Northwest Progressive Institute

05/30/2026

Book Review: The lie of the footprint in Auden Schendler’s “Terrible Beauty”

Schendler’s book challenges the effectiveness of incremental reforms and highlights the need for substantial systemic change, urging a shift from profit-centric capitalism to a more sustainable model. It succeeds as a corporate autopsy, but falls short as a roadmap....

Schendler’s book challenges the effectiveness of incremental reforms and highlights the need for substantial systemic change, urging a shift from profit-centric capitalism to a more sustainable model. It succeeds as a corporate autopsy, but falls short as a roadmap.

05/30/2026

Donald Trump’s lawless and corrupt regime dealt three big defeats in federal court as May 2026 draws to a close

On Friday, federal judges delivered three sharp rebukes to the Trump regime, reopening his sham IRS case, freezing his taxpayer-funded “Anti-Weaponization” slush fund, and ordering his name removed from the Kennedy Center. The rulings are not the final word, but they show that the courts can still enforce the law against corruption, self-dealing, and authoritarian overreach....

On Friday, federal judges delivered three sharp rebukes to the Trump regime, reopening his sham IRS case, freezing his taxpayer-funded “Anti-Weaponization” slush fund, and ordering his name removed from the Kennedy Center. The rulings are not the final word, but they show that the courts can sti...

05/29/2026

Sound Transit Board adopts resolution formally scaling back 2016 ST3 system expansion plan and declaring Ballard Link unfunded

At their May meeting, directors approved a resolution to adjust the agency's ambitious system expansion program amid a $34.5 billion fiscal shortfall. The new plan for the ST3 plan categorizes projects into several tiers: fully funded, partially funded, construction not affordable within existing resources, and defer until resources identified....

At their May meeting, directors approved a resolution to adjust the agency's ambitious system expansion program amid a $34.5 billion fiscal shortfall. The new plan for the ST3 plan categorizes projects into several tiers: fully funded, partially funded, construction not affordable within existing re...

05/27/2026

A May 24th KIRO commentary by Seattle's Morning News host Charlie Harger that’s built around former Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna’s soundbites refuses to accept a basic requirement of rigorous fiscal analysis: raw-dollar budget comparisons across eras always yield invalid conclusions because they start with bad inputs.

A May 24th KIRO commentary by Seattle's Morning News host Charlie Harger that’s built around former Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna’s soundbites refuses to accept a basic requirement of rigorous fiscal analysis: raw-dollar budget comparisons across eras always yield invalid conclusions b...

05/27/2026

In Texas's May 26th primary runoffs, Ken Paxton won the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, ousting longtime incumbent John Cornyn, the number two Republican in the Senate. Several Democratic nominations were also decided. Notably, Christian Menefee defeated Al Green in the 18th Congressional District. In statewide races, Mayes Middleton won the Republican nomination for Attorney General, and Bo French is ahead for Railroad Commissioner.

In Texas's May 26th primary runoffs, Ken Paxton won the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, ousting longtime incumbent John Cornyn, the number two Republican in the Senate. Several Democratic nominations were also decided. Notably, Christian Menefee defeated Al Green in the 18th Congressional Distric...

05/27/2026

The Longview pulp and paper mill had drawn repeated state and federal scrutiny before Tuesday’s disaster, including environmental violations, safety complaints, spills, equipment concerns, and multiple recent fires.

05/23/2026

Tales of Militant Chemistry connects film, war, labor, radiation, and industrial power in ways that feel impossible to unsee once you do. Alice Lovejoy’s research-heavy work provokes questioning the systems beneath everyday American life and the human bodies still absorbing the cost of “progress.”

Tales of Militant Chemistry connects film, war, labor, radiation, and industrial power in ways that feel impossible to unsee once you do. Alice Lovejoy’s research-heavy work provokes questioning the systems beneath everyday American life and the human bodies still absorbing the cost of “progress...

05/21/2026

Early Idaho primary election results show Republican incumbents doing well (unlike Thomas Massie in Kentucky), with Governor Brad Little securing approximately 60% of the initial vote. On the Democratic side, Terri Pickens looks like the apparent gubernatorial nominee. A number of legislative races remain competitive, with key contests still too close to call.

Early Idaho primary election results show Republican incumbents doing well (unlike Thomas Massie in Kentucky), with Governor Brad Little securing approximately 60% of the initial vote. On the Democratic side, Terri Pickens looks like the apparent gubernatorial nominee. A number of legislative races....

05/20/2026

Thomas Massie and Brad Raffensperger are the latest Republicans to lose in Republican primaries after being targeted by Donald Trump for defeat. The base's eagerness to give Trump what he wants demonstrates that the party continues to function more like a cult than a political party despite Trump's declining popularity.

Thomas Massie and Brad Raffensperger are the latest Republicans to lose in Republican primaries after being targeted by Donald Trump for defeat. The base's eagerness to give Trump what he wants demonstrates that the party continues to function more like a cult than a political party despite Trump's....

05/18/2026

Former elected officials like Governor Chris Gregoire, radio personalities like Charlie Harger, and editorial writers at The Seattle Times continue to irresponsibly compare the state budget between eras using absolute dollars, which doesn't allow for a proper apples-to-apples examination. In relative terms — the only terms worth using for comparisons — the state budget has gotten smaller, even with recent tax and fee increases adopted by the people's elected representatives.

Former elected officials like Governor Chris Gregoire, radio personalities like Charlie Harger, and editorial writers at The Seattle Times continue to irresponsibly compare the state budget between eras using absolute dollars, which doesn't allow for a proper apples-to-apples examination. In relativ...