Iran vows revenge after U.S. drone strike kills elite force commander
Iran on Friday vowed “severe revenge” in response to a U.S. drone strike that killed Tehran’s most powerful military commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and dramatically sharpened tensions across the Middle East. Soleimani was a towering figure in Iran’s power projection across the region, with close links to a network of paramilitary groups that stretches from Syria to Yemen. His death in the smoldering wreckage of a two-car convoy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, left U.S. outposts and personnel bracing for retaliatory attacks and oil prices shooting upward. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq warned its citizens to leave “immediately.” Continue reading in The Seattle Times. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Washington sues Johnson & Johnson over opioids
Washington filed its third lawsuit tied to the opioid crisis Thursday, claiming one of the nation’s biggest companies deceived doctors and patients about the addictive nature of the pain killers it developed and marketed. The state is suing Johnson & Johnson Corp. for an unspecified amount of damages for the costs of opioid addiction to state residents, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. It’s the third suit stemming from opioid addiction his office has filed, with a 2017 suit against Purdue Pharmaceuticals stalled by the company’s bankruptcy and a 2019 lawsuit against three companies that distributed the drugs set for trial in October. Continue reading in The Spokesman Review. (Ted S. Warren/AP)
WA lawmakers propose capping insulin costs at $100 a month
Washington state lawmakers could limit the cost of insulin to $100 a month, along with four more pre-filed prescription drug bills designed to curb rising patient costs. The slate of legislation was filed by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) as a response to ballooning prescription costs. If approved, the bills would allow the state to undertake mass buyouts of insulin, cap insulin costs, import prescription drugs for state workers, create a pharmacy benefit board and create a pharmacy tourism board. Continue reading in the Bellevue Reporter. (Wikimedia Commons)
Associated Press
AP Explains: Rising Iran, US tension after general’s killing
Democrats call US killing of Iranian general ‘reckless’
Texas judge: Hospital can remove baby from life support
Trump’s plan to curb teen vaping exempts some flavors
Oil prices jump on fears of Iranian retaliation against US
Changes coming for light rail riders during construction
Heavy rain, snow increase threat of mudslides
Washington state sues Johnson & Johnson over opioid crisis
Anacortes School Board seeks removal of cap on how much school districts can collect
Iran vows ‘harsh’ response to US killing of top general
Oil prices surge, stocks slip after US kills Iran general
‘A more dangerous world’: Iran killing triggers global alarm
US kills Iran’s most powerful general in Baghdad airstrike
Turkish lawmakers authorize sending troops to fight in Libya
Oil refinery cancels portion of Washington state project
Washington state school district seeks levy cap removal
US manufacturing activity falls to lowest level in decade
Montana coal power plant closing two units built in 1970s
Auburn Reporter
WA lawmakers propose capping insulin costs at $100 a month (Keiser, Cody)
Bill Peloza: Auburn’s get-it-done guy wraps final council term
City nixes dog-breed specific regulations to square with new state law
Swedish Medical Center nurses could send notification of strike by year’s end
Washington’s vehicle emission check program ends Dec. 31
Who owns King County forestlands?
Opinion: Despite ruling on Public Records Act, we need to keep a close eye on Olympia
Bellevue Reporter
WA lawmakers propose capping insulin costs at $100 a month (Keiser, Cody)
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Legislator may push colleges to share sexual misconduct findings (Pollet)
Here’s what the first storm of 2020 could bring to Whatcom County
Koalas already were on the brink in Australia. Then came the devastating bushfires
Don’t abbreviate 2020 when signing documents, police warn. It can be used against you
Trump cracks down on flavored e-cigarettes — so how are Juul products still for sale?
Capital Press
2020: The year ahead: What farmers can expect from legislators in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho
Chinook Observer
Low-carbon fuel on agenda for WA lawmakers (Jinkins, Chopp)
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Strike announcement called off; Providence talks continue
State sues Johnson & Johnson, claims it fueled opioid epidemic
Big 2019 stories: DNA sleuthing, air service, notable deaths
Constant change: Here’s what happened in business in 2019
Commentary: The Space Force is with us; now what?
Islands’ Weekly
Letter to the Editor: Friends of the San Juans Ensures Added Protections for Southern Resident Killer Whales
Kent Reporter
Keiser files bills to take on high prescription drug prices (Keiser)
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Silverdale man among missing from crab boat
News Tribune (subscription required)
Out-of-state buyers still snapping up Tacoma-area apartments for high dollars
Legislator may push colleges to share sexual misconduct findings (Pollet)
Seattle’s Northwest Hospital rebranded as second UW medical campus
Puyallup opens more land to homeless centers to satisfy state hearing’s board
Swap of local bus for comfy motor coach on long Seattle run leaves Gig Harbor commuters fuming
Tacoma council’s flip on rezone for psychiatric hospital results in court challenge
New York Times
The tech that will invade our lives in 2020
Hypersonic Missiles Are a Game Changer
Olympian (subscription required)
Op-Ed: Bum blockades, I-5 snarls, and climate change
Strike by Providence St. Peter nurses on hold following overnight talks
Omak Chronicle
Bills would address prescription drug prices (Keiser)
Peninsula Daily News
Federal court ruling expected to affect salmon conservation on Snake River
Puget Sound Business Journal
Analyst: AGs make case to block Sprint/T-Mobile merger
Amazon reminds employees they could be terminated for speaking publicly about the company
With partial flavor ban, Trump splits the difference on vaping
Boeing’s troubles run deeper than the 737 Max
Northwest Hospital changes name, integrates with UW Medical Center
Boeing machinists receive payout despite jet maker’s year of woes
Renton Reporter
Despite ruling on Public Records Act, we need to keep a close eye on Olympia
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Washington health department seeks greater power to regulate private psychiatric hospitals (Keiser)
A Seattle youth homeless shelter faces its final days, and its young residents confront an uncertain future
Mailer encourages Washington state teachers to stop paying their union dues and ‘save up to $1,200’
1920s Tacoma tower with bank vault to be renovated for housing
After the sinking of the Scandies Rose, a harrowing search, 2 survivors and an aftermath of anguish
‘You’re not alone’: Young mothers with nowhere to go find a home in Kent
A family member hit her, then she and her baby became homeless. Here’s how help arrived, starting with an Uber full of diapers.
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson files suit against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson
A 45-year-old Seattle glass factory may close amid an expected slowdown in the global construction boom
Washington cities can no longer ban pit bulls and other dog breeds outright
Op-Ed: Add Calgary to the Cascadia Innovation Corridor
Editorial: Washington state lawmakers must pass assault-weapons ban
Seattle Weekly
Swedish nurse strike still possible following Dec. 30 negotiations
Skagit Valley Herald
Local housing projects receive grants
County commissioner helps unveil opioid lawsuit
Spokesman Review
Unions delay strike at Sacred Heart, Holy Family as negotiations progress overnight
Washington sues Johnson & Johnson over opioids
Spokane County Jail, DOC to continue negotiations under 1-month contract
North Idaho man, two Washington men among 5 presumed dead after crab boat sinks off Alaskan coast
‘Tumblegeddon’: Drivers ring in the new year trapped under tumbleweeds, rescued with snowplows
Tri-City Herald
Editorial: Headlines we would like to see in 2020
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Editorial: Monitoring college students with technology is concerning
Washington Post
Iran vows revenge after U.S. drone strike kills elite force commander
What Trump said about Obama and war with Iran, and what it means now
Potential buyer for Trump’s D.C. hotel lease says it’s underperforming and unrealistically priced
Airstrike sharply divides Congress
Five myths about rural America that muddle the political realities
‘Houses were exploding’: In Australia’s fire horror, heartbreak and relief
After a hospital and mother disagree, a court had to rule: Who decides when a child dies?
Scenes from Australia’s deadly bush fire crisis
Editorial: Trump backpedals on vaping. Sad!
After upending U.S. policy on North Korea, Trump’s bet hasn’t paid off
Interior secretary extends the tenure of federal lands chief — without a presidential nomination
Colleges want freshmen to use mental health apps. But are they risking students’ privacy?
Minimum wage increases fueling faster wage growth for those at the bottom
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington bill would cap insulin costs at $100 per month (Keiser)
Providence health care workers postpone strike notice
Early-season conditions at Snoqualmie indicate overall snow shortage in the Cascades
Washington AG files lawsuit against opioid supplier Johnson & Johnson
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Thousands of caregivers with Swedish, Providence-owned facilities postpone planned strike
AG Bob Ferguson announces lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over state’s opioid epidemic
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Prosecutors: Man breaks into courthouse, goes after security guards
Expect Link light rail route disruptions for next 10 weeks
KNKX FM
Amazon employee group says company threatened to fire climate activists
New year marks start of new rules for recycling plastics in Seattle-King County, glass in Tacoma
Washington state announces lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson over opioid epidemic
Big disruptions coming to Seattle light rail
KUOW FM
Qassem Soleimani’s Enduring Legacy Across The Middle East
Bushfires In Australia May Get Even Worse With ‘Horrible Day’ On Horizon
KXRO
Local legislator tries again to make Pacific razor clam official state clam (Takko, Blake)
Q13 TV (Fox)
Link light rail construction connecting Seattle to the Eastside will impact thousands
Web
B-Town Blog
‘Understanding the Mental Health & Drug Crisis’ community meeting will be Thurs., Jan. 9 (Orwall)
Business Insurance
Legislation may lead to comp, safety changes in many states (Keiser)
Crosscut
Technology vs. privacy: Washington looks to regulate facial recognition tools in 2020 (Hudgins, Carlysle, Ngyuen)
Land Line
Washington state bills set roundabout rules around trucks (Takko)
Marijuana Business Daily
Washington state removes online map of cannabis businesses in response to recent burglaries (Keiser)
MyNorthwest.com
AG report recommends establishing state crime team to solve cold cases (Orwall)
State of Reform
Sen. Keiser pre-files 5 bills to address high prescription drug costs (Keiser)