With police reforms signed into law, the focus shifts to enforcement in Washington
Governor Jay Inslee made national headlines Tuesday when he signed sweeping police reforms into law. Among the changes are requiring officers to step in if they see a fellow officer using excessive force and forming an office of Independent Investigations. Community organizers say this is an important step in holding law enforcement responsible for their actions. Continue reading at KING5 TV.
June 30 reopening still in play as WA vaccination rates move toward target
Washington is on the path to reopen June 30 or earlier as it continues to approach the 70 percent threshold of vaccinated people necessary to lift statewide COVID-19 restrictions. Just under 60 percent of all Washington residents ages 16 or older have received one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said Wednesday during a state Department of Health media briefing. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Joshua Bessex)
Preventing wrongful convictions from false confessions at heart of new law
If you’re arrested in this country, you have the right to remain silent. Beginning next year in Washington state, you’ll also have the right to have a video and audio recording of what you say to police. The law requiring that there be an electronic record of interrogations conducted while someone is detained or in custody was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday as part of a broad package of police reform laws. Continue reading at KNKX. (Kari Plog)
Associated Press
Lawmakers quiz Boeing, FAA about recent issues with planes
Labor and Industries creates new farmworker safety team
Handful of Oregon counties vote to consider move into Idaho
Records that identify transgender inmates must remain sealed
US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid
Report blames tree blown into power lines for Malden fire
Aberdeen Daily World
Quinault Indian Nation opens its new Generations House services building
AHS seniors to finish year from home to ensure graduation health
Shores council facing decisions on homeless
Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
One Whatcom region sees highest COVID infection rate in 3 months, 4 others also increase
June 30 reopening still in play as WA vaccination rates move toward target
Ready for a COVID booster shot? Pfizer CEO says one may be needed in 8-12 months
Capital Press
Wildfire weapons: From satellites to state-of-the-art planes, firefighters get a hand from technology
Water shortages across the West impact what farmers plant
Columbian
In Our View: Inslee’s line-item veto tests power of office (Billig, Jinkins)
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Yakima School District to Begin Dual Language Program
The Disappeared
Investigation justifies that Yakima officer fired at the truck that hit him
Letter: We must be on the lookout for the Yakima County Commission
Everett Herald (subscription required)
Mountlake Terrace I-5 off ramp to close for light rail work
‘A big win for residents’: Part of Mountain Loop opens early
Whidbey Island farmers alarmed over absence of native bees
Island County Jail inmate’s death deemed an apparent suicide
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: ‘Fight for $15’ is already won; with or without law
Bloomberg Comment: Here’s your chance to limit your ‘workaholic’ habits
High Country News
The West’s Asian Americans arm up for self-defense
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Red Road to DC: Lummi totem pole visits the San Juans
Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Two bills aim to expand public broadband, but there’s a hitch (Hansen, Wellman)
News Tribune (subscription required)
More than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Pierce County
June 30 reopening still in play as WA vaccination rates move toward target
Eatonville school board decides on superintendent. Teachers union worried about his past
North American Post
On Nikkei and Cross-Racial Solidarity: Three Seattle-Area Artist/Activist Perspectives
Olympian (subscription required)
DES seeks operator for new childcare center on state Capitol Campus
Pitts is named CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Peninsula Daily News
All Washington counties move to Phase 3 reopening
High-speed internet coming to Diamond Point
Port Angeles City Council OKs housing funding
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID cases dropping on Peninsula
Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson County goes five days without new COVID-19 cases
Jefferson Healthcare ends mass vaccinations
Puget Sound Business Journal
Aviation groups urge Congress to finance sustainable jet fuel
Nordstrom joins other retailers in allowing vaccinated shoppers to go maskless
Boeing lifts outdoor mask requirements for some fully vaccinated staff
The CDC’s new mask guidance caught businesses by surprise. It’s likely to cause headaches, too.
This DNA initiative protects vulnerable youth from ‘sugaring’
Seattle Times (subscription required)
Washington’s public universities will no longer require the SAT or ACT. Will admissions become more equitable?
‘Pints for pokes?’ Washington breweries, wineries and other businesses offer incentives to get people vaccinated
New film about a group of LGBTQ+ climbers summiting Mount Hood hopes to challenge gender stereotypes
Warm summer expected as Washington state endures 4th-driest spring on record
Vaccinated or not, keep your mask on, King County’s top health official urges
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit Transit to return to full service June 14
Skagit Valley College to begin design work on new building
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Pfizer vaccines now available for 12 and up at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital
If the Tolt River Dam breaks, these places are at risk of flooding
South Seattle Emerald
Manuel Ellis’ death looms large at Tacoma bill signings even without his family there
DOH officials encourage caution, even as state COVID cases appear to flatten
Opinion: LGBTQ pride must extend to the trades
Police Chief Diaz explains why he hasn’t fired officers for excessive use of force
Vaccine pop-ups open to all Seattle public middle schools and high schools
Opinion: The teachings of Malcolm X can guide our path to greater equity
Local leaders call for American Rescue Plan act to invest more in Black community
Spokesman Review
Closer to home: Rural community advocates work to bring vaccines to their neighborhoods
After controversy of ‘pop up’ homeless shelter at Women’s Club, city leaders consider guidelines for temporary shelters
Pac-Man gets a tax break: City of Spokane considers repeal of decades-old arcade and games fee
Washington State University faculty skeptical of athletics budget recovery plan
Tri-City Herald
New Tri-Cities COVID cases continue downward trend, with a 1-day drop in hospital cases
Man’s death in Columbia River appears to be accidental, say investigators
Unconscious Palouse Falls hiker ‘hoisted out by pure muscle’ from deep WA park canyon
City shuts down proposed Tri-Cities hilltop hotel — but doesn’t close the door
Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Court upholds reversal of George W. Craigen’s murder conviction in 2011 Milton-Freewater killing
Umatilla County man dies from COVID-19
Weekly Update: Walla Walla, Umatilla county health officers ponder new COVID-19 changes
Man cited in road rage crash on Walla Walla’s Plaza Way
Washington Post
Sen. Bernie Sanders to introduce resolution of disapproval on $735 million U.S. arms sale to Israel
Yakima Herald Republic
COVID-19 trends in Yakima County headed in the right direction
Fourth of July, other events are back this year at State Fair Park in Yakima
L&I to launch new unit for farmworker safety
Yakima to reopen facilities, increase hotel tax, fly Pride flag
Yakima Health District reports 17 new COVID cases Wednesday, no new deaths
Opinion: PNWU makes Yakima a healthier place
Opinion: How compromise with the GOP can serve the country
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Amazon to drop mask requirement for fully vaccinated employees
Thurston County Health officials head to encampments to vaccinate the homeless population
Washington will leave mask mandates up to local jurisdictions
With police reforms signed into law, the focus shifts to enforcement in Washington
King County accepting applications for rental assistance before eviction moratorium expires
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Kroger drops mask mandate for the fully vaccinated; rules varying by business
Police arrest man they say stole purses from women of Asian descent
Bellevue couple loses $1,000,000 in deportation scam
Amazon to extend pause on police use of facial recognition
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
With new police reform measures now law, state training academy embraces approach
King Co. health leaders expected to issue more guidance on wearing masks indoors
Is asking for proof of a coronavirus vaccination a HIPAA violation?
State to follow CDC, says fully vaccinated people don’t need masks in most situations
Washington’s gateway towns anxious for Canadian border to reopen
Local community activists praise new bill that aims to halt bias crimes toward Asians (Ryu)
KNKX FM
Preventing wrongful convictions from false confessions at heart of new law
Federal Aid Arrived For A Burned Town. It May Not Be Enough For Next Fire Season
KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for Washington state
Seattle suburbs crack down on homeless camping with fines and jail time
A New, Infectious Coronavirus Is Detected In Malaysia – And It’s Coming From Dogs
KXLY (ABC)
Colville Tribe seeks to address obstacles in delivering COVID vaccines
Q13 TV (Fox)
Mixed messages from King County, state health officials cause confusion over mask-wearing
Get the vaccine, get a free beer at participating Washington breweries
Web
MyNorthwest
Pair of Washington Republicans vote to approve investigation into Capitol riot
1 dead after shooting leads to crash in Maple Valley
While part of state likely to avoid drought, still concerns over Washington farm country
Why emotional, mental health impacts of COVID may linger
West Seattle High-Rise Bridge clears major hurdle on road to repair
Judge says records that could identify Washington transgender inmates must remain sealed
Seattle police arrest man suspected of stealing purses from Asian women
Strike imminent for delivery truck drivers with Seattle Public Schools
Suspect in unemployment scam denied bail pending arrival in Washington
State leaves door open for counties to make their own mask rules
How Washington’s political divisions are driving a troubling rise in recalls
Carjacking suspect in custody after chase on I-5 from Tacoma to Marysville
Report: Chronic homelessness reaches crisis levels in King County
Slog
Washington Quietly Passed One of the Strongest Universal Health Care Laws in the Country (Randall)
West Seattle Blog
Same contractor that stabilized the West Seattle Bridge wins competition to fix it: Kraemer North America