WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, Oct. 13

A woman fills out a 2020 Census form with an outreach worker.

2020 Census may have undercounted Black Americans, new analyses say
Two new analyses suggest the 2020 Census may have undercounted Black people at a significantly higher rate than usual, raising concerns about whether minority communities could lose out on fair representation and funding over the next 10 years. The Census Bureau has not yet released data that would allow comparisons of 2020 Census results with earlier estimates to assess the survey’s accuracy. But a simulation comparing the bureau’s estimates for 2020 with results from 2010 indicates that the country’s Black population may have been undercounted at a rate up to three times as high as in 2010. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Sarah L. Voisin)


Cars line up while waiting to enter Canada from the U.S. at the Peace Arch Park border crossing.

U.S. to lift land border restrictions on Canada and Mexico for vaccinated visitors
Visitors from Canada and Mexico who are vaccinated will be able to drive into the United States for tourism and other non-essential travel again starting next month, when the rules for international air travel are also set to change. The new rules for foreign nationals entering by land are expected to be implemented in early November and will go into effect in two phases. A vaccination requirement will go into effect for non-essential travelers next month, while truck drivers and other individuals who cross U.S. borders for work will have until January to be vaccinated. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Warren Sterling)


A social security card.

Big boost for Social Security benefits as inflation rises
Millions of retirees on Social Security will get a 5.9% boost in benefits for 2022. The biggest cost-of-living adjustment in 39 years follows a burst in inflation as the economy struggles to shake off the drag of the coronavirus pandemic. The COLA, as it’s commonly called, amounts to $92 a month for the average retired worker, according to estimates released Wednesday by the Social Security Administration. That marks an abrupt break from a long lull in inflation that saw cost-of-living adjustments averaging just 1.65% a year over the past 10 years. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Jenny Kane)


Print

Associated Press
US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated
Retirees to get biggest Social Security benefit increase in decades 
Boeing tells workers they must get COVID-19 vaccine
FDA grapples with timing of booster for J&J COVID-19 vaccine
University of Washington settles DOJ claims of grant fraud

Aberdeen Daily World
New COVID cases decline, hospitalizations remain high
Editorial: Single-use plastic bag ban good for environment
 
Bellingham Herald
Data shows most recent COVID surge hit Bellingham and rest of Whatcom County differently
U.S. to lift land border restrictions on Canada and Mexico for vaccinated visitors
Inslee visits Bellingham’s NW Laboratory, hears these concerns about Whatcom testing demand
Regional banking firms announce merger. Here’s how it will impact Whatcom County
Whatcom improves, but still sees another triple-digit COVID case count over the weekend
 
Capital Press
Nonexistent manure study sways Washington court
NAWG leader wants to meet with Simpson on Snake River dams

Columbian
Vancouver Police Department close to fulfilling all 84 recommendations from 2020 report

Everett Herald
Doctor clears up common misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines
Boeing says workers must get the COVID vaccine by Dec. 8
COVID cases decline but local hospitals remain ‘under siege’
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Carpenters strike ends with new contract and a $10 raise

Islands’ Weekly
40th District delegates talk ferry disruptions
Opinion: Childcare – an economic driver in our community

Kirkland Reporter
COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required for indoor recreation starting Oct. 25

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap County commissioners approve $500 payout to vaccinated employees

News Tribune
Dash cameras being installed, but negotiations with Pierce County deputies delay use
Tacoma-Pierce County chamber leader plans end of year exit; search is on for replacement
Gig Harbor takes action on Airbnb-style rental moratorium. Here’s what comes next
City of Tacoma to clean up homeless encampments along Sixth Avenue near Evergreen campus
Arson investigation underway at Islamic Center of Tacoma after fire damages building
Op-Ed: Pell Grants make college attainable for millions of Americans, including here in Tacoma

Olympian
11 more Thurston residents die of COVID-19 in past week as case count trends down
Regional banking firms announce merger. Holding company to be headquartered in Tacoma
Biden council will tell federal agencies to put gender front and center when making policy

Peninsula Daily News
COVID-19 statistics
Complaint filed against Berry
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
State payroll tax to fund long-term care program coming soon

Puget Sound Business Journal
U.S. apartment rents have jumped more than 10% since early 2020
Vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers one step closer to reality
Boeing requires Covid-19 vaccinations for employees by Dec. 8 federal deadline
UW opens $230M Hans Rosling Center for Population Health (Photos)
Boeing deliveries pick up in September as order streak continues

Salish Current
‘Where’s the ferry?’ islanders ask as crew shortages stymie scheduled sailings (Ramel, Lovelett, Lekanoff)

Seattle Times
U.S. to reopen Canada and Mexico borders for vaccinated travelers — here’s what to expect
‘Disheartening’ rise in King County gun violence has already surpassed 2020’s record toll

The Skanner
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound Names New President and CEO

Sol De Yakima
Hospitales del Valle de Yakima se muestran optimistas ante fecha límite para vacuna de personal

South Whidbey Record
Worker shortage continues to paralyze ferry system

Spokesman Review
Sen. Murray pushes for large federal investment in public health; Idaho sees cautious hope over COVID rates
U.S. borders to open in November to vaccinated travelers from Canada, Mexico

Tri-City Herald
Mental evaluation ordered for suspect in deadly stabbing of Pasco school bus driver

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Immigration-reform activists call on Democrats to ‘Keep Your Promise’ in Walla Walla Tuesday

Washington Post
With Trump gone, advocates flood Justice Dept. with requests to investigate police
Social Security benefits to rise 5.9%, biggest cost-of-living bump in decades
Prices up 5.4% in September over last year, as covid keeps weighing on supply chains
2020 Census may have undercounted Black Americans, analyses say
WHO announces team to reinvigorate battle to understand covid-19’s biggest mystery: How did it first infect humans?
FDA authorizes an e-cigarette for first time, saying benefit for smokers outweighs risk to youths
California set to become first state to ban sale of ‘super polluter’ gasoline-powered lawn equipment
The new deadline to pass Biden’s agenda is coming up fast
House agrees to lift debt ceiling as Democrats spar on broader spending bill

Yakima Herald Republic
2022 budget: Yakima seeks long-term solution for replacing police and fire vehicles
Yakima advocates, law enforcement create coalition to address domestic violence
Yakima County hospitals optimistic as vaccine deadline looms for workers

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Nonprofits call on King County to invest millions more to combat gun violence
Washington’s border with Canada reopening to vaccinated travelers in November after 19 months
Performing artists in Seattle appreciative of strict COVID-19 vaccination rules

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated
OPA opens investigation into troublesome tweets
South Lake Union anxious as Amazon changes work plans
Sheriff’s officials investigating possible arson at Islamic Center of Tacoma

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
King County executive praises vaccine mandate but Snohomish and Pierce are leery
King County vaccine mandate prompts tide of legal questions from firms, employers
WSU: Nearly 90% of employees, 95% of university students are vaccinated

KNKX FM
Rare clash between two distinct kinds of orcas in the Salish Sea — and the endangered fish-eaters won
Pacific NW governors hold fast on vax deadline as more local officials warn of worker exodus

KUOW FM
Most state and hospital workers are vaccinated as Washington’s mandate deadline looms
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Valley Fire Department keeping all of its firefighters with vaccine exemptions
US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated

Q13 TV (Fox)
US to reopen land borders with Canada, Mexico for fully vaccinated in November
Companies hard-pressed for holiday staff despite millions of job openings

Web

MyNorthwest
Fire at Tacoma mosque being investigated as arson
Seattle area’s year of record-breaking weather continues with coldest early-October day in 125 years
Hope on horizon for struggling Point Roberts community with US/Canada border set to reopen
Exposing children to domestic violence considered a crime in Marysville
King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert removed from leadership roles
Puget Sound area heading into second La Niña winter in a row
Boeing to require all US employees to be vaccinated against COVID
Victoria Clipper suspends fast ferry service until spring 2022
Seattle Public Libraries reports $434K in damage, cites increase in loitering, vandalism

Slog
Op-Ed: Cops Can Take Your Stuff and Not Give It Back. We Must Change That.