WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Monday, September 14

Two deer pause Saturday morning while grazing along Washington Street just uphill from a smoke-shrouded downtown Port Townsend. (Nicholas Johnson/Peninsula Daily News)

Breathing may be hazardous to your health
The North Olympic Peninsula is socked in, along with the rest of the state, with wildfire smoke from wildfires ravaging Oregon, California and central Washington, and conditions are not expected to improve much until Monday morning. Continue reading at Peninsula Daily News. (Nicholas Johnson)


Map of USA with top five and bottom five best states for workers highlighted.

Washington ranked as state with best safety net for workers during COVID-19
With unemployment rates at levels not seen since the Great Depression, how much help is available to workers who have been affected? It varies tremendously from state to state. And no state has a better safety net than Washington, according to a new report from Oxfam America, a nonprofit that works to alleviate poverty. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Mark Nowlin)


Tepatasi Vaina, left, marches with Donato Fatuesi at a Black Lives Matter march in Kent, June 11, 2020. Vaina and Fatuesi are, respectively, the community engagement manager and operations manager of United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance, an advocacy group for sex workers in the state. (UTOPIA Seattle)

Already stigmatized, sex workers have fewer choices in a pandemic
Tepatasi Vaina sees a bitter irony for sex workers right now: For many of the people she works with, the industry pre-coronavirus was their safest option. She works as a program manager with the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance (UTOPIA), a queer and trans Pacific Islander-led advocacy organization that began helping sex workers in Washington state after seeing a desire for aid and community among them some years ago. Continue reading at Crosscut. (UTOPIA Seattle)


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Associated Press
Pier on Seattle’s waterfront partially collapes, injuring 2
Winds a worry as death toll reaches 35 from West Coast fires
Better weather aids battle against deadly Western wildfires
Dismay as huge chunk of Greenland’s ice cap breaks off
A family struggle as pandemic worsens food insecurity

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Coronavirus updates: State reaches 79,826 cases
New law lets Washington cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs. It’s not a crazy idea
Eight more Whatcom residents test positive for COVID-19, Washington state says Sunday
2.4 earthquake recorded 40 miles from Bellingham Sunday evening
Whatcom County air quality worsens to very unhealthy range by mid-day Sunday
Washington state reports 350 new COVID-19 cases
Coronavirus updates: State reaches 79,826 cases
Whatcom County sees 14 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, Washington reports
‘Very unhealthy’ air in Whatcom as wildfire smoke blankets Bellingham. Here’s the forecast
Here’s what Bellingham looks like through wildfire smoke
The number of Washingtonians facing hunger has doubled since start of the pandemic
With the border closure set to expire Sept. 21, Canadians want to see it remain closed
Inslee: 626,982 acres of Washington burned, air quality won’t improve before Monday
Whatcom County sees 11 new COVID-19 cases Friday
Smoke returns to Whatcom again — how bad will it be and how long will it stick around?
Can smoke from the West’s wildfires make you feel sick? Here’s what doctors say
Time’s up for students’ pandemic meal money, but most in WA haven’t enrolled
Inslee says 626,982 acres of Washington have burned
Washington state reports 544 new COVID-19 cases Friday and 6 deaths
Can’t imagine what it would be like if a tsunami hit the Washington coast? This video can help
Washington State Patrol asks for drivers’ help to reduce the chances of new wildfires
Here’s why it’s so important to get a flu shot
Army COVID-19 vaccine may produce a side benefit: Cure for the common cold
Do neck gaiters provide adequate protection against COVID-19?
Eating out is among riskiest activities during COVID-19 pandemic, CDC says
‘I have to disagree.’ Fauci breaks with Trump on US ‘rounding the corner’ on COVID-19
Whatcom health department closes afternoon drive-thru COVID-19 testing due to smoke
‘I am your wife,’ badly burned woman whispers to man who found her in Oregon wildfire
Smoke from West Coast wildfires stretches 2,000 miles across US, satellite photo shows
LA Times: US ambassador to China to retire, leave Beijing
 
Bothell Reporter
Antifa isn’t starting Washington wildfires
Threat multiplier: How climate change, coronavirus and weather are scorching WA

Capital Press
WDFW to put wolves over livestock on its grazing lands
Winds a worry as death toll reaches 33 from West Coast fires
WDFW stops looking for Leadpoint wolves that attacked calves
Inslee: Unnatural ‘climate fires’ sweeping Washington

Columbian
‘Beyond index’ air conditions continue in Clark County, with little relief in sight
Vancouver, Evergreen school districts suspend in-person services due to air quality
In Our View: Spread of wildfires, rumors add to our burdens
In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Coronavirus, the good and bad

The Daily News
What’s in a mascot?
Kelso School Board to discuss timeline for ‘ hybrid’ instructional model Monday

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Unemployment system overwhelmed by users and new claims
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
A yellow haze settles over the fiery Pacific Northwest
Smoke smothers Washington; Downey fire grows to 1,000 acres
737 Max engineer didn’t know details of flight control system
Boeing 737 Max moves another step closer to returning
Bloomberg Opinion: Comment: Education gap will widen without aid to states
Editorial: Sound Transit should keep to Everett timetable

The Inlander
Prepare now: Air quality expected to plummet as wildfire smoke blows east into the weekend

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Commercial and recreational boaters asked to“Take The Pledge” to protect pregnant orcas

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Pod schools popping up around Kitsap County
Three deaths linked to St. Michael’s COVID-19 outbreak, Kitsap Public Health reports
Sheriff: ‘Homicide’ ruling in inmate’s death needs context
Thick smoke blankets Kitsap, expected to linger next 2-3 days
How air quality is monitored in Kitsap — and when we could see relief
Wildfires burned millions of acres across the West. See what that looks like.
CKSD forms committee on safe return to play, but furloughed ADs say they won’t participate

New York Times
The Arctic Is Shifting to a New Climate Because of Global Warming
With Tensions High, Trump’s Ambassador to China Is Stepping Down
Wildfires Live Updates: Gusty Winds Could Whip Up Blazes
After a Pandemic Pause, ICE Resumes Deportation Arrests
Vaccine Makers Keep Safety Details Quiet, Alarming Scientists

Olympian (subscription required)
Here’s what Thurston school leaders report about the first week of school from home
Army COVID-19 vaccine may produce a side benefit: Cure for the common cold
Can smoke from the West’s wildfires make you feel sick? Here’s what doctors say
Thurston County ends week with 51 COVID-19 cases; no new cases announced Sunday
Washington state reports 350 new COVID-19 cases
Coroner releases cause of death for Portland shooting suspect Michael Reinoehl near Lacey
Air quality worsens overnight in Thurston County area — forecasters expect a hazy weekend

Peninsula Daily News
Smoke alert could be extended
Clallam’s virus rate joins Jefferson in low-risk category
Breathing may be hazardous to your health
Peninsula low-infection rate in place despite new cases

Puget Sound Business Journal
Pier 58 on downtown Seattle waterfront partially collapses, 2 workers hurt
Trump’s payroll tax ‘cut’ fizzles
Vaccine-makers keep safety details quiet, alarming scientists
Opinion: If we wait for infrastructure to fail before fixing, it’ll be too late
Pier 58 on downtown Seattle waterfront partially collapses, 2 workers hurt
Report: Seattle spent more than $136M with women- and minority-owned businesses

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Tips to combat ‘unhealthy’ air from wildfire smoke | King County Emergency Management
Why is COVID-19 more severe in men and elders? | UW Medicine
Opinion: What does it mean to violate the Hatch Act? | Roegner

Spokesman Review
Increase in testing, holiday weekend results in more confirmed COVID-19 cases
Firefighting crews fight smoke, rising temperatures in Washington and Idaho on Friday
Washington public lands chief says Malden blaze highlights need for more firefighting resources
Wild swings in the area fires consume and the homes they destroy
‘A coalescing of bad things’: As fires rage across the West, Washington firefighting resources are stretched
King County COVID-19 protections are keeping other illnesses away, too
Going back to school
Washington election officials scrambling after USPS sends confusing postcards to voters

Tri-City Herald
Kennewick schools cancel meal deliveries over hazardous air. Pasco moves meal pickup inside
Relief from nasty smoke in Tri-Cities not coming as soon as expected
Tri-Cities COVID cases up last week. State health officials concerned
Some Kennewick students back in schools. Richland and Pasco kids to follow
Oregon smoke plume sends Tri-Cities hazardous air quality off state charts
Fewer new COVID cases. Tri-Cities deaths remain at 160
Gyms, dance studios and more can reopen in Tri-Cities

USA Today
Coronavirus updates: WHO reports most global cases in a single day; Nevada governor criticizes indoor Trump rally
‘It seems systematic’: Doctors group finds 115 cases of head injuries from crowd control weapons during nationwide protests

Vancouver Business Journal
Workforce SW Washington secures more than $2 million to aid workers impacted by COVID-19

Yakima Herald Republic
New COVID-19 cases dip below 10 again Sunday in Yakima County
Winds a worry as death toll reaches 35 from West Coast fires
Two Yakima nonprofits serving immigrant populations awarded $20,000 for COVID-19 response relief
Washington Wildfire Map
Air quality remains hazardous in Yakima Valley; smoke, haze expected to last through Wednesday
Wildfires push Yakima Valley air pollution to hazardous levels
Air quality advisory and burn ban issued for reservations
Yakima County gyms, indoor fitness centers can reopen at limited capacity
Two human cases of West Nile virus reported in Central Washington
Latest: Washington governor blames climate change for fires
Wildfire smoke brings worst air quality to Portland, Seattle
Washington ranked as state with best safety net for workers during COVID-19
Virus America, six months in: Disarray, dismay, disconnect

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Air experts: There’s dangerous ‘tar’ in the smoke you’re breathing
Smoky skies remain with small improvement expected Tuesday
As the pandemic lingers, domestic violence rises in King County
Local Black Lives Matter group calls for investigation of Seattle City Council actions
Artist creates messages of hope in Tacoma
Closures of beaches, parks and boat launches in Seattle extended through Monday due to poor air quality
Racial injustice themes on display in empty NFL stadiums
Seattle air quality third worst in the world
Sumner Grade Fire 50% contained, some returning home
Cold Springs Fire in Okanogan County 45% contained
Smoky skies: What you can do to stay safe
Governor seeks federal wildfire assistance, warns to avoid smoke
Malden, Massachusetts steps up to help Malden, Washington following devastating wildfires
Seattle invites three scooter rental companies to apply for pilot permits
Emergency shelter opens in Seattle over weekend due to poor air quality
Officials battle online misinformation along with wildfires

KNKX FM
The view from one middle school in Parkland, as an unprecedented school year starts
Pierce County fire crews’ resources strained as Sumner Grade Fire continues to burn

KUOW FM
SEATTLE COULD SEE RELIEF FROM SMOKE AND UNHEALTHY AIR ON MONDAY
Keeping your student athlete strong and engaged amid pandemic can be a workout
Pier collapses on Seattle waterfront
Updates: Protests for racial justice in the Northwest
Blog: Ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in the Northwest
Trump Signs New Executive Order On Prescription Drug Prices
California Camp Fire Survivors Face The Horror All Over Again In 2020
Wildfires Latest: Helpful Weather; Oregon Official Warns Of ‘Mass Fatality Incident’
Longtime Climate Science Denier Hired At NOAA
‘Scorched earth, as far as the eye can see.’ How Washington wildfires are devastating human and animal communities
‘A mass casualty:’ Yakama Nation tribal member reflects on devastating Covid-19 impact to her community
‘The Thing I Dread The Most Is Not Knowing’: Western Wildfires Rage Amid Race To Flee
Protesters Were Supposed To Hear Warnings Before Federal Police Moved In. They Didn’t
DeVos Loses Latest Fight Over Rerouting Aid To Private School Students
It was an economic theory with little traction, then the pandemic hit
As COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Move At Warp Speed, Recruiting Black Volunteers Takes Time
Giuliani Distances Himself From Ukrainian Sanctioned By U.S. As Russian Agent
More Groceries, Less Gas: The Pandemic Is Shaking Up The Cost Of Living

NW Public Radio
UPDATES: Crews Make Good Progress In North-Central Washington And Colville Reservation Fires
Pullman COVID-19 Cases Continue Rapid Climb. WSU President And Governor Very Concerned
Breathing Wildfire Smoke Every Summer Could Have Long-Term Health Consequences

Web

Crosscut
Child care was already dysfunctional. COVID-19 could break it completely
As WA restaurants struggle, workers weigh physical and economic survival
Already stigmatized, sex workers have fewer choices in a pandemic
From WSU to Western, college town businesses are feeling the squeeze
Migrant workers leave WA farms, risking poverty instead of coronavirus
A debt crisis looms as renters turn to credit cards to stay afloat

Seattle P.I.
Pier 58 on Seattle waterfront collapses

Slog
The EPA is Doing a Little—Very Little—to Mitigate Pollution in Washington
Right-Wing Media Distorts Story of Machete Attack in Capitol Hill