Governor asks everyone to mask up in crowded indoor spaces
It was fun while it lasted. About two months after the state eased mask requirements for vaccinated Washingtonians, Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday asked everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to consider masking up in crowded indoor settings like grocery stores, restaurants and retail shops. “This is frustrating because we are past the point in this pandemic where the general public should have to deal with more restrictions,” Inslee said during a Wednesday news conference. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
The key to living with wildfire smoke? Preparation
While western Washington skies have stayed clear so far, smoke plumes blanket much of the rest of the Northwest, as the worst of the West’s wildfire season remains ahead. Liz Walker and her neighbors in Winthrop have been living under that noxious cloud for days as a pair of fires burning a total area nearly twice the size of Seattle tear through forests and scrubland near the north central Washington mountain town in Okanogan County. Air quality there and elsewhere east of the Cascades has fallen to unhealthy levels, as smoke particles that travel deep into the lung fill the air. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Nathan Howard)
Canada border guards vote to strike as country plans to reopen to vaccinated Americans
More than 8,500 unionized Canada Border Services Agency workers could go on strike as soon as Aug. 6 — three days before the country is scheduled to reopen…The potential strike comes as the Canadian government plans to lift some of its COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The U.S.-Canada border closed to nonessential travel in March 2020 as COVID-19 began to spread. On July 19, however, the Canadian government announced fully vaccinated Americans could visit the country again starting Aug. 9. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Warren Sterling)
Associated Press
US vows to improve protections for wild horse adoptions
Warming rivers in US West killing fish, imperiling industry
Statue of Black hero on Lewis & Clark trip toppled in Oregon
Boeing knocks out a profit for the first time since 2019
Biden to allow eviction moratorium to expire Saturday
US economy surpasses pre-pandemic size with 6.5% Q2 growth
US jobless claims down 24,000 to 400,000 as economy recovers
Aberdeen Daily World
50 new sirens added to statewide Tsunami Siren Network
Hoquiam Council unanimously backs RFA plan
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County Council vote changes the future of industry at Cherry Point
Whatcom County foothills could hit 90 degrees. Here’s when heat and smoke may arrive
Canada border guards vote to strike as country plans to reopen to vaccinated Americans
The Daily News
Woodland City Council votes to pay $1,200 L&I fine for COVID-19 mask violations
Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office tackles overhaul in state drug possession law and pandemic’s court backlog
Opinion: Masks in schools worth discussing
El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
COVID-19 cases increase in Washington due to Delta variant
Washington Governor urges vaccinated to wear face masks in certain counties
Warning of excessive heat in central, southeast Washington
Everett Herald
Governor asks everyone to mask up in crowded indoor spaces
State AG says it can’t investigate Lynnwood Jail death
For some, Mukilteo’s new ferry terminal aggravates challenges
The Inlander
As vaccination rates lag in rural northeast Washington, health officials fear COVID ‘onslaught’
Researchers find LGBTQ+ students harassed at higher rate in counties that voted for Trump
News Tribune
All full service Pierce County libraries will be open by end of July. Here’s what to know
Unlawful tree cutting endangered homes, Tacoma residents say. They want code changes
80-degree weather is on the way to Tacoma. City to open cooling center Thursday
Opinion: Tacoma just pledged $10K for a Black Lives Matter mural downtown. It’s money well spent
Editorial: How much is COVID-19 breaking through vaccines in Pierce County? We need more data
Editorial: It’s too bad Pierce sheriff will stay elected post. But this wasn’t about Ed Troyer
New York Times
The U.S. economy grew 1.6 percent in the second quarter, returning to prepandemic size.
Where People Are Most Vulnerable to the Delta Variant
Democrats look ahead as infrastructure deal falls short of Biden’s climate promises.
Triple-digit temperatures will scorch the Pacific Northwest again.
Retailers Revisit Mask Debate After New C.D.C. Guidelines
Biden, blocked by the Supreme Court, calls on Congress to extend the eviction freeze.
Olympian
11,000 Hanford workers ordered to start wearing COVID masks indoors
Here are the latest COVID-19 cases confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
US reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the world
Students, staff required to wear masks as they return to school, Washington governor says
Why Thurston residents will get paper vehicle permits instead of metal license plates
Peninsula Daily News
‘Vigilantism’ a fear in wake of new laws (Chapman, Tharinger)
Inslee urges all to wear masks indoors
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
EXPLAINER: Employers have legal right to mandate COVID shots
Port Townsend Leader
Unvaccinated residents causing uptick in COVID
Puget Sound Business Journal
Lockdowns are unlikely, but experts say Delta variant surge could create headwinds for small businesses
Google is delaying its reopening and will require workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19
Inslee recommends wearing masks indoors again as measure against delta Covid-19 variant
SBA launches new Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness portal
Boeing swings to quarterly profit on Max deliveries
Seattle Medium
Highline College Will Become A Vaccine-Required Campus Fall 2021
Port Adopts New Authority To Expand Workers Covered By City Of SeaTac Minimum Wage
Council Approves More Than $389 Million For Courts Backlog And More In Latest Round Of Emergency COVID Funding
Seattle Times
King County jury awards $185M to 3 teachers who suffered brain damage from toxins at Monroe school
Nearly half of Seattle police calls don’t need officers responding, new report says
Puyallup River pollution whistleblower sues dam operator, alleging it didn’t fully pay workers or provide breaks
As sockeye runs struggle elsewhere in North America, a record run in Alaska’s Bristol Bay
More than 94% of recent COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations in Washington state among those not fully vaccinated, report says
Washington’s governor urges the vaccinated to wear masks indoors in certain counties, won’t impose new mandates
Opinion: Washington makes progress toward equitable recovery for kids
Editorial: Hold WSU coach accountable for refusal to vaccinate
Skagit Valley Herald
Anacortes approves update to Critical Areas Ordinance
Skagit 911 board recommends sales tax increase
Lawmakers request more help for farmers impacted by heat wave
Tri-City Herald
COVID surge fills largest Tri-Cities ICU. Patients being sent out of town
11,000 Hanford workers ordered to start wearing COVID masks indoors
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
School mask requirement not up to local districts
Washington Post
Biden wants to turn America’s auto fleet electric. It’s harder than it seems.
Amid summer of fire and floods, a moment of truth for climate action
Pfizer data shows vaccine protection remains robust six months after vaccination even as the company argues that boosters will be needed
U.S. economy grew annual 6.5 percent between April and June, marking full recovery from the pandemic
Biden urges Congress to extend eviction moratorium, saying his hands are tied by Supreme Court ruling
Yakima Herald Republic
COVID-19 testing will continue at State Fair Park in Yakima; vaccination center to close with focus on mobile clinics
Q&A: Yakima County has high COVID transmission; health district says everyone should wear masks in public indoors
Historic Beverly Bridge receives facelift, completion slated for early fall
Longtime nurse speaks out for face coverings, vaccination and other COVID-19 prevention
Broadcast
KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington will require masks in schools this fall
Majority of people getting sick or dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated, DOH says
KIRO7 TV (CBS)
More Seattle businesses implementing ‘No Vaccine, No Service’ policies
$185 million awarded to North Sound teachers exposed to chemicals at school
Executive order begins new King County inquests
CDC recommends masks for all students and teachers
Understanding how urban development impacts wildlife
Inslee urges Washington residents to wear masks indoors, reiterates mask requirement for schools
Several Seattle bars close after positive COVID-19 cases; others requiring proof of vaccination
Paper license plates to be issued due to license plate shortage
KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Almost all COVID cases, deaths, hospitalizations since February were in unvaccinated folks
Inquests into fatal shootings by police to resume in King County
Gov. Inslee: Even the vaccinated should wear masks while indoors
Concerns about crime, boating safety behind push to restore Seattle Harbor Patrol staffing
Washington businesses respond to Inslee’s recommendation to mask up indoors
More Seattle bars requiring proof of vaccination after some temporarily close due to COVID
KNKX FM
Vaccinated people should mask in public indoor spaces in most of Washington state
KUOW FM
Covid blog is back, and so is masking indoors
Common cancer screening methods are less accurate for Black women. A UW doctor has made it her mission to change that
Breakthrough Infections May Cause Long COVID Symptoms, Small Study Suggests
KXLY (ABC)
Uptick in infections leads to fifth wave of COVID in Spokane, North Idaho
Inslee urges Washingtonians to wear masks in indoor public spaces
Spokane Public Schools to add recent DOH guidance to reopening plan
Washington to require all K-12 students, school employees to wear masks this fall
What WA’s new police accountability laws do and don’t do (Goodman, Johnson)
Q13 TV (Fox)
Washington state recommends wearing masks indoors, requires masks for K-12 schools
Thurston County residents to get temporary paper permits due to statewide license plate shortage
Delta variant viral load 1,000 times higher than original coronavirus strain
City of Seattle testing and vaccination efforts transitioning to partners at the end of July
Web
Crosscut
The key to living with wildfire smoke? Preparation
Podcast | The history and future of gun violence in America
Where do I have to wear a mask in WA? We explain
MyNorthwest
Seattle proposal to end ‘single-family zoning’ label garners wide support in public hearing
Governor says more vaccine strategies could be on the way for Washington
Mayor Durkan: Seattle needs to ‘get back to basics’ with masks, vaccines
‘Compassion Seattle’ homelessness initiative qualifies for November ballot
Washington grapples with license plate shortage brought on by pandemic
Washington to follow CDC guidance, now recommends all people wear masks indoors