Editorial: State House covid rules won’t exclude GOP lawmakers
Not withstanding the refusal of a handful of state Republican lawmakers to get vaccinations — and their lawsuit objecting to the requirements to attend House sessions in person — the show will go on when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 10 for its regular 60-day session. Six Republican members of the state House — including Rep. Robert Sutherland, R-Granite Falls — filed suit last week against Democrats in the House and the body’s chief clerk because of rules set by the Executive Rules Committee that require proof of vaccination for representatives and others to be on the House floor. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Everett Herald)
As COVID crisis continues, new proposals aim to reduce poverty in Washington state
Washington state continues to recover from the economic turbulence of COVID-19, but the recovery hasn’t benefited every segment of society. Now, Washington officials are eyeing fresh steps and approaches to reduce poverty, including finding new ways to measure the economic recovery and disparities, and to boost the voice of communities often excluded from such policymaking. The state Department of Social and Health Services is requesting $630,000 in new funding for four new staffers for an “emerging public-private collaboration to define, measure, and build accountability toward a just and equitable future.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
Coronavirus: First case of omicron variant discovered in US
Officials in California have confirmed the first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United States, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Wednesday. “The California and San Francisco departments of public health and the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the omicron variant,” Fauci said during a White House news briefing. The infected person returned to the U.S. from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 29, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said. Continue reading at KIRO 7.
Associated Press
Omicron and delta spell return of unpopular restrictions
US case of COVID-19 omicron variant identified in California
Justices signal they may toss Roe, allow new abortion limits
China clears Boeing 737 MAX to fly again
White House details Biden’s winter plan for combating COVID-19
Auburn Reporter
Task force recommends reforms to improve state’s response to sexual assault (Orwall, Dhingra)
Bellingham Herald
Ferndale student sought after being seen with gun on campus, prompting Wednesday lockdown
One Whatcom region sees COVID rate drop to lowest mark any region has seen since September
Whatcom County Jail dealing with COVID-19 outbreak among inmates, staff
Before rebuilding can begin, a church in Sumas steps up to provide relief during flooding
Everett Herald
With omicron likely to appear here, officials urge boosters
In about-face, EvCC pauses plan to close Early Learning Center
Snohomish County proposes 0.1% sales tax for affordable housing
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Trump lacks authority to keep records from Congress
WaPo Comment: It’s already too late for travel bans to stop omicron
Column: Harrop: If Roe v. Wade is overturned, GOP may regret it
Editorial: State House covid rules won’t exclude GOP lawmakers
High Country News
In the wake of floods, what’s next for salmon?
The Inlander
Spokane school board adds “equity” to district motto in plan funded by Gates Foundation grant
Issaquah Reporter
Snoqualmie Tribe concerned with unregulated air traffic at Snoqualmie Falls
New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Biden to Announce New Virus Plan as Omicron Reaches U.S.
Omicron Could Knock a Fragile Economic Recovery Off Track
Lawmakers Strike Spending Deal but Government Shutdown Still Looms
Olympian
Snoqualmie Tribe asks agencies to protect this sacred site and its visitors
Port of Olympia in need of marine terminal director after Faucher accepts new job
Get ready to pay more for Washington state workers’ compensation insurance in 2022
California confirms first US case of omicron COVID-19 variant, health officials say
State health officials urge not to wait for ‘perfect booster’ as Omicron threat looms
Peninsula Daily News
Funding approved for Black Ball Transportation Inc.
Omicron variant prompts call for increased vaccination
Clallam Bay landslide spread threatens water pipe
Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson County reports 19th death to COVID-19
Puget Sound Business Journal
Elevated inflation could bolster CRE investment. But experts are watching interest-rate hikes, Omicron variant impact
Hotel values sink as landlords, lenders and downtowns brace for latest Covid strain
Report: How U.S. college, university boards stack up for diversity
Labor group calls on OSHA to investigate Amazon employee Covid-19 cases
OSHA extends mandate comment period. Small businesses should take notice.
Lawmakers press FAA to bring Boeing to account for 737 Max issues
Awareness surrounding minority-owned businesses is up. But will it last?
Seattle Times
Federal Way man is leading QAnon gathering in Dallas, waiting for the late JFK Jr. to show up
As COVID crisis continues, new proposals aim to reduce poverty in Washington state
At rally, Seattle students demand changes to the way sexual assault cases are treated
Snohomish County to consider sales tax boost to fund affordable housing
South Seattle Emerald
New COVID-19 variant – Omicron – shows up in California, Washington tracking virus
The need for mandated racial equity training in schools
Family of Charleena Lyles reaches settlement with City of Seattle for 2017 shooting
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
City of Seattle on track to reopen West Seattle Bridge in 2022
Washington Post
House, Senate leaders announce government funding deal as they race to avert shutdown
This doctor commutes 800 miles to provide abortion services in underserved communities
Amazon’s employee surveillance fuels unionization efforts: ‘It’s not prison, it’s work’
Omicron variant identified in U.S.: First case of covid-19 linked to new variant found in California
U.S. is top contributor to plastic waste, report shows
ICE holds growing numbers of immigrants at private facilities despite Biden campaign promise to end practice
Inflation causing financial strain for nearly half of U.S. households, poll finds
Yakima Herald-Republic
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse explains objections to infrastructure bill
Yakima sets third straight record high temp with 72 on Wednesday
COVID testing sites, vaccine clinics to stay open in Yakima County well into 2022
Japanese, American troops hone skills, build bonds at Yakima Training Center exercises
Former Yakima resident Lisa Homer charged with entering U.S. Capitol during Jan. 6 insurrection
Yakama Nation authorizes use of Warrior image for Wahluke School District
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
City of Olympia to sweep homeless encampment near capitol grounds
Bothell High School cancels in-person classes Thursday after anonymous threat
Enumclaw police investigating possible hate crime during school board meeting
Arson increased by 82% in Tacoma during 2021, police say
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Students protest outside Seattle Public Schools building
Active landslide keeps Clallam County highway closed
Washington labs search for omicron variant
Coronavirus: Minnesota confirms first case of omicron variant
Bothell High School closed Thursday due to safety concern
Coronavirus: First case of omicron variant discovered in US
Tacoma city council votes to adopt 2030 Climate Action Plan
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bothell High School closes campus Thursday after threats on social media
As Supreme Court considers Roe v. Wade, could abortion rights be left to the states?
Yakama Nation approves school district use of Warrior image
Repeat break-ins frustrate Seattle business owners; some take steps for extra protection
Students push back against sexual assault policies at Seattle schools
KNKX Public Radio
Highway traffic has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, but transit still way down
KUOW Public Radio
‘Not a time to panic.’ Washington health officials urge vaccines, boosters with omicron on the horizon
Debt collectors can now text, email and DM you on social media
California has reported the first U.S. case of the omicron variant
Q13 TV (FOX)
Bothell High School closed on Thursday following school shooting threat