More than 300 wildfires burn across British Columbia; more blazes in Washington, Oregon and California
With another stretch of extreme heat, one of the worst droughts in recent history, 300 fires burning in British Columbia, 24 in California, 14 in Idaho, 13 in Oregon, and four in Washington, it’s safe to say wildfire season is here. In Washington, the Batterman Road fire near Wenatchee has burned more than 14,000 acres and 12,000 acres have been consumed by the Burbank fire near Yakima, which is 20% contained. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (James MacDonald)
WA civil forfeiture law turns minor drug offenses into major losses
Asset forfeiture is increasingly employed as an adjunct or, in some cases, alternative to criminal prosecution, especially in drug cases. It enables police departments in all but a few states to seize, keep and sell property — from guns, cash, cars and homes to lawn mowers and fishing lures — connected to a crime. Washington’s forfeiture laws, among the most lax and opaque in the nation, grant police wide latitude in seizures with minimal oversight. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Dorothy Edwards)
Op-Ed: Black, Latino healthcare disparities were harmful pre-existing condition before COVID-19
This past year brought a racial reckoning in Washington and across the country. As COVID-19 spread through the Evergreen State, the pandemic exposed shortcomings in the country’s healthcare infrastructure, which failed communities of color. Eighty one percent of Americans agree the coronavirus crisis has exposed flaws in our current healthcare system, according to new research from Consumers for Quality care with ALG Research and Public Opinion Strategies. Continue reading at The News Tribune.
Associated Press
Man files excessive force claim against 2 Tacoma officers
Lawyers for Seattle officers leave public records case
69.6% of people 16 and up have had at least 1 COVID-19 shot
Smoke, extreme heat pose harsh test for West Coast vineyards
Wildfires rage as US West grapples with heatwave, drought
Renovations will let salmon species return to Lunds Gulch in Edmonds
Aberdeen Daily World
Congressman Kilmer visits Aberdeen to talk rail separation funding
Housing Authority of Grays Harbor County to accept waitlist applications
Editorial: East Aberdeen rail project would benefit region
Auburn Reporter
Crime in Auburn increased slightly in 2020
Bainbridge Island Review
Island Center density key issue for BI planning commission
9 new cases of COVID in Kitsap
Ban on all outdoor burning in Kitsap
Transit rider restrictions lifted
Bellingham Herald
In Whatcom County, these industries pay wages well above the national average
These notices from landlords are beginning to show up at renters’ doors, stoking fears
This is what the heat wave did at Mount Baker and what that means for Whatcom County
Even if U.S.-Canada border reopens July 21, one group won’t be allowed for ‘quite a while’ (Rule)
These restaurant expansions, recovery from fire and no ice coming up in Bellingham
Inslee calls this new Whatcom business ‘a moral victory’ in climate change fight
Crime was up nearly 20% across Whatcom County in 2020, but what drove that increase?
One Whatcom region has a COVID infection rate of zero, while rates in 4 others decreased
Columbian
Editorial: In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: No big bangs; short on shots
Courier-Herald
Enumclaw and White River will distribute food weekly throughout the summer
State joins Plastics Pact 2025, committing to fight plastic pollution
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
New evacuation orders are issued as firefighters continue to fight Burbank fire
Coroner: 7 deaths in Yakima County are linked to heat wave
Washington issues emergency measures for workers working in extreme heat
Small farmer conference returns in Yakima
Everett Herald
State makes low interest loans available to small businesses
Geography defines who gets grocery hazard pay — and who doesn’t
Arlington and Marysville trade open space for local jobs
Lake Stevens faces fine for alleged worker safety violations
At Meadowdale Beach, the salmon will return to a new estuary
Inslee meets with ‘Science Guy’ Bill Nye at Mount St. Helens
No quick solutions to Highway 9 commute through Snohomish
Bloomberg Comment: Congress’ compromise on broadband fails students
Bloomberg Comment: Consumers should reclaim their right to repair
High Country News
Interior looks into the legacy of Native boarding schools
Why the poaching of one gray wolf in Washington matters
The Inlander
Spokane Public Schools grapples with criticism that new school boundaries will damage equity goals
Historic, deadly heat wave hits Inland Northwest, forcing blackouts that raise questions about our electric future
Inside the politicized fight over “critical race theory”
International Examiner
SCIDpda breaks ground on Yesler Family Housing building
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Islands receive more than $2 million in recreation grants
Council to hold vacation rental moratorium public hearing
Kent Reporter
Kent City Council appoints two to Land Use and Planning Board
Kent apartment rents jump 8.7% in June compared to same month in 2020
Sound Transit to get $158M federal grant for light rail extension
Kitsap Sun
Sewer replacement one of multiple projects that will affect travel in Bremerton this summer
Mercer Island Reporter
Mercer Island mayor issues proclamation rejecting anti-Semitism
City seeks advisory board members
Mercer Island Fire assists with backfilling during Eastern Washington brush fires
‘It’s a critical intersection for the city’
News Tribune
Puyallup looks again to lessen traffic backups on busy Shaw Road by adding lanes
How badly did the recent record heat wave damage Washington’s shellfish beds?
Tacoma officer who ran over man in ’14 didn’t face review board, discipline. Here’s why
Authorities release name of state trooper who fatally shot suspected truck thief in Fife
Op-Ed: Black, Latino healthcare disparities were harmful pre-existing condition before COVID-19
Op-Ed: Inslee loudly, proudly reopened Washington. Why is he quietly extending emergency order?
New York Times
E.P.A. Approved Toxic Chemicals for Fracking a Decade Ago, New Files Show
Citing the Delta Variant, Pfizer Will Pursue Booster Shots and a New Vaccine
Like in ‘Postapocalyptic Movies’: Heat Wave Killed Marine Wildlife en Masse
E.U. Delays Digital Levy as Tax Talks Proceed
Olympian
More than $1.7B needed to remake state psychiatric hospital in Lakewood, new plan says
Remembering Barnett Moss, a Capitol fixture who charmed many with his silence
Lacey to address septic system that threatens 2 Thurston County creeks
Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID claims 19th victim on Peninsula
Emergency approval intensive process, health officers say
Port Townsend Leader
JeffCo businesses welcome Washington’s reopening from pandemic shutdown
Five new COVID-19 infections found in Port Townsend
Puget Sound Business Journal
King, Pierce counties buy up hotels to shelter the homeless
Puyallup must pay contractor’s legal fees, state Supreme Court rules
SBA preparing new PPP loan forgiveness portal for small businesses
The SAF Bet: How airlines, jet makers are pursuing a greener future
Biden signs order to urge more scrutiny of big business
Forget payday. On-demand pay gains traction amid labor shortage
Real estate groups are converting hotels into new housing. But such deals are getting harder to come by.
Renton Reporter
King County Councilmember proposes waste-to-energy alternative to Cedar Hills Landfill
Runta News
Muslim Housing’s Move to Mega $95 Million
Seattle Times
More than 300 wildfires burn across British Columbia; more blazes in Washington, Oregon and California
The pandemic upended our lives. Here are some changes you think we should keep, to advance equity
Proposal to pave over SeaTac parkland with a parking lot draws community ire
‘He probably figured he’d tough it out’: Homeless man died in heat wave, minutes from cooling center
Opinion: The magnitude of our housing shortage requires more action
Skagit Valley Herald
Baker Lake sockeye season postponed for now
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Restaurant owners discuss labor difficulties with U.S Rep. Suzan DelBene
Snoqualmie introduces new program to reduce recidivism
South Seattle Emerald
Tax credit provides boost to families with children starting next week
Investigation implicates 2 officers in Jan. 6 riots, tests limits of subpoena power
Opinion: Grace — the lens to our hidden treasures
Opinion: Don’t be fooled by ‘Compassion’ Seattle
South Whidbey Record
Council divided on port-a-potty experiment
Tri-City Herald
Hanford workers hospitalized after feeling sick digging at nuclear waste-tainted site
This is one of Richland’s most dangerous intersections. What’s being done about it
Kennewick drivers will need patience as city starts summer road paving. Here’s where
5 WA prosecutors to review if Richland officer should be charged in shooting
5 more die of COVID in Tri-Cities area, as new daily cases continue rising
Gov. Inslee picks top-ranked family law judge for Tri-Cities Superior Court post
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
School Board Passes 2021-22 Budget, Delays Decision on Start Times
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
More West Nile found in Walla Walla County
800-acre Milton-Freewater fire contained
Washington Post
What happens to the economy when $5.2 trillion in stimulus wears off?
Cubans hold biggest anti-government protests in decades; Biden says U.S. stands with people
An American Kingdom
Texas Republicans advance voting restrictions in special session
Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan steps down, marking a symbolic end to 20 years of war
Derision, misogyny, sexual assault: VMI women face attacks on campus and online
Whidbey News-Times
Letter: Council once again reveals it doesn’t listen to citizens
Letter: Racism exists, but doesn’t represent entire community
Yakima Herald Republic
New evacuation orders as crews try to hold 7,000-acre Burbank Fire
School officials say critical race theory isn’t taught in the Yakima Valley. Here’s what to know about the debate.
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Nonprofit to hold 24-hour call to action to help end homelessness in King County
New COVID-19 relief grants aim to help small businesses in areas of King County
Inslee flies to Point Roberts to hear from the community that remains isolated by border closure
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Local researchers: COVID booster isn’t necessary yet
Wildfires in southern Oregon double in size, bring smoke
Amazon outage: Service restored after thousands report issues with online retailer’s website
Dry Gulch Fire 20% contained; 46,000 acres impacted
CDC drops mask guidance for vaccinated in schools; Washington state still evaluating
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Restaurants recovering from pandemic, face shortages, need more financial help
Seattle’s waterfront bouncing back to life following state’s reopening
30% of Mt Rainier’s snowpack melted off during historic heatwave
KNKX FM
‘The very essence of our being’: Northwest tribes, politicians gather to discuss future of salmon
Downtown Seattle business owners say recovery hinges on city addressing public safety
KUOW FM
How Well Do You Know Washington’s Mask Rules?
We know who made the call to leave Seattle Police’s East Precinct last summer, finally
KXLY (ABC)
Schools face hurdles following CDC’s new mask guidance for vaccinated students, teachers
North Cascades Highway to close Monday for fire response activity
Q13 TV (Fox)
Commentary: Brandi Kruse: Release the images that implicate officers
Web
Crosscut
WA civil forfeiture law turns minor drug offenses into major losses
MyNorthwest
Hottest June on record in the US, second hottest for Washington state
State to impose rules to protect farm workers from heat-related illnesses
Local researchers: COVID vaccine booster isn’t necessary yet
CDC says vaccinated teachers, students don’t need masks at school this fall