All eyes are on Texas as Republicans work to draw new congressional districts ahead of

26. But the battle for control of Congress runs through Southwest Washington, home to one of the

most competitive districts in the country. And that's where incumbent Marie Glucent-Camp

Perez has a new challenger. He's the Republican leader in the state Senate. Meet John Braun,

a moderate who could deliver the third district in the state Senate. Meet John Braun, a moderate who

could deliver the third district to the GOP this week on sound politics, wherever you get your

podcasts.

Good afternoon and happy Friday. From the KUOW Newsroom, this is Seattle now. I'm Ruby Deluna.

Our feature story today, tide pooling is normally a summer day activity in Washington,

but KUOW's John Ryan caught up with some tide pool enthusiasts who don't mind waiting in the dark,

but first, a roundup of today's top stories.

It's Friday, February 28th. A federal judge in Seattle is deciding whether to extend her

order to preserve access to gender affirming care for trans youth in Washington. KUOWW's

Amy Radle is outside the courthouse and has more on the story.

U.S. District Judge Lauren King granted a temporary restraining order earlier this month in response

to a lawsuit from Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Her order blocked President Trump's

ban on federal funding to medical institutions that provide gender

affirming care to people under age 19. In a hearing Friday, attorneys for the Trump administration

asked Judge King to limit further orders to just the three physician plaintiffs in the case.

King seemed reluctant, stressing that gender affirming care is, quote, multidisciplinary.

She said she'll issue a decision on a preliminary injunction soon. Amy Radle, KUOW News.

Hundreds of scientists lost their jobs this week as the Trump administration downsized the

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