WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, August 19

Illustration of children on laptops against blue background

Back to ‘school’: Even the basics are complicated, so how can teachers and students get on track?
It’s a prospect that was almost unimaginable just months ago: Hundreds of thousands of Washington children won’t return to school buildings this fall. With the summer’s rise in coronavirus cases, the state’s top leaders said it’s unsafe for the vast majority of students to learn in a classroom. Now, a new semester of school — at a distance — begins in a few weeks and districts are just beginning to send families details about what to expect. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Donna Grethen)


Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters give updates Tuesday on the response to COVID-19 in Snohomish County. (Snohomish Health District)

‘Good news’: Average virus cases per 100K are declining here
key data point related to new coronavirus cases is again on the decline in Snohomish County, giving the area’s top public health official cause for cautious optimism. The case rate per 100,000 residents over a two-week period has dropped from 95 as of Aug. 1 to 73.7 as of Saturday, according to the Snohomish Health District. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Snohomish Health District)


New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called President Trump's comments about the Covid-19 outbreak in New Zealand 'patently wrong.' The President made the comment on August 18, 2020. BY TVNZ

Countries led by women had nearly half the COVID-19 deaths of men-led ones, study says
A review of 194 countries fighting against the coronavirus reveals that women-led countries such as New Zealand and Germany have fared “significantly” better than countries led by men. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (TVNZ)


Print

Associated Press
Washington state AG sues federal agencies after no response
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in E. Washington
Portland protesters set fire to county government building
San Francisco blanketed in smoke as California fires rage
Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
How can Wall Street be so healthy when Main Street isn’t?

Aberdeen Daily World
Get updated, leave comments at Aberdeen rail separation project online open house
Hoquiam School Board approves all online learning plan to start 2020-21 school year
National forest salal permits on sale next month

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Would high school refs feel safe officiating during pandemic? At least a third say no
Students unable to gain teacher certification due to WA requirement, COVID restrictions
Coronavirus updates: State passes 68k cases; report shows new rise in nursing home cases
Which Whatcom age groups are being impacted by COVID the most this summer?
Whatcom County adds five COVID-19 cases Tuesday, state reports
Here’s how testing, tracing, masks and social distancing are paying off for Whatcom
Attorneys general announce lawsuits over USPS cuts as Postmaster delays changes
Washington state reports 543 new COVID-19 cases
Here’s how to take care of your COVID-19 mask
Countries led by women had nearly half the COVID-19 deaths of men-led ones, study says
What’s it like for kids with COVID-linked inflammatory syndrome? A trip ‘through hell’
Nursing homes see new rise in coronavirus cases, report says. What’s happening?
 
Capital Press
Legislative leaders OK COVID-19 relief funds over objections of lawmakers

Columbian
In Our View: Census tally returns tax money to county

The Daily News
Cowlitz County reports sixth COVID-19 death, four new cases

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Postmaster general pauses plan for overhauling mail delivery
‘Good news’: Average virus cases per 100K are declining here
Would a 5,300-acre county park be a good thing for U.S. 2?
Graham: Pandemic has left us all coping with anxious thoughts

Highline Times
King County Sheriff’s Internal Investigation’s Unit shares data from last five years
COVID-19 testing now available at Highline College 
Future Fit Transportation: Six options for the West Seattle Duwamish crossing Aug.21

Islands’ Weekly
Free day at Washington State Parks, Aug. 25

Issaquah Reporter
Republican state lawmakers want special session

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Op-Ed: Immigrant workers deserve safety 

New York Times
FDA’s emergency approval of blood plasma is now on hold
How your phone is used to track you during coronavirus pandemic, and what you can do about it 
Defying Trump, 5 Automakers Lock In a Deal on Greenhouse Gas Pollution
Trump Eliminates Major Methane Rule, Even as Leaks Are Worsening
Opinion: The 19th Amendment: An Important Milestone in an Unfinished Journey

Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County reports fifth care setting COVID-19 outbreak, 7 new cases Tuesday
Slade Gorton, former U.S. senator and a heavyweight in Washington state politics, dies
Sturgis Rally attendee has COVID-19, may have exposed others at bar, officials warn
Coronavirus updates: DOH creates needs assessment survey
Thurston County Jail inmate tests positive for COVID-19

Peninsula Daily News
U.S. Postal Service rally in Port Townsend
Clallam County schools urged to start fall online
Online only urged for Clallam schools; hybrid plans in Jefferson

Puget Sound Business Journal
As colleges reverse course due to Covid-19 outbreaks, ‘large cuts’ loom for staff and services
Facebook fails to curb spread of medical misinformation, report finds
US postal service delays cutbacks over election fears
The uneven rally that took US stocks to a record high
Boeing plans another round of voluntary buyouts, but more job cuts if necessary
Feds grant Washington state transit agencies $28.4M for bus projects
Seattle business groups blast City Council over payroll tax as Amazon hints at moving its workers elsewhere

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Seattle fishing boat outbreak suggests antibodies protect against coronavirus infection
Westneat: Seattle homicide spike should be a topic at City Hall
Smattering of COVID cases pop up on campuses as Washington colleges prepare for fall term
Washington state AG Ferguson announces lawsuit intended to protect vote-by-mail after changes at postal service
Amazon to create 3,500 new tech and corporate roles in 6 cities
Editorial: Speak up, Seattle, and tell City Council how to proceed
South King County businesses offered free toolkit to guide reopening during COVID-19 pandemic
King County committee votes to oust director of law enforcement oversight office
Coronavirus positive-test rate dips in most of King County, spikes in parts of the Eastside
With hundreds of thousands of Washington children not returning to school buildings this fall, how can teachers and students get on track?
Satellite imaging firm BlackSky is growing and hiring in Seattle
Back-to-school resources for parents, from meals to child care to technology and more
Op-Ed: Don’t co-opt social workers on the path to police ‘reform’ 

Seattle Weekly
Study: Virus cases must drop for state’s schools to safely reopen
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office warns about scam calls
26% of foster care students disengaging from school during COVID-19

Skagit Valley Herald
Northwest Conference pushes back fall sports

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities downward trend in new COVID cases continues. No new deaths
Black Lives Matter Coalition rejects call for leader to leave state racial justice task force

USA Today
COVID-19, visas, Trump: International students turning away from US colleges for lots of reasons
Barr announces 1,000 arrests, including suspects in 90 murders under Operation Legend

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Increases in local COVID-19 counts down so far this week
Editorial: Debate over Postal Service funding should be over overall service

Washington Post
U.S. stocks hit record high, ending shortest bear market in history
Coronavirus saliva tests could be cheaper and faster. Here’s how they work.
Freshmen forced to overhaul college plans, dreams
Op-Ed: When the postmaster testifies, Democrats need to grill him for answers, not grandstand
Editorial: QAnon is a menace. Ignoring it isn’t an option.
California wildfires prompt urgent evacuations as lightning-sparked blazes grow in size
Postal Service blocked lawmakers from key evidence on DeJoy’s selection, Schumer says
Pandemic places alarming pressure on transgender mental health
Virus misinformation thwarting Facebook’s best efforts to catch it, advocacy group says
Hawaii won’t allow tourists until at least October
Since 2016, 11 states and D.C. have expanded voting rights for the currently and formerly incarcerated

Yakima Herald Republic
Smart planning can limit wildfire damage, experts say
FEMA authorizes federal funds to help with firefighting costs of Ahtanum Ridge fire
Officials assess damage after Ahtanum fire; Progress on training center, Jungle Creek fires
Yakima County reports 24 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday
Yakima mail equipment to stay after postmaster reverses course on changes

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Head of King County law enforcement oversight under fire after accusations of ‘discriminatory’ practices
Seattle police officer describes having fireworks thrown at his face during riot
Office of Police Accountability reviewing viral videos of Seattle officers
Emergency road repairs to clog I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass until Friday

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
SPD officer blasted in face with explosive during riot feels ‘isolated’
Designer selected for possible West Seattle Bridge replacement
USPS delivery delays plague Port Townsend coffee company
Seattle police union says city leaders abandoning officers
National Lawyers Guild again accuses SPD of targeting and assaulting legal observers
King County awards coronavirus relief grants to local science, arts organizations
AG Ferguson sues Trump administration over USPS service cuts
Highline School District holding fundraiser to get internet access to families in need

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
‘A lot of emotions’: SPD officer injured in SoDo riot says he’s tired, angry
Another milestone in West Seattle Bridge repair as design firm chosen
Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan sounds off on council’s budget cuts, its ramifications
Washington leads coalition of states challenging Trump postal cuts

KNKX FM
Edmonds school district lays off bus drivers and other districts warn they may do the same
Seattle, King County to require legal council for youths under 18 detained by police
Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits

KUOW FM
Postmaster General Backs Down, But Democrats Press For Answers And Assurances
Yep, Masks And Protective Gear Are Still Hard To Get — Especially For Small Buyers
Blog: Protests for racial justice in the Seattle area
Updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state
WHO Chief Urges Nations To Join In Preventing ‘Vaccine Nationalism’
Loans For First-Time Homebuyers See Record Delinquencies

NW Public Radio
‘Hanging Out To Dry’ In Rural Washington As Residents Push For Their Own Fire Protection Group

Q13 TV (Fox)
Parents in Seattle can expect a more condensed school day when it comes to online learning
Post office backlogs impact hundreds of locals
Students changing or deferring college plans due to COVID-19 impacts
FDA medical supply shortage list includes respirators, gloves, testing swabs
‘It’s not sustainable’: Another small business permanently closing its doors

Web

Crosscut
Security and ballot drop boxes: How it works in WA
Burien food bank keeps Latinx community fed with traditional ingredients
Opinion: Why has Amazon been so quiet about Seattle’s new business tax?

MyNorthwest.com
COVID-19 updates: 543 new cases of coronavirus, 24 more deaths
Seattle housing market sees ‘massive changes’ in post-lockdown landscape
Coalition lays out fresh demands for Mayor Durkan, council in ‘defund SPD’ vision
AG Ferguson won’t drop USPS lawsuit despite Postmaster General halting changes
WA woman wrongfully imprisoned 35 years will get millions in settlements

Seattle P.I.
Oldest apple tree in Washington dies at 194, but legacy lives on in new saplings