WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, March 4

A pink and purple color coded map depicting confirmed COVID cases in Washington state by county.

Washington state’s COVID-19 deaths break 5,000 mark on Wednesday
More than 5,000 people in Washington state have now died from COVID-19 as the state Department of Health reported 799 new cases of the disease and 24 new deaths Wednesday. Pierce County reported 64 cases Wednesday and one new death. Pierce County has a total of 467 deaths likely caused by COVID-19, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Ben Connors, Chad Scheer, and Ted Newman)


In a line of cars on the road, three students in green graduation caps and gowns stand up in the back of a silver pickup truck. People wave at them standing on the left side of the road.

State Senate OKs bill to let graduating students make up for time lost to COVID-19
The Washington state Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would allow high school students in the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 to stay in school for a “bridge year” to catch up on learning and participate in missed extracurricular activities. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Joshua Bessex)


The Seattle skyline on a sunny day. Written over in white text: Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. Case rate = 4x higher; hospitalization rate = 10x higher.; death rate = 6x higher.

Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders fight for COVID-19 vaccine access in Washington
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are fighting a different battle against COVID-19 than most communities. “In our community, our elders are sacred treasures, and so, I think to lose that many elders in such a short time is pretty devastating,” [Joseph Seia] explained. According to the most recent data from the Washington State Department of Health, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders have a four times higher case rate of COVID-19 than white populations. Continue reading at KING5 TV.


Print

Associated Press
Multi-state review group authorizes J&J vaccine
US jobless claims tick up to 745,000 as layoffs remain high
Washington state’s mountain snowpack piles up
Senate OKs bill prohibiting price gouging during emergencies
Study: Chinook salmon are key to Northwest orcas all year
Pacific gray whales spotted in Puget Sound
Washington governor signs graduation waiver measure
Washington state hatchery to rely on native steelhead trout

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen District continues to roll out return of in-person classes.
Warning from PUD: Scammers continue to threaten power shutoffs
Commentary: A lesson from the last ‘normal’ pre-pandemic weekend: We’re not as smart as we think we are
Commentary: Can we reclaim lost decency and courage?

Auburn Reporter
Law gives Washington high school seniors leeway to graduate
Governor: Educators are now eligible for coronavirus vaccine
Study shows Washingtonians exceeded ‘heavy drinking’ threshold in 2020
First-time home buyers increasingly priced out of Washington housing market

Bainbridge Island Review
Experts expect economy to improve

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Watch live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to give COVID-19 update Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
State Senate OKs bill to let graduating students make up for time lost to COVID-19 (Hunt, Rolfes)
Washington state’s COVID-19 deaths break 5,000 mark on Wednesday
As state surpasses 5,000 deaths, Whatcom sees 1 death and 35 new COVID cases Wednesday
Vaccine update: about 5,000 more Whatcom residents now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
WA ranchers struggling to meet demand during COVID pandemic closer to relief
Fentanyl overdose deaths climb in Washington, and cartels are to blame, feds say
Fake masks delivered to Washington hospitals worked surprisingly well, officials say
Pacific gray whales spotted in Puget Sound
How soon after coronavirus infection should you get a COVID vaccine?
Can you skip second dose of a coronavirus vaccine if you’ve had COVID? Experts debate
 
Bothell Reporter
DNR commissioner seeks $125 million to fight wildfires

Columbian
In Our View: Timing wrong for proposed statewide soda tax (Cleveland)
Reps. Stonier, Wylie co-sponsors of felons voting rights bill (Wylie, Stonier)

Covington-Maple Valley Reporter
Encouraging numbers for kokanee salmon spawn count

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Mental Health Professionals Urge “Practice Pause”
Yakima County to Receive More COVID-19 Vaccines This Week

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Inslee OKs use of single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Snohomish County Council delays education spending vote
Should Marysville Pilchuck High drop the name ‘Tomahawks’? (Wicks, Lekanoff, Berg, Lovick, Davis)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Why those vaccine selfies are actually selfless

The Inlander
Outside Spokane, vaccine hesitancy and oversupply challenge the region’s ability to stick with a phased approach

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Kitsap teachers begin signing up for COVID-19 vaccine appointments
Review group authorizes Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for Washington state

News Tribune (subscription required)
With 8 dead and hundreds injured, Tacoma grapples with how much police force is too much
The process: 3 investigations launched every time a Tacoma police officer kills someone
Registration is Thursday for Pierce County’s next COVID-19 mass vaccination event
Washington state’s COVID-19 deaths break 5,000 mark on Wednesday
These volunteers help senior citizens find that ever-elusive COVID vaccine appointment
What happened to body cameras for Gig Harbor police? Chief explains delay
Editorial: No selfies for you! Banning them inside parts of Washington state Capitol seems harsh (Pedersen)

New York Times
Covid-19 Live Updates: Pushback in States as Biden Criticizes Their Moves on Masks
Plan to Ditch the Mask After Vaccination? Not So Fast.
Texas Drops Its Virus Restrictions as a Wave of Reopenings Takes Hold
Now Making Electric Bikes: Car and Motorcycle Companies
Jobless Claims Rise, Showing the Pandemic’s Economic Toll: Live Updates

Olympian (subscription required)
State Senate OKs bill to let graduating students make up for time lost to COVID-19 (Hunt, Dhingra)
Washington veterans of any age can now get a COVID vaccination from the VA
Washington state’s COVID-19 deaths break 5,000 mark on Wednesday
Thurston, Providence announce clinic for those due for 2nd doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Red Lion protesters wanted FEMA funds used to house people experiencing homelessness in hotels. Why hasn’t Thurston done that?
Thurston County adds 20 COVID-19 cases; February case totals fall 50 percent from January

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Teachers, school staff and childcare professionals now vaccine eligible

Puget Sound Business Journal
Return-to-office plans are set in motion, but virus uncertainty remains
Facebook ends ban on political advertising
Opinion: Pandemic’s toll on community behavioral health must be recognized

Seattle Times (subscription required)
More than 5,000 people have now died from COVID-19 in Washington state
‘Functional bipartisanship is impossible’ — Washington state’s Democratic and GOP party chairs spar over elections, Trump
Lawmakers frustrated by secrecy surrounding massive data hack at Washington state auditor’s office (Keiser, Carlyle, Nguyen)
SDOT installs crosswalk, traffic signals at Lake City intersection where pedestrian was killed
Lessons learned at Life Care Center: Lake Washington Institute of Technology students remember pandemic’s first days
Highway 520 bridge closes in both directions this weekend
Opinion: Washington Privacy Bill needs stronger safeguards for consumers

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit Public Utility District vendor suffers data breach

The Skanner
WA Black Lives Matter Alliance Launches Reparations for Black Lives Legislative Push

Spokesman Review
Effort underway to decriminalize ‘magic mushrooms’ in Spokane
Spokane Public Schools wants public input on how the district can boost equity
Schoesler bill could provide tax relief to eastern Washington residents rebuilding after September wildfires
Downtown stadium one step closer to reality after Spokane Public Schools meeting
Local Catholic leaders say to avoid Johnson & Johnson vaccine made with fetal cells if possible, but health experts disagree
With teachers now in the queue, thousands of Spokane County residents will be searching for vaccine doses

Tri-City Herald
6,000+ Tri-Cities teachers, childcare workers join scramble for COVID vaccine
3 Tri-City police unions support recalling Benton County sheriff
WA ranchers struggling to meet demand during COVID pandemic closer to relief

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for first time since June
Walla Walla County judge denies release for Leslie Moreno, convicted of manslaughter
Walla Walla County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for first time since June

Yakima Herald Republic
Vaccine eligibility is a relief for Yakima County school staff already on campus
Naches-based fruit company to contest unfair labor practice complaints filed by union
Study: Chinook salmon are key to Northwest orcas all year
Washington state surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Plan to prioritize Washington educators for vaccines leaves other workers frustrated
Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders fight for COVID-19 vaccine access in Washington
Sea-Tac Airport to test anti-drone technology
Judge orders release of Auburn Proud Boy charged in US Capitol riot
Kirkland college reflects a year after nursing students exposed in first US COVID-19 outbreak
Human composting: How Washington is writing the guidebook to a green burial
Assisted living operators in Washington holding out hope for federal aid

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Federal judge orders release of Auburn ‘Proud Boy’ charged in U.S. Capitol riot
Northshore educator seriously injured in possible hate crime attack
KIRO 7 investigates vaccine vacations
Seattle NAACP among dozens of groups now supporting full ban on credit scoring in insurance (Mullet, Das)
Police issue alert about possible March 4 plot against U.S. Capitol
Seattle police remove barriers, hit with graffiti on the same day
COVID-19 related deaths surpass 5,000 in Washington

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
‘5,000 lives were more than a number:’ Washington state eclipses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths
Federal judge orders release of local ‘Proud Boy’ accused of leading riot at US Capitol
WA 3-Percenters deny being part of rumored plot to attack U.S. Capitol
King County Court shifts to virtual trials, potentially changing future of courtrooms
‘He was trying to kill us,’ says man about attack in Chinatown-International District
WSP: No threats to Washington’s capitol after police uncover plot to storm U.S. Capitol
Homeless encampment, Tent City 4, to set up behind Bellevue temple next month
Pharmacies prepare as Washington teachers become eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

KUOW FM
‘Just another day.’ Seattle clears Denny Park tent encampment, forcing unhoused people to relocate
Updates on the pandemic in the Northwest
House Approves Major Election And Campaign Finance Reform Bill
House Approves Police Reform Bill Named After George Floyd
March 3 | Denny Park sweep goes against pandemic guidance
Senate Democrats, White House Agree to Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks
Capitol Police Warns Of Another Possible Right-Wing Attack On Congress

KXLY (ABC)
Providence opens more than 1,000 vaccine appointments for upcoming clinics
Report: Spokane Police use force on Blacks, Native Americans at disproportionate rate
WA Senate passes a bill prohibiting price gouging during states of emergency (Darneille)

Q13 TV (Fox)
State educators anxious for COVID-19 vaccine after Gov. Inslee fast-tracks eligibility
Washington state lawmakers discuss $125 million wildfire bill
Local mom who lost son to drug addiction concerned over state Supreme Court ruling
Washington state surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths
Sheriff’s captain suspended for post about Black teens
West Coast scientific panel approves Johnson & Johnson vaccine for Washington

Web

Crosscut
How virtual school is straining the mental health of WA students (Liias)

MyNorthwest
Port Angeles awaits Seattle lawsuit before drafting own grocery worker hazard pay proposal
Parler drops Amazon lawsuit, then files new one in King County court
Seattle-area Proud Boy facing charges from Capitol siege released from prison pending trial
Spokane judge intervenes to stop farm workers’ wages decreasing
Renewed push to crack down on repeat DUI offenders in Olympia 
Rise in fentanyl overdoses has Pacific Northwest ‘under siege’ from cartel, says DEA

West Seattle Blog
VACCINATION: Last-minute openings for next two days at city’s new West Seattle site