WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, December 9

dead kelp

PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave
During the past summer’s stifling heat wave, Robin Fales patrolled the same sweep of shore on Washington’s San Juan Island every day at low tide. The stench of rotting sea life grew as temperatures edged toward triple digits — roughly 30 degrees above average — and Fales watched the beds of kelp that she studies wilt and fade. “They were bleaching more than I had ever seen,” recalled Fales, a Ph.D. candidate and marine ecologist at the University of Washington. She didn’t know whether they would make it. Never in recorded history had the Pacific Northwest experienced anything like the “heat dome” that clamped down on the region in late June 2021. Temperatures reached a withering 116 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland and 121 degrees in Lytton, British Columbia — the highest ever recorded north of the 45th parallel. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Robin Fales)


girl receives vaccination with the comfort of a therapy dog

More than 200 million people in the U.S. are now fully vaccinated, though deaths and cases are still rising
The United States reached a significant milestone late Wednesday, with more than 200 million people now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — about 60 percent of the population. In the past week, an average of 1.92 million doses per day were administered — a 35 percent increase over the week before — according to data from The Washington Post’s tracker. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (David Goldman/AP)


State Senator George Fleming

Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Groundbreaking Seattle legislator and college football star George Fleming has died at age 83, family members said. Fleming died Monday at his Seattle home, according to a statement from Fleming’s family on Wednesday. Fleming was elected to the state House in 1968 and two years later was elected to the state Senate, becoming its second African American member. He was chair of the Senate Democratic caucus between 1980 and 1988. Continue reading at The Olympian.


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Associated Press
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen High School locked down on Wednesday because of nearby shooting

Bellingham Herald
COVID infection rates climb in five Whatcom regions, including big growth in four regions
Parking at Trader Joe’s is a little tougher… here’s an update on border traffic
Bellingham’s Sehome High School locked down Wednesday, closed Thursday
Lowland flurries possible ahead of big storm aiming for Whatcom County
Whatcom may be seeing post-Thanksgiving COVID increase, as state reports 84 new cases

Capital Press
Willamette Egg Farms sold to Iowa-based management company
Environmental group sues Army Corps over pollution from Columbia River dams

Columbian
In Our View: Fossil-fuel moratorium a key step for climate

The Daily News
Cowlitz County COVID-19 cases flatten, hospitalizations increase; Link plans vaccine clinic
Port of Longview’s strong third quarter clears way for record year

Everett Herald
City of Everett outlines light rail priorities for 2037
Family suing over police killing of man near Everett
COVID vaccine is a game-changer for keeping our kids healthy
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Are ‘streateries’ here to stay in Edmonds? Survey says yes
Low income, food insecurity are major factors behind obesity
Bill to reduce catalytic converter thefts introduced in state
Bloomberg comment: Comment: Yes to boosters, but no to mandating them
Bloomberg comment: Comment: As robots replace workers, a crisis of masculinity?
Editorial: Editorial: Brief delay in WA Cares could allow needed fixes
Letter: Getting hard to deny racism’s presence in our schools

The Inlander
Pandemic burnout exacerbates the serious worker shortage at local hospitals
Farm labor was in short supply for decades: The pandemic presented new challenges

Journal of the San Juan Islands
COVID-19 boosters essential for protection as omicron variant spreads across the country

News Tribune
Lakewood mayor decides to step down after nearly a decade
Clover Park High School considers four options to replace its previous Warriors mascot
Public camping ban riles Tacoma City Council. Here’s what happened to the proposal
Preliminary plans filed for possible new medical clinic tied to St. Joseph hospital

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: F.D.A. Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Boosters for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Biden Orders Federal Vehicles and Buildings to Use Renewable Energy by 2050

Olympian
Olympia committee denies OSD request to put school at proposed Yelm Highway park
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Here’s how one state legislator would pay off the Narrows Bridge and remove tolls
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
King County sharing details of its first Omicron case. Pierce, Thurston counties are not
Most residents moved to hotels as city dismantles Deschutes Parkway homeless camp
Tumwater City Council approves mayor’s proposal tied to Port of Olympia property
Nurse’s morphine thefts left Washington patient in ‘excruciating pain,’ feds say

Peninsula Daily News
Olympic National Park chief to leave for Alaska
Reinfections studied to see if omicron is on Peninsula
Port Townsend City Council OKs budget of $45.3 M

Port Townsend Leader
Another COVID-19 death reported in Jefferson County

Puget Sound Business Journal
Infrastructure package will bolster construction industry but inflation, labor will remain challenges in 2022
Tacoma approves historic rezoning plan, clearing path for denser housing
These types of businesses are seeing the highest quit rates
Survey: Most King County residents planning to move want to leave the region
Amazon’s cloud outage showed its immense reach. Here’s why that could be a problem.        
Group of 12 academics takes on the controversial issue of freedom of expression on campus
Omicron, flight-to-quality: What’s expected for 2022’s office-market recovery

Seattle Medium
Groundbreaking Metro Transit Updates Passed By King County Council
DEEL Awards Nearly $3M To Child Care Workers For Their Service Throughout The COVID-19 Pandemic

Seattle Times
When the bullying became unbearable, teen reached for help — and found a lifeline in Kent
Seattle area to see strong winds, drenching rain; loads of snow expected in mountains
‘You don’t know how to grieve’: Loved ones of missing Federal Way teen gather 24 years later
Seattle officer who rolled bike over protester’s head gets 7-day suspension
Opinion: Remembering Jolene Unsoeld, Northwest trailblazer

The Skanner
Cop Who Rolled Bike Over Protester’s Head Gets Suspension

Sol De Yakima
Distrito Escolar de Yakima planea abrir cooperativa de salud, remodelar auditorio de Davis
Sigue búsqueda de mujer de Sunnyside que desapareció tras tiroteo, robo de auto en agosto
¿Quiere cubiertos con su comida para llevar? A partir del próximo año, tendrá que pedirlos en Washington

South Seattle Emerald
Black Educators Closing Equity Gaps For African American Students And Teachers
Systemic Fault Lines For Undocumented Community Revealed By The Pandemic, New Report Shows

Spokesman Review
Unvaccinated people still make up the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations at Providence
Christmas Bureau gifts offer solace to families struggling to pay rent, groceries, bills
After crowd boos over kneeling during anthem, Gonzaga women stand together to offer message of hope

Tri-City Herald
Richland City Council officially hires its interim city manager for $12,000 more a year
Columbia Riverkeeper sues Army Corps, claims hot water discharge from dams kills fish
Franklin County commissioners raise sales tax to fund mental health, detox services
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
COVID Update: Vashon experts monitoring Omicron situation
Opinion: The absurdity of living with greenhouse gases

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Attempt to revive defunct flood control district in Waitsburg stymied by lack of records

Washington Post
Long covid is destroying careers, leaving economic distress in its wake
Rapid coronavirus tests are still hard to find in many places, despite Biden vows
FDA authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds amid omicron threat
More than 200 million people in the U.S. are now fully vaccinated, though deaths and cases are still rising
Early studies suggest omicron is formidable — but not unstoppable
How can schools detect potentially violent students? Researchers have an answer.
Without access to charging stations, Black and Hispanic communities may be left behind in the era of electric vehicles

Yakima Herald-Republic
White Pass, other ski areas in region shift toward sustainability as temperatures warm
Yakima will designate secure parking lot for people living in vehicles
Vaccine makers racing to update COVID shots, just in case
Proposed expansion to Naches urban growth area faces opposition
King County COVID-19 omicron patient had not traveled

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Omicron case in King County indicates local spread, health officials say
Organized shoplifting on the rise in western Washington
Vaccine makers racing to update COVID shots, just in case
Catalytic converter thefts get attention of Washington state lawmakers
‘I think we have turned a corner’: Seattle unveils new model in dealing with homeless camps
US unemployment claims drop to 184,000, lowest since 1969

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
US to expand COVID-19 booster shots, 16-year-olds eligible
More than 60 earthquakes occur off Oregon Coast
City of Olympia clears encampment at Deschutes Parkway
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Nonprofit suing Army Corps over pollution in Columbia River

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King Co. omicron patient had not recently traveled, suggesting community spread
Cop who rolled bike over protester’s head gets suspension
Seattle man charged in Chinatown-International District shooting charged in another case

KNKX Public Radio
Why Biden is hosting more than 100 countries to talk about democracy

KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
1 in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs
For kids grappling with the pandemic’s traumas, art classes can be an oasis

KXLY (ABC)
Stevens Pass reopens in both directions

Q13 TV (FOX)
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Crews cleaning up oil spill at Colman Dock
Did the system fail Oakley Carlson? 5-year-old Washington girl remains missing

Web

Crosscut
PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave
25 Climate actions Cascadia could take in 2022

MyNorthwest
Seattle police officer who rolled bicycle over protester’s head suspended for 7 days
Drivers frustrated as they wait for Snoqualmie Pass to reopen
King County omicron patient did not report recent travel, suggesting local spread

The Vancougar
Groundbreaking Sciences Building Set To Appear On Campus (Wylie, Frockt)

West Seattle Blog
Earthquake readiness beyond your disaster kit, and what else District 1 Community Network heard about this month