Washington

Washington – October 15, 2026 -- Parents of new drivers can get free training, a customizable family driving agreement and a practice-tracking app through the National Safety Council's DriveitHOME program, offered with General Motors ahead of National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 18-24).

Crashes remain the top preventable killer of teens

Car crashes are the leading cause of preventable death for U.S. teens. In 2024, 5,247 people died in crashes involving drivers ages 15-20, a 6.5% decrease from the prior year.

DriveitHOME offers four free resources in English and Spanish

The DriveitHOME Virtual Parent Training covers key safety topics and local Graduated Driver Licensing requirements. Weekly Pointers for Parents lessons supplement it.

The New Driver Deal is a customizable parent-teen agreement. It sets expectations on curfews, passenger limits and vehicle responsibilities.

Washington – October 15, 2026 -- Medicare-eligible Americans can now compare insurers using the 2027 U.S. News & World Report ratings for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, published as Open Enrollment begins. Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, for coverage that takes effect January 1, 2027.

Five insurers top the Medicare Advantage list

The best Medicare Advantage companies are Aetna Medicare, Devoted Health, Humana Inc., Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealth Group, Inc. For Part D prescription drug coverage, the top companies are Centene and Humana Inc. The 2027 edition also highlights the best Medicare Advantage companies in each state.

Washington – – October 12, 2026 -- A new picture book, "Mommy Is a Rainbow," gives families a way to talk about bipolar disorder by turning a mother's changing moods into the colors of a rainbow.

A child's view of a mother's shifting moods

Author Arlette E. Jackson tells the story from a daughter's perspective. To explain her mood changes, the mother describes herself as a rainbow, with emotions such as joy and sorrow represented as colors. In the book, Jackson writes that the daughter learns her mother is "a wonderfully different artist."

The story centers on a mother and child, but its color approach is meant to work for talking about changing emotions and mental health in other relationships too.

Tacoma – – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum has opened a new exhibit, Rare & Luxurious: 100 Years of Exceptional Automobiles, in its Showcase Gallery.

The exhibit traces luxury and performance from the 1920s to today

Visitors will see vehicles from Duesenberg, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Continental, Crane-Simplex and other marques. The museum describes the show as a look at how luxury and performance have evolved over a century.

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves into the museum in January 2026

Starting January 17, 2026, the free community meetup will run every third Saturday of the month from 9 AM to 11 AM throughout 2026. Coffee comes from @naomijoecoffee. The event is open to all years, makes and models, and the museum asks attendees to use good judgment when entering, parking and exiting.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum has a busy 2026 lined up: a refreshed Route 66 exhibition, a free monthly Cars & Coffee meetup starting January 17, and a newly approved Washington specialty license plate.

Cars & Coffee meets every third Saturday in 2026

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum on January 17, 2026. It runs every third Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. throughout the year, with coffee from Naomi Joe Coffee. The event is free and open to all years, makes and models. The museum asks attendees to use good judgement when entering, parking and exiting.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- LeMay – America's Car Museum opens The Birth of the American Supercar on October 25, an exhibition guest curated by automotive innovator Steve Saleen, with a free monthly car meet and a refreshed Route 66 display also on the calendar.

Saleen curates a tour of American supercar history

The exhibition follows American supercars from early speed pioneers to modern machines. Vehicles come from Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Saleen himself, along with more obscure makers such as Vector, Cunningham and Hennessey. The museum says the show covers roaring V8s and carbon-fiber bodies, and how American automakers challenged European rivals.

Tacoma Cars & Coffee moves to the museum on January 17, 2026

The meet runs every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. throughout 2026. Admission is free, and the event is open to all years, makes and models. Naomi Joe Coffee will serve the coffee.

Tacoma – October 12, 2026 -- Washington drivers will be able to order a LeMay – America's Car Museum specialty license plate once the state confirms a release date. The design has been officially approved by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The museum had to start over after the state took its retro design

The museum's original black-and-white "throwback" concept was adopted by the state for its own retro plate series. Because the state now owns that design, it is not associated with the museum. The team had to build a fully new plate that met the state's specifications for color palette, layout, and mandatory design elements.

After working through the state's approval and compliance process, the museum says the final artwork reflects its identity, mission, and visual spirit.

Tacoma -- Starting January 17, 2026, Tacoma Cars & Coffee will meet at LeMay – America's Car Museum every third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event runs throughout 2026.

Admission to the gathering is free, and it is open to cars of all years, makes and models. Coffee will come from @naomijoecoffee.

Organizers ask attendees to use good judgment on site

The museum describes the meetup as a community event. To keep it safe and fun for everyone, organizers ask visitors to use good judgment when entering, parking and exiting.

Washington – October 11, 2026 -- Soccer fans can buy a limited-edition, U.S. Soccer-licensed scarf where 100% of each purchase goes to RedRover, helping domestic violence survivors stay together with their pets. The Courageous & Comfy Soccer Scarf launched alongside Purina's Purple Leash Project appearance at the U.S. Women's National Team match against Spain at Audi Field.

Mariska Hargitay served as Honorary Captain for the coin toss

Purina, the Official Pet Care Partner of the U.S. Soccer Federation, invited actress, producer and advocate Mariska Hargitay to join the match during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Hargitay, a longtime Purina partner, took part in the pre-match coin toss alongside Cassidy, a 75-pound Golden Retriever, and her handler, Patrice "Pat" Eller.

Cassidy and Eller are a Pet Partners pet therapy team that comforts children who may be called to testify in court.

Tysons Corner, VA – October 02, 2026 -- Tigerlily Foundation will host its Pajama Glam Party 2026 on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner, bringing together approximately 150 girls, caregivers and community members for a family health literacy event tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The gathering, now part of Tigerlily Foundation's 20-year mission, asks attendees to trade formal wear for pajamas and sparkle, creating a relaxed setting for conversations about body awareness, family health history, prevention and emotional wellness.