Employee vaccination rates are high at Washington state’s public universities
At WSU and the state’s five other institutions of higher learning, the vaccination rate for employees as of midweek last week was high — ranging from 88% (at least partially vaccinated) on the low end at WSU to 98% on the high end at the University of Washington and The Evergreen State College. Last week, Washington’s public universities rushed to reconcile the vaccination statuses of their workers, and got ready to cut ties with those who miss Monday’s deadline to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate for government workers. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Ringman)
Child care costs more than college in Washington. Democrats in Congress want to change that.
In Washington, child care for an infant under age 1 costs an average of $14,554 a year while college costs $6,830, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank. In Idaho, with the nation’s lowest minimum wage, infant care still costs about as much as college tuition, an average of $7,474 a year. Care for a 4-year-old costs a yearly average of $11,051 in Washington and $6,454 in Idaho. Continue reading at The Spokesman Review. (Colin Mulvany)
Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
State and local public health departments across the country have endured not only the public’s fury, but widespread staff defections, burnout, firings, unpredictable funding and a significant erosion in their authority to impose the health orders that were critical to America’s early response to the pandemic. While the coronavirus has killed more than 700,000 in the United States in nearly two years, a more invisible casualty has been the nation’s public health system. Continue reading at The New York Times.
Associated Press
Seattle schools suspending 142 bus routes because of driver shortage
20 federal health care workers to help with COVID in Spokane
EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Auburn Reporter
King County councilmember proposes program to aid transition of Afghan interpreters who served the U.S. overseas
Bainbridge Island Review
$500 incentive approved for county employees who received vaccine
BI looks at law for waste reduction
Bellevue Reporter
State AG Ferguson leads effort supporting local journalism
Bellingham Herald
Here’s what the global supply chain woes will mean for Whatcom holiday shoppers
Roadside debris is more than litter in Washington state, it’s deadly
How Whatcom stands as state vaccination deadline looms
Vaccination rates in 2 Whatcom regions under 50%, but health department’s not giving up
Whatcom County sees 2 more COVID-related deaths, 58 more cases reported Friday
U.S. expected to loosen border travel restrictions with Canada on Nov. 8
Why did thousands of Chinook salmon die this month in the Nooksack River’s South Fork?
Nooksack Indian Tribe, Whatcom County environmental leaders discuss Tribe’s climate plan
Capital Press
EO Media Group buys The Growers’ Guide
Inslee, Murray to assess Snake River dam breaching
Columbian
Washougal physician assistant’s license suspended over COVID actions
Opinion: In Our View: Inslee should suspend WA Cares program law
Opinion: Cheers & Jeers: Welcome home; don’t meddle
Everett Herald
Union: Community Transit vaccine mandate puts jobs in ‘jeopardy’
Get ready for La Niña and a soggy winter in Snohomish County
Another housing unit at Monroe prison targeted for closure
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Alaska Airlines stalls plan for extra flights in Everett
Some Boeing workers protest in Everett over vaccine mandate
WaPo Comment: What climate science can learn from forecasters
WaPo Comment: Pastors in ‘Blacked-Robed Regiment’ get history wrong
Comment: Computer model shows lives saved by covid vaccines
Comment: Aiding child care businesses key to jobs, recovery
Comment: Domestic violence, abuse is everyone’s concern
Comment: Meager SNAP increase an insult to our nation
Federal Way Mirror
New Sound Transit program helps South King County students learn through the arts
The Inlander
As pandemic rages on, Spokane health district employees say poor leadership is driving dozens to leave agency
Drive-up weekday COVID testing opens Monday, Oct. 18, at Spokane Falls Community College
Islands’ Weekly
State ferry temporary schedule changes starting Saturday, Oct. 16
Issaquah Reporter
Opinion: Why should the threat to Taiwan concern us in WA? | Brunell
Kitsap Sun
Shipyards’ commander: ‘…If you are not vaccinated, you will not work for the U.S. Navy’
As staffing woes plague Washington State Ferries, what can be done to right the ship?
News Tribune
Pierce County allocates all COVID-19 funds, but less than a quarter has been spent
How a fallen redwood became a symbol that will soon sit on the Gig Harbor waterfront
East Pierce Fire responded to 2,500 additional calls this year, asks for levy lid lift
The roofs leak. One office was a bathroom. Puyallup police ask voters for new building
Key Peninsula’s first senior living to use design showing success with COVID rates
Pierce County settles Sheriff’s Department shooting lawsuit for $3.5 million
New York Times
Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
As Rents Rise, So Do Pressures on People at Risk of Eviction
Biden Administration Plans New Regulations for Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
Lawmakers question whether Amazon executives, including Jeff Bezos, misled Congress.
More Lead-Tainted Water in Michigan Draws Attention to Nation’s Aging Pipes
As Manchin Blocks Climate Plan, His State Can’t Hold Back Floods
Democrats Weigh Carbon Tax After Manchin Rejects Key Climate Provision
Olympian
After slow start, Thurston County rent relief dollars now flowing to those in need
Thurston County may get high speed internet thanks to Nisqually tribe
Washington state workers largely comply with Monday’s vaccine deadline, data show
Peninsula Daily News
Monday is state’s deadline for vaccine
Leland, Anderson lakes toxic
Puget Sound Business Journal
Harborview Medical Center to require visitors to show proof of Covid-19 status
Wall Street sees a record-deal spree as reason for optimism
Here’s which Washington state counties are buying the most cannabis in 2021
Seattle Times
Employee vaccination rates are high at Washington state’s public universities
Why is it so hard to find a bathroom in Seattle?
Researchers make surprising discovery while tracking Chinook salmon in Salish Sea, B.C.
Coronavirus daily news updates, October 18: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world
Northwest farmers who lost crops to extreme heat eligible for federal disaster relief
New University of Washington behavioral health facility will expand workforce, access to inpatient psychiatric beds in Seattle
How his twin brother’s deathbed plea was a call to action for Washington state’s insurance commissioner
Washington governor, senator want answers on how to replace benefits of Lower Snake River dams
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County records 382 new COVID-19 cases for the week
Snoqualmie Valley Record
County officals say it could be an active flood season in the Valley
Sol De Yakima
Vacunas antigrales son importantes en la pandemia, dice funcionaria de salud de Yakima
South Whidbey Record
Coupeville employees to receive COVID premium pay
State rep to host mental health roundtable (Paul)
Spokesman Review
Three Washington Democrats at center of crafting bill to ‘fundamentally reshape the American economy’
Child care costs more than college in Washington. Democrats in Congress want to change that.
Inslee: Nine out of 10 state workers complied with vaccine mandate
For the first time in a decade, Washington wildlife officials sample for chronic wasting disease on opening day of deer hunting season
Tri-City Herald
Grim record set for Tri-Cities. 23 COVID deaths reported this week
Inslee, Murray plan new report on breaching Snake River dams. ‘We need an answer …’
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla Valley workforce slowly rebuilding after the end of federal pandemic unemployment benefits
October is Bullying Prevention Month at Walla Walla Public Schools
Creating a behavioral health map for Walla Walla County
Washington Post
Colin L. Powell, former secretary of state and military leader, dies at 84
Biden administration moves to curtail toxic ‘forever chemicals’
What to know about the covid-19 treatment molnupiravir
Medicare vision, hearing and dental benefits are No. 1 on progressives’ list
Advocates worry Biden is letting U.S. democracy erode on his watch
Ahmaud Arbery’s killing changed his Georgia community. Now three men will stand trial for murder.
How extreme weather and the pandemic have exposed fatal flaws in science communication
Strikes are sweeping the labor market as workers wield new leverage
Opinion: Racial disparities may be emerging in breakthrough infections. We must track them better.
Whidbey News-Times
Mukilteo-Clinton ferry route drops to one-boat service
Yakima Herald Republic
Removal of concrete Nelson Dam set to begin Monday
It Happened Here: Washington becomes nation’s leading apple producer
Yakima County COVID-19 trends improving, but transmission and death totals remain high
Yakima Council to consider making Juneteenth a city holiday
Monoclonal antibody treatment available in Yakima County
Editorial: Some great news you might not have heard
Broadcast
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Deadline for state workers, others to show proof of vaccination is Monday
Olympia police close streets for bomb threat
20 federal health care workers to help with COVID in Spokane
Some first responders start packing up ahead of vaccine requirement
Pierce County settles Sheriff’s Department shooting lawsuit for $3.5 million
Seattle Public Schools to suspend 142 bus routes on Monday
Judge denies request to halt vaccine mandate for Washington state employees
Over 100 King County Metro bus trips canceled
KNKX FM
Colin Powell, a former secretary of state, dies at 84
KUOW FM
When Hospitals Are Overwhelmed and Out of Options, They All Call the Same Number
In King County, rent relief is flowing but funds are drying up
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW
Unvaccinated Washington state employees face their last day on the job
The political fight over vaccine mandates deepens despite their effectiveness
Heat-loving bacteria kills thousands of Washington salmon
What La Niña could have in store for the Northwest over winter 2021
KXLY (ABC)
Monday marks deadline for Washington state employees to be fully vaccinated
Spokane Public Schools seeks input from parents in town halls for district plan
NW Public Radio
Franklin County Latino Population Wants More Redistricting Information In Spanish
Web
Crosscut
The carbon fight’s mundane frontier: Retrofitting homes and buildings
MyNorthwest
Olympia police close streets for potential bomb threat
UW doctor: When to use a PCR versus rapid antigen test for COVID-19
Naval Station Everett welcomes USS John S. McCain
What to know now that Oct. 18 deadline for vaccine mandate has arrived
Last of Seattle Public Library branch closures from pandemic comes to an end
New rules for visitors to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle
Seattle Police Chief asks officers to submit vaccine paperwork
Boeing employees protest vaccine mandate in Everett
With focus on ‘preservation,’ Wallingford inches closer to historic district designation
Judge denies request to halt vaccine mandate for Washington state employees
Machinists union set to bargain over COVID vaccine mandate with Boeing