Alternative to prison to be allowed in Washington for some who have mental illness
The state of Washington will soon offer an alternative to prison for people with a serious mental illness who commit a crime. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law Monday. Under the new Mental Health Sentencing Alternative, judges will have the option to sentence a person to community supervision and treatment in lieu of prison. The program will be open to individuals who are convicted of a felony crime that is not a serious violent offense or a sex offense. Continue reading at KNKX. (Washington State Department of Corrections)
Fair Start for Kids Act is just that — a start
Give the pandemic credit for one thing, at least. As schools began shutting down last year, a harsh realization began to sink in across the state: The child care crisis was real, and it wasn’t just for parents anymore. Businesses had already been feeling the squeeze, too, but the pandemic made it all that much tighter. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Amanda Ray)
Governor Inslee signs farm worker overtime law in Yakima
(Available in English via Google Translate) Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5172, now called the Tomás Villanueva Overtime Protection Act, on Tuesday in honor of the late Yakima Valley farmworker activist, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported. “Under this law, all agricultural workers will begin to receive overtime pay in 2022 and will have a 40-hour work week in early 2024,” the newspaper published. The law was passed in both houses of state Congress with bipartisan support, the newspaper reported. Continue reading at El Sol de Yakima. (Amanda Ray)
Associated Press
New law offers prison alternatives for mentally ill
Washington not yet weighing school COVID vaccine mandate
Washington governor signs agriculture worker overtime bill
Aberdeen Daily World
State grant will help fund improvements at south Aberdeen Little League field
Aberdeen, Hoquiam lobbyists working to have levee, rail projects construction-ready by 2023
Big changes coming for statewide public health system and local boards (Riccelli)
Point: Once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment is needed
Counterpoint: 4 big problems with Biden’s ‘infrastructure’ plan
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
COVID infection rates drop in 4 Whatcom regions, but one sees highest mark since February
New Bellingham ordinance passed Monday ‘is going to affect generations to come’
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Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
Some Americans can now apply for help paying internet bills. Here’s what to know
Will kids get the same Pfizer COVID vaccine dose as adults? Here’s what to know
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Most unvaccinated Americans say they’ll refuse to get a COVID shot, poll finds
Capital Press
Inslee signs slate of pesticide fee hikes
State fairs are back — but get ready for changes
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Governor Inslee signs farm worker overtime law in Yakima
COVID-19 outbreak at Casino Caribbean in Yakima leaves 12 positive cases
High Country News
The everyday violence of Indian Country’s ‘bordertowns’
News Tribune (subscription required)
Here are Tuesday’s COVID-19 case numbers for Pierce County
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
Another Pierce County school district announces in-person graduation ceremonies
Vaccines for youth ages 12-15 in Pierce County coming soon, health officials say
Puyallup council expands city limits by approving controversial annexation
More than $14,000 raised for father, son stabbed at Tacoma corner store
Mortgage assistance up to $6K for homeowners impacted by pandemic opens in Tacoma
How local athletic directors, businesses, community members and the Fair made high school basketball during COVID-19 a reality in Pierce County
Olympian (subscription required)
Ex-student’s threats close SPSCC Olympia campus to classes and vaccine clinics
Thurston County adds three deaths, 23 COVID-19 cases Tuesday
Peninsula Daily News
Blanket project to combat sex trafficking
Clallam County approves $1.15 million in state housing funds
EPA awards grants for beach water monitoring, notifications
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
LETTER: Snake River dams
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Coast Guard could triple base size on Seattle waterfront as U.S. ramps up Arctic presence
King County plans to buy hotels to permanently house 1,600 homeless people
IRS will send long-delayed stimulus checks to homeless filers in Washington
Washington state won’t yet consider a COVID vaccine mandate in schools
Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley School District receives grant to take closer look at equity
County commissioners OK further study on fully contained communities
Spokesman Review
Pride Prep hopes ‘to be held accountable’ by Spokane Public Schools as its charter renewal looms
Local undocumented students eligible for federal pandemic assistance, Biden administration rules
Opinion: Colin Quinn-Hurst and Pablo Monsivais: Spokane is investing now for more travel options and a safer, healthier future
Tri-City Herald
Trump wants revenge against Republicans over impeachment. Is Rep. Newhouse in trouble?
Tri-Cities farmers markets offering more than just fresh produce this summer
Franklin County still above WA state reopening levels with a week to go
Getting free COVID vaccines in Tri-Cities with no appointment is easier than ever this week
Drive-thru hot meals for Tri-Cities seniors expanded to 5 days a week
Downtown fire leaves Prosser police, city hall homeless — for now
Tri-Cities COVID trends moving in the right direction ahead of WA state reopening check
Update: Truck driver was trapped upside down in twisted wreckage for hours north of Pasco
Tri-Cities Hispanics lag in COVID vaccinations. It’s not because they don’t want it
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla Bread Co. baker towers over competition in ‘Best Baker in America’ Episode 2
Adult, baby receive minor injuries in rollover near Starbuck
Walla Walla School District to take over Juvenile Justice Center classroom
Pasco crash leaves 1 dead, 1 injured in car that collided with semi driven by M-F man
Walla Walla Public Library reopens for in-person visits
Local bars, restaurants welcome extension on serving to-go cocktails
Man takes plea deal in Walla Walla La Quinta car casing case
Kennewick woman sentenced for October high-speed chase in Walla Walla County
Washington Post
House Republicans oust Cheney from leadership for calling out Trump’s false election claims
Death toll climbs and Arab-Israeli protests intensify as Israel and Gaza slip toward war
Gas shortages intensify in Southeast, with 71 percent of Charlotte stations now dry
Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County’s falling COVID-19 transmission rate means reduced distancing for middle and high school students
Inslee signs agricultural worker overtime bill into law in Yakima
Opinion: Fair Start for Kids Act is just that — a start (Wilson)
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Seattle partners with businesses to offer COVID-19 vaccine incentives
Washington health leaders urge patience as they await Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be OK’d for teens
Overall, traffic remains lower than pre-pandemic levels in western Washington
Robocalls in Washington state traced back to inmates in Florida
Seattle film industry begins to rebound to pre-pandemic levels
Toll rate proposals likely calling for 15% increases on State Route 520 Bridge
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Man allegedly stabbed by customer upset about mask-wearing policy
Multiple groups protest appreciation dinner for Seattle officers in Bellevue
Under new law, unpaid tickets will no longer lead to suspended licenses
Washington AG urges Facebook to abandon plans to build Instagram for kids under 13
Seattle Sounders FC announce vaccinated-only sections starting May 23
Mortgage assistance up to $6K for homeowners impacted by pandemic opens in Tacoma
Seattle partnering with local businesses to offer vaccine incentives
Rare grouping of whales spotted near Friday Harbor over Mother’s Day weekend
Senate panel weighs proposed regulations for ‘ghost guns’
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Latest 737 Max problem sets back Boeing airplane deliveries
Washington teens could get Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as early as Thursday if CDC approves
More nurses face burnout as COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates nursing shortage
KNDO
Governor Inslee signs workforce rights bills
KNKX FM
Alternative to prison to be allowed in Washington for some who have mental illness
Inslee signs off on driver’s license suspension law, but controversy persists (Salomon)
KUOW FM
KUOW’s pandemic blog: Updates for the NW
4th Wave Of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hits Washington State
Alternative to prison to be allowed in Washington for some who have mental illness
KXLY (ABC)
Preliminary report finds health officer broke law in firing Bob Lutz
Q13 TV (Fox)
Tacoma invests $1.43M to help keep working families impacted by COVID-19 from losing their homes
Convenience store owner’s message for maskless customer who stabbed him: ‘Wear your mask’
Washington parents eagerly await final approval of Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds
Washington not yet weighing school COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Hospitality industry faces labor shortage as COVID-19 fears linger
Web
MyNorthwest
Snohomish County COVID rates appear to be stabilizing as vaccines ramp up
Crews battle fire at Issaquah restaurant for second time in as many days
Two more tribes reach tentative agreement with state on sports betting
Seattle’s street dining might be here to stay — at least for a while
Two cases of toxin-producing E. coli in Snohomish County
Exec says King County will buy more hotels to house homeless population
Gov. Inslee signs agriculture worker overtime bill
Protest moves through Bellevue Tuesday night
Washington GOP Rep. Herrera Beutler expected to vote against removing Liz Cheney
International Space Station, train of SpaceX satellites cut through Western Washington skies
Slog
Tammy Morales Wants to Finally Close Seattle’s Just Cause Loophole
Constantine Announces Purchase of Queen Anne Hotel to House Homeless, Return of Bus Service to the Mountains, and $150 Million in Rental Assistance
Washington State Wire
Governor signs entire “Cascade Care 2.0” bill into law (Frockt)
West Seattle Blog
VACCINATION: Clinics planned for students, now that eligibility is earlier