Beth Dutton

Algorithm is better today than 3 months ago?

Police are investigating a homicide in the 1000 block of S Baily Street. Please avoid the area. More information when available.

Law enforcement’s job is to protect us — yet, ICE is hiding from public accountability. Grateful to Sen. Valdez, Rep. Cortes, community organizations, and all who contributed to this legislation to prohibit masks for law enforcement.

Last year, we announced the Department of Health is processing all requests to change gender designation on birth certificates within 3 business days, down from as much as a 10 month wait. This week, I signed a bill ensuring Washingtonians can change the sex designation on their state IDs and birth certificates without fear of violating their privacy. Washington state is committed to protecting the rights of transgender and gender diverse people. That includes their legal right to reflect their gender on these documents. Thanks to prime sponsor Sen. Pedersen.

This mom gets the estimate for her teenage son's braces and her reaction is pure, relatable shock. She sits there staring at the paper: over $6,000 for full top-and-bottom braces. "What? Like who can afford over $6,000 for braces?" she says, voice cracking with disbelief. Her son needs them for an overbite and just one or two crooked teeth—"his teeth aren't even that crooked"—but it's still full treatment. She thought maybe it was $1,900 or something (perhaps a down payment), but nope, the numbers are real. He's got two insurances (one through mom, one through dad), yet the estimate only factors in dad's. She hopes hers kicks in more, especially since her daughter only needed top braces before. But even so, she's floored: "Oh my god, this can't be real. This can't be real. Parents, is this real?" This is the everyday reality hitting so many families right now. A basic need like fixing your kid's teeth turns into a massive financial gut punch—thousands out of pocket, even with insurance, while you're already dealing with life’s other curveballs. Kids shouldn't have to go without straight teeth and confidence because orthodontics costs more than a used car. Parents shouldn't have to choose between braces and bills. Who's been hit with a braces quote that made you do a double-take? Or is this just what we Americans have to deal with in 2026?