Voting rights restoration bill’s passage brings hope to our formerly incarcerated communities
As someone who has experienced incarceration, I see voting rights restoration as a mark of good government. It sent me the message that “I matter” instead of reinforcing the stigma and second-class citizenship that are often experienced when people like me reenter our communities. Continue reading at The South Seattle Emerald. (Michael Fleshman)
Washington Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
The Washington Senate has approved a measure to ban the use of Native American names, symbols and images as school mascots, logos and team names at most public schools in Washington. The bill passed the Democratic-led chamber on a bipartisan 40-9 vote Tuesday night and now heads back to the House — which passed the measure in February — for a final vote. Continue reading at KXLY. (Aaron Ontiveroz)
Other Views: Capital budget exemplifies investment in Washington
The biennial capital budget for construction projects does not receive the attention of the two-year operating budget, but wise spending on construction will be essential for helping Washington recover from the pandemic. Capital projects not only provide the infrastructure for a prosperous future, they put people to work in constructing that future. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Rachel La Corte)
Associated Press
Steep decline in giant sea turtles seen off US West Coast
Students lead US push for fuller Black history education
Snow falling in the Cascades raises avalanche concerns
Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
Lawmaker apologizes for doing video hearing while driving (Saldaña)
Report: State needs to spend almost $15B to maintain roads
State Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics and gear (Pedersen, Johnson, Van De Wege)
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees (Simmons)
Aberdeen Daily World
Sails and sale? Lady Washington plans to make waves, Chieftain may have buyer
About $24 million in relief funds allocated for Grays Harbor County
Commentary: Neglected U.S. infrastructure: Pay now or pay (more) later
COVID-19 vaccine supply smaller after manufacturing mistake
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
CDC has new warning for travelers: Avoid Canada for now, even if you are vaccinated
Felons can vote immediately after release from custody under law signed by Gov. Inslee (Simmons, Kuderer, Dolan)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
COVID-19 variants are here and more transmissible. This is what Whatcom County Health knows
Nooksack and Lummi tribes offer Pfizer COVID vaccines at upcoming clinics in Whatcom
Washington lawmaker apologizes for driving while in virtual transportation meeting (Saldaña)
Is the end of the COVID pandemic on the way? Fauci urges Americans to ‘hang in there’
How soon — and how long — could you feel side effects of COVID vaccines? What to know
Biden gun control actions to be announced as South Carolina reels from mass shooting
Columbian
In Our View: Capital budget exemplifies investment in state
Harrop: Proof of vaccine not overreach
Letter: Demilitarize local police (Johnson)
Clark County’s COVID-19 activity rate continues to climb
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff: Vaccination Efforts in Yakima, Yakama Nation Are Example for the Nation
State House of Representatives Moves to Close Tacoma Detention Center (Ortiz-Self)
Yakima braces for a surge in homelessness
Second Gentleman meets with Yakama tribal leaders on tour of Washington
Everett Herald (subscription required)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
How to get vaccinated in Snohomish County
Commentary: Lawmakers should adopt proposed policing reforms
High Country News
What is the pandemic’s lasting impact on first responders?
International Examiner
Bob Shimabukuro: Remembering his legacy of community activism, art and creative journalism
Vigil at Hing Hay Park honors victims of Atlanta massage parlor shootings
Opinion: The elephant in my rooms
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
COVID-19 cases again on the rise in Kitsap fueled by South Kitsap ‘hot spot’
UPDATE: No motive offered after suspect’s arrest in fatal shooting of Bremerton man
Medic who shot 2 in Maryland had ties to Bremerton before receiving assignment to medical research center
Opinion: Equity training is a must
New York Times
How Debt and Climate Change Pose ‘Systemic Risk’ to World Economy
Live Updates: Biden Announces Action on Guns, Saying ‘This Is Just a Start’
After Pandemic, Shrinking Need for Office Space Could Crush Landlords
Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County reports 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Felons can vote immediately after release from custody under law signed by Gov. Inslee (Simmons, Kuderer, Dolan)
Deschutes Parkway encampment gets a cleanup
Peninsula Daily News
Hazard pay measure for grocery workers on precipice
Peninsula College cancels women’s basketball games due to COVID-19
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID-19 variants gain ground in Clallam County
Port Townsend Leader
Inconvenient truth: Forest climate proposal won’t work | Guest Viewpoint (Van De Wege)
Three more COVID-19 cases found in mid-county area
COVID-19 case count rises to 351 in Jefferson County
Puget Sound Business Journal
The $16B SBA venue grant program launches. Here’s who gets to go first.
Sea-Tac Airport plans $6M upgrade to its Wi-Fi network
Business leaders worry recovery could backslide as Covid surges
UW spinout Icosavax raises $100M for vaccine development
Pacific Northwest ports unveil cross-border pact to cut emissions
SBA is forgiving more small PPP loans. But larger ones are trapped in a ‘dark hole.’
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Supply of COVID vaccines smaller than expected after manufacturing mistake with J&J vaccine, Washington state health officials say
Legislature moves to resentence up to 114 people serving life without parole under Washington’s three-strikes law (Darneille)
Sea-Tac Airport traffic up 278% over a year ago, but down 59% from 2019 before COVID
Bill restores voting rights to Washingtonians with felonies upon release from prison (Simmons)
Opinion: Justice delayed: COVID-19’s staggering criminal-case backlog
Sequim Gazette
Guest opinion: Forest climate proposal won’t work (Van De Wege)
Skagit Valley Herald
Report: Skagit County median home price climbs to $485,550
Seattle City Light submits revised dam study plan to regulatory agency
South Seattle Emerald
Opinion: Gun violence is a symptom of poverty
Japanese American redress and African American reparations intertwined
Court upholds firing of SPD officer who punched handcuffed woman
Opinion: Voting rights restoration bill’s passage brings hope to our formerly incarcerated communities
Madison Bus Rapid Transit project secures funding, Metro to modify passenger limits
Opinion: When black men are killed in Seattle’s south end, why does society shrug?
Opinion: Renters must get organized to win ‘just cause’ and other protections against eviction
Spokesman Review
A year into pandemic, Spokane libraries are welcoming patrons back inside
Spokane County’s median home price soars to $341,750 in March
Amid mounting opposition to Rep. Mike Simpson’s plan to save Snake River salmon, supporters of dam removal hope for bipartisan backing in Congress
Gonzaga leaders encourage students to get tested, follow virus protocols following March Madness games
Tri-City Herald
CDC has new warning for travelers: Avoid Canada for now, even if you are vaccinated
Richland favorite restaurant closes its doors permanently after 40+ years
Criminal investigation into Benton sheriff witness tampering reopened by WA State Patrol
New COVID cases jump Wednesday in Tri-Cities ahead of state reopening decision
Vancouver Business Journal
Trust is critical in post-COVID development and construction
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla man pleads not guilty in jail staff assault, seeks release to Spokane
Milton-Freewater and Athena-Weston schools make the jump to full days
Man reportedly skateboards from California for Walla Walla court date, three years late
Local man allegedly wields ax, enters properties in Burbank
Washington Post
Tourists and looters descend on Bears Ears as Biden mulls protections
Intelligence forecast sees a post-coronavirus world upended by climate change and splintering societies
Opinion: A GOP governor’s frantic appeal to Trump voters reveals a terrible GOP truth
Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County almost certain to be moved back to Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening plan
Report: Yakima County’s crumbling infrastructure underfunded by state
COVID-19 vaccine supply smaller after manufacturing mistake
Students lead US push for fuller Black history education
Opinion: Other Views: Capital budget exemplifies investment in Washington
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
As vaccinations rise, Seattle experts emphasize importance of COVID-19 testing
Recent rise in Washington COVID-19 cases not linked to variant first seen in UK
City of Seattle and health partners set new record at mass vaccination site
Ports of Tacoma, Seattle commit to a goal of zero emissions by 2050
Tacoma plan aims to boost affordability and diversity of housing
Skagit County could slip back to Phase 2 if COVID-19 trends continue rising
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
School board members ask city of Seattle not to clear homeless camps on school property
State Senate passes big steps to police reform
City of Seattle asking residents to preregister for vaccine appointments
Another wave of students headed back to classrooms in Bellevue
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees
Lawsuit filed to overturn emergency ban on use of credit scores to set insurance rates
Northwest seaports announce plan to cut all emissions by 2050
Cleanup of half-mile stretch of homeless encampments underway in Olympia
2 Washington cities ranked among ‘most relaxed’ cities
Seattle gets its largest weekly allotment of COVID vaccine doses to date
New COVID-19 testing facility opens at SEA Airport
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Inslee signs bill restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated Washingtonians (Simmons)
Hate crime suspect took part in Seattle’s racial justice protests
Seattle ramps up efforts at mass vaccination sites
Washington state juggles COVID-19 vaccine supply before all adults are eligible
Olympia cleans up sprawling homeless encampment amid concern over what’s next
KNKX FM
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees (Simmons)
King County residents, workers over 16 can now register for vaccine
KUOW FM
Coronavirus blog: Updates for Seattle and Washington state
Biden To Nominate Gun Control Advocate, Law Enforcement Veteran To Lead ATF
Almost 19,000 Migrant Children Stopped At U.S. Border in March, Most Ever In A Month
Miles de personas acuden en masa al sitio de vacunación masiva de Yakima
Voter rights keep expanding in Washington state, as other states restrict
Heavier rainfall to cost Seattle area billions to avoid sewage spills
Thousands flock to Yakima mass vaccination site
KXLY (ABC)
Small business owners take advantage of grants; deadline to apply for another round Friday
WSDOT showcases the state’s wildlife crossings for National Wildlife Week
Washington Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
Nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state
Q13 TV (Fox)
House OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force (Johnson)
Biden to announce executive orders Thursday on America’s ‘gun violence public health epidemic’
Businesses concerned over possibility of moving backward in phases
Law enforcement reform bills advance in Olympia
Bellevue stands against racial biases with ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ campaign
Web
Crosscut
How fired cops win their jobs back: arbitration (Salomon)
Nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state
Opinion: After Blake, will Washington state repay victims of the war on drugs?
Getting the story: How we investigated cops’ credibility problems
MyNorthwest
Rep. Walsh introduces bill prohibiting ‘vaccine passports’ in Washington
Cleanup of half-mile stretch of homeless encampments underway in Olympia
King, Pierce counties could be rolled back into Phase 2 next week
King County needle exchange program halted in Federal Way after outcry from city leaders
Group sues to stop Washington ban on using credit scores for insurance rates
Union vows to continue battle over firing of SPD officer who punched handcuffed suspect
State Senate passes bill to ban use of Native American mascots in schools
House, Senate pass set of bills to improve unemployment system