WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Tuesday, September 15

A Ben Franklin Transit bus navigates the roundabout on North Young Street at Grandridge Boulevard Monday morning as a thick layer of wildfire smoke blankets the Tri-Cities. The outline of the Benton County Justice Center is barely distinguishable in the background through the hazy conditions. BOB BRAWDY TRI-CITY HERALD

Latest smoke forecast. Hazardous air here to stay ‘til Friday
The air in the Tri-Cities is expected to be so smoky that it will remain hazardous through noon Friday, says the Benton Clean Air Agency. Monday was the fourth day in a row local air quality was classified as hazardous. Most Hanford workers are being told to stay home again Tuesday for a second day, with some schools that are offering limited in-person classes making similar announcements Monday afternoon. Continue reading at The Tri-City Herald. (Bob Brawdy)


Kendrick Lamar finds a quiet spot to study next to a pile of donated lunches at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center community hall building in Tacoma, Wash., on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. JOSHUA BESSEX JBESSEX@THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

From low-income child care to remote learning: COVID-19 forces Tacoma day care to adapt
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, child care facilities like the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center have been deemed essential by Gov. Jay Inslee, even as reduced enrollments have hurt bottom lines. With in-person instruction not happening at local schools, many child care facilities are also being forced to serve as de facto schools for children who don’t have the option to stay home, including taking on the inherent health risks. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Joshua Bessex)


AZUSA, CALIF. The Ranch 2 Fire burned more than 4,200 acres, part of the worst wildfire season in California history.

HOW CLIMATE MIGRATION WILL RESHAPE AMERICA
Once you accept that climate change is fast making large parts of the United States nearly uninhabitable, the future looks like this: With time, the bottom half of the country grows inhospitable, dangerous and hot. Something like a tenth of the people who live in the South and the Southwest — from South Carolina to Alabama to Texas to Southern California — decide to move north in search of a better economy and a more temperate environment. Continue reading at The New York Times. (Meridith Kohut)


Print

Associated Press
Choking air from Western fires just won’t ease up
Easing fires not as simple as climate change vs. forest work
Investigations opened in Seattle pier collapse
COVID-19 deaths surpass 2,000 in Washington state
Fires raise fight over climate change before Trump’s visit
Washington state county states goal to remove polluting dam
States see pressure to ban race-based hairstyle prejudice
Coronavirus complicates wildfire evacuations on West Coast
Alaska Airlines suspends flights to Portland, Spokane
Latest: Oregon seeks presidential disaster declaration
Facebook to buy REI’s new headquarters near Seattle
Washington dairies challenge EPA groundwater pollution study
Amazon to hire 100,000 to keep up with online shopping surge
Black scientists call out racism in the field and counter it
Groups turn to hotels to shelter fire evacuees amid virus

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here’s how Washington families affected by wildfires can apply for financial help
Bellingham mayor declares racism a public health crisis, will present a proclamation soon
Whatcom County pushes to stabilize child care as COVID-19 reduces availability. Here’s how
Whatcom sees 1 death and 4 new COVID cases Monday, as 3 areas have big rate increases
Air near ‘hazardous’ as wildfire smoke blankets Whatcom. The forecast is discouraging
Washington state reports 312 new COVID-19 cases Monday and 15 deaths from weekend
You had COVID-19. Should you take the vaccine anyway? Scientists search for an answer
How safe is celebrating Halloween where you live? Map helps determine COVID-19 risks
Historic number of storms churning in Atlantic at once as 2020 hurricane season rages

Capital Press
At least 10 dead and 22 missing amid million-acre wildfires in Oregon
Inslee brings forbidden fruit to Eastern Washington
Researchers study virus threats to potato industry

Columbian
Hazardous air quality continues
8 virus cases linked to Clark County schools

Everett Herald (subscription required)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: Piecemeal Covid response unhelpful for farmworkers
Bloomberg Comment: How to answer doubts about a Covid vaccine
Comment: Pharmacies must be part of Covid vaccination network
Editorial: Everett 2021 budget seeks something more than cuts

Federal Way Mirror
South King Fire joins local crews to help battle Oregon wildfires
Facebook purchases unused Bellevue REI headquarters
Inslee sends letter to Trump on the role of climate change in historic wildfires
Antifa isn’t starting Washington wildfires

Highline Times
City of Burien and Highline Public Schools partner to connect kids
More than $19 Million in COVID-related funding coming for rental assistance and homeowner support 

The Inlander
Hazardous air quality sets Inland Northwest record, expected to continue this week

Island’s Weekly
Order lifts limits on lodging, camping and playgrounds
Lopez respectfully removes Black lives memorial
San Juan County adopts changes to marijuana ordinance
Washington ranked No. 1 state to work
Commercial and recreational boaters asked to “Take The Pledge” to protect pregnant orcas
An open letter to Washington State Ferries | Letter

Issaquah Reporter
Facebook purchases unused Bellevue REI headquarters
King County voters to decide $1.74B Harborview Medical Center measure
Tips to combat ‘unhealthy’ air from wildfire smoke | King County Emergency Management

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Lopez respectfully removes Black lives memorial

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Timeline of St. Michael’s COVID-19 outbreak: Why was the public not notified sooner about the virus’ spread?
Bainbridge’s Jason McLennan leading sustainability plans for Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken
South Kitsap’s Booth not the typical tech-head
Wildfire smoke breaks records, hangs on; ‘like living in a constant state of fog’
Design begins on $15.7 million Port Orchard Marina breakwater replacement project

News Tribune (subscription required)
From low-income child care to remote learning: COVID-19 forces Tacoma day care to adapt
Pierce County calls for hydropower project to close after turf released in Puyallup River
Homeless services hit the road. RV and trailers bring help to East Pierce County
Fire-ravaged state Route 410 will reopen to traffic Tuesday morning
Pierce County school districts debate whether to have shorter school years due to wildfires

New York Times
Wildfires Live Updates: Smoke Crosses U.S. as Blazes Rage in West
HOW CLIMATE MIGRATION WILL RESHAPE AMERICA
Covid-19 Live Updates: Pelosi Says House Will ‘Stay Here Until We Have a Bill’ for More Aid
U.S. Poverty Hit a Record Low Before the Pandemic Recession
Diversity Push Barely Budges Corporate Boards to 12.5%, Survey Finds
400,000 Immigrants Can Be Forced to Leave the U.S., Court Rules
For Prisoners in the West, the Virus and the Wildfires Are Colliding Threats
Facebook Is Failing in Global Disinformation Fight, Says Former Worker
A ‘Crossroads’ for Humanity: Earth’s Biodiversity Is Still Collapsing
A Secret Recording Reveals Oil Executives’ Private Views on Climate Change

Olympian (subscription required)
After homeless camp sweep, Olympia port commission explores lease for sanctioned site
Week begins with 2 new COVID-19 cases in Thurston County
Military recruiters use video games, social media to attract interest during COVID
United Way sets up emergency fund to benefit people affected by Washington, Oregon fires
New law lets Washington cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs. It’s not a crazy idea
Here’s how Washington families affected by wildfires can apply for financial help
Port of Olympia force homeless to move from land near New Market Industrial Campus
Clean air still out of reach for now as forecast shifts in South Sound
Washington state reports 312 new COVID-19 cases Monday and 15 deaths from weekend
‘I am your wife,’ badly burned woman whispers to man who found her in Oregon wildfire

Peninsula Daily News
Smoke may linger on Peninsula despite rain
No COVID-19 cases on Peninsula for three days

Puget Sound Business Journal
Analyst: Trouble at Boeing’s South Carolina 787 plant could hinder consolidation
U.S. restricts Chinese apparel and tech products, citing forced labor
Economists warn of US ‘wasteland’ without stimulus deal
Amazon to hire 100,000 more fulfillment employees
Opinion: Demand for mental health services are rising in the workplace

Skagit Valley Herald
MVSD construction project moves to next phase
Smoke lingers, extending air quality concerns
COVID testing site closure extended
Farmers adjust potato harvest for COVID-19 safety
Input sought on transportation priorities
Comments sought on Cooke Aquaculture permit

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Inslee sends letter to Trump on the role of climate change in historic wildfires
Facebook purchases unused Bellevue REI headquarters

Spokesman Review
Wildfire smoke and COVID-19 can combine into big threat for patients
Council votes on fluoride
‘A coalescing of bad things’: As fires rage across the West, Washington firefighting resources are stretched
Opinion: Craig Mason: Spokane needs a victimization survey

Tri-City Herald
Some Tri-Cities schools told to be ready to reopen as soon as Oct. 1
Latest smoke forecast. Hazardous air here to stay ‘til Friday
No decline in Tri-Cities COVID cases, but hospitals treating far fewer patients
Relief for Tri-Cities dirty air ‘poofing out.’ Hanford workers and students told to stay home
This Tri-Cities restaurant is getting gutted and going digital
Kennewick schools cancel meal deliveries over hazardous air. Pasco moves meal pickup inside

USA Today
Smoke from western wildfires reaches East Coast; over 150 miles burned in Sequoia National Park

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Relief from nasty smoke not coming as soon as expected
Walla Walla County sees ‘pretty light’ weekend for COVID-19
Lower Valley dairies challenging EPA study blaming them for groundwater pollution
Washington winemakers hoping impact of wildfires on grapes remains minimal
Can smoke from the West’s wildfires make you feel sick?
Seattle Times: Washington farms and farmworkers face new threat from wildfires

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Air quality remains unhealthy as more smoke expected this week
USPS postcard could create election confusion
Sumner Grade Fire now 85% contained
Symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure to watch out for
As the pandemic lingers, domestic violence rises in King County
Amazon to hire 100,000 full- and part-time employees in US, Canada
‘Willful denials are harming our nation’: Gov. Inslee writes to president about climate change, historic wildfires

KNKX FM
Air quality scientists say wind — not rain — will clear out smokey skies

KUOW FM
When Will Smoke Clear Out Of Northwest Skies? Not As Soon As We’d All Hoped
Court Rules Government Can End Humanitarian Protections For Some 300,000 Immigrants
2,000 have died of coronavirus in Washington state. That’s halfway to China’s total death toll
Updates: Protests for racial justice in the Northwest
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the NW
Another week of wildfire smoke. But it’s not because of antifa.
At Least 35 Dead As Wildfires Rampage Along The West Coast
A Possible Sign Of Life Right Next Door To Earth, On Venus

Web

Crosscut
The art of the mask comes to Seattle’s Museum of Museums
Washington state is getting a new marine wildlife hospital

Slog
There’s a Big Hole in the Seattle Waterfront
New Report Shows Dozens of Seattle Bridges in “Concerning” Condition
Don’t Miss “Eyes on the Ground: A Conversation With Portland’s Protest Journalists”