AGP Executive Report

Industrial Safety: A week after the Longview Nippon Dynawave paper mill disaster, Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries says it now has full access to the site and is launching a workplace safety investigation into what happened and whether violations were involved. Transportation & Infrastructure: WSDOT will repaint the SR 536 Skagit River Bridge in Mount Vernon, closing eastbound traffic starting June 11 through early 2027. Transit Operations: Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Seattle is expanding Link light rail service and urging fans to use transit as match crowds roll in. Public Safety Tech: The Washington National Guard held counter-drone training at Yakima, showcasing detection and mitigation tactics for major events like World Cup 2026. Energy & Water Management: Albeni Falls Dam outflows are expected to rise and fall as heavy precipitation and snowmelt drive higher flows. Media Industry: The Washington State Association of Broadcasters named veteran TV executive Jim Rose as its next president and CEO.

Longview Industrial Safety: Washington’s L&I has launched a six-month investigation into the Nippon Dynawave Packaging tank implosion that killed 11 and spilled white liquor, as state and federal scrutiny intensifies. Federal Oversight Under Threat: Lawmakers are also debating steep cuts to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s budget, raising concerns the Longview probe could be slowed or weakened. Maritime Policy: Sen. Maria Cantwell pressed on how extending a Jones Act waiver would affect shipyard investment and workforce planning, warning the temporary waiver has already created major uncertainty for the maritime sector. Space Industry: Space Northwest and the Commercial Space Federation are teaming up on a regional accelerator aimed at helping early-stage space companies prepare for commercial and government markets. Local Food & Farming: Shoreline Farmers Market kicks off its 15th anniversary season June 6, while North Olympic Land Trust bought a 135-acre Clallam County farm to keep it operating and prevent subdivision. Washington Agriculture & Wine: Washington wineries and Oregon producers boosted medal totals at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, signaling continued strength in regional food and beverage production.

Workplace Safety: Washington’s L&I opened a formal investigation into the Nippon Dynawave Longview paper mill tank implosion that killed 11 workers, with specialized chemical inspectors assigned and potential citations/penalties still on the table. Environmental Response: State monitoring says no ongoing Columbia River contamination has been detected after emergency flushing and continued cleanup at the facility. Transit & Construction: Sound Transit adopted an updated ST3 plan to keep major projects moving despite a projected $34.5B funding gap, while Seattle-area drivers face a weekend northbound I-5 closure near the Ship Canal Bridge (June 5–8) and other regional road impacts. Logistics & Ports: Seattle-based Carrix/Logistic Services bought Five Rivers Distribution’s inland river terminals in Arkansas, expanding operations on the McClellan-Kerr system. EV Charging: Washington awarded $37M to expand EV charging access statewide. Business & Housing: Compass asked a federal judge to dismiss NWMLS counterclaims in an antitrust fight over private listings. Aerospace/Defense Manufacturing: Janicki Industries will invest $800M in a Great Falls, Montana campus, adding 2,000+ jobs over the decade.

Industrial Safety Crisis: Washington’s Longview paper mill chemical tank implosion has reached a grim milestone: all 11 workers are now recovered and identified, with L&I opening a formal workplace safety investigation into what happened and whether safety rules were violated. Port & Infrastructure Oversight: At the Port of Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance audit committee decided not to move forward with an external review panel for the Terminal 5 modernization after cost overruns and process disputes. Energy & Grid Moves: Washington is investing $37 million to expand EV charging access statewide, while Walla Walla Public Schools is using a $601,756 clean energy grant to power its electric bus fleet with a new solar array. Housing & Local Policy: Airway Heights approved zoning code changes to make it easier to convert commercial buildings into homes as Washington’s new housing zoning law takes effect. Tech & Cybersecurity: Microsoft Build 2026 spotlights AI agents as the next developer shift, and WatchGuard announced new high-performance Firebox rackmount appliances for MSPs and enterprise networks. Public Safety Finance: A Washington insurance commissioner report urges transparency and modernization of the state fire protection rating bureau’s methods.

Longview Industrial Safety: Washington’s deadliest workplace disaster in nearly a century continues to dominate coverage after a chemical tank implosion at a paper mill killed 11 workers, with investigations pointing to failures in how the tank was inspected and managed. Maritime & Shipbuilding: Seattle naval architecture firm Glosten says U.S. commercial shipbuilding demand is returning, but the bottleneck is engineering talent and early-stage design capacity—raising questions about whether federal efforts like the SHIPS Act can deliver. Port & Trade Signals: The Port of Seattle is temporarily storing Canada-destined cars after Vancouver, B.C. hit capacity limits, a sign of shifting regional logistics pressures. Energy & EV Access: Washington invests $37 million to expand EV charging statewide, while Seattle’s Morgan Junction charging lot faces another delay tied to site conditions and FIFA-related right-of-way work. Health Coverage Costs: New data show Affordable Care Act enrollment drops in Washington, especially in rural counties, after federal subsidy changes drove premium increases. Agriculture Research: WSU’s Lind Field Day is set amid record wet conditions, with growers weighing higher input costs and disease pressure. Public Health Fraud: Washington’s AG office secured a guilty verdict in a Medicaid fraud trial involving a fake nurse staffing scheme. Cybersecurity: FBI warns of fake FIFA websites targeting World Cup fans with ticket and data scams.

Industrial Safety & Accountability: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill tragedy is now at 11 confirmed dead after crews recovered and identified the last victims, as families and officials press for answers on what went wrong and what regulators missed. Aviation & Aerospace Jobs: Boeing cleared a key FAA step to ramp 737 MAX production to 47 aircraft a month, a move expected to add hundreds of jobs at the Everett factory. Energy Costs & Assistance: Washington residents are bracing for higher summer cooling bills, with Dominion’s Energy Share program offering bill help for customers facing financial hardship. Transportation Policy: Gas prices remain a flashpoint, with calls to pause or reduce state costs tied to cap-and-invest and the gas tax. Maritime Electrification: Arc Marine is shifting from luxury e-boats to commercial electric tugboats, building Seattle-area boats for port operations as oil prices and emissions rules push electrification. Agriculture Exports: Washington apples—especially WSU’s Cosmic Crisp—are surging in Vietnam, boosted by strong demand and cultural fit. Tech & Development: Microsoft Build 2026 spotlights AI agents and lists dozens of free tools for developers ahead of the June 2-3 event. Regional Infrastructure: King County secured $5M from its parks levy to advance the Interurban Trail connection toward Snohomish County.

Industrial Safety Crisis: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill recovery is complete after crews recovered and identified all 11 workers killed in a chemical tank implosion, with officials still withholding a cause as federal investigators move in and families press for answers. State Response: Gov. Bob Ferguson ordered Washington and U.S. flags lowered through June 7 in memory of the victims, while environmental monitoring continues after the spill of “white liquor” used in papermaking. Local Economy Watch: Pacific County’s unemployment rate dipped to 6.8% in April, down from 7.3% in March, with manufacturing showing the strongest year-over-year job gains. Transportation & Construction: WSDOT warned drivers about wrong-way turns during an ongoing I-405 closure near Kirkland tied to a fish passage project, with ramp closures and a planned early-morning wrap-up. Residential Development: Schenkar Construction launched a structural engineering consultancy division focused on steep-slope and waterfront projects across the Puget Sound. Puget Sound Business Growth: Interactive Gates & Security expanded electric gate installations across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, targeting luxury home upgrades.

Industrial Safety & Accountability: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill disaster continues to unfold as crews recover more victims and keep searching for two missing; state and federal investigators are on scene, and Gov. Ferguson ordered Washington and U.S. flags lowered for a week of mourning. Transportation & Infrastructure: WSDOT rerouted traffic in Kirkland after wrong-way drivers during I-405 work tied to a fish passage project, while SR 20 North Cascades Highway access is being restored after rockslide repairs but reopening still depends on additional washout fixes. Regional Transit Costs: Sound Transit approved an overhaul of its ST3 plan, saying the original light rail schedule is no longer affordable, delaying or reshaping major projects including Ballard. Tech & Work: Meta’s Seattle-area layoffs hit nearly 1,400 workers as the company pivots toward AI, and Quincy’s data center boom story highlights how AI power demands are reshaping Washington’s economy and infrastructure. Education & AI: Yakima school leaders are experimenting with AI tools to support teachers and instruction planning. Consumer/Business Watch: BBB warns Washington homeowners to vet home improvement contractors closely amid complaints and scam reports.

Industrial Disaster in Longview: Recovery crews pulled a seventh body from the Nippon Dynawave Packaging site after a chemical tank implosion, bringing confirmed deaths to nine, with two still missing; officials say hazmat cleanup and access remain complex as “white liquor” hazards are managed and air/water conditions are monitored. State Response: Gov. Bob Ferguson ordered Washington and U.S. flags at state facilities lowered to half-staff for the Longview tragedy, with observances running through early June. Transit Funding Crunch: Sound Transit approved an ST3 overhaul to close a projected $34.5B gap, keeping Tacoma and Everett projects on track while Ballard’s light rail extension is effectively shelved for now, prompting “where’s my refund?” backlash. Food Safety & Litigation: A California E. coli O157 outbreak tied to beef kofta at The Kebab Shop has triggered a lawsuit alleging HUS in a hospitalized child. Shipping Enforcement: The Federal Maritime Commission reached a $1.9M settlement with Maersk over detention-fee billing practices, requiring tariff language changes and refunds/waivers for affected third parties. Retail Tech Misstep: Starbucks discontinued an AI inventory tool after employee complaints about miscounts and workflow disruption.

Industrial Safety & Chemical Industry: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave chemical tank implosion continues to reshape Washington’s industrial safety debate, with recovery efforts after multiple deaths and injuries and officials working to protect air and drinking water. Regional Transit & Construction: Sound Transit approved an updated 20-year plan that keeps Tacoma light rail on track while Ballard’s Link extension is cut back to an initial, not-fully-funded segment—an outcome that will affect commuters and local development timelines. Aviation & Security: The FAA is banning unauthorized drone flights around 2026 World Cup match sites, tightening rules that could ripple through event production and logistics. Real Estate & Growth: A proposal would replace Seattle’s Wild Waves Theme Park site with a 1.03M-square-foot industrial warehouse development, signaling continued demand for large-scale space in the Puget Sound region. Energy & Tech Infrastructure: Microsoft’s data center expansion plans near Cheyenne are drawing scrutiny over land impacts tied to Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ holdings, adding to the national backlash over power and water demands. Transportation Planning: WSDOT repaving and major weekend highway closures are set to bring nighttime delays and heavy congestion across eastern and metro corridors.

Industrial Safety Crisis: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill disaster keeps unfolding as crews recover six more bodies, pushing the confirmed death toll to eight and leaving three missing after a massive white-liquor tank implosion that also contaminated the Columbia River. Transit & Construction: Sound Transit’s board approved a restructured ST3 plan to address a $34B funding gap, keeping West Seattle light rail on the “affordable” path while Ballard’s extension is deferred beyond near-term funding. Consumer & Tech: A new Western District of Washington lawsuit accuses Amazon’s Subscribe & Save of “Subscribe & Switch,” alleging price hikes despite promised discounts. Energy Resilience: Spokane’s MLK Community Center microgrid project highlights community-first backup power planning with Avista and state support. Road Work: I-90 paving near Spokane starts June 1 with overnight single-lane closures and width limits. Healthcare Policy: Washington Supreme Court justices weigh a hospital case involving Meta Pixel tracking as AI tools raise new privacy questions.

Industrial Safety Crisis: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill chemical tank rupture has killed at least two and left nine missing as recovery shifts from rescue to slow, deliberate recovery; officials say the spill contaminated the Columbia River but poses no danger to Longview’s drinking water. State Policy & Housing: Washington’s final legislative push ended with a near-miss on extending landlord cooling duties for extreme heat, underscoring how hard it is to pass tenant protections in a tight session. Transportation Infrastructure: Washington and Oregon commissions will review I-5 bridge toll rate options June 5, while Vancouver crews begin weekend I-205 ramp closures for pavement repair. Maritime Tech: Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and Wärtsilä are partnering on a three-year digital maritime information exchange to reduce vessel congestion across Puget Sound. Workforce & Business: Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner won a ClearMark Award for its redesigned website, and Amazon Health Services leadership is changing as Neil Lindsay steps down July 1.

Industrial Disaster in Longview: A 900,000-gallon “white liquor” tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave Packaging has killed at least two workers, with nine more missing and presumed dead as recovery shifts from rescue to recovery; officials say the environment is “extremely hazardous” and contamination reached the Columbia River, while investigators probe what caused the implosion. Local Permitting Fight: Flower World and Snohomish County remain locked in a long-running legal dispute over whether the nursery is agricultural or retail, with the county arguing permits are needed for recent changes. Tech Workforce Shakeup: Meta filed WARN notices for layoffs affecting nearly 1,400 workers across Washington, with Bellevue hit hardest as the company restructures around AI priorities. Energy & Waste Research: WSU research says renewable methane can be made from wastewater solids, cutting landfill disposal. Trade & Industry Policy: The U.S. and Mexico kicked off USMCA talks focused on economic security and rules of origin for key industrial goods, with Canada not included in the first rounds. Agriculture Costs: Washington farmers brace for higher costs tied to the Iran war as crop prices remain at record lows.

Industrial Disaster in Longview: A white-liquor tank imploded at Nippon Dynawave Packaging, killing at least two and leaving nine missing; recovery is shifting from rescue to recovery as crews assess structural stability and environmental agencies monitor air and water impacts along the Columbia River. Tech Workforce Shock: Meta laid off nearly 1,400 Seattle-area employees, with WARN data showing major cuts in Bellevue and remote Washington roles as the company pours capital into AI. Defense & Shipbuilding: The Navy says it plans to homeport up to eight Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, with construction starting in 2027 and the first expected to arrive around 2032. Health & Research Funding: Mercer Island’s Kyra’s Hope Foundation launched a grant program aimed at accelerating childhood cancer research, with early focus on Ewing sarcoma. Business/Legal: Washington state officials seek access to a GEO Group ICE facility to enforce local public health and safety rules, arguing the operator can’t dodge inspections.

Industrial Disaster: A chemical tank imploded at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, killing at least one worker and leaving nine missing, with nine others injured (including a firefighter). Officials say the “white liquor” tank is still unstable and recovery is now focused on stabilization and search during daylight, with no wider threat to the public. Immigration & Air Travel: The Trump administration is drawing up plans to stop international immigration and customs processing at major airports in “sanctuary cities,” a move that could disrupt travel and commerce ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Tech Workforce: Meta laid off nearly 1,400 Washington employees as it pivots deeper into AI, with separation dates starting in late July. Local Infrastructure: Snohomish County leaders discussed the long-awaited U.S. 2 trestle replacement, including congestion and earthquake risk. Business & Cost Pressures: A new report ranks Washington among the highest states for grocery bills, underscoring affordability strain.

Industrial Disaster: A tank implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview killed multiple people and injured at least 10 others, including a firefighter, after “white liquor” ruptured at about 7:18 a.m.; officials say there’s no immediate threat to the public, but the death toll and any missing workers aren’t confirmed yet as recovery continues and residents are told to stay away from Industrial Way. Pharma Dealmaking: Eli Lilly will buy three vaccine developers—Curevo, LimmaTech Biologics, and Vaccine Co.—in deals up to $4B, signaling a renewed push into infectious-disease prevention. World Cup Economics: Hotels in major host cities are reporting weaker-than-expected bookings, with FIFA blamed for overbooking and travel demand pressured by higher airfares and gas prices. Aviation Watch: Boeing shows only five remaining passenger orders for the 777-300ER, raising questions about whether the “final” deliveries will actually happen. Housing & Jobs: Washington lost 4,500 jobs in April, while home-price growth keeps cooling in March as mortgage rates stay high. Public Safety/Environment: Washington regulators moved against a multi-level marketing crypto scam, warning investors to verify entities before paying.