WA to get $183M from Purdue Pharma settlement, more than double original proposal
Washington will receive $183 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as a result of the state’s lawsuit over the widely abused prescription painkiller OxyContin, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced. The settlement amount is more than double what the state was initially slated to get under a prior bankruptcy plan, announced last year. Under that plan, which Ferguson objected to in August, Washington would have gotten $70 million. Ferguson and nine other state attorneys general argued that the proposed settlement had been far too lenient and allowed the Sackler family, which founded and owns Purdue Pharma, to walk away with a “legal shield for life.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Mark Lennihan)
For some WA families, gardening starts with food stamps
Many people know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, known colloquially as food stamps, makes it possible for more people to buy food at the grocery store. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or making about $4,400 per month for a family of four, can use their SNAP benefits to purchase milk, bread, vegetables and various other food products. Immigrants may be eligible for the State Food Assistance Program, which offers the same benefits as SNAP. But fewer people know that these benefits can help them grow their own fresh produce, according to people involved in King County gardening nonprofits and the SNAP program itself. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Hannah Weinberger)
State expands free COVID testing program to allow two orders per month
Washington households can now order a free COVID test kit directly to their homes twice a month, while supplies last. The Washington Department of Health announced Wednesday that the state’s online portal that allows residents to order COVID-19 rapid tests directly to their homes will now allow residents to place two orders a month. Residents can go to sayyescovidhometest.org to order the test kits, which each contain five tests. The website originally launched in January and quickly ran out of tests. Continue reading at KIRO 7.
Associated Press
Trade group settles state’s GMO-labeling case for $9 million
Man pleads not guilty in death of officer killed by deputy
House passes bill allowing unionization for staff in 2024
Auburn Reporter
Ukrainian Honorary Consul speaks out about Russian invasion of Ukraine
Community testifies in support of restorative justice for youth in South King County cities
Bellingham Herald
Average gas prices top $4 in Bellingham. Will it keep going up?
Find out if you’re eligible for discounted internet in Whatcom County
These high sewer rates coming as Bellingham replaces treatment plant incinerators
This is Bellingham’s plan to improve waste water treatment
Southern Resident orcas welcome first newborn calf into J Pod in more than two years
This is what Bellingham’s private security does downtown
Capital Press
Food makers settle with Washington state for $9M over initiative campaign
Balcom new National Potato Council president
Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Legislature should address homeless crisis
Everett Herald
New calf born to endangered southern resident orcas
Edmonds budget amendment saga ends with $400K in spending cuts
Boeing buys 2 million gallons of aviation biofuel
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Our part in helping Ukraine and Ukrainians
Letter: Legislation offers solutions to siting solar panels
The Facts Newspaper
Eighteen South King County Organizations to Receive $687,000 For Environmental Improvements
State Public Works Board accepting broadband construction loan applications through April 26
News Tribune
Is city ramming through a big warehouse project in South Tacoma? Some folks think so
Home builder bringing expanding workforce to Tacoma to establish new headquarters
Op-Ed: Pierce County can’t solve housing, homelessness crises alone. WA lawmakers must invest big
New York Times
Live Updates: 1 Million Have Fled Ukraine; Russia Bombards Key Cities
Jan. 6 Committee Lays Out Potential Criminal Charges Against Trump
War Abroad and Politics at Home Push U.S. Climate Action Aside
As Biden Pivots, Democrats Seek to Salvage His Domestic Agenda
Sacklers and Purdue Pharma Reach New Deal With States Over Opioids
Judge Jackson Begins Making Her Own Case for High Court Seat
This Map Shows Where Biodiversity Is Most at Risk in America
Texas Court Halts Investigation of Parents Over Care for Transgender Youth
The World Is Awash in Plastic. Nations Plan a Treaty to Fix That.
Olympian
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Recalled powdered infant formulas may be linked to illness, WA health department says
Southern Resident orcas welcome first newborn calf into J Pod in more than two years
Providence hospitals sued by WA state over billing of lower income patients
Peninsula Daily News
New COVID-19 cases in single digits
FEMA approves more than $585,000 in funding for Clallam County
Judge overturns state’s new capital gains tax
Puget Sound Business Journal
Biden calls for HBCU support ahead of 2022 budget deadline
Pandemic no longer forefront concern of CRE industry as broader economic, global issues take center stage
Report: U.S. mortgage lending drops 13% annually at close of 2021
New Port commissioner outlines plans to tackle supply chain, climate challenges
Business openings rebound to pre-pandemic levels
Seattle Medium
Powdered Infant Formula Recall Expands Following Reports Of Bacterial Infections
Seattle Times
WA to get $183M from Purdue Pharma settlement, more than double original proposal
Staffing problems clash with COVID concerns as police hiring in Seattle suburb stirs debate
Everyone’s test scores are down. What does that mean for schools in Washington state?
WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces $9M settlement in grocery industry campaign-finance case
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County mental health center hits another snag
South Seattle Emerald
Landmark Seattle Proposal Would Guarantee Gig Workers a Minimum Wage
Birth Doulas Rally for Pathway to Certification in Washington State
CDCHC Workers Unionize, New Chief Librarian at SPL, & More
Muralist Henry Luke Brings Community Stories Into Public Art
Spokesman Review
Bill to allow state to lease land along I-90 to Spokane passes Legislature (Billig, Riccelli)
Washington residents eligible for more free COVID home tests; some testing sites change hours or locations
Washington Senate passes resolution honoring Ukrainian people as ‘shocking’ Russian invasion intensifies
Export fuel tax out of transportation package after concerns from neighboring states (Fey)
Tri-City Herald
Hundreds gather in Richland for anti-war, pro-Ukraine demonstration
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Foundation seeks grant applications from Walla Walla nonprofits
Washington Post
Russia takes Kherson government building in siege of Ukraine’s port cities
White-supremacist propaganda remained high in the United States in 2021, new ADL report says
Jan. 6 committee alleges Trump, allies engaged in potential ‘criminal conspiracy’ by trying to block Congress from certifying election
Biden administration requests $32.5 billion in Ukraine aid and coronavirus funds as spending talks continue
Trump’s border wall has been breached more than 3,000 times by smugglers, CBP records show
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima County deputy prosecutor on unpaid leave after sex-crime charges filed
Yakama Nation condemns Russia for invading Ukraine
Bloomberg Comment: Putin has unleashed a new age of nuclear proliferation
Chicago Tribune Opinion: China is faced with a stark choice: Support a free Ukraine or risk global isolation alongside Russia
Letter: Why keep attacking Trump? He’s not in charge
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Downtown Seattle business continues remote work because of crime, not COVID
Bainbridge Ferry walkway to be rebuilt starting this summer
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Focus shifts to home testing as some COVID-19 vaccination sites close
New baby born in Southern Resident orca J Pod
Mudslide on SR 18 in Federal Way causes traffic woes
Stolen catalytic converter from delivery van threatens nonprofit’s mission to feed homeless kids
State expands free COVID testing program to allow two orders per month
Construction, development of first all-electric jet occurring in Arlington
Final push on new I-5 bridge in Tacoma begins soon. Decades-long HOV project nears end
African-Americans at high risk for glaucoma, others at risk, too
Seattle City Council approves $220K in retroactive SPD hiring bonuses
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington state lawmakers pause to show solidarity with Ukrainian people (Pedersen)
Tiny house villages in Seattle growing source of frustration for some neighbors
Seattle clears notorious encampment at Mercer Street in South
Can you afford to buy a house in the Seattle area? For many, the answer is no
KNKX Public Radio
‘I speak of him in present tense’: Tacoma marks two years without Manuel Ellis as officers await trial
Washington’s longtime insurance commissioner accused of mistreating staff
Washington House jettisons exported fuel tax proposal that angered neighboring states (Fey)
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle area prepares to welcome Ukrainian refugees
Pandemic updates: Some health care workers urge people to keep masking
A million people have fled Ukraine as Russia nears takeover of port city
Jan. 6 panel says it has evidence Trump broke laws in trying to overturn the election
Their son died in a hazing incident at WSU. Now they’re pushing for a new state law
Who will keep their masks on after the mandates end?: Today So Far
New baby orca for Puget Sound’s J Pod
KXLY (ABC)
Stevens County deputies will soon be equipped with body cameras
NW Public Radio
Washington’s Longtime Insurance Commissioner Accused Of Mistreating Staff
Web
Crosscut
No increased WA gas tax in ‘unprecedented’ $16.8B transportation budget (Saldaña)
For some WA families, gardening starts with food stamps
MyNorthwest
Squaring the circle: Housing Seattle’s homeless as City austerity budget dawns
Lawmakers introduce bill to have state agencies cut all ties with Russian companies
Google to return Seattle employees on hybrid model, will require vaccines for in-person work
Seattle libraries select new chief librarian following remote work controversy
Eastside police departments form Regional Catalytic Converter Task Force
Mayor Harrell to announce decision on Seattle police chief by end of month
Washington health leaders urge continued mask wearing after mandate lifts
The Stranger
Council Feels “Forced” to Let Cops Spend $50,000 in Falsely Promised Hiring Bonuses
West Seattle Blog
Ferry dock at Lincoln Park? Lowman Beach? Current location? Or? Fauntleroy terminal replacement ‘draft alternatives’ unveiled
ORCAS: Happy and sad news for Southern Resident Killer Whales, including a birth
PHOTOS: Our Lady of Guadalupe’s prayer walk for Ukraine peace