Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Pacific, WA

Chinook Observer · Pacific, WA

Bank of the Pacific name disappears after 55 years: Long Beach-founded institution becomes part of Banner Bank in $177 million acquisition

LONG BEACH — A familiar name in Pacific County banking is disappearing this weekend as Bank of the Pacific completes its transition to Banner Bank, ending 55 years of history for an institution founded by local investors and closely associated with the Long Beach Peninsula. Workers began replacing Bank of the Pacific signs with Banner Bank signs this week, providing a visible reminder of a corporate merger that was announced in April and completed Sept. 1. The changeover will be completed Monday, Nov. 16, when Bank of the Pacific customers begin using Banner Bank’s banking systems, online services and branch network. The transaction, initially valued at approximately $177 million, transfers ownership of the Aberdeen-based Pacific Financial Corp., parent company of Bank of the Pacific, to Banner Corp., headquartered in Walla Walla.

The US Inquirer · Auburn, WA

Nearby: Auburn, WA

New federal housing rule could displace thousands, experts warn

Residents of federally funded public housing will be required to show proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status under a new rule published Thursday by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The measure could displace nearly 80,000 people, including tens of thousands of citizens in mixed-status families, from their homes, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute. Since 1995, mixed-status families have been permitted to live together in HUD-funded housing as long as federal subsidies covered only eligible household members. The new rule may force these families to decide whether to remain together in nonpublic housing or split up their households. “This is tearing apart families and sowing division,” said Marie Claire Tran-Leung, director of the Evictions Initiative Project and managing attorney at the National Housing Law Project.

The Columbian · Sumner, WA

Nearby: Sumner, WA

Cascade Christian ends La Center’s football season in 1A round-of-12 state playoffs

Caleb Donahue’s career night helped Cascade Christian down La Center, 49-13, in their 1A round-of-12 football state playoff game Saturday in Sumner. The Cougars advance to play No. 2-seed Cashmere next weekend in the 1A state quarterfinals. Donahue rushed for more than 200 yards and two of his touchdowns went for 50-plus yards to spark […]

MyEasternShoreMD · Kent, WA

Nearby: Kent, WA

Unofficial results in, Republicans take contested seats in Kent

KENT COUNTY — Republican incumbents held the top three spots in the Kent County commissioners race Tuesday night, while Republican Matt Crouch led the race for state’s attorney, according to unofficial results.All Election Day precincts had reported, but mail-in and provisional ballot results remained outstanding.In the race for three county commissioner seats, Republican incumbents moved ahead after Democrats held the top three spots in early voting returns.Albert Nickerson and John F. Price were tied with 3,410 votes each, or 17.92%. Ron Fithian followed with 3,279 votes, or 17.24%, holding a 135-vote lead over Democrat Sam Shoge for the third seat.Shoge received 3,144 votes, or 16.53%. Democrats John T. Carroll and Thad L.

Journal of the San Juan Islands · Tacoma, WA

Nearby: Tacoma, WA

Wolverines’ boys soccer heads to State semi-finals

The Wolverines’ boys soccer team eked out a win against Chesterton Academy Knights of Notre Dame 1 to 0 Saturday, Nov. 15. The one and final goal was made by Riley Miller. The win means next weekend, Nov. 21, the boys will be traveling to Tacoma for the State semi-finals, where they will be competing against the Orcas Vikings.

The 74 · Tacoma, WA

Nearby: Tacoma, WA

Washington Schools to Sue the State for Failing to Fund Public Education

This article was originally published in Washington State Standard. Three large Washington school districts are preparing to sue the state, alleging it is once again failing to fully fund basic education. School boards for the Lake Washington, Tacoma and Yakima districts contend the state’s failure to meet its constitutional obligations is forcing them to rely on local levy dollars to pay day-to-day expenses, echoing an argument made in the landmark McCleary ruling that forced the state to pump billions of additional dollars into education. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The Lake Washington and Tacoma School Districts simultaneously passed resolutions on Oct. 22, directing staff to start assembling the pieces for a lawsuit. On Nov. 2, the Yakima School District followed their lead, effectively declaring participation in a future suit.

Tacoma Ledger · Tacoma, WA

Nearby: Tacoma, WA

UW Tacoma students reflect on the 2026 midterm election results

UW Tacoma students share their thoughts on the predicted results of the 2026 midterm election. By Kai Lee With the election results still coming in, many people are watching in anticipation. Some students at UW Tacoma reflect on the Nov. 3, 2026, election results. On Nov. 4, Shayla Pitre, a senior at UW Tacoma, explained that she voted against Initiative 645, which aimed to repeal the millionaires’ tax. The initiative was predicted to not pass. “I feel like they should tax millionaires,” Pitre said. “… I’m glad that one didn’t go the other way.” Initiative 001, the “Parents Bill of Rights,” focused on giving parents more access to certain records about their child held at their school. “I feel like parents should have a right to see what their kids are learning,” Pitre said. “I don’t see what the problem is. Do they not want [parents] to know? Parents—whether they know or not—they don’t write the book that they learn from in school.

Molalla Pioneer / Herald Pioneer · Tacoma, WA

Nearby: Tacoma, WA

Gov. Kotek wants Oregon to ban immigration detention centers. Others have tried and failed.

Oregon already has a 2021 law banning private immigration detention centers that may not be enforceable in light of previous court rulings on privately-run facilities. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is calling upon state lawmakers to pass legislation outlawing the construction of new immigration detention centers in the upcoming legislative session next year, but previous court cases from other states suggest that such a law may not be enforceable. The governor made her comments at a Friday press conference where she was asked what more she and state leaders could do to support Oregonians amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown, during which federal agents have shot people, conducted warrantless arrests and smashed car windows. Research from immigrant rights advocates has shown that counties with such centers are more likely to see immigration-related arrests.

Tacoma Ledger · Tacoma, WA

Nearby: Tacoma, WA

UW Tacoma students share their thoughts before the election

UW Tacoma students shared their thoughts about the election ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election. By Kai Lee Many students at UW Tacoma gave their opinions on the election or voting ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, elections. About 39% of adults in Washington state voted in 2025. The voter turnout for young adults ages 18 to 29 was 17% in recent years according to Campus Vote Project. Some students at UW Tacoma find voting important to uphold their values. “I hope people of all groups will feel safe,” Jordan Eng, a third-year Computer Science and Systems major, said. “If you are American, you should treat other Americans as Americans, no matter what they look like.” In the interview with Eng on Oct. 30, he said he was planning on voting that weekend. On the ballot, there were initiatives brought up by Let’s Go Washington, a conservative-leaning political action committee. One was I-001, which aims to allow parents access to their child’s school records and more.