What happened on Sunday, 16 November 2025
Spokane County, Washington
Rep. Michael Baumgartner told Spokane County Spotlight that fentanyl is a top concern in Eastern Washington, urged tougher international and border controls, and said demand-reduction prevention programs are also needed to curb deaths in the region.
Fishery Management Council, Pacific, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington
Executive Director Merrick Burden told the Pacific Fishery Management Council the federal government's shutdown and resulting NOAA furloughs prevented timely Federal Register publication and, under Magnuson-Stevens Act notice requirements, "the Council cannot take final action on agenda items at the November meeting." The council continued discussions and hearings but deferred final votes on items scheduled for final action.
Spokane County, Washington
Rep. Michael Baumgartner called the federal shutdown "disappointing," described operational harms (air-traffic, SNAP risk), said he voted to continue current spending levels, and stated he declined his congressional paycheck while the shutdown persists.
Keller, Tarrant County, Texas
At a Keller City Council meeting, participants sang "Happy Birthday" and an unidentified council member offered a short proclamation marking the city's 70th anniversary; the item was ceremonial and produced no votes or formal actions.
California Volunteers, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California
City meeting discussion centered on two joint-advocacy priorities with the Big City Mayors group: homelessness (mental health, substance use, housing) and youth employment, including efforts with California Volunteers to establish paid internships; no formal action was recorded.
Fishery Management Council, Pacific, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington
A revised 2025 widow rockfish update produced a much lower stock estimate and recommendations for steep ACL reductions; the SSC asked for an additional supplemental review because key stat authors and many SSC members were unavailable during the earlier supplemental review. Industry, GAP and GMT urged more review and offered alternative runs; the council adopted catch-only projections for other species but deferred a final decision on widow until further SSC/stat interaction.
Spokane County, Washington
Rep. Michael Baumgartner described the '1 Big Beautiful Bill' (Working Families Tax Cut) as a multi-part package that prevents large tax increases from 2017 expirations, extends relief for seniors and tipped workers, and creates a $1,000 newborn savings account.
Marshfield, Wood County, Wisconsin
The commission approved minutes, department bills, the police strategic plan, accepted an officer's resignation, authorized recruitment to fill the vacancy and approved partnering with Giving Back Inc. to raise funds for EpiPens.
Perrysburg Exempted Village, School Districts, Ohio
At a Nov. 13 special meeting, the Perrysburg Exempted Village school board heard a presentation from Finding Leaders on its superintendent search process — recruitment, community engagement, assessment options and a sample Nov–March timeline — and asked questions about costs, time commitments and participant roles; the board took no hiring action.
Marshfield, Wood County, Wisconsin
The Police and Fire Commission approved the Marshfield Police Department's strategic plan, which emphasizes officer wellness, recruitment, modernized facilities, records management safeguards around AI, expanded community engagement and a long-term accreditation goal.
Fishery Management Council, Pacific, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington
Council staff presented five coordinated groundfish management measures — carryover of unharvested allocation, phase-in of ABC changes, a mid-biennium 'green light' to implement positive assessment results, revised accounting for off-the-top deductions, and changes to specifications frequency — intended to reduce year-to-year instability and improve access for fisheries. The council will take further action after advisory-body input.
Marshfield, Wood County, Wisconsin
Wood County donated two trailers of MBX3 vehicle-stopping barriers (reported funding roughly $450,000) for use at Marshfield events; department staff reported training and plans to use the units for the holiday parade and make them available countywide.
Spokane County, Washington
Rep. Michael Baumgartner described his Protect Act as an effort to rein in commercialization of college athletics, preserve small-college and Olympic-sport opportunities, and protect local economic ties to university athletics in Eastern Washington.
Arlington County, Virginia
Budget staff told the board that FY2025 closed with $1.8 million in discretionary funds after reserves, with healthcare and public-safety overtime driving cost pressures; early projections show a $35M–$45M gap for FY2027 absent policy changes.
Arlington County, Virginia
County staff detailed tentative collective-bargaining agreements with the Arlington Coalition of Police and IAFF Local 2800 firefighters that together carry an estimated $10.6 million fiscal impact in FY27; the board closed the public hearing and deferred funding action to December.
Arlington County, Virginia
Multiple public commenters told the board Barcroft Apartments raised rents above a 3% cap in their agreement with the county; the board acknowledged the complaints, referred them to staff, and later added anti-rent‑gouging language to the county legislative packet.
Arlington County, Virginia
The Arlington County Board unanimously adopted its 2026 state legislative package Nov. 15, adding explicit support for local anti-rent-gouging measures and other tenant protections after public testimony and a brief amendment process.