Washington Senate Democrats roll out state budget boost
Senate Democrats on Thursday proposed a two-year $58.9 billion spending plan that would increase the operating budget by more than 13%. The budget includes a new 7% tax on capital gains and would allocate $125 million to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Continue reading at The Capital Press. (Don Jenkins)
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees
Washington state lawmakers have voted to automatically restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they’re still on parole. With the support of majority Democrats, the state Senate passed the measure 27-22 Wednesday night, following earlier approval by the House. It now heads to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who is expected to sign it. The main sponsor was Democratic Rep. Tarra Simmons of Bremerton, who was incarcerated before becoming a lawyer. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
State launches new Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention
The newly-created Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention at the Department of Commerce will lead a statewide effort to coordinate evidence-based intervention and prevention strategies to address community gun violence. The office’s work will be directed at the highest risk populations of perpetrators and victims in the highest risk communities. The office is among a handful in the nation and was formed under legislation sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, in 2020. Continue reading at The Auburn Reporter. (Shalisa Hayes/State Department of Commerce)
Associated Press
New problems arise for crop storage as planet gets warmer
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees (Simmons, Kuderer)
WA Senate Democrats’ budget includes state capital gains tax (Rolfes)
Inslee: K-12 schools can reduce COVID-19 social distancing requirements
Over 50 infected in COVID-19 outbreak at King County Jail
23 people in Washington being monitored for Ebola
Pacific Northwest tribal leaders call on Biden, Congress to remove Snake River dams
Auburn Reporter
State launches new Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention
First large-scale, human composting facility in the world will open in Auburn
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state
Watch live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to give COVID-19, schools update Thursday (Rolfes)
Washington Gov. Inslee announces distancing can be 3 feet in schools, aligning with CDC
Second COVID-19 variant detected in Whatcom County ‘cause for concern, but not alarm’
Clearing the confusion: When can you get vaccinated in Washington state?
Whatcom sees a death and 19 COVID cases Wednesday, as WWU examines potential ‘surge’
Inslee: COVID-19 distancing can now be 3 feet in schools
Tribes call on Biden, Congress to remove Snake River dams
Coronavirus weekly need-to-know: Vaccine side effects, schools, COVID variants & more
Do COVID vaccines work against the new coronavirus variants? Here’s what the data says
Capital Press
‘Environmental justice’ bill advances in House (Fitzgibbon)
Washington Senate Democrats roll out state budget boost (Rolfes)
Stakeholders send letter opposing Simpson dam plan to NW political leaders
Columbian
In Our View: We can learn from Oregon’s drug experience
Covington-Maple Valley Reporter
Comment: Transportation plan puts a focus on equity for all (Ramos, Valdez)
The Daily News
Inslee: K-12 schools can reduce COVID social distancing
Everett Herald (subscription required)
State Senate Democrats unveil ambitious $59.2B spending plan (Rolfes, Robinson, Ortiz-Self)
Senate Democrats go big with budget. Will House go bigger? (Robinson, Ortiz-Self, Kuderer)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Why cities can no longer have their own gun laws
WaPo Comment: McConnell wrong on filibuster’s ‘racial history’
WaPo Fact check: Is Biden’s tax ceiling for individuals or families?
Letter: Legislation is a chance to help children, families (Berg)
Letter: Sheriff should keep quiet on Constitution, masks
International Examiner
Opinion: The time to Stop AAPI Hate is NOW
Letter to the Editor: Lawmakers should support the Working Families Tax Credit
Issaquah Reporter
Op-ed by Reps. Ramos and Valdez: Comment: Transportation plan puts a focus on equity for all
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Inslee: K-12 schools can reduce COVID-19 social distancing requirements
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees
News Tribune (subscription required)
Lakewood gains yet another multimillion-dollar warehouse, distribution development
Tacoma school board moves quickly to elect new superintendent
More than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in Pierce County on Thursday
New York Times
For Biden, a New Virus Dilemma: How to Handle a Looming Glut of Vaccine
Covid-19 Live News: States Expand Vaccine Eligibility Amid a Stubborn U.S. Caseload
Why the Georgia G.O.P.’s Voting Rollbacks Will Hit Black People Hard
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Riders Are Abandoning Buses and Trains. That’s a Problem for Climate Change.
Olympian (subscription required)
What were those lights Washington state saw streaking across the night sky?
Who will be Olympia’s next Police Chief? Jelcick among four finalists
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state
Thurston County reports 16 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday
Washington Gov. Inslee announces distancing can be 3 feet in schools, aligning with CDC
Senate Democrats unveil plan for $59.2 billion budget and $7 billion in federal funds
Chehalis tribe, Lacey police looking for missing people
Vacation property now Native American excavation site after bones found in Washington
Peninsula Daily News
Conservationists sue for spotted owl protections
Some students to return to full-time in classrooms
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Port Townsend Leader
No new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in JeffCo
Puget Sound Business Journal
Brick-and-mortar retail challenges amplified by pandemic
State narrows social distancing rule for K-12 schools
The PPP deadline is poised to be extended to this new date
Inslee ends ban on state worker travel to North Carolina
Experts: Mental health needs among professionals, children expected to rise
Skagit Valley Herald
Lots of ideas, few decisions — yet — at La Conner parks meeting
Local hired as new Skagit Community Foundation director
Mount Vernon commits funding to Burlington homeless shelter, hotel vouchers
Skagit PUD looking at helping farmers with crop irrigation
Sedro-Woolley Police Department adds more officers
South Seattle Emerald
COVID-19 cases rise as state announces people 16+ to qualify for vaccine May 1
In the face of hate, Asian Americans call for solidarity with all people of color
Pandemic year pushes a daughter of custodians to fight for her mom’s profession
Spokesman Review
Washington state Senate Democrats unveil $59.2 billion two-year budget they say ‘hits all four corners of the state’
Spokane City Council calls for urgency in filling civil rights position
Spokane Public Schools board meetings are open to the public again, but the hybrid model may be here to stay
Inslee: Schools can loosen social-distancing to 3 feet
Spokane Public Schools survey shows public division on stadium issue
Opinion: Shawn Vestal: Again and again, Ferguson puts forth assault-weapon ban and the Democratic Legislature ignores it
Tri-City Herald
Kennewick board members fined $1,000 each for breaking campaign laws
Small, rare tornado spotted near Tri-Cities on Thursday
Tri-Cities new COVID case rate is getting closer to matching WA state rate
2020 ‘Tumbleweed avalanche’ trapped cars, closed roads near Tri-Cities. New report out
Invasive beetles that destroy lawns, roses and crops now found in Mid-Columbia region
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
The Kids Are Not Alright, Part 2: Student Support Services
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Change in CDC guidelines could result in longer school days in Walla Walla Valley
Walla Walla County’s top health official eager for vaccine eligibility to open up
‘Paraffin pestilence’ shows up again at Walla Walla’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Walla Walla man pleads guilty to having illegal gun, delivering drugs
Walla Walla man reportedly fled courthouse while awaiting sentencing
Washington schools move to 3-feet social distancing for students
Walla Walla police arrest alleged car casing Clarkston couple
Yakima Herald Republic
Federal stimulus could help fund Yakima’s fire and police fleet upgrades
Governor: K-12 schools can reduce COVID social distancing
Yakima School District will wait on social distancing change, superintendent says
New problems arise for crop storage as planet gets warmer
Oregon Senate votes in favor of bill banning guns in Capitol
23 people in Washington being monitored for Ebola
Tribes call on Biden, Congress to remove Snake River dams
Washingtonians 16 and up will be eligible for COVID vaccines by May 1, state says; here’s how we get there
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees (Simmons, Kuderer)
Washington health officials monitoring 23 people for Ebola
‘Loophole’ allowed ineligible people to get COVID-19 vaccine in Washington
Former Seattle restaurant owners reflect on their pandemic pivot
Washington adopts 3-foot distance rule in schools in line with CDC guidance
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket debris lights up PNW sky
Governor’s office issues guidelines for social distancing in schools
Tacoma moves to crack down on street racing. Violators face jail time, fines
Drug possession bills emerge to address wide-reaching state Supreme Court ruling
Pierce County will begin to collect behavioral health tax this summer
Washingtonians 16 and up to be eligible for vaccines by May 1
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington to follow CDC guidance, reduce social distancing in schools to 3 feet
Police: Carjacking suspect drives into group of protesters in downtown Seattle
Welfare check at man’s Seattle home ends in him being cuffed, lawsuit
Pacific Northwest tribal leaders call on Biden, Congress to remove Snake River dams
Homeless encampments at some Seattle parks puts little league sports in bind
KNKX FM
Northwest tribes call for removal of Lower Snake River dams
WA Senate Democrats unveil budget proposal; includes big boost in spending, capital gains tax (Rolfes)
KUOW FM
Washington state loosens classroom distancing rules to speed up school reopening
More than 50 test Covid-positive in King County jails within two weeks
Updates on the pandemic in the Northwest
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WA Senate Democrats unveil budget proposal; includes big boost in spending, capital gains tax (Rolfes)
KXLY (ABC)
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees (Kuderer, Simmons)
Gov. Inslee relaxes social distancing guidelines in schools to 3 feet apart
NW Public Radio
Washington Legislature Passes Bill Granting Voting Rights To Felony Parolees (Simmons)
Washington State Senate Democrats Unveil Budget Proposal: Big Boost In Spending, Capital Gains Tax (Rolfes)
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Q13 TV (Fox)
Washington changes social distancing minimum requirement in schools to 3 feet apart
Biden doubles COVID-19 vaccination goal, addresses border crisis in 1st White House press conference
Saluting African American WWII veteran who broke barriers and lifted up others
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Web
Crosscut
Court’s legalization of drug possession has WA lawmakers scrambling (Davis, Harris-Talley, Dhingra, Mullet)
WA may regulate medically necessary abortions at religious hospitals (Kuderer, Dhingra, Randall)
Washington’s vaccinated navigate socializing after a year in lockdown
How racism directly threatens our public health
MyNorthwest
State leaders ‘disappointed’ to see assault weapons ban stall out again in 2021 (Kuderer)
State passes bill restoring voting rights to Washington felons directly after prison
23 people in Washington being monitored for Ebola
Carjacker hits multiple vehicles, speeds through group of Seattle protesters
Washington is ‘so close to the end,’ but still needs to take COVID precautions
Debris from SpaceX rocket streaks across night sky over Washington
Senate Democrats unveil historic $59B two-year budget proposal
New bill promises help for Washington businesses still feeling unemployment tax pain
Washington moves distance requirements from 6 to 3 feet in schools
Chance of snow Monday as opportunity ‘quickly running out toward April’
Washington solidifies vaccine roadmap ahead of open eligibility on May 1
Slog
Amazon Just Cut Off Warehouse Workers from a Companywide Directory
Washington Proposes One Bill to End the Drug War and Several Bills to Fire It Back Up Again (Dhingra, Mullet)
Washington Republicans: Maybe Mass Shooters Just Got Lonely During Quarantine?