Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider highlighted a recent decision by Washington state lawmakers that he believes could pose problems as the reigning Super Bowl champions look to add players to sustain long-term success.

Washington’s long-standing status as a largely tax-free state is set to change in 2028 after lawmakers approved a “millionaire tax” that would levy a 9.9% rate on high earners. 

The tax will apply to individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated he will sign the bill. It is unclear whether the legislation will face legal challenges. Schneider projected the new tax deduction could hinder the Seahawks’ ability to recruit and ultimately sign free agents.

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Schneider suggested that part of the team’s pitch to free agents over the years has highlighted Washington’s tax exemptions. 

“There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,’” Schneider said this week on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show.

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“I think it is for all the pro teams here in town. It’s always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, it’s going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like. I’m sure Mike Reinfeldt and Mickey Loomis and all the cap guys that have been here before, too, are looking at this like, ‘Dang.’”

As of 2026, the Seahawks are one of eight NFL clubs based in a state that does not impose income tax on personal wages.

Two of those teams, the Texans and Cowboys, are based in Texas, while three of those teams play home games in Florida: the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins. The Raiders relocated from California to the neighboring tax-free Nevada in 2020, while the Titans are set to open a multibillion-dollar domed stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2027.

“It’s going to be a problem, and hopefully it doesn’t happen,” an unnamed NFL agent told ESPN when asked about thoughts on the potential impact the new taxes could have on the Seahawks.

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While it remains unclear whether the new taxes will influence NFL players’ decisions about signing with the Seahawks, an MLB player recently cited California’s higher tax rates in his decision to turn down a deal with the San Diego Padres.

Merrill Kelly, who entered the free agent market after pitching in 10 games with the Texas Rangers in 2025, last month agreed to a deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kelly agreed to a two-year contract worth an estimated $40 million with the Diamondbacks, according to ESPN. Although the Padres offered a comparable deal at three years instead of two, California’s 13% tax rate on income above $1 million proved a key difference.

“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the right-hander told “Foul Territory.”

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iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (14 March 2026) that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed. This way only America And is closed to Israeli ships and tankers, while ships of other countries are allowed to pass. In an interview, he said that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but the ships of countries which are attacking Iran or are its enemies will not be allowed to pass through this route. Ships from other countries can go through here normally.

However, the ground situation appears different. According to the report of Jerusalem Post, hundreds of ships are stranded in this sea route located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which includes many Indian ships. Iran’s Foreign Minister said that many ships are avoiding passing through this route due to security reasons. According to him, this decision is of the ship companies and is not directly related to Iran. He also said that many tankers and ships are still passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

The Strait of Hormuz is open.

It is only closed to the tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies.

Others are free to pass.

Of course, many of them prefer not to because of their security… pic.twitter.com/GDlN5NpBpB

— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 14, 2026

US President Donald Trump’s warning

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if it obstructs the movement of ships, Iran’s oil infrastructure could be targeted. Trump had earlier also announced an attack on Iran’s important oil center Kharg Island. Trump also said that many countries can send their warships to keep this sea route open. He expressed hope that countries like China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom can also send ships so that business and energy supply can continue.

Russia and China are Iran’s strategic partners

Abbas Araghchi also said that Russia and China are strategic partners of Iran and military cooperation with them is already ongoing. In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important sea routes in the world. It is located between Iran and Oman and its width at the narrowest point is about 33 kilometers. Every day, about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through this route, so if this route is closed, it can have an impact on the oil market and economy of the entire world.

This matter again came into discussion when on February 27, the trial court had acquitted Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 other accused of charges in the case related to excise policy. The court had made a strong comment on the CBI charge sheet and said that it could not withstand judicial scrutiny. After this, CBI filed an appeal in Delhi High Court challenging this decision. This case is currently listed before the bench of Justice Swarna Kant Sharma.

What is Kejriwal’s demand in the Supreme Court?
Arvind Kejriwal has said in the petition filed in the Supreme Court that the hearing of CBI’s appeal should be conducted before some other bench. He says that he fears that the case will not be heard in a completely impartial manner in the current bench. Kejriwal said that this demand is not against any particular person, but has been made to maintain fairness in the judicial process.

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Were Justice Sharma’s comments questioned?
It has been said in the petition that when the hearing on the CBI petition started, Justice Swarna Kant Sharma had declared the trial court’s decision prima facie wrong at the initial stage itself. Kejriwal says that this comment was made at a time when the arguments of the other side had not been heard yet. This caused him serious apprehension about a fair trial.

Did the same bench hear many decisions related to this case earlier too?
It has also been said in the petition that Justice Sharma has already heard many cases related to this matter. These include petitions against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, bail petitions of Aam Aadmi Party leaders and cases related to other accused. Among these, there was also a case related to the poetry of the President of Telangana Jagriti.

Were some orders already given on CBI’s appeal?
On March 9, Justice Sharma’s bench had stayed the trial court’s recommendation that departmental action be taken against the investigating officer. Also, the bench had issued notice to all the 23 accused on the appeal of CBI. The court had said that some of the findings of the trial court prima facie appear to be wrong and their further investigation is necessary.

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There was a stir in the market due to the robbery incident that took place in broad daylight on Saturday (14 March) morning in Shivganj town of Sirohi. Two miscreants riding a bike snatched a bag full of gold, silver and cash from the 80-year-old jeweler and fled from the spot. After the incident, an atmosphere of panic has arisen in the area. As soon as the information was received, the police reached the spot and started searching for the accused by scanning the footage of CCTV cameras installed nearby.

Jeweler was going to open shop

According to the information, 80-year-old Himmatmal Soni, resident of Shivganj, had left home at around 11 am on Saturday morning to open his jewelery shop. He had a bag in his hand, which contained about 4 kg. Silvergold jewellery, about Rs 15 thousand in cash and some important documents were kept.

As soon as he reached near his shop, suddenly two youths riding a bike came there and pounced on him and snatched the bag from his hand.

According to eyewitnesses, the miscreants carried out the entire incident within a few seconds. Before the jeweler could understand anything or the people nearby could come forward to help, both the accused quickly fled from the spot on a bike.

Jeweler Himmatmal Soni became very nervous after the incident and informed the people nearby. Within no time a crowd of people gathered in the market.

Police reached the spot, investigation started

As soon as information about the robbery was received, Shivganj police station reached the spot and took stock of the incident. The police took information about the entire incident from the victim jeweler and also interrogated the shopkeepers and people present nearby.

Seeing the seriousness of the matter, DSP Pushpendra Verma also reached the spot. He instructed the police officers to identify and arrest the accused as soon as possible.

Search based on CCTV footage

Police are now examining the footage of CCTV cameras installed at the scene and nearby. Initial investigation has revealed that after committing the crime, both the accused ran towards the raw river of Jawai river and fled from there in the direction of Sumerpur. Police have increased surveillance on possible routes and suspicious people are also being interrogated.

anger among traders

There is a lot of anger among the traders of Shivganj after this incident which happened in broad daylight. Especially the traders associated with jewelery business have demanded immediate action from the police. Traders say that security arrangements should be strengthened in the market area, so that such incidents do not happen again.

After this robbery, the police have formed a special team to search for the accused. The team is raiding different places and efforts are being made to reach the miscreants on the basis of technical evidence.

Police officials say that soon the accused will be identified and arrested. At present the police is investigating this matter from every angle.

US President Donald Trump appealed to other countries to send ships to protect the Strait of Hormuz. He had earlier said that the US Navy would soon start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump claimed that Iran’s military capability has been completely destroyed. It also acknowledged that no matter how badly they have lost, it is very easy for Tehran to send a drone or two, drop a mine or fire a missile anywhere in this waterway. He said it is expected that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and other countries that are affected will send ships to the area so that the Strait of Hormuz no longer poses a threat to a nation that has been completely wiped out.

What did Araghchi say on Trump’s statement?

Iran’s Foreign Minister on Saturday appealed to the countries of the Middle East to expel foreign military forces. Responding to Trump’s statement, Syed Abbas Arghachi wrote, ‘The security shield promoted by America has proved to be hollow and instead of reducing the problem, it is increasing. America is now appealing to others and even China to make Hormuz safe. In such a situation, Iran calls on its neighboring countries to expel foreign invaders, especially when their only concern is Israel.

America’s attack on Kharg Island

Trump announced on Friday that he had completely destroyed the military bases located on Kharg Island. Iran’s main oil export terminal is located on Kharg Island. He warned that if Tehran continues to obstruct shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s oil infrastructure could also be targeted.

According to reports, Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. This waterway is one of the most important energy routes in the world, usually transporting about 20 million barrels of oil per day and about 20 percent of the global natural gas trade passes through this route.

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