News, deep dives, and analysis — every Washington story, newest first.
A tense standoff in downtown Olympia, Washington, was defused thanks to the strategic deployment of a high-tech drone. The incident, which took place on Thursday, showcased the effectiveness of drone technology in law enforcement operations, according to KOMO News. SWAT Team Deploys Special Drone The Thurston County SWAT team responded to a call for assistance…
A humpback whale missing its tail fluke has been spotted off the coast of Washington state, with drone footage capturing the heartbreaking sight. The whale, named Catalyst, was first observed on July 5 and has since traveled about 370 miles despite its severe injury, according to Live Science. Drone Captures Whale’s Struggle On July 23,…
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have 4 stories for you: Senate NDAA Bill Release, drone show loses 55 drones, the Freefly Astro Prime, and Watts Innovations is transitioning into something else. Senate NDAA Bill Release The Senate version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was released this week without the…
Freefly Systems, based in Woodinville, Washington, has introduced the Astro Prime drone, aiming to revolutionize the drone industry with its
According to a recent report from the Hillsboro News Times, law enforcement in Beaverton, Oregon, successfully employed drone technology to apprehend an escaped prisoner from Washington state. The incident showcases the growing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern policing. The Escape and Initial Encounter Dean Allen Bromley, 32, from The Dalles, had escaped from…
DJI Drone Currently in Use, Seattle-Made BRINC Responder on the Way The Redmond Police Department is pioneering the use of drones as first responders in the western Washington area. Since April 2, they have been deploying a DJI drone to most 911 emergencies, reportedly providing officers with an aerial perspective even before they arrive on…
The Renton Police Department (RPD) in Washington state is among the 1,400+ police departments nationwide utilizing drone technology, with over 30 drones and 24 FAA-licensed pilots. RPD is deploying drones across various divisions, from patrol to detectives and traffic investigations, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in evidence collection and collision reconstruction. Drones Revolutionize C
Battling Tags from the Sky: A New Drone Enters the Fight In a groundbreaking move to combat graffiti, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has introduced a pioneering solution—a high-tech drone specifically designed to tackle graffiti. This drone, a significant step up from consumer models, is equipped with advanced features like eight motors, nearly 150…
One email with the drone news that matters — DJI, FAA, public safety, and everything in between, straight from the newsroom. No spam, no fluff.
