WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, Nov. 18

A woman and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

US Northwest, Canada devastated by flood, 1 death reported
Residents of this small U.S. city along the Canadian border were assessing damage from flooding that hit an estimated three quarters of homes, as Washington state and British Columbia tried to dry out from an intense, days-long rain storm that cut off key roadways and forced hundreds of evacuations. Skies were sunny Wednesday morning in the area around Sumas, Washington, where about 500 rescues and evacuations were reported. “We’re looking at going door-to-door, as waters go down in different parts of town,” Sumas Mayor Kyle Christensen told The Seattle Times. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Darryl Dyck)


A man and child wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as they look at a holiday display last year in Lenexa, Kansas.

Health leaders urge caution at upcoming holiday gatherings, reminding Washingtonians of last year’s winter COVID surge
Washington’s COVID-19 trends continue in the “right direction,” state health leaders said Wednesday, though concerns remain over a potential holiday season surge. “This is a really important time for all of us,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah said during a news briefing. “… Where we are in November 2021 is actually very similar to where we were in November of 2020.” He continued, “If you remember at that time, we had started to see an increase [in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations], and that increase then led to our third and very sustained wave over the holidays. That is the caution that all of us have.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Charlie Riedel)


A child receives the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

2.6 million children under 12 have received their first vaccine dose, White House says
Nearly 10 percent of 5- to 11-year-olds in the United States have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose, just two weeks into the immunization campaign for the 28 million young Americans in that age group, Jeff Zients, the White House’s coronavirus coordinator, said Wednesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a pediatric vaccine for younger children Nov. 2, and the nationwide drive to inoculate that age group was operational Nov. 8. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Chip Somodevilla)


Print

Associated Press
WA redistricting panel urges state Supreme Court to look at its maps
US Northwest, Canada devastated by flood, 1 death reported

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen Council narrowly passes camping ordinance

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom’s 4 regions with the highest COVID infection rates all saw decreases last week
Blaine manufacturer known for its desserts makes plans to grow after being acquired
This Bellingham company receives $100 million in funding to expand, add jobs
Gov. Inslee promises help for Whatcom flood recovery and fight against climate change
See more Whatcom flooding aftermath
Canada to drop testing requirement for those making short trips into Whatcom County
COVID-related hospitalizations remain high in Whatcom, with 6 more reported Tuesday
What you need to know to stay safe around Whatcom floodwaters
 
Columbian
Proposed legislative maps call for big changes for Clark County

The Daily News
Ann Rivers sets big goals as she transitions from Senate to Longview

Everett Herald
New lawsuit filed against deputy in shooting of Edmonds man
Remorseful redistricting panel: Court should consider our maps (Billig)
North Middle School spent hours on lockdown in north Everett
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Inflation, pandemic add to needs of food banks
Letter: Terminations of school employees sad but necessary

The Inlander
As our youth mental health crisis worsens, a unique Spokane outpatient program offers hope
Fire commissioners in one rural Spokane County district won’t follow vaccine mandates, blaming personnel shortage

International Examiner
Community members reflect on Bruce Harrell’s election as Seattle’s first Asian American mayor 

News Tribune
Real Change founder Tim Harris was odd man out in Seattle. He’s starting anew in Tacoma
Bethel High School changes Native American-based mascot to comply with new state law
Pierce County increases salaries for four elected officials, including Sheriff Troyer

New York Times
F.D.A. Plans to Authorize Pfizer Boosters for All Adults This Week
The Supreme Court Tactic That Aims to Kill Affirmative Action
A proposed minimum tax would hit Amazon, Facebook and others, a report shows.
Live Updates: Biden to Meet With Canada’s Trudeau and Mexico’s López Obrador
As G.O.P. Fights Mask and Vaccine Mandates, Florida Takes the Lead

Olympian
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
WA state’s COVID rate in precarious spot ahead of holidays, health officials warn
Olympia Planning Commission extends public comment period on proposed waterfront RV park

Peninsula Daily News
Elwha River Bridge reopens after storms
State seeks more than $38 billion from opioid distributors

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon will open training hub for cloud computing at Seattle campus
Bezos grants $5M to Africatown, Building Changes for homelessness fund
State health department plans official debut of QR code for vaccine proof
Who will pay for Covid testing? Here’s what businesses should consider.

Seattle Medium
Mayor Durkan And Partners Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic In Rainier Beach

Seattle Times
Health leaders urge caution at upcoming holiday gatherings, reminding Washingtonians of last year’s winter COVID surge
Brrr! Chilly mornings ahead in Seattle area — but so are drier days
Judge hearing Washington’s case against 3 opioid distributors gets a medical history lesson
Seattle School Board urges Washington state Department of Health to make COVID vaccines mandatory for students
Poll: Seattle voters support limiting car traffic on some shopping, neighborhood streets
Sumas residents turn to repairs as as officials monitor flooding in Canada
Landslides block most roads in and out of Makah Reservation
Opinion: To keep fossil carbon out of the air, just stop pulling it out of the Earth

Sol De Yakima
Autoridades sanitarias de Yakima estudian formas de ofrecer vacunas anti-COVID en invierno
Eventos grandes en Washington piden constancia de vacunación COVID, prueba negativa reciente
Manzana Cosmic Crisp inunda supermercados a nivel nacional

Spokesman Review
Spokane County commissioners reduce size of Board of Health; cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley left out
COVID-19 trends remain flat in Spokane County
Washington redistricting commission admits it failed to meet deadline; questions on what happened in final hours remain
Inslee appoints Beggs to police investigation advisory board

Tribal Tribune
Colville Confederated Tribes gifted 9,243 acres in Tunk Valley

Tri-City Herald
Get free COVID test kit delivered to your Tri-Cities home. Results in 10 minutes
Kennewick city manager receives fiery annual review. Council again shows its divide

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office plans virtual round table
Federal funds approved for infrastructure improvements to Prescott, Waitsburg, among other
Walla Walla Community Hospice to host holiday grief workshop

Washington Post
House begins final debate on $2 trillion spending plan backed by Biden
2.6 million children under 12 have received their first vaccine dose, White House says
Dozens of health groups urge businesses to voluntarily adopt Biden’s vaccine rule
Trump’s move of Bureau of Land Management HQ dramatically worsened diversity, report says

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima customers will see higher garbage charges in the new year
New voting map puts Selah and Naches into new districts; keeps Yakama Reservation together

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Storm impacts: At least 100 people still in Whatcom County shelters
Gov. Inslee announces members of Office of Independent Investigations advisory board (Entenman)
Ferndale residents begin cleanup as floodwaters recede
Amtrak service along Point Defiance Bypass resumes years after deadly derailment
Flooding situation ‘stable’ as flooding north of Sumas as pump station remains operational

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Amtrak service resumes on Point Defiance bypass nearly 4 years after deadly derailment
Sumas families return to widespread devastation
Family confirms death of Whatcom County man swept away in flood waters
Free mental health care option in King County shakes up system
Airport parking shortage will impact holiday travelers
Inslee spends day touring flood-damaged communities in North Sound
Jan. 6 rioter who carried spear, wore horns, draws 41 months
Supreme Court sends Seattle officer case to trial court

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee tours flood damage in hard hit Whatcom County, still reeling from storms
Train service on Point Defiance Bypass to resume after deadly 2017 crash amid new concerns
Stand your ground: Amid crime surge in Seattle, some take steps to defend themselves
Grove of the Patriarchs closed until further notice after storms damage access bridge
Hamilton residents return home after river paves its way through city during storms
Bellingham businesses hit hard by flooding, employees return to survey damage
So far, little fraud evident in rental assistance programs

KNKX Public Radio
Downtown Mount Vernon spared as rivers surge and inundate region

KUOW Public Radio
What Washington State Pledged at the Glasgow Climate Summit, and What Activists Say
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
PHOTOS: Flooding in Northwest Washington

NW Public Radio
Tribes Ask For More Support For Salmon Reintroduction To The Upper Columbia

Web

Crosscut
Wildfire smoke disrupts flight of migrating birds
The dream of high speed rail in the PNW may finally be on the horizon

MyNorthwest
Washington will be ‘aggressive’ in efforts to get federal relief after flood
State Rep. says WA Cares tax needs some ‘common sense, immediate fixes’
State commission publishes new redistricting maps nearly 24 hours past deadline
Inslee selects Office of Independent Investigations advisory board members
‘Not a simple answer’ for when Washington will end mask, vaccine mandates
How a napkin can be counted as a vote in Washington, and why election officials say it’s secure
Names of Seattle officers in DC during Capitol riot to remain anonymous — for now
Cleanup begins in Whatcom County as water slowly recedes

West Seattle Blog
WestSide Baby welcomes 1 million more diapers to address bottomless need
VACCINATIONS: Appointments available at Saturday clinic for 5-to-11-year-old Seattle Public Schools students