WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Friday, October 29

Gov. Jay Inslee with mask

Inslee: Plateauing of COVID-19 cases in Washington is ‘serious concern’
COVID-19 cases in Washington are beginning to plateau after weeks of steady declines, causing “serious concern” among health officials, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. “We still have an extremely dangerous pandemic on our hands,” Inslee told reporters. The state is still seeing more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases each day, he said, adding he does not want to see the state enter into a “sixth wave.” The fifth wave, caused by the delta variant, began in August and lasted through September, before case rates and hospitalizations began to fall. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (AP)


Washington state eviction moratorium set to end Sunday after 19 months
After 19 months, the state’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium will end Sunday. Gov. Jay Inslee confirmed Thursday there will be no more extensions. “We’ve done about all we can do,” Inslee said during a news conference. “We’ve given [counties and cities] millions and millions of dollars of cash, and it’s up to them to get it distributed.” Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Mark Stiles/PSBJ)


Rep. Mari Leavitt

Opinion: Military spouses sacrifice enough. They deserve jobs, food and the legislature’s support
With November comes Military Family Appreciation Month, making now the perfect time for us to turn our attention to the families, service members and veterans at home who need our help. Growing up as a military child, I know the challenges that many military families face when they move every two or three years. These moves take a toll, on both the children and parents, adding to the stress that exists when one or more family member serves. Continue reading at Tacoma News Tribune. (LSS Photo)


Print

Associated Press
Senators urge emergency protections for wolves in US West
Workplace complaints predated Parks director’s resignation

Auburn Reporter
Domestic violence victims need more housing options
Global health experts weigh-in on putting the pandemic behind us
South King County renters need more assistance

Bainbridge Island Review
58 new COVID cases confirmed in Kitsap

Bellingham Herald
Flood warning issued for this part of the Nooksack River in Whatcom
Bellingham acts to aid Sportsplex that’s still struggling with COVID limits, border closure
Mount Baker schools attendance down after threats, but Oct. 28 ‘very quiet day on campus’
State, Whatcom health officials prepare for expected approval of pediatric COVID vaccine
Bellingham hospital reports treating near-record number of COVID-related patients again

Capital Press
WAIT AND SEE: Western farmers hope to bounce back from an exceptionally dry year
Spotted lanternfly suspected in Washington; ‘could be one of most harmful pests in our generation’
Washington Apple Education Foundation executive director to step down
Western states to receive drought resiliency funding
Washington county treasurer ‘kicks tires’ on Farm Credit investments

Columbian
Vancouver Public Schools paraeducators back strike if no deal is reached
Vancouver police: No conflict of interest in investigation into fatal shooting
Evergreen, Vancouver school districts exceed state’s inoculation rate

Courier-Herald
Flood watch issued through Thursday

Everett Herald
In close vote, Lynnwood council votes to end $40 car-tab fee
Marysville superintendent claimed a ‘hostile’ work environment
Lynnwood breaks ground on a justice center shaped by protest
Nearly 90% of Washington public school employees got the jab
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Mercer Island Reporter
City council approves earmarking ARPA funds for operational needs

News Tribune
‘Grasping at straws’: One week after deadly Salishan shooting, families seek answers
Tribal leaders tell Inslee about problems with criminal justice and health care changes
Proposed rules would ban new piers, docks on much of Gig Harbor and Key Pen shoreline
Storm dumps rain on Pierce County; forecasts warn of possible flooding
County investigation of Sheriff Ed Troyer didn’t examine his role in Ellis case. Why?
COVID ‘solicitation fatigue’? Health Care Heroes drive is still raising money, but it’s hard
Alleged serial arsonist arrested for St. Charles fire in Tacoma — and five others
Op-Ed: Military spouses sacrifice enough. They deserve jobs, food and the legislature’s support (Leavitt)
Train strikes, kills person on tracks in Puyallup

New York Times
F.D.A. Expected to Clear First Coronavirus Vaccine for Young Children
An Arena Where the Goal Is ‘Net Zero’ Carbon Emissions, Even From Fans

Olympian
About 94% of state employees complied with vaccine mandate, governor says
Gov. Inslee defends Climate Commitment Act veto, vows to continue this work with Tribes
Washington public school employees exceed state vaccination rates, superintendent says

Port Townsend Leader
JeffCo PUD announces plans for ‘smart’ meters

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington state eviction moratorium set to end Sunday after 19 months
Tacoma city council committee advances plan to add more housing density

Seattle Times
Washington state quietly launches COVID vaccine verification tool
After record-breaking rain, clear skies in the Seattle area will offer rare chance to see aurora borealis on Saturday
Why getting long-term care insurance in Washington is nearly impossible — and has been for months
More than 100 cargo containers went overboard from ship that caught fire off Victoria, B.C., Canadian Coast Guard says
The planet’s future is on the line at Glasgow climate summit
Microsoft launches community college campaign to address cybersecurity workforce shortage
Unemployment claims up in Washington as state continues its slow, uneven recovery
Opinion: Help heal families: Fund domestic violence intervention programs

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon City Council passes city’s 2022 budget

The Skanner
For tribes, ‘good fire’ a key to restoring nature and people

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Flood watch issued in King County Thursday

Sol De Yakima
Celebrarán Día de los Muertos en el Valle de Yakima
Niñez sí enfrenta problemas de salud mental
Defensores de animales protestan en Walmart de West Valley por gato en vigas

South Seattle Emerald
Boosters open up for wider group, vaccine likely for children 5–11

Spokesman Review
Inslee will allow eviction moratorium bridge to expire. Here’s how that could play out in Spokane
Inslee: Plateauing of COVID-19 cases in Washington is ‘serious concern’
‘Fair’ and ‘historic’: Committee approves map splitting Spokane County into five new commissioner districts

Tri-City Herald
Northern lights could glow over WA state and Tri-Cities for 2nd time this month
Long-time Tri-Cities elected official announces his retirement
Richland astronaut Kayla Barron prepares for takeoff within days

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Uncertainty continues over Cottonwood Road annexation to develop around 250 homes
Walla Walla city council approves ending $1.34 per month recycling fee
Three COVID-19 patients die in Walla Walla County, one in Umatilla County

Washington Post
A bitter pill: Biden suffers familiar defeat on prescription drug prices
In battle at Supreme Court over N.Y. gun law, a surprising split among conservatives
Voices from around the world on what’s at stake at COP26
Biden raises the stakes with the biggest gamble of his presidency
Democrats accuse Big Oil execs of ‘obviously lying’ about climate change in historic hearing

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima hits record low unemployment rate as construction industry booms
COVID-19 boosters, vaccines for kids already on the way to Yakima County
Opinion: Yakima employment numbers are worth celebrating

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Storm causes roads to flood as Seattle breaks rain record
Skagit River expected to flood residential areas, roads in Mount Vernon
Brothers indicted in firebombing of Shoreline Black-owned coffee shop
As storms roll in, new plans to keep container ships safe
With Facebook hacks, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Inslee: 94% of state employees comply with vaccine mandate
Nearly 90% of WA’s school employees vaccinated
Arrest made in connection with arsons in Tacoma

KNKX FM
Here’s the timeline for the kids COVID vaccine authorization
4 things to know about possible changes to your student loan debt

KUOW FM
‘Needs not numbers.’ Teachers, families protest Seattle schools special education staff changes
Large classes, little social distancing at a Tukwila charter school worry parents and staff
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW

KXLY (ABC)
Inslee: 94% of state employees comply with vaccine mandate
Washington: 89% of public school employees get COVID vaccine
No COVID vaccine mandate expected for Washington students, but kids will likely wear masks all school year

Web

Crosscut
WA fish researchers use tiny sensors and other tech to save salmon
Podcast | How the pandemic is changing our cities

MyNorthwest
State to ‘monitor’ new King County vaccine requirements, as it preps new verification tool
Gov. Inslee: Dems, Republicans do not ‘own the secretary of state’s office’
Gov. Inslee says Washington’s plateau in COVID cases is ‘very worrisome’
Nearly 90% of Washington’s public school employees vaccinated against COVID

The Stranger
We Must Invest in a Legal System That Works
Sources Allege Port Commissioner Created Hostile Work Environment

West Seattle Blog
About those anchored ships, and what else is happening because the supply chain’s snarled