Taxes, police reform and environment. Washington legislators wrap ‘historic’ session
Fifteen weeks ago, majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature convened a 105-day session vowing to address the fallout from COVID-19, police accountability, greenhouse gas emissions and issues of racial justice. On Sunday, Democrats adjourned the session having accomplished much of what they set out to do, including passage of a number of sweeping bills that Gov. Jay Inslee, in a statement, called “historic” in nature. Continue reading at KNKX. (Austin Jenkins)
Top 10 issues in Washington state’s 2021 legislative session
Washington’s Legislature adjourned on Sunday after a 105-day session. The magnitude of what transpired, often on a partisan basis, might be without precedent in the breadth and depth of its impact on residents’ daily lives. Here are the top 10 issues at a glance. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Washington’s pandemic session: Remote work, weighty topics
Washington lawmakers had no shortage of weighty topics they tackled this session while having to conduct their work amid a pandemic that meant most meetings and votes were done remotely. By the time they concluded their 105-day session Sunday night, they had approved nearly a dozen measures on police reform, passed two key climate measures — cap-and-trade and a low-carbon fuel standard — that had long been priorities of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, and passed a new capital gains tax on high-profit stocks and bonds that had languished in previous legislative sessions. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Associated Press
Washington state judge blocks some virus rules on farms
Census: Washington state population increases to 7.7 million
Washington’s pandemic session: Remote work, weighty topics (Jinkins)
State Legislature adjourns 105-day session, OKs $59B budget (Rolfes)
Feds start review of endangered Southern Resident orcas
Washington Legislature approves new capital gains tax (Robinson)
Gov. Jay Inslee signs ban on Native American school mascots
3 agencies investigate after engine fire on Wash. state ferry
New sentences coming for 3rd-strikers convicted of burglary
U.S. marks slowest population growth since the Depression
Washington Legislature Overhauls Drug Possession Law (Pedersen, Taylor)
Aberdeen Daily World
Skyrocketing lumber prices delay construction of Cosi municipal building (Tharinger)
How our lawmakers voted (Tharinger, Chapman)
Aberdeen Council approves 5-year contract for Main Street program
Crews applying fresh paint to Hoquiam Highway 101 Riverside Bridge
Bezos non-profit will fund preschool on the North Beach
Legislature approves nearly $9 million for new Fry Creek pump station
Skyrocketing lumber prices delay construction of Cosi municipal building
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Whatcom sees largest reported increase in new COVID cases in more than two months
These evening hours, new location added to Bellingham COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week
How does Bellingham’s COVID-19 infection rate compare to other U.S. cities?
Did you feel the two earthquakes within 17 miles of Mount Baker’s summit last night?
Feds start review of endangered Southern Resident orcas
Running or jogging in the road? It’s likely illegal and definitely more risky
Whatcom County sees 29 new COVID-19 cases reported by state on Saturday
Vaccine helping, but not stopping COVID-19 spread, state says, as Whatcom sees 38 new cases
U.S. State Department adds Canada to ‘Do Not Travel’ list due to COVID concerns
No COVID vaccine yet? It’s finally ‘free, super fast’ at these Whatcom County clinics
Gray wolf population surges in Washington – and there’s a surprise for ranchers
Legislature adopts 1,100-page budget and adjourns 2021 session (Ormsby, Robinson, Rolfes)
Judge halts several WA state COVID rules intended to protect farm workers
Here’s the new approach to drug possession the Legislature is sending to Gov. Inslee (Bateman, Pederson, Dhingra, Davis, Taylor)
The WA Legislature plans to empty its Rainy Day fund. Here’s what it means if disaster strikes (Ormsby, Rolfes)
Washington state can resume use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, Inslee says
Capital Press
Oregon gets 6th congressional district — but where?
Capital gains tax likely to hit Washington farmers
Washington state’s wolf count up 22% in 2020
Report: Gebbers workers safer in farm housing than community
Combine demolition derby canceled for second year
Columbian
In Our View: Lawmakers pass ambitious, optimistic budget
In Our View: Bauer’s devotion to learning improved county
State budget invests in Southwest Washington schools, community
Clark County reports 283 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths as pandemic regains steam
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Looking for a place to get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Several rules are lifted in farmworker housing after court ruling
Inslee: Washington has entered its fourth wave of COVID-19
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Top 10 issues in Washington state’s 2021 legislative session
Cornfield Report; 3 smoldering questions from the ashes of the 2021 session
Shaped by the pandemic, a partisan legislative session ends (Billig, Ortiz-Self, Jinkins, Dhingra)
A budget emerges as lawmakers reach session’s final day (Goodman, Robinson)
An execution or self-defense? Attorneys debate bus shooting
Council affirms ruling against Point Wells condo project
Inslee wants one more thing: An extra nickel at the gas pump (Hobbs)
Inslee signs law regulating use of Native-American mascots (Lekanoff)
U.S. 2 segment’s median barriers in place, bridge work ahead
Officials create a no-protest zone around Planned Parenthood
1 in 3 Snohomish County adults now fully vaccinated
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Nursing was already dangerous before covid hit
WaPo Commentary: Getting vaccines around world requires activism
WaPo Comment: Five myths about red-flag gun possession laws
WaPo Viewpoints: What Chauvin verdict means for police, their duty
Comment: Hydropower crucial to a future for electric vehicles
Comment: Prepping operating table for universal health care
Bloomberg Comment: Covid boosted smoking, but is it tobacco’s last gasp?
Bloomberg Comment: Biden’s progressive policies get a turn at the serve
Bloomberg Comment: Of course the wealthy beoman capital gains tax hike
Op-ed by Sen. Keiser and Rep. Sells: Workers’ protections expanded during, after covid
Editorial: Seeking justice after the murder of George Floyd (Lovick)
High Country News
Supreme Court of Canada affirms trans-boundary Indigenous rights
The story of Stephen Vest’s killing and how wildfires intensify tragedy
Captured methane can address climate change and offset electricity costs
News Tribune (subscription required)
Puyallup church cancels conservative speaker event, cites potential threats
‘Perpetual debt.’ WA lawsuit targets court practice of sending unpaid fees to collections
East Pierce County animal shelter displaced by fire considers future as mobile clinic
Public outcry over Milton’s megachurch proposal sparks permit pause
Tacoma schools leadership to change in July as former district head takes on new role
Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County reports 135 new COVID-19 cases over weekend
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Legislature adopts 1,100-page budget and adjourns 2021 session (Ormsby, Rolfes, Robinson)
Here’s the new approach to drug possession the Legislature is sending to Gov. Inslee (Bateman)
Thurston County still grappling with Supreme Court drug possession ruling
Washington state lawmakers send capital gains tax bill to Gov. Inslee’s desk
Lacey council OKs equity commission members, but still needs to make it official
Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County Commissioners: No pot grows in rural areas
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Health officials note increase in skipped second-dose appointments
Mass clinics wrap up
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for Peninsula
POINT OF VIEW: Small businesses don’t need another tax
Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA sets opening date for Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Here’s when you can apply.
The Covid recovery labor shortage is intense. Experts say it will force businesses to raise wages.
SBA rolls out new $5B grant program for small businesses. Here’s who qualifies.
Alaska Airlines dedicates plane to equity in education with new livery
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Younger people are getting sicker from COVID, Washington state hospital leaders say
Washington state lawmakers keep new highways on cruise control (Hobbs)
Washington grew but not enough to get another House seat, census figures show
As Washington Legislature wraps up, lawmakers pass a new budget, capital gains tax and clean-fuels standard (Billig, Thai, Johnson)
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County COVID-19 numbers continue to rise
Spokesman Review
After session marked by pandemic, Washington Legislature adjourns with final passage of $59 billion budget (Mullet, Billig, Rolfes)
Washington Democrats get major climate bills across legislative finish line before end of session (Carlyle, Fitzgibbon, Hobbs)
Capital gains tax heads to Inslee’s desk after passage in Washington Legislature (Robinson)
Supporters say equity training bill for schools in Washington has no link to critical race theory, but conservatives cry foul (Das, Hobbs)
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations can resume in Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee says
Released one day before voting deadline, proposed $59 billion Washington budget would use federal and rainy day funds (Rolfes, Ormsby)
Legislature passes $6.3 billion capital budget with funding for Eastern Washington universities, community projects (Riccelli)
Yakima Herald Republic
Be prepared for more big crowds at Washington’s campgrounds
Plenty of vaccines are available for farmworkers and Latino residents, but not everyone is getting them
Overtime bill for agricultural workers marks a historic change for workers and industry
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Why some Washington restaurants are facing a worker shortage
New tsunami maps show how water could reach Seattle, Everett, Tacoma after an earthquake
Mass COVID-19 vaccination site opens at the Tacoma Dome Tuesday
Seattle gets 50,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week
Washington families worry as COVID-19 ravages India
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
‘We want to beat this virus as quickly as possible.’ New mass-vax effort at Tacoma Dome
Summer camp is back, with COVID-19 safety guidelines
New sentences coming for 3rd-strikers convicted of burglary
Gov. Jay Inslee signs ban on Native American school mascots
Pop-up clinic set up to vaccinate hesitant African Americans
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Many vaccination appointments unfilled as new clinic begins at Tacoma Dome
COVID-19 cases increasing in Pierce County despite roll back to Phase 2
Amazon providing COVID shots to warehouse workers across Wash. state
KNKX FM
Native-themed school mascots on borrowed time in Washington state — unless nearby tribe approves (Lekanoff)
Washington Joins Oregon, California, British Columbia In Passing Low-Carbon Fuel Standard
It’s Complicated: Why Some Northwest Latinx Residents And Farmworkers Hesitate On COVID Vaccine
Big reforms coming to coroner, medical examiner offices in Washington
Expect fines, closures as B.C. restricts travel because of COVID cases
Taxes, police reform and environment. Washington legislators wrap ‘historic’ session (Taylor, Frame, Jinkins, Pederson)
After breach, Washington governor’s residence to get security upgrades
Wolf numbers continue to grow in Washington state, but still no hunting as in Idaho
Another gray whale stranding in Washington as unusual mortality event appears to persist
KUOW FM
Outcry over deadly police encounters fuels successful legislative push in Washington
Native-themed mascots on borrowed time in Washington (Lekanoff)
Pandemic blog: Covid-related updates for the Northwest
Did Emergency PPP Loans Work? Nearly $800 Billion Later, We Still Don’t Know
April 26 | A historic session for the Washington legislature
KXLY (ABC)
WA Legislature passes $59B two-year budget; How City of Spokane is putting that money to use (Billig, Ormsby, Riccelli)
Spokane Regional Health District to resume use of Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine
Washington judge blocks some virus rules on farms
Q13 TV (Fox)
COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in Washington, especially in young people
Mother who lost child to fentanyl poisoning creates innovative program to try to save lives
High number of homicides in Kent so far this year raises concern in community
SDOT: Injurious and fatal crashes remain despite pandemic effect on traffic
Web
The Hill
Democrats move to expand voting rights for felons (Simmons)
Slog
Washington Resumes Its War on Drugs, at Least for the Next Two Years (Dhingra, Goodman, Bateman)
No-Curb Streets Are Seattle’s Hottest Traffic Trend
Guest Editorial: The Legislature Must Do More for Low-Income Washingtonians than Funding the Working Families Tax Credit