These people will help create office to investigate deadly force by police in WA state
An advisory board has been appointed to help create the newly formed Washington State Office of Independent Investigations, which will eventually replace law enforcement investigations when police use deadly force. The office stems from legislation intended to ensure unbiased investigations and rebuild trust between police and communities most impacted by police violence. “When police investigate other police, far too often families and communities are left with significant questions about the incident and doubt the impartiality of the investigation,” Rep. Debra Entenman (D-Kent), who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tony Overman)
Flooded communities in Northwest Washington start cleanup as rivers slowly recede
Neighbors across Northwest Washington state will turn their labors toward repairing their communities Wednesday after swollen streams flooded lowland towns and carried filthy storm water into Puget Sound. An estimated 75% of homes in Sumas sustained water damage, a dozen train cars derailed, and electric power stopped in what officials from the border town of 1,300 people called a devastating event. City Hall is full of water. Highway 9 and its Canadian border crossing remained closed. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Amanda Snyder)
US drug overdose deaths hit never-before-seen level
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades, accelerated in the past two years and, according to new data posted Wednesday, jumped nearly 30% in the latest year. Experts believe the top drivers are the growing prevalence of deadly fentanyl in the illicit drug supply and the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many drug users socially isolated and unable to get treatment or other support. Continue reading at KING 5.
Associated Press
Washington state panel fails to draw new political maps
State redistricting panel urges high court to look at its maps
US Northwest, Canada devastated by flood, 1 death reported
Criticism as WA Panel Hastily Approves New Political Maps
US drug overdose deaths hit never-before-seen level
Road closures, power outages, evacuations persist as floodwaters remain in some areas
Aberdeen Daily World
Local leaders react to passage of federal infrastructure bill
Bellingham Herald
Early indications show no danger to Whatcom County as Canadian city preps for evacuation
As floodwaters pass through Ferndale, this business owner plays the waiting game
Northbound traffic on Interstate 5 has reopened south of Bellingham
With many neighbors fleeing the flooding, the Lynden community offers help
Three more COVID-related deaths reported in Whatcom County, and hospitalizations increase
Here’s the latest on Whatcom County road closures due to flooding Wednesday morning
One missing, 500 displaced in Whatcom floodwaters; Ferndale asks evacuations near river
Capital Press
Northwest devastated by flood; 1 death reported
Expert sees gains in war on Asian giant hornets
Columbian
Wylie, Hoff support Washington redistricting process (Wylie)
Opinion: In Our View: Examine domestic violence protections
Everett Herald
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Inflation price we’re paying for avoiding depression
WaPo Comment: Why are babies dying of syphilis in the U.S.?
Letter: State’s voters don’t trust state lawmakers to allow income tax
Letter: Inslee mandate on electric vehicles will aid climate
High Country News
After more than 50 years in captivity, will Tokitae ever get justice from Seaquarium?
Kitsap Sun
Washington State Ferries: Service will be restored ‘slowly, one route at a time’ (Randall)
News Tribune
Tacoma mass shooting: Records detail how the deadly attack and investigation unfolded
Whatcom official says no immediate threat to Sumas from Canadian floodwaters
Senator who took tough votes in Olympia, could do a standing slam dunk, dies at 78
New York Times
Covid Live Updates: U.S. Plans to Spend Billions to Increase Vaccine Supplies
Overdose Deaths Reached Record High as the Pandemic Spread
Biden to Bar New Drilling Around a Major Native American Cultural Site
Climate Promises Made in Glasgow Now Rest With a Handful of Powerful Leaders
Olympian
These people will help create office to investigate deadly force by police in WA state (Entenman)
Thurston County abandons RV safe lot plan again
6 more Thurston residents died of COVID-19, 519 more cases reported in past week
Hundreds still without power in Thurston County after Monday’s storm
Peninsula Daily News
Flooded roadways cut off West End
Coast Guard rescued 10 from floodwaters
Oregon Coast Guard saves five off sinking boat from Neah Bay
Puget Sound Business Journal
Bellevue College launching AI-focused degree to strengthen local tech pipeline
Seattle Medium
Mayor-Elect Bruce Harrell Announces Transition Team And Structure (Santos, Macri, Valdez)
City Launches Shop To The Beat Program To Support Small Retail Businesses And Local Musicians
Emile Pitre & The Ongoing Battle For Diversity At UW
Human Trafficking Prevention Effort Passed By King County Council
Seattle Times
Washington’s redistricting commission emerges Tuesday night, post-deadline, with agreement on boundaries. What’s next? (Billig, Hunt)
Flooded communities in Northwest Washington start cleanup as rivers slowly recede (Shewmake, Rule)
Police officer fatally shoots man in North Bend park
Inslee picks advisory board for Washington’s new police accountability office (Entenman)
Lawsuit filed on behalf of Zillow shareholder after flipping business folds
Skagit Valley Herald
State redistricting commission fails to meet deadline
Snoqualmie Valley Record
North Bend addresses water system leakage
South Seattle Emerald
Seattle Promise is building educational equity
Opinion: Anonymous survey reveals educator despair, poor district communication
South Whidbey Record
3 miles by ferry, but these days a round trip can take 5 hours
High winds rip across Whidbey
Whidbey kids receive first doses of COVID vaccine
Inslee: State agency vehicles must be all-electric by 2035
Tri-City Herald
31 employees at PNNL quit, retire or are fired over COVID vaccine mandate
‘Doggone exciting.’ Historic treatment to begin on decades-old Hanford nuclear waste
A roundabout. Extra lanes. What’s the answer for this clogged Pasco highway interchange?
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Registration opens for Mount St. Helens-based volcano naturalist program
Walla Walla ‘Cops and Kids’ program collecting donations for giving holiday gifts, essentials to families in need
Walla Walla County reports 4 more COVID-19 deaths
Washington Post
100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 12 months during the pandemic
Biden administration will invest billions to expand coronavirus vaccine manufacturing
U.S. to hold historic oil and gas lease sale days after COP26
2C or 1.5C? How global climate targets are set and what they mean
States circumvent federal guidelines to offer booster shots to all adults
Yakima Herald-Republic
Q&A: Yakima County pediatrician Dr. Roy Simms discusses the COVID-19 vaccine for kids
County health officials studying ways to provide COVID-19 vaccinations in colder months
Yakima Valley could see highway, airport and rail projects as a result of infrastructure bill
WA redistricting panel urges high court to look at its maps
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington commission OKs Congressional District map after missing deadline
Officials warn of possible pump station failure along Sumas River north of Canadian border
Storm impacts: Major Nooksack River flooding to continue until Thursday
Here’s who remains most likely, least likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine
Free Seattle webinar provides de-escalation training for businesses enforcing proof of vaccination
‘I’ve missed a lot’: Kent special ed student left with little instruction during months-long union dispute
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Cleanup begins in Whatcom County as water slowly recedes
Catastrophic flood warning issued for B.C.’s Sumas Prairie next to Washington border
Ferndale businesses, homes flooded; part of town still advised to evacuated
Police searching for Whatcom County man swept away in flood waters
State of Emergency declared for Mount Vernon, city recommends some evacuations
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘Walking Bus’ program provides security guard escorts for King County workers
Flood wall holds back rapidly rising Skagit River in Mount Vernon
Many homes near Skagit River left underwater after heavy rainfall
Hundreds displaced, many fight for lives after historic rainfall in Ferndale
Ballard residents feud with homeless ‘Lawnmower Man’ over noise, sidewalk access
Deadline approaching on survey to help shape crime response in Seattle
KUOW Public Radio
A wall to hold back the Skagit River survives its first major test
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Washington AG takes opioid distributors to court. Lawyer who tracks settlements weighs the risks
New voting maps to be drawn by state Supreme Court, after historic fail by commission
Heavy rains bring flooding and mudslides to the Pacific Northwest and Canada
KXLY (ABC)
More than 44,000 Washington children ages 5-11 have first dose of COVID vaccine
Web
Crosscut
In a first, court will decide new WA redistricting plan as commission falters
King County crisis responders struggle with backlogs
MyNorthwest
Inslee selects Office of Independent Investigations advisory board members
Whatcom County resident recounts having to leave home by boat amid devastating flood
Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell unveils transition team led by former Obama cabinet secretary
Washington casino sports book expected to reap millions over next five years
Flooding hits 75% of Sumas homes as responders stage rescues with boats, tractors
‘Never seen anything like it,’ says trooper after semi-truck folds car in half in collision
Gov. Inslee: ‘No plans currently’ to lift Washington’s mask mandate
‘This is a complete joke’: Redistricting group fails to approve new map amid outcry over process
Water receding, but flood warnings remain for North Sound
West Seattle Blog
NEW MAPS: Who’ll be joining us in King County Council District 8?