Sex ed mandate moves closer to becoming law after marathon House debate
After a nearly six-hour debate which alternated between eloquence and outbursts, the state House of Representatives early Thursday approved a bill to require public school districts to teach comprehensive sexual health education to all K-12 students beginning with the 2022-23 school year. The House voted 56-40 to pass SB 5395. If the Senate agrees with the changes that the House made to the bill, it will go to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Elaine Thompson)
Sawant, Morales push ahead on Seattle ‘Amazon Tax’ as King County option stalls in Olympia
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant sought to steam ahead Wednesday with her proposal to have the city raise $300 million a year by taxing big businesses such as Amazon, releasing draft legislation and adding Councilmember Tammy Morales as a co-sponsor. Sawant and Morales held a news conference at City Hall on a proposal to raise money for affordable housing, hoping to put pressure on their council colleagues and on state lawmakers at the Capitol, where a bill that would let King County tax large corporations may have stalled. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert)
As the deadline nears, state lawmakers face a few challenges
As state lawmakers in Olympia enter the final turn of the 2020 session, a few big tussles stand between them and the finish line March 12. Some they will sidestep. Others they really shouldn’t. Where there’s an abundance of conflict and controversy, legislative leaders must calculate if there is adequate time to reach an agreement and enough votes to pass it before the gavel comes down. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Associated Press
Washington state sees 10 virus deaths, closures weighed
10 virus deaths in state; feds to investigate nursing home
Washington’s U.S. Sen. Murray angered by lack of coronavirus testing, slow results (Orwall)
Stocks slide in US, Europe as virus worries dominate again
Supreme Court divided in 1st big abortion case of Trump era
Despite deaths, so far no shutdown orders in Seattle area
U.S. virus death toll hits 11; feds investigate nursing home
Aberdeen Daily World
Public Health on outbreak: Be cautious, don’t panic
Amid coronavirus scare, preparation and business as usual at Summit Pacific
Commissioner Ross suggests homeless task force
Historic preservation tax bill clears Senate (Blake)
LGBT+ people fought for decades to be recognized in the census. This time they will be — sort of
Local legislators push budget proviso to boost school funding (Blake)
Auburn Reporter
Local leaders hold confab on community’s response to coronavirus
‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
City leaders upset at county’s plan for quarantine facility in Kent
King County cancels most in-person meetings, moves to Skype
Rep. Schrier statement on House passage of coronavirus funding package
The state coronavirus hotline is dropping calls
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Sex ed mandate moves closer to becoming law after marathon House debate (Ortiz-Self, Jinkins, Stonier, Orwall)
Is it safe to dine out with coronavirus in our midst? As safe as it always is
UW Medicine launches new test to detect coronavirus
Two more Whatcom County residents are being tested for coronavirus
Whatcom EMS makes protocol changes in response to Coronavirus, ‘to protect everybody’
What will a visit to the Bellingham ER be like with concerns over coronavirus spread?
Washington state says it will waive school days missed for COVID-19 closures
As coronavirus cases continue to rise, Bellingham airport steps up prevention effort
As coronavirus cases spike, Washington county buys motel to quarantine those infected
UW Medicine ready to test 1,000 people a day for coronavirus. Local cases a ‘priority’
Coronavirus death toll rises to 10 in Washington; Pence to travel to state Thursday
These events around Washington state have been canceled or postponed by coronavirus
Pence to visit Olympia with coronavirus task force after 10 deaths in Washington
Sen. Murray asks about coronavirus testing
Washington’s U.S. Sen. Murray angered by lack of coronavirus testing, slow results
Can your dog, cat get coronavirus? Here’s what we know about the virus and your pets
Columbian
Washington House unanimously approves Tiffany Hill Act (Stonier, Wylie)
In Our View: Employ caution but don’t panic over COVID-19
The Daily News
Cowlitz County declares novel coronavirus emergency
Herrera Beutler backs bill for virus vaccine; Murray blasts Trump response
Everett Herald (subscription required)
As the deadline nears state lawmakers face a few challenges (Fitzgibbon, Carlyle, Hobbs, Robinson, Van De Wege, Jinkins, Hudgins)
Coronavirus straining Snohomish County health care system
Study recommends Everett use paid parking downtown
Northshore district closes all schools for up to 14 days
How medical pros decide whether to test someone for COVID-19
Life in quarantine: Netflix, chores and Panda Express
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
A dedicated state House works past bar-closing time
Editorial: Protect critical salmon streams from dredge mining
Letter: Trump has put nation at risk for covid-19 pandemic
Letter: Businesses have no right to exploit workers for their profit
Federal Way Mirror
‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
Islands’ Weekly
Local resident tests negative for novel coronavirus
Canadian oil pipeline debate continues
Rick Larsen: Dad Joke King
Issaquah Reporter
City leaders upset at county’s plan for quarantine facility in Kent
King County cancels most in-person meetings, moves to Skype
Tenth coronavirus death reported in WA
COVID: Call before seeing a doctor, especially the elderly, asthmatic
How are Eastside schools handling the coronavirus?
Amid coronavirus concerns, Eastside cities predominantly operating as usual
Port of Seattle, airlines respond to COVID-19 with new health measures
Valley Medical Renton staff test positive for COVID-19
Opinion: Gov. Inslee is cordially invited to Kirkland, Eastside
Bloodworks Northwest reports drop in blood donations following coronavirus outbreak
More than 100 quarantine rooms are planned for King County COVID-19 response
The state coronavirus hotline is dropping calls
Local immigration office closed due to COVID-19
New York Times
Nursing Homes are Starkly Vulnerable to Coronavirus
‘Flood the Streets’: ICE Targets Sanctuary Cities With Increased Surveillance
Why Washington State? How Did It Start? Questions Answered on the U.S. Coronavirus Outbreak
Peninsula Daily News
Coast Guard watching for ships from COVID-19 countries
DNR to help Clallam, other timber counties with economic study
Puget Sound Business Journal
Airlines feel deepening impact as coronavirus upends travel
Sick workers and spooked customers: coronavirus threatens small businesses
Boeing shares details of coronavirus plan to boost worker safety
Microsoft urges employees to consider remote options until coronavirus threat passes
Councilmember on Kent ‘coronavirus motel’: ‘This doesn’t happen in Medina’
Seattle council members outline new ‘head tax’ proposal
Waive fees for coronavirus tests and treatment, health experts urge
In coronavirus outbreak’s epicenter, Google encourages its Kirkland employees to work from home
Dow Constantine calls on businesses, individuals to slow the spread of COVID-19
Renton Reporter
King County cancels most in-person meetings, moves to Skype
The state coronavirus hotline is dropping calls
‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
Tenth coronavirus death reported in WA
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Washington state’s public health system was short on money — even before coronavirus arrived in Seattle
Coronavirus in the Seattle area: what’s safe, what’s not — and how to protect yourself and others
Kent officials protest King County’s decision to buy motel for coronavirus quarantine site
Bellevue College president and vice president resign after mural controversy
Online learning and equity in the age of the coronavirus: Will other districts follow Northshore’s move?
Northshore School District closes all schools for coronavirus concerns: ‘We are no longer able to provide quality instruction’
Faulty tests, red tape let coronavirus spread quietly for weeks in Washington, experts say
A dog has a ‘low-level’ coronavirus infection in first known human-to-animal transmission
Sawant, Morales push ahead on Seattle ‘Amazon Tax’ as King County option stalls in Olympia
VP Mike Pence to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee amid coronavirus tensions
Former Bellevue police officer involved in controversial 2001 shooting accused in Virginia homicide
Microsoft, Amazon and other tech firms urge employees to work from home to slow spread of coronavirus
Bus drivers, clerks and other workers who interact with the public fear exposure to coronavirus
First coronavirus death in California linked to Princess Cruise ship
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan sends emergency proclamation to City Council, seeking to stem coronavirus spread
Editorial: Pass Washington privacy bill with attorney general enforcement
Op-Ed: Washington Privacy Act: Amendments jeopardize protections for consumers
Op-Ed: We’re all in this together: Coronavirus lessons from Hong Kong
Seattle Weekly
‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
City leaders upset at county’s plan for quarantine facility in Kent | Update
Tenth coronavirus death reported in WA
King County cancels most in-person meetings, moves to Skype
Mayor Durkan issues civil emergency proclamation
Valley Medical Renton staff test positive for COVID-19
Snoqualmie Valley Record
City leaders upset at county’s plan for quarantine facility in Kent | Update
‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
Opinion: Trump betrays promise to protect, fight for workers
Spokesman Review
Protections against hair style discrimination pass (Pedersen)
Domestic violence victims could get warnings when abusers are near (Wylie)
Senate passes immigration law restricting federal arrests (Pedersen)
10th person in Washington dies of the coronavirus, more cases confirmed (Billig)
Spokane district struggles to keep schools clean, communication clear as coronavirus spreads
Woodward to sign health facility noise protections spurred by Planned Parenthood protests
Opinion: Adam Knott, Brianna Diaz and Emily Thorn: Let’s ease restrictions on drug that treats opioid abuse
Tri-City Herald
What Tri-Cities schools are doing now to prepare for the coronavirus
Editorial: ‘What hysteria!’ Coronavirus is a concern, but hoarding could make it worse
USA Today
Coronavirus death rate is 3.4%, World Health Organization says, Trump says ‘hunch’ tells him that’s wrong
Coronavirus can be avoided by working from home. But what if your job puts you in front of people?
Daylight saving time begins Sunday. Are you ready to spring forward?
Two boys with the same disability tried to get help. The rich student got it quickly. The poor student did not.
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
For-profit prison ban passes (Saldaña, Ortiz-Self)
Editorial: Response in the face of new virus should be balanced
Washington Post
Schumer says he misspoke in remarks directed at two Supreme Court justices, defends abortion rights
Coronavirus anxiety outpacing virus itself in the U.S.: ‘Everything feels disgusting to me now’
Turmoil widens as U.S. death toll mounts
Mapping the spread of the virus in the U.S. and worldwide
Barr orders man deported after immigration judge ruled he can stay in U.S. to avoid torture
VA unlawfully turned away vulnerable veterans for decades, study says; 400,000 more at risk
International Criminal Court approves probe of possible war crimes in Afghanistan involving U.S. troops
In emails, Wells Fargo executives griped about scrutiny, mulled using charity as leverage
Forget Seattle and L.A. We should bet big on St. Louis and Baltimore.
State Department blames “swarms of online, false personas” from Russia for wave of coronavirus misinformation online
A former Uber executive was ordered to pay Google $179 million. Then he filed for bankruptcy.
Yakima Herald Republic
Coronavirus latest: Officials urge good hygiene as state basketball tourney begins at SunDome
Senior care facilities in Yakima taking preventative measures for coronaviru
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Is Seattle a ghost town? Businesses react to recent NBC headline
Real-time updates: 10 deaths, 29 other cases of coronavirus in Washington state
These Washington schools are closed due to coronavirus concerns
5 things you need to know Thursday about coronavirus in Washington
Kirkland students’ petition urges school district to cancel classes amid coronavirus concerns
VP Mike Pence to meet with Gov. Inslee in Washington amid coronavirus outbreak
UW Medicine now testing for coronavirus at Seattle laboratory
Coronavirus outbreak in China impacting Washington state shellfish industry
King County to buy Kent motel to house coronavirus patients
King County sets up modular housing in White Center for coronavirus patients
Trump says government will withhold funds from sanctuary cities after court ruling
Sounders take extra precautions amid coronavirus concerns
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
VP Pence to visit Inslee Thursday for coronavirus update
Coronavirus: Washington death toll now at 10; closures increase in Seattle area
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
King Co. advises high-risk residents to stay home as COVID-19 death toll reaches 10
UW: Best foods to stock up for an extended home stay from coronavirus
Plan to use Kent motel as quarantine site for coronavirus patients stirs concern
College instructor diagnosed with COVID-19, nursing students question response
Feds to investigate Kirkland’s Life Care Center as death toll rises
Seattle: A ghost town because of coronavirus outbreak?
Seattle’s morning rush hour gridlock vanishes amid coronavirus preps
KNKX FM
UW Medicine develops new test for novel coronavirus, as death toll in WA rises to 10
Tentative agreement reached in Canada’s pipeline controversy
KUOW FM
LIVE UPDATES: CORONAVIRUS IN SEATTLE AREA
Seattle gets first go at coronavirus vaccine testing
Coronavirus Spreads Recession Fears Around The World
School districts grapple with coronavirus closure decisions – and what comes next for kids
UW lab expands coronavirus tests with its own version
Coronavirus: Cruise Ship In Limbo Off California After Former Passenger Died
Seattle Now: Is it safe to visit grandma?
Why China’s Air Has Been Cleaner During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Bipartisan Negotiators Reach Deal For Roughly $8 Billion For Coronavirus Response
10 COVID-19 deaths now reported in Washington state, 11 dead nationwide
Coronavirus: Los Angeles Declares Emergency, And U.S. Reports 80 Cases In 13 States
NW Public Radio
States Take The Wheel Promoting Electric Cars. Not Everyone (Especially Oil Companies) Is On Board
Restrictive Coronavirus Testing To Be Relaxed Amid Widening Washington Outbreak
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Murder Of Vancouver Mom Spurs More Domestic Violence Protection In Washington State (Goodman, Wylie, Stonier)
Q13 TV (Fox)
Monroe schools closed Thursday for sanitization, coronavirus preparations
Washington AG investigating coronavirus-related price gouging
Web
Crosscut
Coronavirus has Puget Sound schools prepping for ‘an ongoing risk’
Poll: Public safety is ‘urgent’ for Seattle voters, but they’re mixed on solutions
Swatting, a scare tactic on the rise, may see harsher punishment in WA (Salomon)
Opinion: Gov. Jay Inslee’s approach will be key to fighting COVID-19
MyNorthwest.com
Kirkland nursing home under investigation for coronavirus outbreak
Thursday coronavirus school closures in Puget Sound region
UW School of Medicine ready to test 1,000 samples per day for coronavirus
Dori: State throws potential $50M in sports gambling revenue to tribal casinos
Washington to lift restrictions on coronavirus testing
House passes bill to make childcare facilities gun-free zones (Wilson)
Seattle P.I.
Shocker? Trump embraces a land program championed by Cantwell
Starbucks temporarily suspends use of reusable cups in stores amid COVID-19 outbreak
Northshore School District to close for up to 2 weeks amid COVID-19 concerns
University of Washington researchers use online puzzle to crowdsource COVID-19 treatments