WA scrambles to avoid mass evictions as moratorium nears end
Expanding tenant rights is necessary, said Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, because current state law is inadequate in the current moment. “Our residential landlord-tenant act never imagined — ever — that there’d be a circumstance where nearly 200,000 renters couldn’t pay rent at the same time,” she said. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Dorothy Edwards)
‘A basic requirement for modern life’: Hansen bill seeks to bolster broadband rollout
[Aline] Holmstrom was heartened to hear about the Public Broadband Act, a proposal in the Legislature this session, House Bill 1336, that aims to boost broadband rollout to get to homes like hers. The latest version of the measure, sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, would allow municipalities like public utility districts, ports, some cities, towns and counties the ability to retail internet access directly to customers. Continue reading at The Kitsap Sun. (Meegan M. Reid)
Legislators introduce drug decriminalization bill
The new push to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs like cocaine and heroin on Thursday came to Washington. Advocates and legislators announced the Pathways to Recovery Act, which would expand treatment systems and approach drug abuse as a public health problem instead of a crime. “No one has fallen too far to recover if only we give them a chance,” said Rep. Lauren Davis (D-Shoreline), a sponsor of the bill. Continue reading at KIRO7 TV.
Associated Press
Washington averaging 28,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day
Boeing to outsource IT work to Dell, eliminate 600 jobs
Grocery industry suing Seattle over new hazard-pay law
US employers add just 49K jobs, underscoring virus’ damage
U.S. trade deficit rises to 12-year high $679 billion
Biden approves federal disaster aid for Malden and Pine City
Grocery industry suing Seattle over new hazard-pay law
Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to authorize its 1-dose COVID-19 vaccine
Surprise tax forms reveal extent of unemployment fraud in US
US coronavirus deaths surpass 455,000; daily toll is stubbornly high
Auburn Reporter
Pay freeze for Inslee and state lawmakers this year
WA Democrats consider new tax on billionaires (Frame, Sullivan)
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
WA state health officials want you to cancel Super Bowl parties as a COVID-19 precaution
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington
Watch Live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee’s update on Legislature, COVID-19 at 2:30
4 Republican Washington state senators announce formation of ‘Freedom Caucus’
Concerned about inconsistent COVID-19 vaccine supply, Whatcom asks state for details
Whatcom sees one death, 105 new COVID-19 cases, as vaccine supply remains short
Gov. Inslee: ‘These are not random decisions’
Side effects after your second dose of COVID vaccine may be more intense. Here’s why
Here’s how Inslee reacted to Whatcom criticism about Roadmap plan to relax COVID-19 limits
Coronavirus weekly need-to-know: Double masks, variants, second vaccine doses & more
Will Americans get more financial relief from Biden or GOP COVID plan? Study compares
Dealing with the vaccine supply challenge
Inslee: Pierce, Thurston among counties moving to Phase 2 as reopening plan shifts
Majority of Americans approve of Biden’s pandemic response, new poll finds
Capital Press
Researchers: State funds for soil health initiative could be in question
Aerial applicator fined for drift that made farmworkers ill
Washington Democrats push for ‘net ecological gain’ (Lekanoff)
U.S. potato industry looks to regain overseas market share
Centralia Chronicle
Inslee Touts Vaccine Progress and Defends Criticism From Democratic Lawmakers (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Data-driven farming: New tech ‘changes agriculture’
Inslee: We have vaccine capacity, we just need the doses
‘Pallet’ village for Everett’s homeless could open in June
CORNFIELD REPORT Reopening gripes, fence frustrations and a wage freeze
Everett considers revenue-generating leases of city property
Pandemic slows growth of the clean-tech sector — for now
WaPo Comment: Local newspapers take Google, Facebook to court
Editorial: Maintain investment in higher ed and its students
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Frustration sets in for older residents searching for vaccine appointments
‘A basic requirement for modern life’: Hansen bill seeks to bolster broadband rollout (Hansen)
News Tribune (subscription required)
Puyallup School District looks to buy $2 million property for new junior high
Pierce County metrics need to hold or improve to maintain Phase 2; vaccine clinics ramping up
Pop-up donation centers keep the blood flowing in wake of COVID-19 shutdowns
New York Times
Live Updates: Biden Forges Ahead on $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Over Republican Objections
Covid-19 Live Updates: AstraZeneca Shot Found to Be Protective Against Variant First Seen in U.K.
Muddled Intelligence Hampered Response to Capitol Riot
Olympian (subscription required)
WA state health officials want you to cancel Super Bowl parties as a COVID-19 precaution
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington
Thurston County adds 24 COVID-19 cases; North Thurston announces more grades for hybrid learning
Appointments filled within 20 minutes for Providence vaccine clinic Saturday at the RAC
Bill in Washington state House would make tampons, pads free in school bathrooms (Berg)
4 Republican Washington state senators announce formation of ‘Freedom Caucus’
Peninsula Daily News
Bill mandating homeless shelters draws criticism
Bill proposes suicide review team
Feds: Member of Proud Boys arrested in Washington state
Washington Democrats push new tax on billionaires
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Washington averaging 28,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day
COVID-19 cluster in Jefferson County swells to 22 cases
Port Townsend Leader
COVID-19 case count in Jefferson County rises by 7
Editorial: Back up, Gov. Inslee (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Residential care facility is source of new JeffCo COVID cluster (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Why new taxes may not be enough to close Seattle’s economic divide
Despite progress, Inslee warns ‘vaccine supplies are very limited’
Amazon opens Everett distribution center, with 4 more planned for Puget Sound region
Why are there so few Black economists at the Fed?
Federal aid for closed cultural venues will be a race for cash
As prices soar, some brokers ‘very nervous’ over housing market’s direction
SBA relaunches cash grant program for these types of small businesses
Opinion: Take steps now to address the affordable housing crisis
Seattle Times (subscription required)
With COVID-19 vaccine in short supply, confusion abounds over second shots
Washington’s 3 GOP representatives vote against removing Rep. Greene from committee assignments
Gov. Inslee touts vaccine progress and defends criticism from Democratic lawmakers on his reopening plan
Biden administration OKs Washington state counties for disaster-relief aid for wildfires
Opinion: As we aim for less reliance on cars, learn from those who don’t drive
Federal judge to Seattle City Council: Tread carefully with efforts to defund police or risk violating consent decree
Seattle Weekly
Pay freeze for Inslee and state lawmakers this year
Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon City Council approves design contract for fire station upgrades
South Seattle Emerald
Community Police Commission appoints permanent director
OPINION: Skirting death by implicit bias at the doctor’s office
Spokesman Review
While experts advise staying home for Super Bowl LV, some Spokane bars and restaurants will be open
After months of Trump’s indifference, inaction, Biden approves disaster assistance for Washington wildfires, including Malden
Washington has the capacity to vaccinate way more people than the number of doses received
Shawn Vestal: Matt Shea, the Redoubt rock star, keeps riling up his followers for ‘total war’
Northwest Republicans oppose House vote to punish Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Tri-City Herald
What are the chances someone at your Tri-Cities Super Bowl party will have COVID?
Fire up your computers. Registration could open Friday for more Tri-Cities COVID vaccinations
56-acre Tri-Cities park nearly ready for hikers, with just one piece missing
USA Today
Politics live updates: Senate clears way to pass COVID relief, Biden to speak on economy
Vancouver Business Journal
January windstorm is reminder of value of diverse energy sources
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announces record year of giving
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Coronavirus update: Two new deaths in Umatilla County, 21 new cases in Walla Walla County
About 600 Walla Walla County residents vaccinated for COVID-19 Wednesday
Jurors selected; Leslie Moreno trial moves forward Thursday at Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
Michael A. Cavagna’s sentencing for eluding, gun possession delayed to ‘unknown’ date, time
Jurors selected; Leslie Moreno trial moves forward Thursday at Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
Walla Walla police officers nab couple on suspicion of burglary, drugs in early morning arrest
Walla Walla man Timothy L. Palmer, accused of child rape, gets bail reduction
State withdraws charges against Walla Walla nursing assistant
Washington Post
House set to advance budget plan as President Biden calls for swift action on economic relief
The economy gained just 49,000 jobs in January, as recover sputters amid pressure from virus
Yakima Herald Republic
Washington averaging 28,000 COVID-19 vaccinations a day
Not enough supply for mass vaccine clinic in Yakima yet; 18 other locations have received doses
Grocery industry suing Seattle over new hazard-pay law
Bill in Washington state House would make tampons, pads free in school bathrooms
Supporters say expanded sports betting in WA would add jobs
FEMA approves wildfire disaster declaration for Yakima, Kittitas counties
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Senate approves budget bill to pass Biden’s $1.9T COVID-19 relief plan
Washington state shifts COVID-19 vaccine strategy to boost access
Counties plead with Washington state to rethink reopening plan
Up to 32,000 homes in Bellevue affected by CenturyLink 911 outage
Seattle faces deep financial impacts from Canada’s ban on cruise ships until 2022
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Whatcom County calls out state over allocation of vaccine doses
Legislators introduce drug decriminalization bill (Davis)
Health officials worry about ‘super spreader’ events ahead of Sunday’s big game
Tax forms – the latest unpleasant surprise in the mail for victims of unemployment impostor fraud
Seattle cruise season in jeopardy after Canada extends cruise ship ban
Central area seniors rejoice after receiving COVID vaccine
After airlift, coma, and months in ICU, COVID-19 survivor is about to leave UW Medicine
Local congresswomen respond to House action on Greene
SPS return to in-person learning at start of March likely delayed
‘I don’t have a computer’: Seniors share hardships competing for online vaccine spots
Friends of disabled stabbing victim believe he was the victim of a hate crime
Washington ranks in Top 10 of safest states during pandemic, study finds
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
‘Historic level’ of court backlogs leaves criminals on the King Co. streets
Seattle planning mass COVID-19 vaccination sites by spring
Inslee sticking with regional phased COVID-19 approach despite growing criticism
Biden OKs disaster aid for Wash. towns destroyed by wildfire
Tension in Republican Party at U.S. Capitol impacts GOP future in Washington state
Rape cases increasing at alarming rate in King County this year
KNKX FM
Washington Town Wiped Out By Wildfire Will Get Delayed Federal Aid
KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for the Northwest
U.S. Adds Just 49,000 Jobs In January, ‘Not Anywhere Close’ To Recovering Lost Jobs
Senate Passes Budget Resolution; Vice President Harris Breaks Tie
One Thing Millennials Aren’t Killing? Public Transportation
Return to school expected to be delayed for Seattle students pre-K to grade 1
Johnson & Johnson Applies For Emergency Use Authorization for Anti-COVID-19 Vaccine
Federal Aid is Finally Coming To Washington Town Decimated By Wildfire
Washington billionaire tax proposal tries to find equity, includes ‘escape’ loopholes
Q13 TV (Fox)
Southwest Washington man charged with entering Capitol during siege
Web
Crosscut
The persistent disparities in accessing WA health care
WA scrambles to avoid mass evictions as moratorium nears end (Macri, Rolfes, Das)
Opinion: If you’re under 65, don’t hesitate to vaccinate against COVID-19
Billy Frank Jr. could replace Washington’s statue of Marcus Whitman (Lekanoff, Carlyle)
Podcast | Defund, then what? Seattle activists’ ideas for police dollars
Opinion: COVID-19 and the overwhelming demand for basic needs
Washington could become the second state to decriminalize drugs (Davis, Nguyen)
MyNorthwest
Federal judge rebukes Seattle council for running afoul of SPD consent decree in 2020
Washington now has capacity to administer 45,000 vaccines a day
Cold air brings ‘some potential for snow’ next week across Puget Sound region
Sawant claims police slowed investigation into threats, City and SPD tell different story
Grocery associations file lawsuit against Seattle to stop hazard pay
Advocates believe latest effort to expand WA sports betting has ‘a lot of momentum’
Slog
Cancel Your Fucking Super Bowl Plans
Brian Eno Knows Why Reopening Indoor Dining and Gyms in King County Is a Very Bad Idea