Record number of votes cast in Washington in 2020, but turnout rate shy of 2008
The nation reached new heights in voting in the 2020 presidential election, and the state of Washington is no exception: It broke the record for numbers of ballots cast and came close to the record for percentage of voters voting. Secretary of State Kim Wyman announced Tuesday that 4,116,894 voters, or 84.14% of Washington’s 4,892,871 registered voters, filled out their ballots for the Nov. 3 election. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Bob Brawdy)
Should people with low incomes get cash payments from the city? Tacoma to explore it
Residents facing poverty in Tacoma might soon be able to seek help from the city in the form of a cash payment. A $100,000 grant in partnership with the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and United Way of Pierce County will pave the way for further exploration of guaranteed income in Tacoma. Tacoma City Council approved the grant on Tuesday. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (City of Tacoma)
In aftermath of Lutz firing, pressure builds to revamp health boards in Washington
The firing of former health officer Dr. Bob Lutz from the Spokane Regional Health District sparked questions of the role and structure of local public health boards. Public health experts say his firing is just another example of how public health has become politicized during the pandemic. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Molly Quinn)
Associated Press
US virus deaths top 3,100 in a single day for the first time
School closings threaten gains of students with disabilities
Stay home for the holidays or get tested twice, CDC urges
Asian shares inch higher on optimism over vaccines, stimulus
Nurses wanted: Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help
US lawmakers unveil anti-slavery constitutional amendment
House committee chair presses Census on delays to count
Washington state to boost Amazon workers’ compensation
Lawsuit: St. Michael Medical Center insurer discriminated against transgender teen
Union coalition urges state to approve methanol plant
Operating error sends wastewater into Puget Sound
Seattle rents down 20% since start of COVID-19 pandemic
US jobless claims remain high at 712,000 as virus escalates
Aberdeen Daily World
COVID case counts continue to rise in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties
Op-ed: Broadband is critical for Grays Harbor: How you can help connect your community
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
John Braun of Centralia elected state Senate Minority Leader
Many questions, few details about who will get a COVID-19 vaccine when, DOH officials say
Record number of votes cast in Washington in 2020, but turnout rate shy of 2008
Whatcom tops 2,500 total COVID cases with 76 new positive tests reported Wednesday
Killer whale populations are dying. New study helps researchers understand why
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
As COVID-19 wears down Whatcom’s small businesses, new financial help is available
Whatcom County prioritizes first COVID-19 vaccines expected this month
Operating error sends wastewater into Puget Sound
Lawsuit: Transgender teen’s health insurance violated ACA
Frontline doctor’s perspective on caring for COVID-19 patients in Washington
How long do you have to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure? CDC announces new guidance
Mask mandates can actually spur the economy – depending on who enforces it, study says
How long before the millions of jobs lost during COVID-19 come back? What experts say
Coronavirus updates: State reaches 167,216 cases
Capital Press
Washington agriculture committee chairman exits after 12 years (Blake, Schewmake, Lekanoff, Chapman)
Judge dismisses lawsuit aimed at blocking Washington forest project
Judge sides with USDA on protecting farmer data
Complaint seeks to block sheep grazing in Washington national forest
Wildlife advocates sue to protect Canada lynx
Columbian
Camas’ Discovery High School students create stanchions, desk shields in class
New accounting approach raises Clark County’s COVID-19 death toll
Board of Health declares racism a public health crisis in Clark County
Everett Herald (subscription required)
16,000 fentanyl pills, pounds of meth, heroin seized in bust
‘There’s going to be some tears’ over 160-acre timber harvest
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Snohomish County Jail employee charged in drug smuggling
WaPo Comment: Compiling pandemic’s history accurately won’t be easy
The Inlander
Virus got your contact tracers overwhelmed? There’s now an app for that
We’re supposed to be kind to the fine folks prolonging this pandemic?
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Nine infected in COVID-19 outbreak among Port Orchard Fred Meyer employees
COVID-19 outbreak on S’Klallam reservation connected to Thanksgiving week gatherings
Bremerton fast ferry to switch docks in Seattle while Kitsap Transit studies long-term solution
Denmark to dig up dead minks with mutated novel coronavirus after some ‘rise from graves’
News Tribune (subscription required)
Should people with low incomes get cash payments from the city? Tacoma to explore it
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Workers compensation insurance premiums to stay steady in 2021
Pierce County domestic violence suspect dies after robot reveals self-harm, deputies say
COVID-19 is crushing those who help others in need. What happens when nonprofits die?
Elevated levels of COVID-19 cases continue Wednesday in Pierce County; 3 new deaths
County Council to vote on taking over joint health agency. Motives, timing questioned
Olympian (subscription required)
Many questions, few details about who will get a COVID-19 vaccine when, DOH officials say
John Braun of Centralia elected state Senate Minority Leader
West Olympia Business Association distributing free PPE
224 killed, 186 military aircraft lost. Pilots worry about being ‘the next accident’
Board extends unused ordinance allowing Thurston homeless encampments
Thurston County COVID-19 cases grow by 68 on Wednesday
Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Health officials prepare for surge in COVID-19 cases
Port Townsend Leader
Suspended street maintenance, layoffs, levy increase expected for city of Port Townsend under proposed 2021 budget
Lethal force used to remove mountain goats from Olympic National Park
Puget Sound Business Journal
As hospitals fill, travel nurses race to virus hot spots
Covid vaccine supply chain targeted by hackers, say security experts
Covid vaccines are coming soon, but must overcome public’s safety doubts
Small-business groups unhappy with latest SBA PPP loan data dump
Office demand index quantifies how badly Covid has walloped Seattle market
Reinventing workers for the post-Covid economy
Who will get the coronavirus vaccine first?
Opinion: Seattle’s VC ecosystem should capitalize on homegrown startups
Seattle Times (subscription required)
I fear everyday encounters more than I do hate groups
Lawsuit: DOC fired guard trainee for wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ shirt after others wore ‘Police Lives Matter’ shirts
Seattle will allow religious organizations to develop larger buildings with affordable housing
Finding a new path in a pandemic: How one Seattle architect went from mansions to tiny homes
Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley’s CARES Act funds distributed
Hospitals cope as COVID surge continues
South Seattle Emerald
Older man said to be veteran suffering from PTSD pepper sprayed, pulled to ground by SPD officer
Tracy Castro-Gill is insuppressible, and so is Ethnic Studies
Spokesman Review
Two Spokane County Commissioners say they won’t support a new charter to halt 5 commissioner bill, citing lack of support from constituents (Riccelli)
In aftermath of Lutz firing, pressure builds to revamp health boards in Washington (Riccelli)
Tri-City Herald
COVID pandemic won’t stop these Tri-Cities annual Christmas season events
5 more COVID deaths reported in Tri-Cities after jump in new cases
‘Taken too soon.’ Tri-Cities area COVID deaths climb to 199
Editorial: Want to help Tri-Cities businesses? Be a customer, not just a protester
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla High School’s Ramirez raises 12th Man flag for Sunday’s Seahawks game
Walla Walla ward’s problems come to fore after City Council walk-about
Washington Post
U.S. reports more than 200,000 new cases and 100,000 hospitalizations for first time
Hackers try to penetrate the vital ‘cold chain’ for coronavirus vaccines, security team reports
Trump escalates baseless attacks on election with 46-minute video rant
‘Absolutely normal’: Covid vaccine side effects are no reason to avoid the shots, doctors say
What Elliot Page’s coming out can teach us about supporting transgender people: ‘Lead with love’
Trump is said to be livid at Barr, with one official suggesting termination possible
Yakima Herald Republic
Community testing for COVID-19 increasing, but capacity still good
Another 114 Yakima County COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday, no new deaths
Some 2-week coronavirus quarantines can be cut to 10 or 7 days, CDC says
City of Yakima hasn’t weighed in yet on whether it will send letter to Gov. Jay Inslee asking for increased local control
Opinion: ESD’s efforts to hinder audits is shameful
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Overlake Medical Center faces staffing shortage as coronavirus cases soar
Ryanair orders 75 more 737 MAX jets in boost for Boeing
Tacoma launches garbage collection program for homeless camps
Pierce County Council considers disbanding Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health Department
Two western Washington restaurants defy Inslee’s COVID-19 indoor dining restrictions
Washington state adopts CDC’s shortened quarantine guidelines
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Applications now open for new round of small business grants
Thousands of Washington residents receive overpayment notices for unemployment benefits
Washington prepares to receive COVID-19 vaccine shipments
’It’s a Christmas miracle.’ Community saves landmark café and its generous owner
Mossyrock passes ordinance allowing businesses to remain open during shutdown
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington state face major hurdles in distributing COVID-19 vaccines effectively
Photos: Seattle’s new Market to MOHAI Corridor connects SLU to Waterfront
UW study: Young whites report more illegal acts, young Blacks arrested more
Rush begins for new round of small business COVID-19 relief grants
Seattle rents down 20% since start of COVID-19 pandemic
KNKX FM
Pierce County Council proposal to dissolve public health partnership draws swift criticism
KREM2
Washington legislators urge Congress to extend federal unemployment funding (Keiser, Sells)
KUOW FM
‘We’re All Tired Of This’: Health Care Workers In Seattle Prepare For Another Surge
Covid-19 pandemic updates for the Northwest
U.S. Hits 100,000 COVID-19 Hospitalizations; More Than 3,100 Daily Deaths
Leaked Files Show Trump’s Ability To Alter Census May Come Down To The Wire
More COVID-19 hospitalizations, more deaths, and plans for a vaccine rollout
Lawmakers Barrel Ahead On Defense Bill Plans, Balking At Trump Veto Threat
Nearly 3,000 European invaders found on Puget Sound shores. They’re crabs
CDC Adviser On COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups And Why Some Aren’t Eager To Be First
‘We Don’t Have To Live This Way’: Doctors Call For Climate Action
Grounded: Emotional Support Animals No Longer Guaranteed Free Flights
Top Democrats Back Off Demands for Larger COVID-19 Bill
Social Distancing Plummeted In Lead Up To Fall Surge, Survey Finds
CDC Shortens Its COVID-19 Quarantine Recommendations
NW Public Radio
Washington Lawmakers And Activists Craft Police Reform Bills Ahead Of 2021 Legislative Session (Johnson, Goodman)
Q13 TV (Fox)
Future of Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept. suddenly in question
‘Like a freight train out of control’: Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health reacts to county proposal
Fire officials concerned over safety hazards after King Co. turns hotel into homeless shelter
Pierce Co. conservation group blazes trail to fight climate change, help local ecology
Lewis County community won’t recognize governor’s new Covid restrictions
Web
MyNorthwest
Ryanair gives Boeing a boost by ordering 75 more MAX jets
Mayor Durkan ‘in conversation’ to remove East Precinct wall, reopen Cal Anderson Park
With Washington election certified, Loren Culp continues to threaten legal action
lAW360
Wash. Lawmakers May Consider Digital Ad Sales Tax (Slatter)
Slog
ACLU Asks Durkan to Ban Use of Facial Recognition Software at SPD
The Pandemic Has Increased Costs at the PNW’s Abortion Fund
The Pandemic Has Changed Life for Animals in Zoos, Aquariums, and Science Centers
The Most Costly Pandemic Policy Out There Is Not Imposing Restrictions on Washington Businesses
SPOG President Mike Solan Continues Campaign to Scare the Shit Out of Everyone
West Seattle Blog
VIDEO: Post-decision, what’s up on and around the West Seattle Bridge? Here’s what the Community Task Force heard