Inslee releases nearly $62 billion supplemental budget plan
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday released a nearly $62 billion supplemental state budget plan that looks to increase spending on efforts related to homelessness, climate change and salmon recovery. The Democratic governor spent most of the week unveiling his priorities, which include a plan to offer rebates for new and used electric vehicles, setting new standards for salmon habitat protection and conservation efforts, and increasing permanent supporting housing and permanent affordable housing units to serve a variety of unhoused populations. Continue reading at KNKX. (Rachel La Corte/The Associated Press)
Inslee announces $187M plan for salmon recovery
Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed investing $187 million in salmon recovery as part of his 2022 budget and policy proposals. Inslee announced his salmon proposals Tuesday at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community reservation’s Swadabs Park, The Bellingham Herald reported. The legislation would set new standards for salmon habitat protection and conservation efforts. The Lorraine Loomis Act was named in honor of the Swinomish tribal elder and salmon advocate who died this summer. Continue reading at the Peninsula Daily News.
Inslee: COVID hospital capacity a key measure as state prepares for omicron variant
Washington’s hospital capacity is a key measure to watch as the state prepares for a surge in the omicron variant, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday. “I don’t think the goal at the moment is to eradicate COVID from planet Earth,” Inslee said during a news conference to unveil his 2022 state supplemental budget. “To me, the salient criteria is hospital capacity.” Inslee said the state must continue to drive down new cases. And he expressed hope that declining cases in combination with antiviral medications to fight COVID-19, currently under federal review, could bring the pandemic to a more manageable situation. Continue reading at The Seattle Times.
Associated Press
Inslee announces $187M plan for salmon recovery
Inslee releases nearly $62 billion supplemental budget plan
Governor Inslee Unveils Plan to Address Homelessness
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County sees another COVID-related death but no new omicron variant cases reported
Shaken awake early Friday? You may have felt a small quake that struck west of Whatcom
Columbian
Clark County reports 18 new COVID-19 deaths as disease activity begins to increase
In Our View: U.S. must focus on being pro-child, not pro-life
Everett Herald
Police: Student, 15, brought gun to Lynnwood high school
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
At this newly-built Arlington stream, the coho have arrived
Mukilteo’s next ferry, a hybrid-electric, will be called Wishkah
Column: Schwab: Anti-vax and anti-mask physicians, heal thyselves
WaPo comment: State lawmakers threaten colleges’ academic freedom
Editorial: Covid recedes in hospitals, exposing other worries
Letter: We need housing a county sales tax increase would provide
Mercer Island Reporter
Legislators participate in discussions on local and regional issues (Senn, Thai, Wellman)
New York Times
Doctors and Nurses Are ‘Living in a Constant Crisis’ as Covid Fills Hospitals and Omicron Looms
Examining the Role of Climate Change in a Week of Wild Weather
Climate Change an ‘Emerging Threat’ to U.S. Financial Stability, Regulators Say
Olympian
Pierce County state representative decides to retire after 21 years in the Legislature
Will Washington be the next state to end single-family zoning?
Peninsula Daily News
Over 11 million COVID vaccine doses given in Washington state in past year
Sequencing tests underway for wrestling teams
Port Townsend Leader
Washington State Parks offers free day
Puget Sound Business Journal
The end of a return-to-office date
T-Mobile raises minimum wage to $20 an hour amid labor crunch
Study finds more health care workers may quit over pandemic burnout
FAA official calls Boeing test pilot a ‘scapegoat’ in 737 Max case
Seattle Times
‘Liquid sunshine’ is coming to the Seattle area! But that’s just another way to say rain
Cleveland, Bothell high schools abruptly close Friday; Franklin High School reopens after 2 days
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant defeats recall effort
In Seattle schools, the cost of buses climb as transportation falters. Is there another choice?
Spurning old way of counting homeless people, King County says number is much higher than previously reported
Inslee: COVID hospital capacity a key measure as state prepares for omicron variant
Concrete driver strike could slow light-rail construction, says Sound Transit CEO
1 in 5 nurses say they’ll quit their careers as pandemic takes steep toll on mental health, WA study shows
Opinion: Embrace long-needed countywide collaboration to end homelessness
Skagit Valley Herald
Ground broken on homeless housing project
South Seattle Emerald
Community Land Conservancy sees a green future for communities of color
New community birth center expands access in the South Sound
Opinion: #stopasianhate and International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
Tri-City Herald
First Omicron COVID variant cases found in Tri-Cities
Tri-Citian couldn’t reach 911 after icy rollover. AG blames CenturyLink for WA outage
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Giving Tree presents donated by residents stolen from local office in Walla Walla
Washington Post
Pfizer to test a third dose of coronavirus vaccine in young children after two-dose regimen falls short
Hot economy collides with huge virus surge in pandemic’s latest twist
Children exposed to covid can safely stay in class with in-school testing, CDC says
After decades, some of America’s most toxic sites will finally get cleaned up
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gov. Inslee calls for increased spending thanks to improving economy, federal aid
Most Washington health care workers with COVID-19 allegations aren’t disciplined (Stonier)
Police, western Washington schools on alert after social media threats
Tacoma business owner, city council member look at electric fences as crime deterrents
‘Devastation’: One month after floods, Sumas slow to return to normal
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Viral social media post puts Western Washington schools on alert
Schools beefing up security in response to threats on TikTok
A different 911 response: Health One expanding to South Seattle
Tacoma Public Schools will be in lockdown Friday following national TikTok threat
Ferguson calls for maximum penalty after 2018 911 outage
Flu season making resurgence while COVID-19 raging
Bothell High School to close Friday due to threatening graffiti found on campus
President Biden awards Medal of Honor to JBLM sergeant
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘Threatening’ graffiti found at Bothell High School, class to be held remotely
Gov. Inslee unveils nearly $62B supplemental budget plan for 2022 (Rolfes)
Parents brainstorm for solutions after shooting at Garfield High in Seattle
Lynnwood student arrested for reportedly bringing gun, ammunition to school
Kennedy Catholic High School cancels class due to multiple COVID-19 cases
Tacoma School District to operate on modified lockdown because of TikTok post
KNKX Public Radio
He’s 13 years old, autistic and stuck in the hospital for the holidays. He’s not the only one
KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Lead pipes have contaminated water for decades. Biden’s new plan will replace them
Web
Crosscut
Washington launches program to cut underwater noise in Puget Sound
Podcast | Pramila Jayapal on Build Back Better and Sen. Joe Manchin
MyNorthwest
Omicron likely to drive up King County COVID cases ‘suddenly and rapidly’ over next week
Schools across Puget Sound region on high alert over threat from viral TikTok post
Attempt to recall Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant fails
Gov. Inslee lays out his $62 billion supplemental budget proposal for 2022
Washington airports to receive $77.5 million in infrastructure funding
911-alternate response Health One builds momentum with South Seattle arrival
Voices behind Compassion Seattle, ‘Seattle is Dying’ series score new roles in city hall
Year-long Tacoma universal basic income pilot program kicks off