Stifling prison heat used to be just a Southern problem. Not anymore.
Climate change has amplified heat-related struggles in more state prisons. Some advocates have argued that hot conditions in prisons constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. The conditions have led to lawsuits and protests across the country. To address these problems, some states are offering alternative cooling methods such as cooling beds and increased access to water stations or ice; others have allocated funding toward upgrading or building new facilities with air conditioning. In Washington, there are five HVAC system upgrade projects that received legislative funding for the Monroe Correctional Complex, the Washington Corrections Center for Women, the Washington State Penitentiary and the Progress House Work Release. Most states, however, have taken little to no action, advocates say. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Creative Commons)
Hazardous heat comes to the Pacific Northwest
An upper-level ridge of high pressure over western Washington and Oregon will likely continue to bring hazardous temperatures for the next several days, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Reedy told Axios. The ridge should begin to break down by next weekend, said Reedy, with temperatures cooling slightly into the 80s throughout the region. The Pacific Northwest stood out this year for its relatively mild temperatures compared to the widespread heat waves blanketing the U.S. for much of this summer, and the world’s record-breaking July temperatures. Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)
WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working?
Washington’s policies to prevent youth and young adult homelessness are considered among the best in the country. In a 2021 report, the National Homelessness Law Center’s analyzed states’ “readiness to tackle the specific challenges of youth homelessness” and ranked Washington first among states, and second overall, behind Washington, D.C. But the report noted that its rankings did not reflect states’ success in preventing youth homelessness, and Washington’s own data show its room for improvement, especially for youth who have been through public systems. A report published in June by the Department of Social and Health Services showed that nearly 1,100, or 15%, of the more than 7,000 young people who left state systems — foster care, the juvenile justice system, or inpatient behavioral health treatment — between July 2020 and June 2021 were homeless one year later. Continue reading at Crosscut. (David Ryder)
Associated Press
Heat wave forecast to bake Pacific Northwest with scorching temperatures
Mishmash of how US heat deaths are counted complicates efforts to keep people safe as Earth warms
Aberdeen Daily World
Workshop, 5K aim to address suicide
Axios
Hazardous heat comes to the Pacific Northwest
Washington expands access to fentanyl test strips (Orwall)
Bellingham Herald
Vegetation fire burns Monday inside Stimpson Family Nature Reserve in Bellingham
Capital Press
Focus on farms as Horse Heaven wind hearings open
States say EPA pesticide plan poisonous to compliance programs
Columbian
Scientist: Floating wetlands a natural solution for algae blooms in Clark County lakes
Heat wave in Clark County prompts health warnings, raises wildfire concerns
Housing, treatment, more resources needed to fight fentanyl in Clark County
The Daily News
Excessive heat alerts in effect; temperatures sizzle to 20F above average
Everett Herald
25 Snohomish County cooling centers provide a safe place to cool off
$250K in federal money to boost transit in east Snohomish County
Comment: Simple message needed as ‘tripledemic’ approaches
Comment: Looming child-care cliff will send workers home
Olympian
Puget Sound Energy asks customers to use less electricity as heat wave increases demand
Thurston County is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. Here’s where to get free tests
Peninsula Daily News
State ferry fares to increase starting in October
Seattle Times
Seattle is adding three traffic cameras to catch you doing this
Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Seattle, address clean energy
New study shows cooling potential of varying Seattle trees and forests
Seattle cooling center opens for people living outside
WA Democrats ask Buttigieg for $200M to plan Canada-Seattle-Portland bullet train
Opinion: Major climate legislation will keep ports, air and water clean
Editorial: Welcome back to Seattle, Vice President Harris
Spokesman Review
Getting There: Hillyard is blossoming, but North Spokane Corridor’s impact is yet to be seen
With hot days ahead, Spokane activates cooling centers for the vulnerable
WSP fire academy’s new training buildings offer crucial hands-on practice with flames
Opinion: Why Washingtonians should care about abortion rights in Idaho
Tri-City Herald
New $78 million Prosser hospital complex taking shape
Sex offender likely to die in WA prison for paying ‘desperately poor’ boys to be filmed
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Excessive heat warning issued in Walla Walla Valley with 107-degree maximum expected
Washington Post
What recession? This summer’s economy is defying the odds.
Federal guidance shows how colleges may still address race in admissions
WA State Standard
State completes acquisition of shuttered Tukwila psychiatric hospital
Stifling prison heat used to be just a Southern problem. Not anymore.
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee expected to approach record-high temp for August; cooling centers opened
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima hits 101 on Monday with even higher temperatures expected this week
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle drug use cases in limbo as new state law goes into effect
Washington law guaranteeing truck drivers access to bathrooms could become national model
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Experts explain importance of Washington red flag warning as humans leading cause of wildfires
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
VP Kamala Harris visits Seattle Tuesday to speak on inflation and climate crisis
Dolly Parton to celebrate a milestone for early literacy in Washington state Tuesday
Enforcement changes to Washington state drug possession law begin Tuesday
KUOW Public Radio
Sourdough Fire consumes another 1,000 acres, cuts dam power to Seattle
What to know as Western Washington enters heat wave this week
Should you celebrate summer’s end with a Covid booster or wait until fall?
WA GOP picks new chair, and makes an unexpected endorsement
Orcas had a pretty good year: Today So Far
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane officials show support for criminal justice initiative, concerns still remain
Cooling resources available in Spokane amid predicted high temperatures
NW Public Radio
Planes and helicopters, dozens of firefighters called to fight Trinity Fire near the Tri-Cities
Q13 TV (FOX)
Dolly Parton to visit Washington state as 65,000 kids enroll in her free book program
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Behavioral issues, not RVs, concern Bellingham leaders
Crosscut
WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working? (Senn)
Some E-bike companies are pushing against right-to-repair laws
MyNorthwest
Where to find cooling centers around Washington, heat wave forecasted
WA teacher shortage remains rampant heading into upcoming school year