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In Marysville, students will start classes this week, but those classes will be larger as they start the school year with fewer teachers.

The changes are the result of nearly $13.5 million in cuts the school district approved in its final budget last night after local voters twice failed to renew a four-year education program and operations levy.

The Everett Herald reports the district’s final $185 million budget reflects cuts from nearly every category – the bulk though in staffing with the equivalent of 45 fewer full-time staff.

Sports programs have been eliminated in middle schools and high schoolers will have to shell out $125 a program. Kids will also have to pay $30 to check out laptops, several bus routes have been cut, and more.

New COVID-19 shots coming to Western Washington

New COVID-19 booster shots could be available in Western Washington soon.

The CDC said this new booster is not being tested on humans.

Instead, it’s being treated more like the flu shot, which is tweaked each year for new strains.

Insurance companies win lawsuit to allow credit scores to be used

The State Insurance Commissioner has decided not to appeal a court decision voiding a ban on using a person’s credit score to set insurance rates.

Last month, a Thurston County judge decided Commissioner Mike Kreidler exceeded his authority when he issued the temporary decision to halt the practice.

Kreidler says he intends to lobby the Legislature to make changes in Washington’s insurance laws to resolve the matter.

Chinook Indian Nation seeks federal recognition

Members of the Chinook Indian Nation rallied on the steps of a federal building in Seattle Monday to raise awareness for their long fight to get federal recognition.

Chairman Tony Johnson said his great-great-grandfather and other leaders first hired lawyers to sue for their lands back in the 1890s.

Federal recognition would mean access to federal dollars for healthcare and housing for this group of tribes, based in Southwest Washington.

The rally was the start of a campaign by Chinook leadership, they said, to pressure U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to use their influence in Congress to get the Chinook recognized.

Free public transit for kids, teens

Most major transportation services in Western Washington will allow nearly all kids and teens to ride for free starting Thursday.

Kids will be able to jump aboard Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, and King County Metro at no charge.

Young riders are already using the perk in Everett, Skagit, Thurston, and Whatcom counties.

In most cases, their free rides include buses, light rail, sounder trains, ferries, water taxis, and para-transit.

The change this summer comes about after a new state law that will give grants to systems that let kids ride for free.

Transit agencies say they will likely collect more money that way than they would have by charging the kids.

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