News For Reasonable People

Washington State’s progressive tax policies are sparking fierce debate. Critics — including Microsoft President Brad Smith — argue that rising taxes on capital gains, businesses, and high earners are driving people and jobs away to more business-friendly states. Supporters, however, say these taxes fund essential services like education and infrastructure.

California is weighing a new wildfire safety rule that could reshape home landscaping across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has proposed a “Zone Zero” regulation that would ban plants, mulch, and combustible materials within 5 feet of homes in designated fire hazard zones.

Portland City Council staff spent nearly $20,000 on a three-person trip to Vienna, Austria, to study social housing programs — sparking questions about spending priorities. At the same time, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered state agencies to halt travel and brace for major budget cuts.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made headlines after declaring that “jails, incarceration, and law enforcement is a sickness that must be eradicated.” The remarks came during a September 2025 press conference on public safety.

President Trump and key Republican leaders are pushing to officially designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Supporters argue the move will curb violence and lawlessness, while critics raise concerns about free speech, civil liberties, and enforcement

Seattle has passed a tough new Graffiti Restitution Ordinance, hitting prolific taggers with $1,500 fines per tag and lawsuits that could reach tens of thousands of dollars.City Attorney Ann Davison has already filed cases against alleged taggers “ALURE,” “LABRAT,” and “NOMAS,” with the city seeking over $40,000 in penalties and restitution.

California is seeing a wave of factory closures — from food processing plants to manufacturing facilities. Headlines say jobs are fleeing the state at an alarming speed. But is it really that simple?

San Francisco Centre, once the city’s flagship shopping mall, is now nearly abandoned. With 93% of its stores vacant and anchor tenants like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s gone, its value has plunged by 25% in just a year — and over $1 billion since 2016.

Thousands of Californians are leaving the Golden State for a surprising new destination: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Why? A program called Tulsa Remote is offering $10,000 cash to remote workers who relocate — and many say they’re never looking back.

A massive homeless encampment in Koreatown, Los Angeles has grown into what some residents are calling a “tiny city.” The camp, located on a vacant private lot, now includes unusual features like a tennis court, barbecue pit, and garden.

Local residents are voicing frustration, citing safety hazards, fire risks, and neighborhood concerns, while officials try to balance enforcement with outreach efforts.

Washington state now has the highest gas prices in the nation, even beating California. Drivers are paying an average of $4.66 per gallon statewide, and nearly $4.81 in Seattle.

California just passed a major housing law — SB 79 — that overrides local zoning rules to allow taller, denser housing near transit hubs.