Washington solidifies goal to end sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030
The Washington Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that sets a goal to end the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030. The measure passed as an amendment, added on to a larger bill establishing publicly available mapping telling drivers where they can access charging and refueling stations for electric vehicles, and mandating electric charging capabilities in all new residential buildings by July 2024. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Getty Images)
Mother of man killed by police hopes lawsuit, more diversity in Washington Legislature will change laws
Sonia Joseph hopes the death of her son will help change a state law. In June 2017, a Kent police officer shot and killed 20-year-old Giovonn Joseph-McDade following a chase with officers. The city of Kent settled a lawsuit Wednesday with Joseph-McDade’s family for $4.4 million. Continue reading at KING5 TV.
Legislature approves expansion of low-income tax credit
A bill that would expand a tax credit for low-income workers and families that would start paying out benefits for the first time in 2023 was approved by the Washington Legislature Thursday. The House, on a 93-3 vote, concurred with changes made in the Senate and the measure now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.
Associated Press
WA Senate OKs bill to reinstate drug possession penalties (Dhingra)
Inslee warns of 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington state
Legislature approves expansion of low-income tax credit
Video: Chicago boy wasn’t holding gun when shot by officer
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Senate OKs bill to recriminalize drug possession, divert early offenders to treatment (Dhingra, Pederson)
Watch live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee on COVID-19, Legislature at 2:30 p.m.
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state
With fourth COVID-19 wave imminent, Inslee urges Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
Whatcom sees 27 new COVID cases, one related death and one new variant case reported
Coronavirus weekly need-to-know: Rare J&J blood clots, vaccine side effects, kids & more
Will Pfizer COVID vaccine need a third dose? Company CEO explains why that’s ‘likely’
Dust may hold clues for scientists hunting better tools to predict COVID outbreaks
If you’ve had COVID, your first vaccine dose may cause worse side effects. Here’s why
Capital Press
Washington bill called discriminatory against foreign farmworkers (Ryu)
Columbian
Clark County COVID-19 cases continue surge as vaccine opportunities expand
The Daily News
Standardized testing postponed in Washington schools; teachers encouraged to focus on lost learning
Cowlitz County reports first case of UK variant; state officials warn of possible 4th wave
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Report: Poor Roads in Yakima Result of Lack of State Budget
Everett Herald (subscription required)
As eligibility expands, 4,700 flock to local vaccine clinics
‘The time is right’ to honor helpers, says former congressman
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Cornfield Report: 9 bills the governor is signing and 1 that he won’t (Dhingra)
WaPo Comment: Will people trust media when values aren’t shared?
WaPo Comment: Covid ignores borders; public health must as well
Editorial: Bills’ merger makes clean-driving future possible (Macri, Ramel, Liias)
Letter: Build Mukilteo’s NOAA research center to fit budget
High Country News
Americans go on a gun-buying frenzy
What’s the value of tracking recreation in the West?
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Vax Day: Everyone 16+ in Washington eligible for a COVID-19 shot. Find an appointment here
St. Michael emergency room hits capacity, requiring ambulances to temporarily divert patients
News Tribune (subscription required)
How roughly $900K in the state capital budget could preserve Black history in Tacoma
Man critically wounded Thursday by Pierce County deputy in Buckley shooting
Pierce County sees more than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday
City of Tacoma finds way to put mothballed fire engine back in service, at least for now
Sign-ups available to get help seeking relief from Pierce County court debt
Murder hornets could be attracted to your hummingbird feeder, Washington officials say
New York Times
Unemployment Is High. Why Are Businesses Struggling to Hire?
Why Amazon’s Workers Sided With the Company Over a Union
Covid-19 Live Updates: Booster Shots May Be Needed, Drugmakers and Scientists Say
States Struggle With Vaccine Pause as Federal Officials Reassure Public
U.S. Suicides Declined Over All in 2020 but May Have Risen Among People of Color
After Another Police Shooting, Biden Urges Calm. Activists Want Answers.
Seeking Cooperation on Climate, U.S. Faces Friction With China
Olympian (subscription required)
New Stream Team app makes search for wildlife into a treasure hunt
Senate OKs bill to recriminalize drug possession, divert early offenders to treatment (Dhingra, Pedersen)
Olympia considering cap on short-term rental properties
Thurston County adds 35 COVID-19 cases on Thursday
With fourth COVID-19 wave imminent, Inslee urges Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
Rainier, Yelm, Tenino schools expand in-person learning to 4 days; Tumwater in May
Peninsula Daily News
Audit: Unemployment fraud likely higher than $647 million
Racial, violent graffiti found at Port Angeles High School
Health officers concerned about vaccination hesitancy
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Port Townsend Leader
New COVID-19 infection found in mid-county area
Puget Sound Business Journal
Bezos says Amazon needs to do a better job for employees in his final shareholder letter
Report: Tech company job postings in Seattle decline
Amazon releases diversity data, pledges to promote more women, Black employees
Opinion: Indoor air quality can affect health
Seattle Times (subscription required)
‘Strong evidence’ of a fourth wave as COVID vaccine doses become available for all Washington adults
How to get ready for COVID vaccinations? What reactions to expect after the shot?
New approach to drug possession: Washington Senate says make it a gross misdemeanor, after Supreme Court strikes down felony law (Dhingra, Simmons)
Amazon must address racial and gender pay inequities in its workforce, Harvard Business School petition says
Johnson & Johnson suspension forces homeless nonprofits to rethink vaccine plan for people living outdoors
$4.4 million Kent settlement brings families together to mourn their dead and protest police violence
Opinion: Statewide renter protections are on the way but will they get up and running in time?
Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley City Council OKs funds for Burlington shelter
Skagit Land Trust completes purchase of property at entrance to Samish Island
Spokesman Review
‘It’s like ordering a Mercedes’: Spokane’s pandemic-induced bike shortage isn’t going away anytime soon
Inslee warns of potential fourth coronavirus wave as vaccines open to all Washington residents 16 and up
Veterans, McMorris Rodgers air concerns about VA health records system after agency halts rollout over problems in Spokane
Tri-City Herald
Franklin case rate climbs above state reopening limit. But Tri-Cities vaccinations rising
4th District congressional candidate yanks Craigslist ad after being accused of sexism
Here’s what that Richland truck convoy was carrying. Each load weighed 24 tons
Some Richland parents worry distance learning will shut down as classroom reopen
Several fully-vaccinated Tri-Citians still caught COVID. What health officials are saying
Proposed Colville tribal casino in Tri-Cities could become a major employer
Another jump in Tri-Cities COVID cases. Vaccine not being snapped up
No appointment needed tonight for free COVID vaccines at Tri-Cities fairgrounds
Another jump in Tri-Cities COVID cases. Vaccine not being snapped up
Construction contract awarded for $75 million laboratory in Richland
She’s been missing 18 years. New site could help find abducted Tri-Cities girl
Proposed Colville tribal casino in Tri-Cities could become a major employer
Kennewick students help feed Tri-City hungry
Vancouver Business Journal
Permit activity in Vancouver is on the rise
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Dozens of Walla Walla teens, young adults line up for first shot at a vaccine Thursday
Plaza Way construction to begin next week
Walla Walla County reports five new COVID-19 cases Thursday
Dozens of Walla Walla teens, young adults line up for first shot at a vaccine Thursday
Washington Post
Gunman kills 8 at Indianapolis FedEx facility before shooting himself, police say
In Nebraska, the fight for covid-19 protections for meatpackers is still on
Chicago releases video of officer fatally shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo
Annual vaccine booster shots may be needed, potentially stretching supply
Yakima Herald Republic
Will Yakima County stay in Phase 3? Vaccinations, hospital trends and other factors at play
WA Senate OKs bill to reinstate drug possession penalties (Dhingra, Pederson)
Inslee warns of 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington state
Fire danger high Friday in NW Oregon including Portland
Yakima County pays $20,000 to settle claim against prosecutor in missing text message case
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Pierce County business urges public to take pandemic seriously after Phase 2 rollback
Inslee urges gatherings to be held outdoors to quell rising COVID-19 cases
Where can I get vaccinated more quickly in Washington?
Persistence, patience key in hunt for COVID-19 vaccine as Washington widens eligibility
Mother of man killed by police hopes lawsuit, more diversity in Washington Legislature will change laws
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Indianapolis shooting: 8 people killed at FedEx facility near airport; gunman also dead
3 counties go back to phase 2 of state’s reopening plan
First day of expanded vaccine eligibility comes day before Pierce County’s rollback to Phase 2
Seattle teacher’s union votes to bring students back to class
State senator wants to end police stops for minor offenses (Nguyen)
Inslee says no to Pierce County’s request for more COVID-19 vaccine doses
Vaccines opening to general public; new appointment alert tool launched by CovidWA.com
DNR: Rising fire danger prompts new burn restrictions
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington state lawmakers send a host of police reform bills to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Goodman, Johnson, Entenman)
Police body camera policies vary widely in Washington
New Regional Homelessness Authority CEO asks for patience as fledgling agency takes shape
Vaccine appointments in Eastern Washington continue to go unfilled despite increased eligibility
Amid concern of 4th wave, Inslee tells Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands in state to anyone 16 years of age and older
KNKX FM
Wilcox: Legislature should have a say in emergency powers
Washington sets ambitious goal: All new cars sold will be electric by 2030
KUOW FM
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
Washington park officials are watching carefully as warm weather arrives in the NW
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
How The U.S. Could Halve Climate Emissions By 2030
For a reporter on the Covid-19 beat, ‘Vax Day’ comes full circle
Washington state to create use of police force investigation office and public database
What justifies clearing a homeless encampment?
KXLY (ABC)
‘Take it outside’: Inslee asks Washingtonians to gather outdoors to reduce COVID case rates
Centralia pot lab may be the first in WA to lose its license
NW Public Radio
Northwest Snowpack Is Good, But Dry, Cold, Windy Spring Wreaking Havoc With Crops
Q13 TV (Fox)
Gov. Inslee warns of 4th pandemic wave as vaccine availability opens wide
Vaccine eligibility opens up for Washingtonians while health experts worry about fourth surge
Gauging Washington state’s mental health as COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available
Web
Crosscut
The future of WA transportation hinges on carbon pricing debate (Fitzgibbon, Carlyle, Saldaña, Hobbs)
A first for Washington, locals advise lawmakers on climate change (Fey, Lovelett)
Inside Washington’s $328M push to prevent disastrous wildfires (Springer, Riccelli)
MyNorthwest
Washington solidifies goal to end sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030
All Washington school districts now on track to resume in-person learning by deadline
Gov. Inslee defends decision to roll three counties back to Phase 2
Seattle teacher’s union votes to bring students back to class
In parting letter to shareholders, Bezos says Amazon ‘needs to do a better job’ for its workers
Homeless encampment near North Seattle school will be allowed to remain
Superintendent Reykdal delays state tests for students over ‘inequitable access for remote learners’
What to expect with Washington vaccine eligibility now opened up
City has now relocated nearly all residents of homeless camp near Capitol Hill school
Beware of the dangers of distracted driving
Dog Aging Project co-directed by UW researchers needs participants
Investigation to determine whether Pierce County sheriff has ‘pattern of misuse of authority’
There’s ‘still time’ to slow the spread of COVID-19, prevent fourth wave
Police investigating explosion at Everett apartment building
Slog
Human Composting Is Disrupting the Death Industry
Police Misconduct Soared in 2020, but Olympia Just Imposed New Accountability Measures