Washington
Fixing rejected ballots could tip balance in lands commissioner race • Washington State Standard
Dave Upthegrove suspects there are about two dozen voters in the San Juan Islands who cast primary ballots in his favor that were rejected. The Democratic lands commissioner candidate said Thursday he might call friends or local party officials there to help track these people down and see if their ballots can be fixed and counted.
The level of effort and precision in this outreach reflects how tight the race is for the second spot between Upthegrove and Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson 10 days after the Aug. 6 primary. It’s a squeaker that could come down to a couple hundred votes – or less – as they duel to move onto the general election.
Both campaigns are scrambling to reach voters who might be able to “cure” ballots with problems – like signatures that don’t match those on file with election offices.
As of Friday evening, Upthegrove was ahead by just 951 votes. His advantage has eroded as votes have been tallied in rural counties where Pederson enjoys stronger support. A Friday count in Walla Walla County narrowed his lead, which was around 1,900 votes in the late afternoon.
Both sides expect a mandatory recount in the contest.
The second-place finisher will compete in the November election against Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler. If it’s Pederson, no Democrat will appear on the November ballot in the race. Five Democrats ran in the primary fracturing the party’s vote.
“We know from all our modeling it’s incredibly close,” said Sam Cardwell, Pederson’s campaign manager.
Upthegrove said Thursday that predictive models he’s looking at in recent days indicate that he could either win or lose the second-place spot by 200 votes or less. Any surprising trends as the final votes are tabulated could easily tilt the race.
“There was one point a day or two ago where our model showed me down by three votes,” he said.
“We’re right on the razor’s edge,” he added.
Curing efforts
Upthegrove said his campaign has more than 400 volunteers making calls, sending texts, and doing door-to-door canvassing to reach voters whose ballots were challenged but are thought to be fixable. He said the best “guestimate” is that this effort could help him scoop up around 2,400 more votes from the roughly 7,000 “curable” Democratic ballots in play on Thursday.
He has performed strongly on his home turf in population-dense King County, where he chairs the County Council. He said Thursday there were almost 1,900 rejected Democratic ballots there. In the county, he’d secured about 46% of the Democratic vote, meaning an estimated 860 or so of those outstanding ballots could break in his favor if they were to be cured and counted.
Data showed he could potentially pick up 175 votes in Kitsap County, 149 in Clark County, and 130 in Whatcom County, he also said.
The Des Moines resident said his condo had become the “war room” for the ballot curing campaign and that he’d been spending time trying to recruit volunteers to help with it.
Cardwell was less forthcoming about Pederson’s ballot-curing operation. “We have a pretty robust strategy,” he said. “We’re focused on the smaller counties in eastern Washington.”
“We’re super excited and super encouraged by how many people are helping,” he added.
He declined to provide details about the strength of volunteer numbers or what projections the campaign is looking at are showing.
If the difference between the candidates is less than 0.5% of the total votes cast for both of them and also less than 2,000 votes, a machine recount is required. A hand recount is triggered if the difference is less than 1,000 votes and under 0.25% of the total votes cast for both candidates.
Upthegrove said he expected it could be at least Monday before the outcome of the race is clear. County election officials have until Tuesday to certify their ballot counts. Next Friday is the deadline for the secretary of state to certify the primary results.
“We all work so hard for a year, to get to election night, and you gather and there’s all this tension, and you want it to be over, and then all of a sudden it just dribbles out for another week or so,” Upthegrove said. “It can be a little frustrating.”
Washington State (5-5) at No. 21 James Madison (9-1), Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. EST.
BetMGM College Football Odds Opening Line: James Madison by 13.5. Against the spread: James Madison 7-3, Washington State 6-4.
How to watch: ESPN+
Key stats
James Madison Offense
Overall: 457.3 yards per game (19th in FBS)
Passing: 215.7 yards per game (83rd)
Rushing: 241.6 yards per game (7th)
Scoring: 37.1 points per game (14th)
James Madison Defense
Overall: 257.1 yards per game (5th in FBS)
Passing: 168 yards per game (13th)
Rushing: 89.1 yards per game (7th)
Scoring: 16.2 points per game (11th)
Washington State Offense
Overall: 309.9 yards per game (119th in FBS)
Passing: 199.4 yards per game (96th)
Rushing: 110.5 yards per game (119th)
Scoring: 20.7 points per game (115th)
Washington State Defense
Overall: 304.1 yards per game (18th in FBS)
Passing: 168.9 yards per game (14th)
Rushing: 135.2 yards per game (49th)
Scoring: 21 points per game (34th)
Washington State ranks 102nd in third down percentage, converting 35.9% of the time. James Madison ranks 10th on defense, allowing its opponents at convert at 30.2%.
Washington State ranks 123rd in the FBS with a -9 turnover margin, compared to James Madison’s 67th-ranked even margin.
James Madison is 132nd in the FBS averaging 69.8 penalty yards per game, compared to Washington State’s 64th-ranked 53.5 per-game average.
Washington State is 15th in FBS in red zone offense, scoring on 92.9% of trips.
Both teams rank high in time of possession. James Madison is 2nd in the FBS with an average time of possession of 35:09, while Washington State’s 18th-ranked average is 32:11.
Team leaders
James Madison
Passing: Alonza Barnett III, 2,089 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs, 61.6 completion percentage
Rushing: Wayne Knight, 840 yards on 136 carries, 7 TDs
Receiving: Landon Ellis, 532 yards on 32 catches, 5 TDs
Washington State
Passing: Zevi Eckhaus, 1,390 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs, 64.0 completion percentage
Rushing: Kirby Vorhees, 473 yards on 105 carries, 4 TDs
Receiving: Josh Meredith, 588 yards on 44 catches, 3 TDs
Last game
James Madison won 58-10 over Appalachian State on Saturday, Nov. 15. Barnett led James Madison with 303 yards on 22-of-35 passing (62.9%) for no touchdowns and one interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 0 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Jobadiah Malary carried the ball eight times for 105 yards and scored three touchdowns. Jaylan Sanchez put up 69 yards on two catches.
Washington State won 28-3 over Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 15. Eckhaus led Washington State with 146 yards on 17-of-25 passing (68.0%) for one touchdown and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 11 times for 56 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Vorhees had 76 rushing yards on 16 carries and one touchdown, adding two receptions for 12 yards. Meredith put up 70 yards on five catches with one touchdown.
Next game
James Madison plays at Coastal Carolina on Nov. 29. Washington State hosts Oregon State on Nov. 29.
Washington
This Washington City Is As Underrated As It Is Wildly Scenic, Boasting Riverside Trails And Exceptional Food – Islands
Washington is full of beautiful and scenic destinations, to the point that it’s hard to know where to visit first. For those who enjoy trying out new foods, rivers, wine, and beautiful scenery, there is a city near the border of Washington and Oregon that will feel tailor-made to be a perfect vacation destination: Pasco.
Pasco is part of Washington’s Tri-Cities in the south of Washington, along with Richland and Kennewick. They all reside where the Yakima, Columbia, and Snake rivers meet up. While all three have some amazing reasons to visit, Pasco is the perfect stop for lovers of the outdoors, featuring plenty of hiking trails, natural spaces, and riverside views. Because of its closeness to three major rivers, almost anywhere you explore will be on the water. However, that’s not all Pasco has to offer. There is also the chance to try out amazing food, especially during some of their more notable festivals, like the Pasco Taco Crawl and the Fiery Food Festival.
You also have plenty of dining options. Magill’s Restaurant is one highly recommended spot. Not only does it have the best breakfast in all three local cities (which is served all day), but its mac and cheese is famous as well. Ciao Trattoria is also an amazing option, with house-made pasta that delivers a delicious and authentic Italian meal. The romantic atmosphere makes it an ideal date location, too.
Eat and drink your fill in Pasco
If the restaurants here aren’t quite enough for your tastebuds, there are also food-related events in the city to enjoy, including the Fiery Foods Festival held in September. During the event, visitors can enjoy hot pepper eating contests, food trucks, competitions, and a space for kids. There is also the Pasco Taco Crawl in late April to May. This foodie event that lasts two whole weeks, featuring a competition for the best tacos in the area, where visitors can try 20 different vendors. There is also a weekly farmer’s market that is the largest in the area. Here, you’ll find locally grown food, snacks, and delicious meals.
Pasco has a lively wine scene, as well. Thanks to the climate, the area’s vineyards produce high-quality grapes that go on to create delicious wine. The Gordon Estate Winery and Vineyard, for example, is the oldest estate winery in Washington, offering 12 different styles for visitors to enjoy while exploring the land. It might not be Warm Springs Inn, the luxurious Washington wine getaway delivering riverfront luxury, bold pours, and orchard views, but it offers refreshing and delicious drinks to go alongside your outdoor adventures. In fact, Pasco is a part of Washington’s wine and waterfall road trip with sweet sips and stunning sites in one scenic route.
Exploring trails around Pasco
Near Pasco is the Sacajawea Historical State Park. The area has plenty of history, with opportunities for fishing, boating, biking, hiking, and even geocaching. The merging of the two rivers is part of the attraction of this park, and many of the trails also run alongside the water. There are places to sit along the bank and enjoy the view, offering beautiful views of all sorts of wildlife. Mostly, Sacajawea is mainly for day-use activities, but there is one campsite for visitors looking to stay the night.
While not near the water, Candy Mountain is another beautiful hiking destination closeby. The 3.4-mile hike takes you to the peak and offers breathtaking views of the Tri-City area. The trail to the top is just as impressive, showing basalt stone to keep your attention. If you’re not done being outside, Pasco is also home to two golf courses: the Sun Willows Golf Course and Pasco Golfland.
Pasco might be the best option for outdoor lovers out of the three cities, but all have their charm and attractions. If you have enough time during your vacation, it’s worth checking out all three and discovering what makes them unique. To get to Pasco, you can fly directly into the Tri-Cities Airport, just on the outskirts of this destination. Walla Walla is another nearby attraction worth visiting. It’s about 40 minutes away and is considered one of America’s most charming small-town main streets, nestled in a Washington wine region.
Washington, D.C. (11/15/2025) – The Washington Spirit beat Portland Thorns FC 2-0 in the semifinal round of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs this afternoon in front of yet another sellout crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field. With the shutout win, Washington advances to its second consecutive NWSL Championship and fourth in club history.
The Spirit was on the front foot early, generating several quality chances and even finding the back of the net — only for the goal to be ruled offside. After a VAR review, the call was confirmed, keeping the match level.
In the 27th minute, the breakthrough finally came. Following a cleared Portland corner, the Spirit launched a clinical counterattack. Rosemonde Kouassi sprinted down the field, using her pace to drive into the box and squared a perfect ball to Gift Monday, who calmly slotted it home to make it 1-0 for the home side. Kouassi now has seven assists across all competitions this year, six of which have come on goals by Monday.
The Spirit didn’t let up, continuing to apply pressure and called Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into a pair of strong saves as the first half progressed. Washington went into halftime leading 1-0 as it looked to advance in its sixth straight home playoff match.
Both teams traded opportunities to start the second half, with the Spirit firing on all cylinders, though the hosts’ shots on target went unanswered. The match shifted in the 83rd minute as Croix Bethune found herself charging up from midfield. With Portland’s goalkeeper out of position, Bethune made a move around her and converted on her own, extending the Spirit’s lead with precision and intensity. The match entered seven minutes of stoppage time, with Portland seeking a breakthrough. Met with the Spirit’s defensive momentum, the visitors were unable to create a clear chance.
As the final whistle blew, the Spirit clinched a 2-0 victory and a berth in its second consecutive NWSL Championship, the fourth in club history. The title match will take place at PayPal Park in San Jose, California on Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST and air on CBS.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
Kickoff: 12 p.m. EST
Weather: Cloudy, high-50s
Scoring Summary:
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Washington | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Portland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
WAS – Gift Monday – 27′ (assisted by Rosemonde Kouassi)
WAS – Croix Bethune – 83’
Lineups:
WAS: 1 – Aubrey Kingsbury; 6 – Kate Wiesner; 9 – Tara McKeown; 4 – Rebeca Bernal; 24 – Esme Morgan; 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi (26 – Paige Metayer, 89’); 7 – Croix Bethune; 17 – Hal Hershfelt; 10 – Leicy Santos (20 – Deborah Abiodun, 72’); 27 – Sofia Cantore (2 – Trinity Rodman, 90’); 21 – Gift Monday
Unused Substitutes: 28 – Sandy MacIver; 5 – Narumi Miura; 13 – Brittany Ratcliffe; 16 – Courtney Brown; 22 – Heather Stainbrook; 25 – Kysha Sylla
POR: 18 – Mackenzie Arnold; 2 – Reyna Reyes; 5 – Isabella Obaze; 16 – Sam Hiatt (24 – Jayden Perry, 86’); 20 – Kaitlyn Torpey (29 – Mallie McKenzie, 63’); 21 – Jessie Fleming; 13 – Olivia Moultrie; 17 – Sam Coffey; 10 – Deyna Castellanos (4 – Laila Harbert 82’); 66 – Reilyn Turner (34 – Daiane, 82’); 77 – Alexa Spaanstra (19 – Pietra Tordin, 63’)
Unused Substitutes: 1 – Bella Bixby; 25 – M.A. Vignola; 33 – Naomi Powell; 88 – Valerin Loboa
Stats Summary: WAS / POR
Shots: 16 / 10
Shots On Goal: 8 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Fouls: 11 / 7
Offsides: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
WAS – Rosemonde Kouassi – 44’ – Yellow Card
POR – Jessie Fleming – 67’ – Yellow Card
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