Washington state owes a big debt to its eviction moratorium. But now the bill is coming due
Almost half of the Washingtonians behind on rent told Census Bureau pollsters that they think they are very or somewhat likely to be evicted in the next two months. This month, the Spokane County Bar Association predicted that Spokane County would have as many as 2,500 eviction filings every month in the period after the moratorium was lifted. Continue reading at The Inlander. (Young Kwak)
Washington state Senate unanimously passes bill introduced in response to data breach
The Washington state Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday that would create an office to consolidate and coordinate the state’s cybersecurity efforts. The bill was proposed in response to a breach announced earlier this month that exposed the personal data of about 1.6 million residents. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Damian Dovarganes)
Western lawmakers lead a movement to protect natural hair
Washington state Democratic Rep. Melanie Morgan, who sponsored Washington’s CROWN Act, praised the law’s insistence that her constituents’ natural hair be accepted, “whether that’s in braids or twists or locs.” Rep. Morgan argues that the use of straightening chemicals should be a choice, particularly for Black women and girls who have had to straighten their hair rather than wear natural hairstyles in order to advance at work or school. Continue reading at High Country News. (Washington State LSS)
Associated Press
Utility disconnection moratorium extended until July 31
Senate OKs measure creating state Office of Cybersecurity
Bill to ban Native American mascots at WA schools advances in Legislature (Lekanoff)
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US
Aberdeen Daily World
Construction on Hoquiam’s Adams Street waterfront park to begin soon
Letter: Why not here?
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Watch live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to give update on COVID-19 at 3:30 p.m.
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Finding a COVID vaccine in Whatcom is hard, but providers are setting appointments
More fierce wind set to hit Whatcom. Here’s when to expect it
There‘s a new way for Bellingham residents to ask for pothole filling, other quick fixes
Need a pothole fixed? There is a new way to alert the city of Bellingham
Washington state Senate unanimously passes bill introduced in response to data breach (Carlyle)
Blaine Northern Light
Suicide prevention team moves forward (Ortiz-Self)
Capital Press
Court hears challenge to Inslee’s veto pen
WSU economist: Crop insurance choice a ‘crapshoot’
Columbian
Herrera Beutler grills state health secretary over vaccine allocation
Clark County reports 37 new COVID-19 cases and one death Wednesday
In Our View: Caring for mental health also vital in pandemic
The Daily News
More than 500 people get COVID-19 vaccine at Cowlitz County Fairgrounds Wednesday
El Sol de Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
New immigration reform bill offers hope to immigrants
Enthusiastic welcome for the COVID-19 vaccine
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Third-strike offender, sentenced to life in 1996, to go free
Oh, crab! NOAA’s Mukilteo waterfront fish lab won’t be rebuilt
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
High Country News
Foreign-born doctors fill physician shortages in the West
‘Land-grab universities’ wins Polk Award for Education Reporting
A rural remedy to health care access
The benefits of outdoor education aren’t accessible to all
Western lawmakers lead a movement to protect natural hair (Morgan)
The Inlander
Washington state owes a big debt to its eviction moratorium. But now the bill is coming due
News Tribune (subscription required)
Tacoma light display will honor Pierce County COVID-19 deaths. ‘Each light was someone’
182 complaints lodged against Pierce County church over lack of COVID safety measures
Charging decision on Tacoma officers involved in Manuel Ellis’ death to come by April
New York Times
Nursing Homes, Once Hotspots, Far Outpace U.S. in Covid Declines
A Recall for Newsom in California? Talk Grows as Governors Come Under Attack
Helping People Find Covid-19 Vaccines Is Aim of C.D.C.-Backed Site
Biden Revokes Trump’s Pause on Green Cards
Chief of Cherokee Nation Asks Jeep to Stop Using Tribe’s Name
Haaland, With a Key Vote in Her Column, Appears Headed for Confirmation
Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County reports 2 COVID-19 deaths, 28 cases on Wednesday
Washington state Senate unanimously passes bill introduced in response to data breach
Thurston County, local cities formalize Regional Housing Council
Burning the West to save it: Why one solution to our raging wildfires can’t gain traction
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Where does Washington stand with COVID vaccines? It ranks among best in US, report says
Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Clallam, Jefferson counties making headway on shots
County signs on to letter regarding public health districts
Port Townsend Leader
No new COVID-19 cases Tuesday in Jefferson County
Puget Sound Business Journal
Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa found in King County
Seattle council bill would temporarily relax rules for home-based businesses
The Seattle Medium
Mayor’s Council On African American Elders Seeks New Members
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Two new candidates, Brianna Thomas and Mike McQuaid, seek seats on Seattle Council
What Biden’s sweeping immigration changes could mean in Washington state
Court blocks release of records about Seattle officers who attended Trump rally on day of Capitol siege
Seattle School Board selects former administrator to serve as interim superintendent
‘A mass woke-ning’: Seattle’s Gen Zers on the future they want to see
King County homelessness ‘czar’ candidate turns down job
How to improve your mask’s protection against COVID-19: Do’s and don’ts
Biden officially undoes Trump’s designation of Seattle as an ‘anarchist jurisdiction’
Washington AG Bob Ferguson sues Google, again, for alleged violations of political-ad transparency law
Skagit Valley Herald
Community Court arrives in Burlington, Sedro-Woolley
La Conner moves forward with potential Maple Fields sale
Relief available for those behind on utility bills
Spokesman Review
Northside Landfill eyed for solar development
No coronavirus variants detected in Eastern Washington yet, but health officials ask for vigilance
WSU economist: Washington farmers expected to see lower revenue, flat wheat prices in 2021
State House passes bill to exempt certain election security information from public records disclosure (Dolan)
USA Today
Donald Trump’s tax records obtained by New York prosecutors, boosting investigation
‘A reckoning is near’: America has a vast overseas military empire. Does it still need it?
COVID-19 taking a toll: Some doctors see ‘massive pandemic of mentally ill adolescents’
The Equality Act with protections for LGBTQ Americans is up for a vote in the House. What is it?
Washington Post
Many of Biden’s nominees of color run into turbulence in the Senate
New vaccine developments raise hopes even as virus variants proliferate
Scientists see stronger evidence of slowing Atlantic Ocean circulation, an ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the climate
Trump’s tax returns have been turned over to Manhattan district attorney
Biden squeezed on immigration policy, bracing for border crisis
Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima area health officials praise efforts to improve COVID-19 metrics, but stress vigilance
Yakima Health District reports 73 new COVID cases; Rite-Aid taking vaccine appointments
Judge upholds Seattle eviction regulations
Senate OKs measure creating state Office of Cybersecurity
Bill to prohibit public schools’ use of Native names, symbols as mascots passes state House
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington insurance commissioner slams Senate’s pullback on proposed credit score ban (Mullet)
No set timeline for when Washington will reach herd immunity to COVID-19
Edmonds students grades 3-12 won’t return to classrooms this school year
Police body cameras not a priority for Washington lawmakers in 2021 session (Goodman)
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Study shows growth of West Coast COVID-19 variant
Charging decision on Tacoma officers involved in Manuel Ellis’ death to come by April
Registration for next COVID-19 vaccine event in Tacoma coming Thursday
Supporters: House Bill 1168 would prevent/stop urban wildfires like Sumner Grade
First-come, first-served vaccination clinics cause happiness for some, confusion for others
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Pregnant women have 70 percent higher chance of contracting COVID-19, study says
Seattle police union president addresses controversial tweet on U.S. Capitol riot
‘Why aren’t we coming together?’ Seattle still reeling from year of violent protests
Clark County receiving ‘significantly’ fewer vaccine doses than other major counties
KNKX FM
State superintendent says he wants a smaller sample of students to take standardized tests
New monument at Washington Capitol will honor Black pioneer George Bush and family
KUOW FM
Biden Reopens Gateway For Green Cards And Work Visas, Reversing Trump COVID-19 Freeze
WA Legislature considering bill to ban for-profit prisons and detention centers (Ortiz-Self)
Pandemic blog: Updates for the Northwest
February | Immigrant doctors could help a Covid-19 health worker shortage (Harris-Talley)
The Supreme Court Wrestles With ‘Police Chase’ That Wasn’t
Biden Administration To Deliver 25 Million Masks To Health Centers And Food Banks
What Is A Cold Chain? And Why Do So Many Vaccines Need It?
NW Public Radio
New Rule Allowing Hound Training For Cougar Tracking Highlights Wildlife-Human Challenges
Q13 TV (Fox)
Some Seattle business owners are at their breaking point over crime
Biden revokes Trump orders on ‘anarchist’ cities like Seattle
Federal watchdog blasts FAA over certification of Boeing jet
Web
Crosscut
Washington’s plastic bag ban on hold during COVID-19 (Peterson, Das, Carlyle)
Opinion: Hazard pay isn’t to blame for Kroger closing two Seattle QFCs
Skanner
New I-5 Bridge Replacement Program Leader to Center Equity in Planning
Slog
Major Worker Protection Bill Narrowly Passes Committee, Will Likely Head to the House Floor (Springer, Tharinger, Hansen, Keiser, Pedersen)
Multiple Virus Variants Have Hit Washington. Now What?
Susan Collins Isn’t Sure Queer People Should Be Allowed to Keep Their Jobs and Homes