Saturday!

Mariner Fest is a community resource fair featuring local agencies sharing resources with families in the Mariner Community. There will be educational entertainment, free food, games, face painting and family fun for all.

Project Girl will facilitate the annual back 2 school backpack and school supply giveaway. This year the aim to support 1200+ students with the supplies.

This event is at Mariner High School. All ages are welcome throughout the 4-hour outdoor event.

Sponsors of this event: Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Change the Narrative, Molina Healthcare, Arcora Foundation,

08/09/2025

🚨Governor Ferguson, Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises launch certification for LGBTQ-owned businesses

LGBTQ+ small business owners and entrepreneurs can now certify their businesses with Washington state’s new LGBTQ Business Enterprise program. The statewide certification is free of charge, and will help LGBTQ-owned businesses access valuable government contracts to grow and sustain their businesses.

“It’s a particularly important moment to show our support as a state for the LGBTQ community,” Governor Bob Ferguson said. “Washington state has a thriving, diverse business community. This program ensures we are recognizing and supporting our LGBTQ business owners.”

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises has certified small minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in public contracting and procurement since 1983. All OMWBE-certified businesses, including those in the new LGBTQ program, appear in a certified business directory, where state agencies, educational institutions, local governments and prime contractors seek small and diverse firms to do business with.

Washington state agencies are incentivized to contract directly with OMWBE-certified businesses. OMWBE tracks state agency spending with certified business to set aspirational spending goals and will begin reporting on state spending with LGBTQ-owned businesses in 2026. OMWBE also connects certified businesses with free consultations and training.

“We are excited to partner with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission to launch one of the nation's first statewide LGBTQ Business Enterprise programs,” OMWBE Director Lekha Fernandes said. “This certification allows us to build business solutions that truly improve equity in public spending, by recognizing LGBTQ+ owned businesses in government contracting.”

Until now, there were few certification options in Washington state for LGBTQ+ businesses. One of the options, a third-party certification with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, is only recognized in King County.

“After more than a decade of advocacy from the community on this issue, I am very pleased to see OMWBE enthusiastically implementing this program for LGBTQ+ small businesses,” said Matt Landers, Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner and Secretary. “We know that the LGBTQ+ community faces economic disparities, and this recognition — along with the ongoing work of many individuals and organizations from community — can help move the needle toward a fairer economy for all Washingtonians.”

“Reducing barriers and increasing access within state government is a core tenet of the LGBTQ Commission,” said Lisa Keating, executive director of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission. “The LGBTQ+ Business Enterprise program is yet another example of the commitment Washington state has for improving the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians.”

🔽How to apply for certification
https://omwbe.wa.gov/certification

08/09/2025

🚨BREAKING: TEXAS AG ATTEMPTING TO OUST TEXAS DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Texas to declare vacant the 13 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum, invoking a rare 1870s "quo warranto" legal action to declare their seats vacant.

The action by Democrat lawmakers stems from a redistricting push, backed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald J Trump, to gain five new GOP-leaning House seats. Abbot is now considering redrawing the maps to add up to 8 Republican U.S. House seats in Texas now that Democrats have fled.

08/09/2025

🚨TRUMP AND PUTIN TO MEET IN ALASKA ON AUG 15 TO DISCUSS UKRAINE PEACE DEAL

U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Putin will be the first Russian leader since Alaska's sale to the U.S. in 1867 for $7.2 million to step foot on Alaskan soil.

Total U.S. aid commitments to Ukraine are approximately $175–184 billion — military aid alone is approximately $67 billion. The total EU aid commitments exceed $212 billion.

Putin is seeking for Russia to retain full control over Eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk regions (annexed in 2022), plus Crimea (seized in 2014). Putin will also negotiate ending Western sanctions against Russia.

Also today, President Donald J. Trump hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House, where the two leaders signed a historic joint declaration for peace after decades of bitter conflict.

The two leaders also signed bilateral economic agreements with the U.S., unlocking the South Caucasus region in trade, transit, energy, infrastructure, and technology, and creating new opportunities for American businesses.

08/09/2025

🚨BREAKING: TRUMP APPOINTS TREASURY SECRETARY SCOTT BASSENT AS ACTING IRS COMMISSIONER

President Donald J Trump on Friday, August 8, has removed IRS Commissioner Billy Long who will be serving as the new Ambassador to Iceland. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is said to be taking over temporarily according to multiple sources NBC News reports.

08/08/2025

The Community Transit Board of Directors yesterday approved the 2025-2030 Transit Development Plan (TDP). The TDP forecasts the agency’s finances and outlines the services being planned for Snohomish County. The six-year plan is updated annually.

The Community Transit Board of Directors approved the 2025-2030 TDP which forecasts the agency’s finances and outlines planned services.

08/08/2025

The City of Marysville invites members of the public to join city staff, Marysville Fire District and Marysville Police Department for a public ceremony on September 11, marking 24 years since the devastating 2001 terrorist attacks.

The City of Marysville invites members of the public to gather for a public ceremony on September 11, to memorialize those fallen.

08/08/2025

🔔EVENT NOTIFICATION: MUKILTEO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULES