Omicron variant surging rapidly in Washington state, UW testing indicates
Researchers testing coronavirus samples in Washington state have recorded a rapid rise in cases with a mutation that is characteristic of the omicron variant, mirroring trends that have emerged in countries like South Africa, Britain and Denmark. Researchers at the University of Washington found that 13% of 217 positive coronavirus case specimens collected Wednesday had the mutation. That was up from about 7% of samples they had tested from the day before, and 3% from the day before that — in a region that had its first identified cases only two weeks ago. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)
‘Bursting at the seams.’ WA hospitals feel the pinch of long-term care shortages
It’s been an ongoing problem, amplified by the pandemic: hospitals in Washington state are overrun and overwhelmed. But right now, it’s not because of Covid patients. “Our hospitals are bursting at the seams,” said Taya Briley, vice president and general counsel for the Washington State Hospital Association during a press conference Monday morning. “Several major hospitals and health systems are at or near 120% occupancy levels.” Continue reading at KUOW. (PhotoCredit)
Pfizer says its COVID pills are effective against the Omicron variant
Pfizer said Tuesday that its experimental COVID-19 pill appears effective against the omicron variant. The company also said full results of its 2,250-person study confirmed the pill’s promising early results against the virus: The drug reduced combined hospitalizations and deaths by about 89% among high-risk adults when taken shortly after initial COVID-19 symptoms. Continue reading at KING 5.
Associated Press
Inslee unveils climate proposals ahead of budget plan
Largest traditional grocer in US ending some COVID benefits for unvaccinated
Pfizer says its COVID pills are effective against the Omicron variant
Data from South Africa indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines
Auburn Reporter
King County adopts amended districting plan
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom sees another COVID-related death Monday, but there was some encouraging news, too
More than 20 paddlers need rescue when wind kicks up during Deception Pass Challenge
Everything you need to know about Gov. Inslee’s $626 million climate proposals
Capital Press
Washington governor rolls out $626 million climate agenda
Courier-Herald
Healthcare workers facing widespread burnout amid pandemic, say multiple unions
Everett Herald
Electric-auto rebates: Governor unveils climate proposals (Liias)
You can now place your sports bets at this local tribal casino
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Texas abortion providers court ‘win’ precedes losses
Bloomberg Comment: Overturning Roe would restore court’s proper role
Editorial: Renewed shot to resolve dispute over Growler jets
The Facts Newspaper
Washington State and King County announce FEMA mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit coming to Western Wa
High Country News
Winter without snow is coming
Kitsap Sun
Kitsap County public hearing to discuss a 0.1% sales tax increase for affordable housing
News Tribune
State Rep: I was homeless once. The time for Pierce County to take action is now (Morgan)
Tacoma considers allowing electric fences in more parts of the city. Here’s the reason
Future of Gig Harbor’s tiny public radio station KGHP-FM may be up in the air
Gig Harbor’s police chief has a wish list for state legislators. Here’s what he’d like
New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Pfizer Pill Protects Against Severe Disease, Including From Omicron, Study Says
Rising From the Antarctic, a Climate Alarm
Firms Push to Make Birth-Control Pills Available Without Prescriptions
Democrats Set Debt Limit Increase at $2.5 Trillion Ahead of Senate Vote
The Fed Meets Amid Faster Inflation and Prepares to React
North American Post
Minidoka Site Seeks Honor Roll Names
Olympian
Icy roads result in Thurston wrecks; Olympia, North Thurston schools say no out of district transportation
Collisions on southbound I-5 lead to traffic delays; WSDOT warns drivers of icy roads
Thurston County adds 4 more COVID-19 deaths, 385 cases as transmission declines
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Former Kent commander Hollis is named Lacey deputy police chief
Overloaded WA hospitals no longer struggling with COVID, face other issues affecting care
Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Three die from COVID-19 in Clallam County
Vaccine challenge moves to Kitsap County
Port Townsend Leader
State public works board approves $44.6 million broadband project
Puget Sound Business Journal
Chicago-based bike-share company will introduce 1,500 e-bikes to Seattle
OSHA opens investigation into Amazon warehouse collapse
Companies eyeing biggest raises in more than a decade as salary budgets rise
Seattle Times
Omicron variant surging rapidly in Washington state, UW testing indicates
Seattle Mayor-elect Harrell names niece deputy mayor, lists other appointments
Making Pike Place Market car-free gains traction but worries vendors
Town home developers lobby for changes to Seattle housing fee
COVID cases continue to decline in Washington state, but hospitals remain stretched thin
Having trouble finding a therapist in the Seattle area? Here are some tips
Opinion: 3 key steps for legislators to address the crisis of youth mental health
Editorial: As abortion roils states, focus should also be on child well-being
The Skanner
Inslee Unveils Climate Proposals Ahead of Budget Plan
South Seattle Emerald
Cascadia’s climate champions learn they can win at the local level
New report shows uptick in gun violence primarily impacts communities of color
All those ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ comparisons ignore the reality of anti-abortion laws
Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities judge rejects moving Latino voter discrimination case to Olympia
Airlines launches flights to Spokane. And it’s now booking trips into spring 2022
Tumbleweeds, trampolines, tree branches. Tri-Citians cleaning up after high-wind storm
$33M Pasco water park vote delayed. What it means for the project’s future
Tri-Cities hospitals treating fewest COVID patients since June, but death toll rising
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Whitman College faculty raise $5,000 for independent financial review; school officials remain firm about necessity of cuts
Unique in the world, Touchet’s alkali bee populations plummeting in Southeast Washington
Washington Post
‘I know my parents love me, but they don’t love my people’: Adoptees of color with White parents struggle to talk with their families about race
D.C. attorney general sues Proud Boys, Oath Keepers over Jan. 6 attack
Climate change has destabilized the Earth’s poles, putting the rest of the planet in peril
Omicron variant more resistant to vaccine but causes less severe covid, major South African study concludes
Documents link Huawei to China’s surveillance programs
Congressional Democrats release measure to raise debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion
The radical power of ordinary Black life
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Burnout urgently needs to be addressed, Washington healthcare workers warn (Berry, Sells)
State watchdog confirms KING 5 investigation that foster care agency punished hard-to-place youth
Students and teachers protest over alleged racism in Monroe School District
Seattle’s UW Medicine to study effects of psilocybin on stressed-out healthcare workers
Condition, location of Washington state Senator Doug Ericksen unknown
RV camp expands near Seattle’s Jefferson Golf Course
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Growing calls among teachers, students for Monroe school superintendent to resign
Hospitals and unions both seek solutions to staffing crisis
Local volunteers headed to southeast after devastating tornadoes
Jan. 6 panel votes for contempt charges against Mark Meadows
Chauvin expected to plead guilty in Floyd civil rights case
Coast Guard rescues more than 20 people from water in Deception Pass
Illinois tornado: OSHA investigating Amazon warehouse collapse
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Facing ‘healthcare staffing crisis,’ nurses unions turn to state lawmakers for help
Monroe school district under fire for ‘pervasive’ culture of racism, harassment
KUOW Public Radio
‘Bursting at the seams.’ WA hospitals feel the pinch of long-term care shortages
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Pfizer data shows that its COVID-19 pill is effective against severe disease
Supreme Court again leaves state vaccine mandate in place for healthcare workers
Fatal police encounters in Washington fall to 5-year low
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane City Council approves 2022 Annual Budget
Spokane City Council unanimously approves new Office of Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion
Q13 TV (FOX)
King Co. Metro Transit awarded $396M in grant funding from FTA
Monroe school union president calls on superintendent to step down over district’s racism allegations
Web
Crosscut
How deaf-blind Seattle transit riders shared their stories with Crosscut
A year later, Seattle Children’s remains troubled by racism issues
MyNorthwest
State’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women task force starts with emotional stories
Tensions escalate in Monroe School District over claims of ‘hostile,’ racist culture
Seattle mayor-elect announces new administration, including niece
Washington hospitals full as patients aren’t able to get into nursing homes
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant’s lead grows in recall effort
Wednesday deadline for 2022 health care coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder
Seattle’s newest bikeshare provider expected to hit the streets in 2022
Chance of light snow to start week in Puget Sound region as temperatures dip
Washington Rep. Newhouse among lawmakers pushing to standardize food date labels
Teacher uses racist language speaking to Seattle school student
Seattle City Attorney-elect slams council’s ‘rushed’ effort to change diversion rules
Republicans push for term limits with Dems now in control of all state elected positions