Washington governor signs $17 billion transportation package
A nearly $17 billion, 16-year transportation revenue package that will pay for a variety of projects across the state, including building four new hybrid electric ferries, was signed Friday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Inslee split his signing ceremonies between two cities, starting the morning at the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal to sign the revenue portion of the package. Later in the afternoon, he was to head to Tacoma to sign the bill that covers the projects paid for by the package. “There is no way to tackle climate change without tackling transportation and that’s what these bills do,” Inslee said. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (KNKX)
WA Legislature passes bill giving moviemakers more incentives to film in state
A bill that passed the state Legislature this month would increase the annual tax break cap for filmmakers to $15 million, quadrupling the limit to the amount of money that Washington businesses could deductively donate to support the state’s film industry. For years, Washington’s moviemaking tax breaks have lagged behind nearly every other state. Of the 33 states with film industry tax incentives, Washington’s annual cap of $3.5 million — the statewide total that businesses could receive in tax write-offs — is higher than only Nevada’s $1 million. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Lovell Holder/Seal Tree)
Why six small WA cities left thousands in federal relief unclaimed
Sifting through the reporting requirements to receive federal pandemic recovery dollars, Brier Mayor Dale Kaemingk just didn’t think his staff had the time to deal with the extra paperwork that came along with the money. For Brier, a city of about 7,000 people, the decision meant missing out on $1.9 million, equivalent to a little more than half of the city’s general fund expenditures for 2021, which pays for things such as police, fire and other city staff. Brier isn’t alone. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Lizz Giordano)
Associated Press
Washington governor signs $17 billion transportation package (Liias)
Canada Indigenous tell pope of abuses at residential schools
Bellingham Herald
Lose power in Bellingham? You may have been a theft victim and not know it
Bellingham Police recover most stolen cars, but ‘I wouldn’t dare sit in it if you paid me’
FEMA grants add to millions in Whatcom flood relief from federal, state and local sources
4 Whatcom regions post single-digit COVID infection rates … the other 3 were even lower
Bothell-Kenmore Reporter
Law signed banning sales of large capacity ammo magazines (Liias, Berg)
Capital Press
Washington’s new wolf rule would hurt ranchers most afflicted by predators, ag group says
Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Laws tightening gun rules step in right direction
Opinion: In Our View: Hard-hit Class of 2022 still has countless options
Opinion: In Our View: Fix long-term care program so it benefits all
Everett Herald
Elderly Oak Harbor woman loses house in mortgage confusion
During the pandemic, roadside trash piled up in Washington
Locked up, but not locked out of the ballot box
Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Snohomish County
‘Heart for service’: City grieves Everett officer slain in shooting
Snohomish County vet follows uneasy ‘call to duty’ into Ukraine
Snohomish County’s fallen officers
Rep. Sutherland reprimanded for berating, swearing at security chief
Everett Housing Authority buys 381 apartments — its biggest purchase yet
Teens charged with hate crime in Islamophobic attack near Lynnwood
With money secured, study underway for I-5, U.S. 2 interchange options
Letter: Changes coming in Snohomish Regional Fire, Rescue service
Comment: State mends a safety net that saved many in pandemic (Robinson)
Editorial: Voters can make call on lawmakers’ success, failure (Jinkins, Billig, Ortiz-Self, Peterson, Liias, Fey)
High Country News
Images from the first-known Native American female photographer
Kent Reporter
Inslee signs Orwall’s language access bill for schools (Orwall)
News Tribune
Closing this vital treatment facility is a crisis for Pierce County. Where’s the concern?
As COVID restrictions fall away, here are five quick B.C. getaways
Pierce County park’s $165,000 upgrade includes basketball, tennis, pickleball courts
Pierce County says goodbye to deputy Dom Calata, who lived to serve and died a hero
New York Times
Investors Are Buying Mobile Home Parks. Residents Are Paying a Price.
Biden’s budget focuses on fighting inflation, but that’s mainly a Fed project.
Biden Aims to Boost Military and Social Spending in 2023 Budget
Opinion: We Study Virus Evolution. Here’s Where We Think the Coronavirus Is Going.
North American Post
Terry Takeuchi of Terry’s Kitchen: For the Love of Food and Community
Densho Founder Tom Ikeda Announces His Retirement
Olympian
Inslee signs transportation and climate bills he calls ‘boldest’ project in WA history (Liias, Fey, Ramel, Duerr, Nguyen, Fitzgibbon)
Inslee guts legislation to look at how wind, solar projects would change Eastern WA
Tacoma workforce roundtable highlights success stories to promote retraining, development
Editorial: Growth in Thurston County’s LEAD program signals big change in criminal justice culture
Peninsula Daily News
Three more Peninsuala deaths as case numbers begin to creep up
Port Townsend Leader
New director hired to lead State Parks
Puget Sound Business Journal
More nurses are leaving hospital systems for these lucrative jobs
Millennials now make up 43% of housing market. But does available inventory reflect changing household arrangements?
University endowments eye more private equity, venture capital and crypto
Montlake Futures designs marketplace for student athletes to cash in on NIL rights
Covid-19 redefined the 9 to 5 workday. Here’s what’s next.
Opinion: Washington can lead the way in health care affordability
Opinion: Generous donation gone to waste on bad homelessness policy
Seattle Times
WA Legislature passes bill giving moviemakers more incentives to film in state (Riccelli)
Jury begins deliberations in inquest into fatal 2017 police shooting
A1 Revisited: The Seattle Times’ coverage of the 1942 removal of 227 Bainbridge residents left a harmful legacy
How open spots at a Bellevue alternative school reflect a broken youth mental health system
Opinion: Continue to offer all students free breakfast and lunch
Skagit Valley Herald
Number of new COVID-19 cases in Skagit County takes another dip
The cost of living: ‘It’s kind of terrifying’
Police release video, name of Sedro-Woolley officer involved in shooting
South Seattle Emerald
South Shore K-8 school first in district to launch Kindergarten bike program
County proposal would expand right to counsel before warrantless searches
Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities hospital gets 1st accreditation in WA for 1 type of cancer treatment
More mini storage units gutted in morning fire in west Kennewick
New COVID cases double in part of Tri-Cities area. More deaths announced
Newly appointed Tri-Cities judge will not have to reveal spouse’s business clients
Tri-Cities business accused of COVID loan fraud at Hanford site. It will pay $3 million
Ethics violation? Reykdal feels Richland board member’s email went too far
UW Medicine virology lab tracking BA.2 coronavirus variant
Looking for relief of traffic congestion on Highway 240 in Richland
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
New Walla Walla Police Chief Chris Buttice happy to continue to call Valley home
Walla Walla firefighter accused of child molestation officially charged
College Place to install traffic delineators to stop illegal turns into Walmart
Walla Walla Public Schools administrative changes announced
Washington Post
Zelensky offers diplomatic opening as peace talks with Russia to resume in Turkey
Jan. 6 committee to seek interview with Ginni Thomas
U.S., Israel and Arab states to expand cooperation in unprecedented meeting
FDA expected to authorize second coronavirus booster for 50 and older
Yakima Herald-Republic
Highland Food Bank plays a vital role in Tieton. Now it’s getting a new building.
Umatilla woman seeks answers more than 64 years after her mother was murdered on Yakama Reservation
Seattle Times: How big changes at WA’s Western State Hospital fit into Gov. Inslee’s plan to ‘re-imagine’ mental health
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Law enforcement crisis hotline overwhelmed after string of police shootings
Tow truck procession remembers driver killed, demands safety on roads
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Tow truck procession honors operator killed on I-5; operators implore freeway drivers to ‘slow down’
Details released on bomb threat that shut down Leavenworth last week
Amazon tries to stave off union drive on two fronts
Community remembers fallen Pierce County Deputy Dom Calata
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Everett community in ‘complete, utter disbelief’ over officer Dan Rocha’s death
Police searching for suspect of Kent Metro bus shootings
KNKX Public Radio
Second-largest county in WA adopts new regional plan to “end homelessness”
KUOW Public Radio
Pandemic updates: ‘Stealth’ omicron is 25% of Covid tests at UW Medicine
KXLY (ABC)
Providence hospital aims to solve a staffing crisis with ‘earn while you learn’ program
Web
Crosscut
Why six small WA cities left thousands in federal relief unclaimed
PNW tribe brings lawsuit against Seattle on behalf of salmon
MyNorthwest
‘Basic to human dignity’: King County launches mobile shower unit for homeless
Memorial grows for Everett officer killed in line of duty
Seattle to adjust paid street parking rates starting March 28
State Rep. Frank Chopp could face investigation after rerouting funds to nonprofit he co-founded (Chopp)
Everett police officer shot and killed, suspect in custody
Seattle area-concrete companies make return-to-work offer to striking drivers
Group aims to bring Seattle minimum wage push to Tukwila
State cannabis industry asks local leaders for help after deadly robberies
Downtown bus stop closes under Seattle police and mayoral crime initiative
Safety infractions, closed routes: Seattle schools have an ‘open request’ for bus provider
Former Boeing test pilot found not guilty of deceiving FAA
Sen. Murray says Washington will ‘bear the brunt’ of Idaho’s abortion ban
Seattle council looks to bring back SPD hiring incentive program
Omicron subvariant goes from 7% to 25% of local cases within a week
Employers deny claims of collusion, price-fixing as Seattle-area concrete strike nears fifth month
The Stranger
Former KOMO Reporter Says He Didn’t Intend to Blast Out Proud Boys Propaganda, Issues Non-apology
West Seattle Blog
CORONAVIRUS: This week’s update with local trends
LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit’s West Seattle meeting Wednesday
From sound to sightings, here’s what happened at The Whale Trail’s first in-person gathering in 2 years