Beirut blast death toll rises to 100 with more fatalities feared
The death toll from explosions that devastated central Beirut has passed 100, the Lebanese Red Cross said Wednesday, as residents across much of the city woke in shock, if they had slept at all. The blasts occurred at a warehouse in Beirut’s port area that apparently housed massive quantities of explosive materials. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Hussein Malla)
Governor updates and clarifies requirements for gyms, other fitness services
Gov. Jay Inslee has updated requirements for fitness services in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The updates take effect Monday, Aug. 10, and are for counties in phases 2 and 3 of the state’s Safe Start reopening plan. (Only five counties are still in Phase 1: Benton, Franklin, Chelan, Douglas and Yakima.) Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Joshua Bessex)
Defunding Seattle police: Mayor Durkan, Chief Best chide City Council budget plan
Mayor Jenny Durkan and police Chief Carmen Best on Tuesday challenged the Seattle City Council over its controversial plans to defund the police department, criticizing a key element to strip 100 officers from the department. “Blunt cuts of 100 officers between now and the end of the year is really not the way to proceed,” Durkan said. Continue reading at KOMO News.
Associated Press
Trump’s demand for US cut of a TikTok deal is unprecedented
Lebanon to put some Beirut port officials under house arrest
Fireworks, ammonium nitrate likely fueled Beirut explosion
Washington lawsuit says protective gear costs impede protest
Oregon reports 342 new coronavirus cases, 5 more deaths
25 virus cases reported at Oregon summer camp
Washington state flower shop fined $4K for mask violation
Police declare riot in Portland as unruly protests continue
Police: Washington state man allegedly shot by deputy dies
Auditors issue critical report for Pullman-Moscow airport
Seattle mayor, police chief urge slow down of police cuts
Aberdeen Daily World
County health officer calls for distance learning
Second COVID-19-related death reported in Grays Harbor County
Commentary: Note to Republicans in Congress: ‘It’s an awesome blessing to provide for people in need’
Letter: Do you believe Trump, or your doctor?
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Governor updates and clarifies requirements for gyms, other fitness services
Washington state reports 664 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths on Tuesday
Whatcom sees five new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, state reports
COVID-19 disproportionately impacts Whatcom Hispanics. Here’s what could help
Whatcom County health officer makes recommendation for how the school year should begin
These food-related industries have had the most COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington
Capital Press
Inslee halts plans for Chehalis River dam
Farmers to receive compensation in NORPAC deal
Columbian
Clark County sees 61 new COVID-19 cases as total approaches 2,000
Ridgefield voters say no to $40.5 million school bond
Vancouver Public Schools officials say remote learning will be better in fall
In Our View: Congress must ensure funding for vote-by-mail
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Memorial honors fallen Bothell police officer Jonathan Shoop
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Tourism takes a vacation, and many businesses are hurting
WaPo Commentary: ‘Taxpayers’ don’t need protection; Americans do
Federal Way Mirror
Three nonprofit groups to get $500,000 each to provide housing for human trafficking victims
Communities in Schools Federal Way launches virtual school supplies drive
Highline Times
Gun violence flaring in King County; More people were shot in last six months than the same period over the last four years
Apply for a South King County Fund Economic Recovery Grant
Islands’ Weekly
Outdoor Recreation generates big money in Washington
Cover your face, says Department of Health
COVID-19 activity continues to grow in Washington state as hospitalizations and deaths rise
Hot, dry conditions prompt commissioner Franz to enact statewide burn ban
Record $5.2 Million Gift Expands Turtleback Preserve and precedent-setting donation also returns land to the Lummi Nation
A recap of the islands’ most recent COVID cases
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Man shot by Kitsap sheriff’s deputy dies at hospital
Why don’t we know more about that COVID-19 case? The balance of health privacy laws and public interest
Fifth person has died from COVID-19 in Kitsap County
News Tribune (subscription required)
Registration for new ‘Tacoma Online’ school opens Wednesday. Families face difficult choice
Mayor’s behavior becomes an issue at City Hall, as employees complain of angry outbursts
Visitors from mainland swamp island swim spot, prompting COVID-wary officials to close it
Pierce County reports 80 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths on Tuesday
From cat whiskers to Seahawks, masks not so bad after all. Do your part to kill COVID
Governor updates and clarifies requirements for gyms, other fitness services
New York Times
With Census Count Finishing Early, Fears of a Skewed Tally Rise
‘It’s Like Having No Testing’: Coronavirus Test Results Are Still Delayed
Hurricane, Fire, Covid-19: Disasters Expose the Hard Reality of Climate Change
Olympian (subscription required)
Coronavirus updates: Report highlights outbreak data; Alaska Airlines strengthens face covering policy
Washington state reports 664 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths on Tuesday
These food-related industries have had the most COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington
Bankruptcy judge approves the sale of McClatchy to hedge fund Chatham Asset Management
2 COVID-19 deaths in Thurston announced Tuesday, with 20 new positive cases
Peninsula Daily News
East Beach wildfire about 30 percent contained
Virus numbers may hit plateau
Peninsula health officials discuss schools reopening
Puget Sound Business Journal
Distilleries raced to make hand sanitizer for the pandemic. No longer.
With census count finishing early, fears of a skewed tally rise
Seattle Times (subscription required)
‘This profession is a calling’: Bothell police Officer Jonathan Shoop is honored at memorial
Editorial: Stakes are high for remote K-12, fall edition
Op-Ed: Preserve dental benefits for our most vulnerable citizen
Op-Ed: Keep John Lewis close and follow ‘the way of love and nonviolence’
Skagit Valley Herald
Burlington-Edison School Board approves home-based learning plan
New gym restrictions to have minor effects on Skagit businesses
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Snoqualmie Valley School District will be entirely online this fall
Spokesman Review
Under pressure from faculty, Mary Cullinan resigns as president of EWU
Half of outbreaks in Washington have been in long-term care facilities, new state report says
Lamar Advertising removes anti-mask billboards, declines to display 3 of 4 ads from anti-racism group
Not home, but still healthy: Precautious Spokane-area first responders stem spread of COVID-19
Opinion: Jim McDevitt: Defunding the police is a bad idea
Tri-City Herald
Most Pasco students will start online in September after unanimous school board vote
More than 100 Tri-Cities COVID cases reported Tuesday. Total Hanford cases up
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
COVID-19 case numbers rising, including among inmates
Walla Walla commissioners won’t add ‘Liberty State’ proposal to the fall ballot
More hospital admissions, another death, from COVID-19
Okanogan orchard worker under quarantine dies at farm labor camp
Editorial: Inslee should follow Oregon’s lead on special session
Seattle Times: Alaska Airlines warns nearly 1,600 Washington state employees of COVID-19-driven fall layoffs
Washington Post
Grocery costs are straining already tight home budgets. Here’s why prices are rising
Deaths in Beirut blasts pass 100
Here’s what videos tell us about the explosions in Beirut
Democrats introduce bill to add new mission to the Federal Reserve: Ending racial inequality
White House, Democrats at odds over jobless aid
Struggling U.S. manufacturers pivot to one product where sales are actually booming: Masks
President’s son calls for blocking mine in sensitive fishing area
In the 75 years since Hiroshima, nuclear testing killed untold thousands
Things you didn’t know (or maybe forgot) about how women got the vote
Six states form testing coalition in absence of federal strategy
Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County records 200th COVID-19 death Tuesday
Opinion: Yakima County trending the right way with COVID-19 numbers
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
What you need to know about coronavirus Wednesday, Aug. 5
Gun violence on the rise in King County, according to new data
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Seattle City Council expected to vote on defunding SPD budget
Seattle company Outdoor Research starts producing CDC-approved medical face masks
PLU unveils ‘PLUS year’ tuition program for current students
FAA identifies design changes needed to return 737 MAX to service
New South Sound elementary school named after NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Portland police declare riot after truck drives through crowd, protesters break into building
Video shows neighbors face-off with protesters outside Seattle police chief’s home
Defunding Seattle police: Mayor Durkan, Chief Best chide City Council budget plan
Health leader says Washington could move back in phases if COVID numbers don’t decrease
KNKX FM
OSPI releases guidance for special education as many districts plan for remote learning
‘Act of desperation’: King County sees an increase in gun violence
Pilchuck Dam removal nearing completion, with 37 miles of good fish habitat upstream
A growing number of parents in Seattle are pushing for some outdoor learning in the fall
KUOW FM
Blog: Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state
Layoffs and shop closures hit Seattle and Portland airports, terminal expansions continue
In White Center, the economic safety net shows its gaps
After ‘Severe’ Delays, 6 States Band Together To Buy Coronavirus Tests
White House Plan Breaks Taboo: A Focus On Guns And Veteran Suicide
Amnesty International Documents 125 Incidents Of Police Violence Against Protesters
Q13 TV (Fox)
The defunding Seattle Police debate continues ahead of city council’s budget vote
King County Prosecutor raises concerns over defunding police as violent crime surges
Mounting evidence shows masks may help avoid severe illness, even if you get COVID-19
Web
Crosscut
Opinion: Durkan veto of COVID-19 relief bill is bad economics
Gov. Inslee extends utility shutoff moratorium to Oct. 15
WA school mascot draws Native family into decades-long fight
Cancer treatment in WA prisons often too little, too late
Slog
Seattle’s Mayor and Police Chief Keep Gaslighting the City About Defunding SPD
Officers’ Reliance on “Less Lethal” Munitions Leave Portlanders With Lasting Head Injuries