A lonely death in jail, an abusive guard and a Clallam County mother’s quest for justice
Everyone, even her mother, thought 23-year-old Kimberly Bender would be safe in the Forks City Jail, away and protected from the drugs and past abuse that haunted her and fed her depression. It turned out that everyone was wrong. Bender, a single mother and member of the Quileute Tribe, died by suicide in her jail cell in December 2019, apparently after enduring weeks of torment and abuse at the hands of a corrections officer with an extensive history of abusive behavior, racism and sexual abuse aimed at men and women behind bars and co-workers alike. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dawn Reid)
First Omicron variant case reported in Pierce County, 2 other WA counties also see cases
The Washington state Department of Health on Saturday announced the detection of the first Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, including one in Pierce County. Continue reading at The Olympian.
State Rep. Lovick gets nod for state Senate
State Rep. John Lovick emerged Sunday as the nearly unanimous choice of local Democrats to fill the Senate seat vacated by Steve Hobbs after his appointment to statewide office. At a special meeting, Lovick received 49 of 50 votes cast by precinct committee officers. They were responsible for nominating three potential successors to Hobbs, now Washington’s secretary of state. The other nominees are Laura Hathaway and Greg Pratt, who both said they support Lovick. Continue reading at Everett Herald.
Associated Press
State officials confirm first 3 cases of omicron variant
Auburn Reporter
2022 Legislature is on the horizon – here’s what to expect
More than 129,000 kids in state receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
FEMA to send mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit to Western Washington
Bellingham Herald
‘Flood cars’ may be a problem for Whatcom used car buyers; here’s how to avoid being taken
State officials answer questions about Whatcom flood insurance and damage assistance
First Omicron variant case reported in Pierce County, 2 other WA counties also see cases
Where are the Whatcom workers? Data suggests one thing is holding them back
Flooding was ‘all hands on deck,’ Sumas mayor says
Capital Press
Worried about bird flu, health officials say ‘heads up’
No easy answers for crop insurance questions
Everett Herald
State Rep. Lovick gets nod for state Senate
Community Transit, Everett agree to study consolidation
At EvCC, ‘The Wall’ teaches students how to thwart cyber crime
Some Lake Stevens homeowners now must buy flood insurance
Lake Stevens councilmember says he profited off Costco deal
Shooting threat at Mukilteo schools was a joke, student says
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg comment: Some employers might actually benefit from unions
WaPo comment: When newspapers fold, no news is bad news
WaPo comment: Adoption isn’t easy alternative to abortion some say
Editorial: Help pick a route for Everett’s transit future
Federal Way Mirror
Letter: More thoughts on taxing the rich
High Country News
How to solve the rural-urban digital divide
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Anacortes/San Juan Islands service restoration update
Mercer Island Reporter
School district opens new Pathways building for Adult Transition Program
News Tribune
Homeless encampment to be cleared soon from Sound Transit property in Tacoma
You can run the homeless off public property, Tacoma, but it won’t solve our crisis
New York Times
How the Supply Chain Crisis Unfolded
What an America Without Roe Would Look Like
Billions for Climate Protection Fuel New Debate: Who Deserves It Most
Olympian
Olympia area residents worry about state’s plans to cut trees above Summit Lake
Editorial: Parking should not be a priority for Capitol modernization plan
First Omicron variant case reported in Pierce County, 2 other WA counties also see cases
Preliminary Thurston County budget shows strong tax revenue, relief funding
COVID nightmare for WA family. Rare syndrome causes 7-year-old’s heart to fail
Peninsula Daily News
COVID-19 death reported in Jefferson County
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID-19 outbreak stems from Thanksgiving gathering
Lawsuit filed against vaccine proof order
More time given for vaccine mandate challenge
Potential delay of new long-term care payroll tax considered
Puget Sound Business Journal
As OSHA mandate-or-testing rule’s first deadline arrives, court leaves employers in limbo
King County health officer says he hopes to lift some Covid-19 mandates next spring
Gyms push for Covid-19 stimulus aid by end of 2021
Report: Historically Black colleges and universities outperform peers when it comes to social mobility
Seattle Times
‘Grand Poobah of Powder’: This Seattle man’s snow reports have powered winter sports for 25 years
If you block the box in some intersections, cameras will catch you, and Seattle DOT will mail the ticket (Van De Wege, Wellman, Chapman)
Fish passage, dam removal studied as Seattle City Light aims to relicense three Skagit River dams
A beloved Tacoma mother and friend never got around to getting a COVID shot. With her death, her family hopes others will.
Some resolution found in Charleena Lyles and Ahmaud Arbery cases, but that does not equal justice
With Lynnwood on the verge of a metamorphosis, Sound Transit seeks input on development
King County’s smallest restaurants to join others, begin vaccine checks on Monday
A lonely death in jail, an abusive guard and a Clallam County mother’s quest for justice
Washington’s maritime industry is pushing to be more inclusive, welcoming
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County reports 274 new cases of COVID-19 for past week
Skagit County’s homeless to have access to mobile shower trailer
The Skanner
Trial Date Set for Tacoma Sheriff in Confrontation with Black Newspaper Carrier
Washington Post
Senate revs up work on $2 trillion spending proposal, aiming to complete vote on Biden-backed bill before Christmas
A White teacher taught White students about White privilege. It cost him his job.
A Black couple says an appraiser lowballed them. So, they ‘whitewashed’ their home and say the value shot up.
As covid persists, nurses are leaving staff jobs — and tripling their salaries as travelers
The most-vaccinated big counties in America are beating the worst of the coronavirus
Eight wolves have been poisoned in Oregon, stumping police and renewing calls for more protections
Broad overhaul of military justice system being sidelined in favor of narrower focus on sexual assault
Yakima Herald-Republic
Senate leader, presidential candidate Bob Dole dies at 98
Funk to propose low-cost housing options at Yakima City Council meeting
Breaking the silence: Washington task force on missing Indigenous people has big task ahead
Opinion: The Supreme Court can’t pretend that overturning Roe vs. Wade would be anything but political
Commentary: Faith communities have the power to get more Americans vaccinated
It Happened Here: Valley responded to Pearl Harbor with acts of patriotism, along with suspicion of Japanese community
Supreme Court OKs redistricting plan that displaces one Yakima lawmaker
Relatives, friends of missing Indigenous people ask new state task force for action
Broadcast
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Light snow falls in parts of North Sound lowlands with wet snow elsewhere
New COVID-19 rules for international travelers entering US go into effect
5,000 vaccinated at one Seattle site
Small bars and restaurants in King County to require proof of vaccination starting Monday
Ballard Commons Park to be cleared of encampment Tuesday
Omicron variant found in Washington state
King County skipping annual homeless count for second year
Sound Transit CEO explains failure of light rail train after Apple Cup
KNKX Public Radio
Voter redistricting maps by commission can go forth, WA Supreme Court says (Jinkins, BIllig)
Famously soggy Seattle sees its wettest fall on record
KUOW Public Radio
Fentanyl Is a Great Drug for Cartels. But Those Blue Pills Are Killing King County
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Seattleites reported hundreds of bias incidents and hate crimes last year. A small fraction made it to court.
Missing and murdered indigenous women get spotlight: Washington task force to examine data
‘The science isn’t complicated.’ An investigative reporter details the effects of climate change disinformation in public education
Inslee offers support for temporary delay in new payroll tax for long-term care program
KXLY (ABC)
Gov. Jay Inslee reacts to omicron variant in Washington
Q13 TV (FOX)
COVID-19 Omicron variant detected in Washington
Judicial conduct commission files charges against former SW Washington judge
Web
Crosscut
Why transit access can be unsafe for deaf and blind passengers
WA Supreme Court decides not to get involved in redistricting