WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Monday, May 17

Governor Jay Inslee sits at the end of a long wooden table, signing a piece of paper, wile a large blue flag depicting George Washington hangs on the wall behind his chair.

Keep up with the hundreds of bills Gov. Inslee has signed
In the past week, Gov. Inslee signed 113 bills into state law. Some of those were partially vetoed, but only 11. The types of legislation recently adopted runs a wide range, from noxious weeds and fertilizer fees to juvenile rehabilitation and improving involuntary commitment laws. While 113 sounds like a lot, it’s not even half. He’s signed 310 bills into law since Feb. 8. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (The Office of the Governor)


A pair of hands in orange sleeves holds a poster against a wall. The poster depicts an illustration of a smiling man in a blue shirt.

Decision expected by May 27 on whether officers will be charged in Manuel Ellis’ death
It’s been more than a year since Manuel Ellis was killed by Tacoma police and six months since the Washington State Patrol concluded its investigation into his death. Now, a highly anticipated charging decision is expected to come out of the state Attorney General’s Office in the coming weeks. Continue reading at KNKX. (Parker MIles Blohm)


A row of daffodils, shown up close in the foreground, line a concrete walkway leading to the light gray, domed Capitol building underneath a sunny blue sky.

Washington state expands ‘good Samaritan’ law to protect volunteers in emergencies, disasters
Washington state has expanded its “good Samaritan” law to protect volunteers who help others during emergencies or natural disasters. House Bill 1209, sponsored by Rep. Dan Bronoske, D-Lakewood, passed both chambers of the Legislature this session with unanimous bipartisan support. Gov. Jay Inslee signed it into law April 16. It will take effect July 25. Continue reading at The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. (Ted S. Warren)


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Associated Press
Vancouver principal resigns amid racist language accusations
Inslee sets June 30 target for Washington to fully reopen
Numbers of stoned drivers increase, law enforcement responds
Coast Guard looks to expand Seattle base
Call center in Vancouver shuttered due to COVID-19 outbreak
CDC director says mask turnaround based solely on science
State again removing tons of toxic debris from Camano Island
Second Amendment sanctuaries facing 1st court test in Oregon
Supreme Court to weigh rollback of abortion rights
Nigerian arrested in Washington unemployment fraud case
6th Washington state man charged in U.S. Capitol breach case

Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County total COVID-19 case count surpasses 4,000
GH Transit wants to boost service, but is in need of drivers
Walsh-sponsored funding will bring $900,000 for transitional housing

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Whatcom doctor says those choosing not to get vaccinated ‘playing with fire’
U.S.-Canada border reopening soon? Trudeau says ‘there is hope’ for a ‘better summer’
Whatcom’s numbers remain high with 56 new COVID cases, 5 hospitalizations Friday
Whatcom Health monitors COVID outbreak in which 21 residents, employees test positive
Whatcom sees 2 COVID-related deaths on same day positive news comes from CDC and state
Welcome back to Phase 3 of COVID reopening. What it means for WA bars and restaurants
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Friday in Washington state

Capital Press
Judges dismiss Cow Palace suit against EPA
Farm groups ask Inslee to repeal housing rules
Inslee, Murray on Simpson plan: More work necessary

Everett Herald (subscription required)
1. Buried danger: A slumbering geologic fault beneath us
2. Built on pudding: Can modern quake engineering prevail?
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Fueled by vaccines, a return to normal is getting closer
Riverfront construction could start soon — without a cinema
Students lead charge as Langley council takes climate action
E-bikes are booming, whether or not we’re ready
Viewpoints: Nature priceless, but it should have a price
Comment: Medicare for All could have saved lives during covid
Comment: Covid is refuting the case for Medicare for All
Muhlstein: Vaccine approval for kids a reminder of 2009 H1N1 outbreak
Bloomberg Comment: Pandemic relief hasn’t reach everyone who needs it
Bloomberg Comment: $6 trillion’s a lot of money; here’s why it’s a bargain
Bloomberg Comment: Cheney’s fate meant as a warning to others in GOP
WaPo Comment: It’s not jobless benefits that keep workers at home
WaPo Comment: Cyberattacks affect more than just big corporations
Wapo  Comment: In ousting Cheney, meaning of ‘RINO’ has flipped
WaPo Comment: Anti-trans laws using tested ‘save the kids’ rhetoric
Editorial: Get shovels ready for Biden’s transportation plans
Editorial: Parents have decision to make on vaccinating kids
Editorial: For 75 years a safe place to hang out and more
Letter: Support for 988 suicide hotline needed in state
Letter: Does GOP require belief in Trump’s lies?

High Country News
A parched West heads into fire season
Where land use and landscape photography converge 

International Examiner
Activists demand hate crime charge for murder of Asian man in Bothell

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Letter to Editor: Renters should be part of economic recovery plans

News Tribune (subscription required)
Here’s the proposed new name for Jason Lee Middle School in Tacoma
Tiny home village for homeless veterans opens in Pierce County
4.3-mile trail is ‘transformational’ for Tacoma’s Eastside — and it’s finally complete
Want to increase vaccination rates in Tacoma and Pierce County? Two words: free stuff
Inmate lawsuit claims vaccine rollout at Purdy and other prisons is too slow
Editorial: Bicyclist-driver friction persists on Tacoma-Seattle roads. Here’s how to relieve it

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Where Virus Surged in Northeast U.S., Cases Fall as Shots Rise
Rural Areas Are Looking for Workers. They Need Broadband to Get Them.
Federal Mask Retreat Sets Off Confusing Scramble for States and Cities
The Biden administration will begin making monthly child tax credit payments in July.

Olympian (subscription required)
Tumwater and Old Highway 99 farmer square off over roosters and a $9,800 fine for crowing
Olympia homeless camp residents set to receive vaccine doses
Jury trials have resumed in Thurston County. Here’s what to expect if you’re summoned
Olympia would like to hear your thoughts on race and equity

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Olympic Peninsula health officers worry about mask directive
COVID aid for Peninsula education
Maskless on the Peninsula
Letter: Carbon sequestration

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report: Seattle’s average tech salary dipped in 2020
The Gateses’ public split spotlights a secretive fortune
Costco will not require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks
Opinion: Family governance can help you navigate tough decisions
Washington state to lift Covid-19 restrictions by June 30
Amazon offers bonuses and incentives as it looks to add 75K logistics jobs
SBA tells lenders to withdraw unapproved PPP loans ahead of deadline
The SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund can only fund half its applications
Expert View: Why the focus on free community college misses the mark
Seattle chamber teams up with Dick’s to entice UW students to get vaccinated
SBA’s abrupt PPP shutdown strands millions of businesses — and spurs calls for more funding

Skagit Valley Herald
Overdoses, drug deaths increased in Skagit County in 2020

Tri-City Herald
Yogurt linked to WA state E. coli outbreak, including Tri-Cities
Update: Tri-Cities woman was working as highway flagger when killed by suspected drunk driver
Easterdays sued for defaulting on loans on Tri-Cities onion, potato facilities
Pete Carroll: Seahawks have talked to Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner on restructuring deals
Richland’s virtual school is here to stay. And it’s now open to students statewide
City councils, school boards among 100 seats up for election in Benton, Franklin counties

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Pure Eire Dairy yogurt linked to E. coli outbreak; one case identified Walla Walla County
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation report school age COVID-19 outbreak
City of Walla Walla wins public works award for Isaacs Avenue construction project
Washington state expands ‘good Samaritan’ law to protect volunteers in emergencies, disasters
COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Wa-Hi serves over 300 students; middle schools will host clinics in the coming week
Back to buildings: All Washington districts will open schools this fall, state says

Yakima Herald Republic
More names, more stories behind historic Irwin Nash photos coming out as people recognize relatives, friends
Yakima Valley companies making gradual return to the office
Yakima County prosecutor says no-bail holds are ‘a powerful tool’ that could be used in future cases
Agriculture groups ask Inslee to ease emergency rules on farmworker housing
Solving homeless issues in Yakima: Work defining new Care Campus to begin this fall
Commentary: Why my children are getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Commentary: Help the people fielding death threats to Congress
Opinion: Easing of COVID guidelines proves science was right

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington restaurants face staffing shortages as they plan for reopening
Target drops mask mandate for fully vaccinated customers, employees
Some fully vaccinated Washington residents aren’t ready to go maskless
Child tax credit update: Families to receive monthly payments starting July 15
VERIFY: Yes, private businesses can ask you if you are vaccinated or not

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Businesses split on mask-wearing requirements
King County man arrested, charged in connection with U.S. Capitol breach
2 rescues in 2 days on Snoqualmie River

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
To wear or not to wear? New CDC mask guidance causing confusion
Some businesses thinking twice about new ‘no mask’ guidelines issued by CDC 
Changes during pandemic, new mask guidance means roller coaster of feelings for many
Officials: invasive green crabs spreading along coast

KNKX FM
Invasive green crabs continue to spread in Washington, especially in coastal estuaries
Decision expected by May 27 on whether officers will be charged in Manuel Ellis’ death
Overwork Killed More Than 745,000 People In A Year, WHO Study Finds

KUOW FM
Avoiding ‘political firestorm,’ Seattle police and fire don’t track employees’ COVID vaccinations
Supreme Court To Review Mississippi Abortion Law

KXLY (ABC)
Full reopening means bigger events and business boost for Spokane
Businesses continue to require masks despite new guidance

Q13 TV (Fox)
Store mask policies: Target, Starbucks, Costco, Walmart say masks optional for vaccinated customers
All counties in Washington move to Phase 3 on Tuesday

Web

Crosscut
Two bills aim to expand public broadband in WA, but there’s a hitch (Hansen, Wellman)
The PNW is a leader on forage fish management — but it needs better data

MyNorthwest
Suspected car prowler shot; car owner arrested in Tacoma
COVID Updates: Chance US reaches 70% vaccination by ‘middle of July’
King County health officer: Fully vaccinated should consider masking up in some settings
King County man arrested, charged in connection with U.S. Capitol breach
Mother-in-law of Council President M. Lorena González dies from injuries sustained in condo fire
Keep up with the hundreds of bills Gov. Inslee has signed
Sen. Murray, Gov. Inslee rebut proposal to remove Snake River dams
Washington representatives, senators push to reopen state before June 30