WA Senate passes first U.S. alert system for missing and murdered Indigenous people
A new bill to create the country’s first-ever alert system to help identify and locate missing Indigenous women and people passed the Washington state Senate Thursday, March. 3. The bill had previously passed the house unanimously on Jan. 28 and must go back for concurrence. Similar to “silver alerts” for missing vulnerable adults, the system created by House Bill 1725 would broadcast information about missing Indigenous people on message signs and highway advisory radio messages as well as through press releases to local and regional media. Continue reading at The Olympian.
Anti-hazing bill ‘Sam’s Law’ inches closer to passing WA Legislature focusing on education, transparency
An anti-hazing bill that was proposed in part in response to the death of a Washington State University student, appears headed toward passing the Washington state Legislature. House Bill 1751, which is now being amended to formally change its name to “Sam’s Law,” received broad bipartisan support in what advocates say will change the culture of college life by increasing transparency and education around hazing. If signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, the law would update the state’s 30-year-old definition of hazing and require higher education institutions to make public all reports from hazing investigations. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Courtesy of Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez)
The U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February. It’s another sign of a hot labor market
Hiring accelerated sharply last month as U.S. employers added 678,000 jobs, the largest gain since last July, as a resilient economy continues its recovery from the stubborn coronavirus pandemic. The unemployment rate fell to 3.8% last month, from 4% in January. Job gains for December and January were also revised up by a total of 92,000 jobs. The health outlook has improved significantly since a winter wave of infections tied to the omicron variant. Continue reading at KUOW. (AP)
Associated Press
WA insurance commissioner accused of mistreating staff
“Freedom Convoy” leaves Spokane for Washington, D.C.
Bellevue Reporter
King County buys La Quinta Inn & Suites in Kirkland to become homeless shelter
Bellingham Herald
This Bellingham restaurant is sending care packages to Ukraine. Here’s how to help
This Bellingham waterfront condo hits the market with a record-breaking list price
Rally, ‘teach-in’ planned as Whatcom residents react to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Nearly 40% of eligible Whatcom residents have not yet received a COVID vaccine booster
Capital Press
First Yakima water-supply forecast looks good
Everett Herald
Bill to set minimum hospital staffing dies in state Senate (Robinson, Riccelli, Sells)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Cassandra Lopez-Shaw, county’s first Latinx judge, dies at 54
International Examiner
Little Saigon 2030 Action Plan seeks community input by March 5
Kirkland Reporter
Community input needed on potential use of body-worn cameras within Kirkland Police Department
News Tribune
To support Ukraine, WA is cutting ties with Russia. Should Tacoma’s sister city be next?
Tacoma officer was justified in shooting homicide suspect who killed K-9, prosecutors say
New York Times
Ukraine Live Updates: Panic Grips Some Cities as Russia Tightens Cordon
Economic Ties Among Nations Spur Peace. Or Do They?
February Jobs Report Shows Another Strong Gain
Decades of Neglect Leave I.R.S. in Tax Season ‘Chaos’
Florida Lawmakers Vote to Ban Abortions After 15 Weeks
Olympian
WA Senate passes first U.S. alert system for missing and murdered Indigenous people (Lekanoff)
2 protests against state’s COVID-19 response planned for WA Capitol Campus on Saturday
Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County man dies of COVID-19
State residents can order more free COVID-19 tests
House passes bill allowing unionization for staff in 2024 (Riccelli)
Two fixes to police reform laws head to Inslee’s desk
Puget Sound Business Journal
US universities sever Russian ties, shed investments following Ukrainian invasion
Seattle launches $8M small business loan program
First look: Sea-Tac Airport cuts ribbon on International Arrivals Facility (Photos)
Mayor Harrell to revisit decision that killed off affordable micro-apartments
Why employers’ labor challenges won’t be going away — unless they take action.
Seattle Times
Droughts continue in the Pacific Northwest despite early snow and rain
Celebrating a grand new facility at Sea-Tac airport, WA officials pledge to welcome Ukrainian refugees
WA bill would give raises to Uber/Lyft drivers. Some in labor are concerned (Berry)
Brent Jones a step closer to being Seattle superintendent as board votes to negotiate contract with him
New traffic camera enforcement begins in Seattle. Your fine comes later
What health experts say about the ‘natural experiment’ of ditching mask mandates in WA
Anti-hazing bill ‘Sam’s Law’ inches closer to passing WA Legislature focusing on education, transparency (Heck, Leavitt)
Opinion: Prioritize small-business racial and gender equity as part of economic recovery
Skagit Valley Herald
Bill to improve riparian habitat to benefit salmon fails to make it out of committee (Lekanoff, Van De Wege)
Volunteers do their part to clean up Deception Pass State Park campgrounds
Skagit County mental health center hits another snag
South Seattle Emerald
Washington’s First Black-Owned Hospice Agency Waits For State Approval
Pallet, a For-Profit Provider of Utilitarian Shelters, Could be a Contender For County Funding
Tri-City Herald
Franklin sheriff won’t concede after Teamsters win contract dispute to go inside jail
Will there be enough water for Tri-Cities lawns and crops this year? Here’s the outlook
Former Tri-Cities fire chief to be paid $400,000+ in lawsuit over racial discrimination
Washington Post
Russia seizes nuclear plant in Ukraine; radiation levels stable after fire
Zelensky calls for direct talks with Putin; U.S. Embassy says nuclear plant attack is ‘a war crime’
New evidence shows Trump was told many times there was no voter fraud — but he kept saying it anyway
U.S. adds 678,000 jobs in February, with labor market nearing full recovery from pandemic
Yakima Herald-Republic
Sunnyside’s Nuestra Casa expands services for people seeking citizenship
Yakima Basin water supply in good shape for 2022 season, Bureau of Reclamation says
Opinion: Yakama Tribal Council’s resolution on Ukraine sets an example for us all
Comment: Putin is a prisoner of his own delusions about Ukraine. They will be his undoing
Letter: If you stand for decency, stand by Ukraine
Broadcast
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sharp surge in violence brings mobile police precinct to downtown Seattle
Activists create human mural to support saving orcas, salmon
Striking concrete workers hold rally in Seattle
City’s focus switching to mobile clinics as some vaccination sites close in Seattle
Growing call for president to ban Russian oil imports
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport unveils new international arrivals facility
WA insurance commissioner accused of mistreating staff
KUOW Public Radio
How the Olympic Marmot Became Washington’s Fuzziest State Symbol (Chopp)
The U.S. added 678,000 jobs in February. It’s another sign of a hot labor market
Civil rights activists are prepared to fight for Jackson’s nomination to the court
Abortions after 15 weeks are one signature away from being banned in Florida
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians can stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation
KXLY (ABC)
As Idaho looks to restrict abortion care, Washington seeks to protect it
Web
Crosscut
Will WA ban high-capacity gun magazines in 2022? (Liias)
Human Elements: Using Indigenous knowledge to identify toxic shellfish
MyNorthwest
Washington gas prices climb amid uncertainty with Russia
Seattle council floats using public library as emergency homeless shelter
King County moving forward with plan to convert Kirkland hotel into homeless shelter
Puget Sound orca gives birth to calf in ‘good physical condition’
Battle lines drawn in fight over historic district designation in Wallingford