WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, April 21

On a street seen from above, a crowd gathers alongside signs, flowers, and murals of George Floyd as the verdict was announced.

The Chauvin verdict is simply justice. Why are we celebrating it?
Despite the explosion of honking horns near my workspace following Judge Peter Cahill’s reading of guilty on all counts, relief was the only thing that came over me. It was the reprieve that comes when a knee crushing down on your neck is finally removed, allowing you to gasp air that should never have been so hard to inhale in the first place. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Julio Cortez)


A row of police cars trailers out of view.

Legislature approves duty to intervene police reform bill
The Washington Legislature on Tuesday approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using, or attempting to use, excessive force. On a 31-18 vote, the Senate concurred with changes the made in the House to the bill, which was prompted by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests last year. The measure now heads to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Continue reading at KNKX. (Ted S. Warren)


The light gray dome of the Washington State Capitol seen through dark branches of white cherry blossoms.

Lawmakers pass bill to protect right to medical care for transgender residents
Washington state lawmakers on Monday approved a bill to prevent health insurers from denying coverage for gender affirming treatment, drawing a stark contrast with other state legislatures currently considering anti-transgender legislation. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Rachel La Corte)


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Associated Press
Ex-cop guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd case
WA Legislature approves ban on open carry at Capitol (Kuderer)
Legislature approves duty to intervene police reform bill
Oregon gun storage law would be among nation’s toughest

Aberdeen Daily World
State has emergency cash available, based on income

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
Washington firefighters battle 91 wildfires in a week. What does that mean for summer?
Lawmakers pass bill to protect right to medical care for transgender residents (Liias)
‘This is one step on a long journey,’ Inslee says amid these reactions to Chauvin convictions
BTC vaccine clinics offering 1,680 first doses of Moderna, and this is how to get one
Whatcom sees lowest COVID increase in 2 months, as Bellingham schools report new incident
U.S.-Canada COVID-19 border closure extended again. Here’s how long
COVID ‘vaccine failure’ may be more likely if you have a weakened immune system. Why?
 
Capital Press
NOAA: Northwest’s ‘normal’ temps rising

Columbian
In Our View: More need vaccine before return to normalcy

The Daily News
Longview City Council to discuss hosted encampment plan updates Thursday

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Snohomish County could fall back to Phase 2, officials warn
Snohomish County reacts: ‘Justice served’ by guilty verdict
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Cornfield Report: Timely police reform; Ferguson weighs in on drug possession (Jinkins)
WaPo Comment: Why I’m still here and Adam Toldeo isn’t
Editorial: Climate action offers a better life at lower cost
Letter: Treatment and prevention needed for substance abuse disorders

High Country News
There are no clear winners in the West’s water wars

The Inlander
White people: Let’s listen and ‘not turn away’

News Tribune (subscription required)
Tacoma bar fined for repeated COVID-19 violations but still riling neighbors
Tacoma mayor will give 2021 State of City in four-part series after ‘year of hardship’
It’s a shame Tacoma must sacrifice history for housing. Let’s find a way to change that
Tacoma postpones decision to ban camping on public property

New York Times
Derek Chauvin Trial Live Updates: Justice Dept. Will Investigate the Minneapolis Police
Derek Chauvin Verdict Brings a Rare Rebuke of Police Conduct
How the G.O.P. Is Creating Harsher Penalties for Protesters
Biden Calls Chauvin Verdict a ‘Much Too Rare’ Moment of Justice
Live Updates: Biden to Announce Major Pledge to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Nation Faces ‘Hand-to-Hand Combat’ to Get Reluctant Americans Vaccinated

Olympian (subscription required)
Housing Authority proposes to convert Tumwater hotel to low-income housing for seniors
78th Thurston County resident dies due to COVID-19, 10 more cases reported Tuesday
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
‘This is one step on a long journey,’ Inslee says amid these reactions to Chauvin convictions (Salomon, Johnson, Nobles)
Lawmakers pass bill to protect right to medical care for transgender residents (Liias)
25% of Thurston County has been fully vaccinated. Here’s how to find a dose this week
North Thurston says high school in-person learning will expand to 4 days per week

Peninsula Daily News
Federal pandemic relief is on the way
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Last large-scale first-dose clinics set for this weekend

Puget Sound Business Journal
Is Seattle ready to return to in-person events? Here’s what our survey found.
Three reasons why your company should explore second-chance hiring
Opinion: Small business owners need help, not another tax
Alaska Airlines rolls out strategy to slash carbon emissions by 2040
Jury finds former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder
Costco, Microsoft, Starbucks among this year’s top 75 corporate philanthropists in Washington

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Seattle Children’s knew for years security was called disproportionately on Black patients
The Chauvin verdict is simply justice. Why are we celebrating it?
Seattle Pacific University faculty votes ‘no confidence’ in leadership after board upholds discriminatory hiring policy
Washington Legislature approves ban of open carry of guns at demonstrations, state Capitol (Kuderer)
Police in Washington who see fellow officer using excessive force must intervene, Legislature says (Dhingra)
Verdict in George Floyd’s murder ‘a reckoning,’ but Seattle activists and leaders say there’s more work ahead
‘I did the time’: Lawmakers hear a description of the jail-drugs cycle from one who lived it. But are they listening?
Editorial: Moonlighting Seattle Police officers must have city oversight

Skagit Valley Herald
Commenters say stronger protections needed in Anacortes critical areas update
Agency: Refinery incident violated air quality rules
Annual state fisheries plan goes to federal review

Spokesman Review
Relief, determination in Spokane following Chauvin conviction for Floyd’s murder
Washington State’s leadership council serves important purpose in wake of George Floyd trial
Washington bill requiring police officers to intervene when they see use of force heads to governor (Dhingra)
Meet the North Central High School science teacher whose dedication nabbed him a statewide award
Woodward, Riccelli back downtown Spokane stadium proposal as district vote nears
Bill to ban open carry at the capitol and demonstrations heads to Inslee’s desk (Kuderer)
Spokane City Council extends loosened restrictions on help for utility bills amid pandemic
Shawn Vestal: Instead of just ignoring calls for change, prosecutor wants to shut them down
With COVID-19 cases rising again, Spokane County could be back to Phase 2 next month

Tri-City Herald
1,700 homes, businesses lost power in Tri-Cities, including mass vaccination site
25-year-old ‘amazing mother’ ID’d as Tri-Cities shooting victim. Investigation continues
Tri-Cities new COVID cases hit 2-month daily high. It could put Phase 3 reopening at risk
Drunk driver chase across 2 counties ends with crash in Kennewick
Pasco man dies in rural Oregon. His crashed car wasn’t spotted for 14 hours
These plutonium-contaminated structures at Hanford were at risk of collapsing
Franklin County commissioners vote on 2nd Amendment gun rights
50+ wanted to testify about a Thompson Hill hotel. They didn’t get the chance
Man beaten unconscious in Richland baseball bat attack in serious condition
25-year-old ‘amazing mother’ ID’d as Tri-Cities shooting victim. Investigation continues
Freeze warning issued for Tri-Cities on the heels of unusually warm weekend

Vancouver Business Journal
Property tax deferral for businesses with real property

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla man allegedly steals phone, credit cards; arrested en route to Tri-Cities
Man appears in Walla Walla court for allegedly carrying 78 fentanyl pills
Forecast calls for summer fun at Milton-Freewater pool after repair work finishes

Washington Post
Garland announces Justice Dept. probe into Minneapolis Police Department
The Chauvin verdict had cities nationwide braced for unrest. Instead, they got a celebration.
Ohio police fatally shoot Black teenage girl just before Chauvin verdict
Opinion: Philonise Floyd: For my brother George Floyd, this is what justice feels like
Inmates sent home amid pandemic may have to return under Trump-era policy

Yakima Herald Republic
In the Yakima Valley, hope that Chauvin verdict “will help us turn a corner”
Officials give notice to Shell refinery on emissions release
WA Legislature OKs open carry ban at Capitol (Kuderer)
Nuclear waste structures in Washington state are stabilized
In the Yakima Valley, food banks develop new approaches to feeding the hungry — including mobile pantries
Yakima County provides an additional $1.75 million for East-West Corridor

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
‘Relief’: Washington activists, lawmakers react to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict (Lovick)
A look at the progress towards racial justice in Washington since George Floyd’s death
Warning of fourth wave in Snohomish County as COVID-19 cases double in two weeks
What happens next for the other officers charged in George Floyd’s death?
Derek Chauvin murder trial was ‘unusual,’ UW professor says
Toll increase likely for State Route 520 Bridge due to decline in revenue

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Tacoma city officials, residents react to Chauvin conviction, Manuel Ellis death investigation
Seattle police accountability advocate welcomes verdict
Snohomish County likely to roll back to phase 2, health director says
Derek Chauvin trial: Former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder, manslaughter in death of George Floyd
WA Legislature approves duty to intervene police reform bill
Officials give notice to Shell refinery on emissions release
Local leaders react to Chauvin guilty verdict
Tacoma to vote on law banning camping on public property (again). Advocates push back
WA Legislature OKs open carry ban at Capitol
Lawmakers pass bill to protect right to medical care for transgender residents (Liias)

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Derek Chauvin guilty verdict: Seattle officials, community leaders react 
Seattle leaders ask for calm, unity in wake of Chauvin’s guilty verdict
Legislature OKs ban on open carry of guns at Capitol, public demonstrations
COVID alcohol sales ‘to go’ extended until 2023 in Wash. state
Local families of people killed by police react to Chauvin verdict
Derek Chauvin guilty verdict in the death of George Floyd: Your opinion
King County Council sends kids levy extension to voters
Bill that would give dispensaries access to banking moving through Congress
Health leaders say vaccinated people need to still mask up, avoid large crowds

KNKX FM
Chauvin guilty verdict met with relief, renewed calls for reform in Puget Sound area
Derek Chauvin Found Guilty Of George Floyd’s Murder
WA lawmakers debate whether to make drug possession a crime again
Listen: What to watch in final week of legislative session

KUOW FM
GUILTY: DEREK CHAUVIN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD
Washington AG urges legislators to ‘move away from a war on drugs’
Blog: Pandemic news for the NW
Sanders And Top Progressives Push To Make College Free For Most Americans
‘Finally’: America Reacts To Chauvin Guilty Verdict
Columbus Police Shoot And Kill Black, Teenage Girl
April 20th | How hospital pandemic policies hurt perinatal care
Will capital gains tax elude Washington lawmakers yet again?
So awkward: Middle and high schoolers return to school, and it feels weird
Pandemic-curtailed Amtrak service to be partially restored next month in Pacific NW

KXLY (ABC)
Police accountability bill heads to Inslee’s desk

NW Public Radio
Pandemic-Curtailed Amtrak Service To Be Partially Restored Next Month For Northwest Routes

Q13 TV (Fox)
Washington officials weigh in on Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
‘This is a day of justice’: Locals in Seattle react to jury’s verdict in Derek Chauvin trial
‘We’ve had to wait too long’: Ellis family hope for answers soon from investigators
DNR head says new legislation will help battle more destructive wildfire seasons
Bellevue Police chief discusses law enforcement reaction following jury verdict in Chauvin trial
Kennedy Catholic holds mass vaccination site providing doses for majority of high school students
Snohomish County likely moving back a phase May 2 as COVID cases, hospitalizations rise

Web

Crosscut
Opinion: Climate, capitalism and the defining next decade
Opinion: Why the climate package from Washington state Democrats falls short

MyNorthwest
State DOH: Close to ‘turning the corner’ on COVID-19, but seeing start of fourth wave
Attorney: No justice yet in Tacoma death strikingly similar to George Floyd’s
Washington Legislature OKs open carry ban at Capitol
Seattle Police Department details changes since George Floyd’s death
Washington leaders react to guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin in murder of George Floyd
Health officer: Snohomish County ‘in serious jeopardy’ of rolling back to Phase 2
Green Valley Fire near Auburn threatened some homes
New budget forecast paints rosy picture for Seattle’s post-pandemic recovery
Accountability group received over 19,000 complaints against SPD from protests in 2020

Slog
It’s Looking Like Washington Will Restart the Drug War After All (Dhingra, Pedersen, Goodman, Mullet, Hackney)

West Seattle Blog
At 16th/Holden, West Seattle’s longest-running demonstration continues, post-verdict
Verdict in George Floyd murder: Citywide moment of silence in Seattle tonight, and other notes (Nguyen)