WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, July 28

Members of the Seattle Police Department make their way to respond to protests in Seattle.

What new WA police accountability laws do and don’t do
Several new police accountability bills went into effect in Washington state this week, changing some of the ways police officers can interact with the public. In anticipation of the new laws taking hold, many police chiefs and sheriffs have publicly voiced concerns that their officers will no longer be able to perform certain duties, such as responding to mental health calls or chasing fleeing suspects. While some of these statements contain elements of truth, others are misleading or leave out important context. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)


In most Washington counties, fewer than a third of eligible kids are vaccinated against COVID-19
A majority of Washington’s eligible schoolchildren still aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19, state data shows, and experts warn that we’ve reached a critical moment: in most corners of the state, school starts in about five weeks. It takes about five weeks — from the first shot to the end of the waiting period after the second — for vaccine to be most effective. Pediatricians, researchers and Department of Health officials are now mounting a desperate call. Continue reading at The Seattle Times.


Increase in COVID infections ‘eerily similar’ to last summer’s surge in Wash. state
Local health leaders say the number of COVID infections, hospitalizations and deaths in Washington state right now is eerily similar to those seen during last summer’s surge. Even though over half of the state’s total population is now fully vaccinated, new infections and hospitalizations are on the rise. And transmission of the virus is increasing, even among the vaccinated. Continue reading at KOMO News.


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Associated Press
Deadline coming on long-term care: private or state plan? (Macri)
Oregon governor signs ambitious clean energy bill
Senate GOP ready to move forward on $1T infrastructure bill
For the first time since 2019, Boeing knocks out a profit
Poll shows inequity in community support for older adults

Aberdeen Daily World
Opinion: Democrats must be ready to go it alone to protect Dreamers
 
Bellingham Herald
This is how Bellingham is dealing with new Washington state policing rules 
Whatcom County sees 22% increase in rolling COVID-19 case counts, three deaths last week
 
Capital Press
Late frost, drought reduce PNW canola yields

Columbian
Battle Ground schools delay changes to sexual education curriculum
Editorial: In Our View: Leaders ignoring lessons of COVID pandemic

Everett Herald
Lynnwood council agrees to ask AG to investigate jail death
Marysville-Arlington road improvements won’t happen at once
Yes, tsunamis can happen here: County gets 3 warning sirens
Boeing, for first time since 2019, has a profitable quarter
WaPo Comment: As delta variant surges, doctors facing hard choices
Bloomberg Comment: Opposing vaccines, masks isn’t principled; it’s deadly

Kitsap Sun
Poulsbo approves increase in sales taxes to develop affordable housing
Kitsap’s health officer joins others in recommending masks for indoors

News Tribune
Here’s what happened to move to change county sheriff, auditor to appointed positions
Editorial: It’s too bad Pierce sheriff will stay elected post. But this wasn’t about Ed Troyer
Editorial: Peninsula School Board gets wires crossed trying to defuse critical race theory bomb

New York Times
Key Republican senators say they’re ready to take up an infrastructure deal, paving the way for a vote.
Inflation Is New Battle Line as Republicans and Biden Spar Over Spending
Biden to sign an executive order aimed at protecting critical American infrastructure from cyberattacks.
Rising river temperatures are stressing out salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Olympian
Face masks for all K-12 students, staff recommended for upcoming school year, CDC says
Thurston COVID-19 cases highest in 2 months, and majority are among the unvaccinated

Peninsula Daily News
Police reform laws are criticized (Tharinger, Goodman, Johnson)
Jefferson County PUD seeks to expand internet
CDC masking guidelines change due to Delta variant
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Puget Sound Business Journal
King County councilmember seeks ‘more assertive, balanced’ approach to removing homeless camps
Despite embracing remote work, tech accounts for more office leasing activity than any other industry
CDC reverses course on masks for fully vaccinated, puts employers on the spot
A wild 15 months’: Pandemic spurs conversion of offices to labs
SBA speeds up awards from Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, but money still remains.
Op-Ed: Balancing Washington’s tax code will increase competitive advantage

Seattle Times
Boeing turns profitable and leadership promises stability ahead
Vacation hot spot Chelan County limits short-term rentals
In most Washington counties, fewer than a third of eligible kids are vaccinated against COVID-19
Editorial: Mask up against deadly new COVID variant

Skagit Valley Herald
Where are the orcas?
Concrete, La Conner school boards approve district budgets
Shell refinery fined for Sept. 29 emissions

Tri-City Herald
$4 million project at Kennewick’s Clover Island is for walkers, bikers and fish

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
American Red Cross: Blood needed now at Walla Walla drives

Washington Post
Beyond human endurance: How climate change is making parts of the world too hot and humid to survive
Jan. 6 hearing produces tears, anger for America
What you need to know about how wildfires spread
Opinion: Our democracy is under attack. Washington journalists must stop covering it like politics as usual.

Yakima Herald Republic
COVID cases surging in Washington and Yakima County; officials urge vaccination
Camp Hope, Comprehensive Healthcare team up to serve Yakima’s homeless population
Yakima Valley temperatures predicted to hit triple digits late this week and into weekend

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
UW researcher: CDC’s mask announcement does not undermine COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness
Inslee to give update on state’s COVID-19 response Wednesday
CDC recommends masking again: What does it mean for Washington state?
Inmates anxious over plan to close prison units across Washington state
After unvaccinated family members get COVID-19, Thurston County mom urges people to get the shot

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
CDC Recommends masks for all students and teachers
Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline hit by vandalism, burglary
Crews continue to battle wildfires near Winthrop
Seattle Congresswoman reacts to emotional testimony as insurrection hearings begin
DOH: COVID-19 cases on the rise across Washington

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Increase in COVID infections ‘eerily similar’ to last summer’s surge in Wash. state
King County Council approves $42M budget to help with backlog at courthouse
State health officials report more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases Tuesday

KNKX FM
Listen: The latest on masks, new police reform laws in Washington
Murray pushes climate as Senate tackles infrastructure, budget measures

KUOW FM
Seattle police should change their response to protestors after tension last summer, report says
Biden Is Considering A Vaccine Or Testing Mandate For Federal Workers
Pandemic blog: Covid updates in Seattle and Washington state
Justice Department Clears Way For Trump Officials To Testify About Jan. 6th

KXLY (ABC)
Gov. Inslee to hold in-person press conference on COVID response
Resolving Rent Problems: How tenants, landlords can receive help through Eviction Resolution Program
Community Colleges of Spokane to require COVID vaccine
Commissioner of Public Lands to visit site of Sherwood Fire on Wednesday

Q13 TV (Fox)
Is Washington state on the verge of a mask mandate all over again?
Pfizer data suggests 3rd dose of vaccine ‘strongly’ boosts protection against delta variant

Web

Crosscut
What WA’s new police accountability laws do and don’t do (Johnson, Goodman)

MyNorthwest
Boeing in the black again after reporting first quarterly profit since 2019
King County Council appoints new law enforcement oversight director
King County Council begins debate over standards for homeless camp removals
Seattle area set for weekend heat wave as it nears record for most days without rain
Washington will update mask guidance ‘if needed’ after new CDC recommendations