Budget deal reached in Olympia pays for renter relief, mental health, student loan program
Washington’s Democratic lawmakers Wednesday announced a $64.1 billion state budget deal that pumps new dollars into government programs and funds a new transportation package, raises for state workers, rental assistance and the start of a new student loan program. Flush with higher-than-expected tax collections, Democratic budget writers spread billions of dollars around government without raising new taxes. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Amanda Snyder)
Students close to getting voting power on WA education board
When it comes to giving student advocates more say in public school systems, school leadership is all on board, so to speak. The 16 members of the Washington State Board of Education unanimously supported Senate Bill 5497, which will give student members of the board a vote in the decisions that impact their peers across the state. The student vote bill passed out of the House on March 1 and was sent to the governor for his signature. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Jovelle Tamayo)
Inflation hits another 40-year high. The war in Ukraine could make it worse
Annual inflation climbed to a new four-decade high in February, reaching alarming levels even before Russian troops moved into Ukraine, sending energy prices sharply higher. The Labor Department said Thursday that consumer prices were 7.9% higher in February than a year ago. Prices rose 0.8% between January and February — an acceleration from the month before. The annual inflation rate for February is the highest since January of 1982. Continue reading at KUOW. (AFP)
Associated Press
Panel opts against new COVID vaccine requirement for WA schools
Washington lawmakers reach budget agreements as adjournment nears (Macri)
US inflation soared 7.9% in past year, a fresh 40-year high
Auburn Reporter
Rep. Jesse Johnson announces he is not seeking re-election (Johnson)
Opinion: A closer look at gun violence in King County and beyond
Bainbridge Island Review
Police get back some pursuit, force abilities
Bellingham Herald
With gas prices giving folks sticker shock, what will it do to Whatcom’s economy?
After public outcry, Whatcom Council rethinking its closure of this popular beach
Capital Press
Investment firm eyes Yakima County solar complex
The Daily News
Washington Legislature passes bill Tuesday to curb catalytic converter thefts after pandemic-fueled rise in crime (Ryu)
Everett Herald
Dems push through sweeping $17B state transportation package (Liias, Fey)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Nursing home residents need volunteer advocates
High Country News
What’s missing in California’s solar debate
Congress meets with Native leaders to discuss co-management of federal lands
News Tribune
No criminal charges to be filed against Lakewood officer who fatally shot Said Joquin
There has been a significant jump in police shootings in Pierce County so far this year
Not all Tacoma kids are ready to ditch masks in school. The reasons might surprise you
New York Times
Ukraine Live Updates: Top Envoys Fail to Make Progress Toward Ending War
Inflation climbs to 7.9 percent, a new four-decade high.
Russia’s War Is Raising Gas Prices and Roiling Financial Markets
House Passes $1.5 Trillion Spending Bill as Democrats Drop Covid Aid
The Unseen Toll of a Warming World
Olympian
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Thurston County replaces rent and utility assistance provider after auditor’s report
Olympia Starbucks joins nationwide union push, citing ‘abysmal working conditions’
‘Stealth’ omicron cases are doubling in US, data shows. Is it a cause for concern?
Peninsula Daily News
Case rates dropping on Olympic Peninsula
Puget Sound Business Journal
Homebuilders’ stock-market values soar since Covid onset, but see muted start in 2022
Rep. Jayapal among lawmakers referring Amazon to DOJ for investigation
Several South Sound motels to be converted to affordable housing
Report: Seattle area still gaining tech jobs even as hubs grow elsewhere
Covid-19 relief for small businesses left out of $1.5T spending bill
Seattle Medium
Washington Bill To Regain Governor’s Emergency Powers At A Halt (Jinkins, Sullivan)
Seattle Pharmacies Looking Ahead
Amazon Fresh Workers Unionize
Shoreline Moves Ahead With Highway Expansion
Seattle Fentanyl Distribution Crackdown
Seattle Times
Get ready to ‘spring forward’ into daylight saving time and longer days (Riccelli)
UW survey of drug users shows fentanyl surge as King County sets record for overdose deaths
Meet 2 Washingtonians stepping up to help people in Ukraine
Budget deal reached in Olympia pays for renter relief, mental health, student loan program (Macri, Rolfes)
WA Democrats agree on funding for $17B transportation package (Liias, Saldana)
Homeless camp removal outside Seattle City Hall draws strong, divided reactions
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County to open COVID-19 test site at Cascade Mall
Bottom fish management the topic of two public Fish and Wildlife meetings
Sol De Yakima
FOTOS: Nuestra Casa conmemoran Día Internacional de la Mujer
South Seattle Emerald
Surprise Sweep Displaces Encampment, Scattering Unsheltered People Throughout Downtown
Jam Session in South Seattle Next Week Aims to Improve Gender Parity in Jazz
Seattle Asian American Film Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Spokesman Review
Spokane County median home price hits record-breaking $400,000 in February
Nurse staffing standards, Spokane sewer tax limit are among proposals that won’t become state law this year (Jinkins, Frockt)
Washington’s mask mandate is ending Saturday, but the choice will remain for schools
Legislature passes capital budget with funding for new housing and behavioral health resources in Spokane (Frockt)
Bus rapid transit, possible acceleration of North Spokane Corridor funded in legislative transportation package (Fey, Riccelli)
Washington Post
‘No off-ramps’: U.S. and European officials don’t see a clear endgame in Ukraine
Pro-Russia rebels are still using Facebook to recruit fighters, spread propaganda
Yakima Herald-Republic
How to apply for rental assistance using Yakima County’s new online portal
Political push to limit the price of insulin could affect thousands with diabetes in the Yakima Valley
Salmon forecasts show promise along with challenges
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Commuter study indicates pandemic patterns likely won’t change quickly in the Seattle metro area
Granite Falls representative investigated for swearing, yelling at security officer
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
‘Night and day’: downtown business owners hope Seattle police mobile precinct will stay
Seattle Public Schools to lift mask mandate Monday
Crews clear homeless camp outside Seattle City Hall
Use of deadly force ‘justified’ in shooting of Said Joquin, prosecutor says
Providers see a spike in eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle Public Schools to lift mask requirement Monday
WA senator pushes bill that would cut gas tax
Project delays in Seattle area mount as concrete strike enters fourth month
KNKX Public Radio
Right to repair scorecard ranks laptops, smartphones for ease of reuse and repair
Washington Legislature gets religion on earthquake retrofits for older school buildings (Frockt)
Listen: What needs to get done before legislative session ends?
Did Amazon violate federal laws? Lawmakers ask for DOJ investigation
KUOW Public Radio
Inflation hits another 40-year high. The war in Ukraine could make it worse
House advances $13.6 billion in Ukraine aid along with government funding
How concerned should you be about nuclear radiation from Ukraine?
Amazon accused by Congress of ‘potentially criminal’ lies about data use
Biden ban on Russian oil hits Anacortes, Washington refinery
KXLY (ABC)
UW survey finds ‘stunning’ surge in fentanyl use, leads state in overdoses
What’s changing for schools when Washington’s mask mandate lifts?
NW Public Radio
Democrats In WA Legislature Seal Deal For Big New Transportation Package (Liias)
Washington Legislature Gets Serious On School Earthquake Retrofits
Q13 TV (FOX)
Catalytic converter theft bill heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Ryu)
Web
Crosscut
Ukraine invasion severs decades of WA business ties with Russia
Students close to getting voting power on WA education board (Wilson)
Return to in-person class at UW raises mental health issues for some
MyNorthwest
Washington Legislature passes bill to limit catalytic converter theft (Ryu)
The Stranger
Washington State to Shore Up Abortion Protections Ahead of Expected Surge
Seattle Goes Unicorn Hunting for a New OPA Director, but Advocates Say It Might Take Two Unicorns to Keep Cops in Line