WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, April 14

A woman heads into a restaurant with its windows covered by sheets of plywood, one block south of the State Capitol. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

WA Senate passes bill to lower unemployment insurance tax hit next year
The Washington State Senate unanimously passed a bill to lower the unemployment insurance tax hike for small businesses next year. Unemployment insurance is paid solely by taxes on business owners. The taxes are set to skyrocket in the next few years to refill the Unemployment Trust Fund, which has been all but depleted from the record number of people on jobless benefits this past year. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (David Zalubowski)


The Washington State Capitol dome against a blue sky with cherry tree branches in the foreground.

Bill on equity training moves past House
School personnel in Washington state may be required to go through equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism training if a bill is signed into law during this year’s state legislative session. Senate Bill [5044], which passed in the House Sunday in a 57-40 vote, would include equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism standards in existing cultural competency training school board directors, district and school staff must undergo, according to the bill’s text. Continue reading at The Columbia Basin Herald.


A man toting an AR-15 assault rifle and a companion carrying an upside-down U.S. flag head toward a June 7, 2020, anti-racism protest in Spokane. (Photo: Emily McCarty/Crosscut)

After A Turbulent Year, Washington State Poised To Ban Guns At Protests, Capitol Grounds
After a summer of armed, mostly white “patrols” at racial justice protests and the winter insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Washington lawmakers are ready to ban guns at demonstrations and the statehouse. Continue reading at InvestigateWest. (Emily McCarty)


Print

Associated Press
Gray whale could be sick from tracking tag
Audit: Unemployment fraud likely higher than $647 million
Washington follows feds in halting use of J&J vaccine
Biden to detail pullout plans for last troops in Afghanistan

Aberdeen Daily World
Clean fuel standard, ‘cap-and-trade’ proposals pass state Senate
Commentary: Voter suppression will be the lasting effect of Trump’s Big Lie

Auburn Reporter
Johnson & Johnson vaccine halted in Washington over side effect
High court ruling spurs effort to retool state’s drug laws

Bainbridge Island Review
Kitsap to start diversion, equity, inclusion committee

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here’s how many Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses have been administered in Washington state
A revision to Washington state’s Death with Dignity Act stalls in the Senate
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
While two Whatcom regions see dramatic drops in COVID rates, three others see increases
As J&J vaccine use is put on hold, here’s how many doses were sent to Whatcom providers
Here’s how to get one of 1,200 first doses of Moderna COVID vaccine at Whatcom clinics
Whatcom surpasses vaccination milestone, as county sees 13 new COVID cases Monday
Fentanyl: A Hidden Danger
Tri-Cities river listed as nation’s most endangered
‘Slave chains’ lesson leads Washington school district to address racial blind spots
WA officials expect ‘minimal disruption’ to vaccine efforts amid Johnson & Johnson pause
FDA and CDC leaders explain why Johnson & Johnson vaccinations are pausing

Capital Press
Officials seek new tools to combat invasive giant hornets

Columbia Basin Herald
Bill on equity training moves past House (Ortiz-Self, Santos, Dolan)

Columbian
Lawmakers Kraft, Wilson say Inslee’s emergency powers need a check (Valdez, Rolfes)
Clark County reports 76 new COVID-19 cases as total passes 20,000
In Our View: Legislature should act to balance government

Covington-Maple Valley Reporter
Guest column: Asian women and racial violence in the aftermath of Atlanta

The Daily News
Return to full in-person classes again postponed for Longview middle, high schoolers as COVID cases climb

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Cornfield Report: Things are heating up in Olympia — and not just the weather (Fitzgibbon, Berg, Jinkins, Mullet, Cleveland, Van De Wege, Hasegawa, Conway)
Bloomberg Comment: Build-to-rent could be affordable housing solution
WaPo Comment: Media again key to ending voting rights filibuster
Editorial: Vaccine passports can nudge more toward immunity

High Country News
Tribal nations adapt to being at ‘ground zero’ of the climate crisis

Journal of the San Juan Islands
House passes $6 billion capital works budget (Frockt)
Senate passes carbon cap after debate (Carlyle, Salomon)

News Tribune (subscription required)
Two major homeless camps in Tacoma will get toilets, trash bins as part of city pilot
Business affected by Phase 2 rollback? Pierce County has grants available

New York Times
Pause in Vaccinations Leads to Canceled Appointments Across States
Capitol Police Told to Hold Back on Riot Response on Jan. 6, Report Finds
Covid-19 Live Updates: Pause on Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine Fuels New Concerns
Hundreds of Companies Unite to Oppose Voting Limits, but Others Abstain
Biden Wants Leaders to Make Climate Commitments for Earth Day
Executives Call for Deep Emission Cuts to Combat Climate Change

North American Post
Asian Art Museum Reopening

Olympian (subscription required)
Olympia to require grocery stores provide hazard pay
JBLM Air Force leader says less than half of wing has been vaccinated against COVID-19
Thurston County reports 26 COVID-19 cases Tuesday
Lines at SeaTac stretch into garage as TSA grapples with staff shortage, airport says
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
Thurston County mass vaccination events unaffected by pause in J&J vaccine use
Ferry at Port of Olympia to be replaced by 680-foot Matson ship
WA officials expect ‘minimal disruption’ to vaccine efforts amid Johnson & Johnson pause

Peninsula Daily News
Lummi Nation totem pole making journey to Biden
Officials seek new tools to combat invasive giant hornets
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tech historian on Alabama union vote: ‘We may look back on this as a loss for Amazon’
Opinion: Data doesn’t support clean fuel standard claims
Washington state pauses distribution of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Study: Most employers say they will allow remote work post-pandemic
How Amazon’s big push into telehealth could shake up heath care delivery

Seattle Medium
Legislature Approves Taylor’s Bill To Increase Access To State Carpool Program (Taylor)
Rod Brandon Named New Executive Director Of The Seattle Housing Authority

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Getting a COVID test is easier than last year and still important
3 arrested in Seattle protest; fire set at Portland police union building
Seattle and Atlanta theaters team up to connect Black theaters, nurture Black playwrights
Lawmakers divided on Washington education bill that eliminates state testing requirement for some student teachers (Mullet)
Inslee commutes 15 prison sentences after Washington Supreme Court overturns drug-possession law
Seattle launches second firefighter-social worker team to cover U District, Ballard

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County providers adjust to pause in use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Skagit Regional Health to close COVID testing clinic

South Seattle Emerald
How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in South Seattle and South King County
News Gleams: Vaccines for the masses, three libraries to open, a reparations fund, & more!
Daunte Wright and another Seattle shooting — the cycle of trauma continues
Counterprotesters far outnumber those in support at Seattle ‘white lives matter’ rally
Breaking: King County Executive Dow Constantine has ‘urged’ Sheriff Johanknecht to retire ‘immediately’
Photo Essay: Filipino American ‘die-in’ demands justice for activists killed in the Philippines
Local workers and labor leaders react to Alabama vote to reject Amazon union

Spokesman Review
Pullman businesses disappointed by return to Phase 2: ‘It’s wearing on everybody’
Washington pauses Johnson & Johnson vaccine administration while federal agencies study ‘very rare’ blood clots
Longtime conservation leader abruptly fired by Lands Council board of directors
Despite move to Phase 2, Whitman County, WSU optimistic ‘things are headed in good direction’
Washington’s COVID-19 unemployment fraud is likely higher than first thought, a new report says
As decision looms, Spokane Public Schools’ online survey shows widespread support for downtown stadium

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities area new COVID cases keep trending up this week
Tri-Cities river listed as nation’s most endangered
Kennewick police dog finds burglar under the laundry. It’s his 2nd ‘arrest’ this week
Thousands received J&J COVID vaccine in Tri-Cities — what to do if you got it or plan to
Franklin County administrator keeps his job after calls to fire him
Half the grades at one high school were F’s last fall. How Tri-Cities teachers are turning it around

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla driver’s license office will open ‘by appointment only’ next week
Walla Walla County sheriff reports increase in pistol permits in 2020 report
COVID-19 test positivity rate low in Walla Walla, Umatilla counties
Walla Walla County vaccine clinic Wednesday will offer Pfizer vaccines instead of Johnson & Johnson
Walla Walla, Columbia counties still safe in Phase 3 of COVID-19 regulations
Walla Walla police warn of phony cop phone scam
Toss old drugs, needles, tires, electronics and more on ‘Take Back’ weekend in Walla Walla, College Place
Columbia County leaders approve more funding for flood work in Touchet River
Man in stolen car case pleads guilty to lesser crime in Walla Walla County
Walla Walla man takes plea deal for assault conviction in motel burglary case
Wa-Hi grad leads P1FCU effort to serve increasing number of local Hispanic-owned businesses

Washington Post
Underserved communities bear brunt of paused Johnson & Johnson rollout
Kenosha officer who shot Jacob Blake returns to work after internal probe finds ‘he acted within the law’

Yakima Herald Republic
Johnson & Johnson makes up small portion of Yakima County’s COVID vaccine supply
‘The trifecta:’ CWU child care programs support parents, kids and students
Child care providers grapple with new tax questions during pandemic
Yakima County District Court offers program for people to resolve warrants
Opinion: Column: No shoes, no shot, no service. Why vaccine “passports” are a good idea
Opinion: Other Views: Legislature must bolster trust in law enforcement

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Pause in Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine means ‘system is working’
King County executive urges sheriff to retire after internal email on Tommy Le case
Proposed law would test Washington school faucets for lead, notify parents of exposure (Pollet)

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Seattle suddenly cancels 1,200 Lumen Field vaccine appointments
State auditor: More than $1.1B may be missing from Employment Security
DOH pausing Johnson & Johnson doses in Washington while FDA conducts review
Washington state prisoners released after drug law is voided

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Ex-federal attorney to investigate Pierce County Sheriff’s run-in with Black man
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan speak out about destructive street protests
‘It looks like garbage town:’ Graffiti vandals targeting Seattle downtown businesses
King and Snohomish counties fret about falling back to a lower phase amid COVID
Audit: Wash. state unemployment fraud may top $1 billion

KNKX FM
Health officials pause use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in WA
Federal scientists keep an eye on tagged gray whale after possible infection
COVID, budget, big bills keeping Legislature busy as session winds down

KUOW FM
Washington state halts Johnson & Johnson vaccinations amid blood clot investigation
Climate advocates go to court to block Tacoma gas plant
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
Biden Administration Moves To Undo Trump Abortion Rules For Title X
Bill To Create Commission On Reparations Nears Historic House Vote
Tacoma struggles with rollback to Phase 2 of reopening

Q13 TV (Fox)
More than 2,000 J&J appointments postponed in Everett following vaccine pause
Pierce County Council approves $4 million in Phase 2 rollback relief for businesses
Washington state follows feds in halting use of J&J vaccine

Web

Crosscut
After COVID, brain fog lingers. UW researchers are finding out why
Opinion: Good takes and bad takes on the Amazon union vote in Bessemer

Investigate West
After A Turbulent Year, Washington State Poised To Ban Guns At Protests, Capitol Grounds (Kuderer, Senn)

MyNorthwest
Police investigating explosion at Everett apartment building
Three arrested in Seattle for graffiti, obstruction during vigil
With ‘murder hornets’ emerging from hibernation, state lays out new rules to curb spread
WA Senate passes bill to lower unemployment insurance tax hit next year
King County Executive joins growing calls for sheriff’s resignation
Gov. Inslee commutes over a dozen drug sentences after state court decision
Pierce County Exec calls on Inslee to expand vaccine eligibility early after Phase 2 rollback
New audit reports find that Employment Security Department failed to protect against fraud
Seattle officially changes neighborhood name from Lower Queen Anne to Uptown
Washington to pause use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine over ‘very rare side effect’
Hospitalization rates rising in Washington as COVID vaccination effort lags
State Secretary of Health: Must ‘act fast’ in counties with rising COVID cases
Safety measures to expect at Lumen Field for early season Sounders games

Slog
Seattle Senator Joins Conservative Democrats in Threat to Gut Clean Fuels Bill (Fitzgibbon, Mullet, Conway, Hasegawa, Cleveland, Hobbs, Van de Wege)