Slew of police reform bills headed to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk
As Washington lawmakers began wrapping up their work on an ambitious package of police accountability legislation in the past week, reminders of the cause were not hard to come by. In Minneapolis, prosecutors were concluding their murder case against former officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who died after Chauvin pressed a knee to his neck for about nine minutes. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Washington state governor OKs bill banning for-profit jails
One of the country’s largest for-profit, privately run immigration jails would be shut down by 2025 under a bill signed Wednesday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The measure approved by the Washington Legislature bans for-profit detention centers in the state. The only facility that meets that definition is the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, a 1,575-bed immigration jail operated by the GEO Group under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Continue reading at KXLY.
In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C.
Steps from the Nisqually River where Billy Frank Jr. fished and facing his mounted dugout canoe, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Wednesday to honor Frank, champion of treaty rights and environmental protections, with a statue at the nation’s Capitol. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Steve Bloom)
Associated Press
Statue of Native American leader step closer to U.S. Capitol (Lekanoff)
Slew of police reform bills headed to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk (Entenman)
Vaccines open to all as health officials warn of 4th wave
Homeless Americans finally getting a chance at COVID-19 shot
US jobless claims plunge to 576,000, lowest since pandemic
J&J vaccine to remain in limbo while officials seek evidence
Washington state governor OKs bill banning for-profit jails
Inslee OKs bill banning for-profit jails
Washington health officials urge patience as all adults become eligible for vaccine Thursday
Aberdeen Daily World
Still slots open for Friday mass vaccination site first dose clinic
Commentary: I’m a conservative. Here’s why I support the For the People Act
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C. (Lekanoff)
Murder hornets could be attracted to your hummingbird feeder, Washington officials say
Inslee speeds prison release for more than a dozen convicted of simple drug possession
Whatcom County reports four more fully vaccinated residents test positive for COVID-19
Whatcom expecting 600 more vaccine doses from state, sees 29 new COVID cases Tuesday
Over 200 vaccinated Washingtonians test positive for COVID. That’s not unexpected
Tax Day becomes Vax Day on Thursday when all WA residents 16 and older qualify for shots
Adults vaccinated for COVID can gather safely, but can kids join in? What experts say
If you’ve had COVID, your first vaccine dose may cause worse side effects. Here’s why
COVID vaccines should last nine months, FDA says, amid debate over booster shots
Capital Press
USDA cancels Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Tom Vilsack: Secretary of Agriculture talks about issues facing farmers and his plans for USDA
Ex-Weyerhaeuser manager gets prison in $4.5M fraud scheme
Columbian
Clark County Public Health chief urges vaccinations as case counts climb
Tower Mall COVID-19 vaccination appointments open in Vancouver
Clark County reports 76 new COVID-19 cases as total passes 20,000
COVID-19 tests provide crucial clues about how to fight coronavirus, but they’ve fallen in Washington state
In Our View: Biden should make Hanford cleanup a priority
Letter: Restrictions are needed
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Food demand continues to rise in central Washington
Yakima Valley College to Continue Online Learning in Fall
COVID-19 vaccines to be administered in Granger on Wednesday
Everett Herald (subscription required)
‘One in a million’ side effect halts Johnson & Johnson vaccine
U.S. 2 trestle rebuild part of Senate transportation package (Hobbs, Fitzgibbon, Fey)
Package funding U.S. 2 trestle, Monroe bypass on the move (Hobbs)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
High Country News
Will COVID-19 vaccinations mean more prison overcrowding deaths?
The Inlander
Developer says the U.S. should follow Washington state’s lead to maximize clean building in its national infrastructure plan
Abolish the Police: In their absence, build a more just society
News Tribune (subscription required)
Inslee says no to Pierce County’s request for more COVID-19 vaccine doses
COVID-19 cases confirmed Wednesday in Pierce County climb above 100
Sunny days here to stay in Tacoma, and temps could reach 80 this weekend
Tax Day becomes Vax Day on Thursday when all WA residents 16 and older qualify for shots
An infamous Tacoma motel will soon become a shelter for homeless moms. Will it work?
Editorial: New Black history holiday good for Washington. But don’t slight this minority group
New York Times
Covid-19 Live Updates: Johnson & Johnson ‘Pause’ Shakes Vaccinations Worldwide
Retail Sales Jump and Jobless Claims Drop in New Signs of Recovery: Live Updates
House Panel Advances Bill to Study Reparations in Historic Vote
As the Senate advances a bill addressing hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans, Biden names a liaison to the community.
Biden Takes On Sagging Safety Net With Plan to Fix Long-Term Care
Olympian (subscription required)
Family of Black man killed by police will be paid $4.4 million by Washington city
Thurston County reports 28 new COVID-19 cases, increasing overall total to 8,156
Olympia’s Police Chief search postponed until late 2021
Any Thurston County adult can get a COVID-19 vaccine at these weekend events
In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C. (Lekanoff)
Blaze destroys Port of Shelton commercial building Tuesday night
Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Everyone 16 and older now eligible for COVID vaccine
Port Townsend Leader
Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinics canceled in Washington
Four new COVID-19 cases reported in Jefferson County
Seattle Medium
Families And Educators Are Optimistic About SPS’ Return To In-Person Learning
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Inslee signs into law bill to put statue honoring Billy Frank Jr. in U.S. Capitol (Lekanoff)
Seattle teachers union approves deal for middle- and high-school return
Standardized tests for Washington state students delayed until fall 2021
As thousands get vaccinated against COVID, joy, relief and gratitude spread in Seattle
Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of Black man killed by police
Editorial: Get grants moving to help entertainment venues survive
Western State Hospital CEO who led Washington’s psychiatric facility through turbulence to step down
Seattle really is ‘CRAZYTOWN’ — and it will be our salvation after a rough year
Skagit Valley Herald
Officials, residents celebrate completion of Maddox Creek project
South Seattle Emerald
Vaccination path forward temporarily unclear for thousands of King County residents
SPS educators confront issues of race and disability as students return to schools
Durkan revisits push to move parking enforcement from police to SDOT
Spokesman Review
Woman’s Club of Spokane wants homeless shelter out of its building
Law and Justice Council members push back against proposal to dissolve their group
All Washington residents ages 16 and older eligible for vaccines starting Thursday
Each state honors two residents with statues in the U.S. Capitol. Washington will replace pioneer Marcus Whitman’s.
Students in Washington won’t have to take two standardized tests this spring, OSPI says
Washington Post
Chauvin declines to testify, invoking his Fifth Amendment right as defense rests its case
D.C. Guard misused helicopters in low-flying confrontation with George Floyd protesters, Army concludes
40 acres and a mule: How the first reparations for slavery ended in betrayal
Opinion: A coronavirus-infected Republican’s anger at Trump signals turbulence ahead
Yakima Herald Republic
All Washingtonians 16 and up now eligible for COVID vaccine
Decision on controversial Yakima health board rules tabled again
Sunnyside School District to return to full-time in person by end of April
Yakima Valley College to continue remote learning through the fall
Investigation finds nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens to everyone 16 and older in Washington, but supply still lags demand
Pierce County executive, Inslee disagree over COVID-19 vaccine supply demands
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Vaccines opening to general public; new appointment alert tool launched by CovidWA.com
Worries of a fourth wave as vaccine eligibility about to expand
WA: 217 COVID-19 cases found among 1.7M fully vaccinated
Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of man killed by police
Two major homeless camps in Tacoma will get toilets, trash bins as part of city pilot
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Software developers, volunteers helping Washingtonians track down vaccine appointments
After union fight, Jeff Bezos to focus on Amazon workers
State health officials fear Washington is entering 4th wave in coronavirus pandemic
Some challenging disparities in arrests during Seattle protests
KNKX FM
Meet Rena Priest, Washington’s first Indigenous poet laureate
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
Hate Crimes Task Force proposed by King County councilman and prosecutor
Inslee signs bill banning private prisons, including Tacoma ICE facility
KUOW FM
Washington’s state-run vaccination sites to extend hours to improve access
Signs Of Economic Boom Emerge As Retail Sales Surge, Jobless Claims Hit Pandemic Low
As Auto Industry Goes Electric, Can It Avoid A Battery Bottleneck?
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
Washington state auditor’s report details unemployment fraud
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
April 14th | How do we manage Covid anxiety?
Washington state halts Johnson & Johnson vaccinations amid blood clot investigation
KXLY (ABC)
Vaccine eligibility expands in Washington Thursday. Here’s how to book an appointment
NW Public Radio
It’s Official: Statue Honoring Billy Frank Jr. To Replace Marcus Whitman At U.S. Capitol
Washington Auditor Says State Unemployment Fraud Likely Much Higher Than $647 Million
Q13 TV (Fox)
Vaccine eligibility opens up for Washingtonians while health experts worry about fourth surge
Vaccine ‘breakthrough’ cases double in Washington, but still .01 percent of all vaccinations
Vaccine fairy works magic for hundreds across Western Washington
City of Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of unarmed Black man shot and killed by police
Washington students will not have to take state exams this spring
Web
Crosscut
Centralia pot lab may be the first in WA to lose its license
After COVID, brain fog lingers. UW researchers are finding out why
Slog
The House Wants to Lift the Eviction Moratorium Before Tenant Protections Kick into Gear (Macri, Paul, Chapman, Rule, Kuderer, Peterson)
Meanwhile, in Portland: The Portland Police Union Headquarters in Flames on Second Night of Daunte Wright Protests
West Seattle Blog
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit has questions for you. Plus – see early property-acquisition estimates