WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, Jan. 6

Police departing the fenced East Precinct of the Seattle Police Department.

Seattle police faked radio chatter about Proud Boys as CHOP formed in 2020, investigation finds
At a crucial moment during 2020’s racial justice protests, Seattle police exchanged a detailed series of fake radio transmissions about a nonexistent group of menacing right-wing extremists. The radio chatter about members of the Proud Boys marching around downtown Seattle, some possibly carrying guns, and then heading to confront protesters on Capitol Hill was an improper “ruse,” or dishonest ploy, that exacerbated a volatile situation, according to findings released Wednesday by the city’s Office of Police Accountability. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)


State to expand COVID-19 testing, push vaccination and offer free masks, governor says
Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday that new steps will be taken to help address the surge in statewide omicron cases. Those steps include expanded testing, mass vaccination and free masks. Inslee’s administration said the Washington state Department of Health acquired 800,000 at-home testing kits this week, with an additional 4.7 million tests expected to arrive next week. Continue reading at The Olympian.


President Biden approves federal disaster funding for flood-hit areas of Washington
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for areas of Washington state hit hardest during the historic flooding in November. Unprecedented flooding in northwest Washington caused widespread damage and left officials across several counties scrambling to document the costs in the hopes of qualifying for federal relief dollars. The declaration makes federal funding available to affected people in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, including the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and Quileute Tribe. Continue reading at KING 5.


Print

Associated Press
Seattle police faked right-wing radio talk during Capitol Hill protest, investigation finds
Juarez Elected First Indigenous Seattle City Council Head
Washington orders 5.5 million at-home tests for public

Aberdeen Daily World
Floodwaters wreak havoc in Grays Harbor County

Auburn Reporter
King County opens isolation center at Auburn Clarion Hotel

Bainbridge Island Review
BISD tries to stay open despite omicron

Bellingham Herald
Windchill back in the teens as snow closes Whatcom schools, makes roads treacherous
COVID-19 case numbers keep climbing in Whatcom. These regions have been hardest hit
Bellingham hospital treating record COVID patients, but modeling shows peak still to come
Locals to join virtual candlelight vigil marking Capitol insurrection
A regional manufacturer has purchased the former Safran building in the Barkley district
Broken pipes are a big headache for some Whatcom businesses. Here’s a list of closures

Capital Press
Three states, three sets of priorities
Solar company rejects WDFW’s suggestions on fencing
Nonprofit undertakes study of ‘regenerative’ agriculture
WSU AgWeatherNet to offer first weather school

Columbian
Clark County schools to disregard new CDC guidelines
Opinion: In Our View: We must protect our fragile democracy

Everett Herald
Shellfish war: Judge dismisses Tulalip clam-trafficking case
Monroe father charged with hate crime at high school
On cusp of record surge, Snohomish County exec gets COVID
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: How do we commemorate what happened Jan. 6?
Editorial: Help tell Tales of Two Rivers and their importance

The Inlander
Washington politicians hope to keep climate in focus during 2022 legislature (Carlyle)
After suspected treason during the War of 1812, an entire political party was eliminated; this 

News Tribune
Homicide numbers increased in Pierce County last year, and fewer cases were solved
Big transportation projects affecting Pierce County are scheduled to come online in ’22
After nearly a decade, Lakewood names new mayor
Health department to launch new COVID test site as Pierce County tries to meet demand

New York Times
Lifesaving Covid Treatments Face Rationing as Virus Surges Again
Jan. 6 Panel Faces Difficult Questions as Anniversary of Capitol Riot Approaches

Olympian
State Capitol Campus security tightened since Mansion break-in attempt a year ago
COVID-19 numbers set record Wednesday in Washington state
Grants still available for Thurston businesses, nonprofits hit by pandemic
State to expand COVID-19 testing, push vaccination and offer free masks, governor says
Lacey cancels in-person option for Thursday meeting after COVID-19 cases spike

Peninsula Daily News
Kilmer hopes for federal funds for Highway 112 slides
COVID death reported in Clallam County
State Senate joins House in moving to hybrid floor votes (Billig)
State orders 5.5 million at-home tests for public

Port Townsend Leader
US 101 remains closed between Hoodsport, Quilcene
Jefferson County commissioner gets COVID

Puget Sound Business Journal
Universities continue to feel pandemic pain with big declines in 2021 student revenue
Providence Everett delays non-urgent procedures as Omicron rages
Swedish launches program with HBCU to bring Black doctors to the Northwest
Quit rates hit all-time high. White-collar jobs aren’t immune.

Seattle Times
Where the Washington residents charged with breaching the Capitol are now
Rain and snow pose flooding risks, extreme avalanche danger, close Washington’s cross-state passes
Criticism of Kent police Nazi controversy was hidden on social media by chief’s wife
Seattle police improperly faked radio chatter about Proud Boys as CHOP formed in 2020, investigation finds
Washington plans to distribute millions of at-home COVID tests and masks as omicron surges
King County to purchase 400,000 more COVID-19 test kits
Editorial: No business as usual after Jan. 6
Column: After the insurrection, I fought my urge to abandon this country

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County’s COVID-19 testing site to reopen Thursday
Seismic project at Skagit County Courthouse could be delayed

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Valley sees rise in COVID cases with omicron, holiday weekend

South Seattle Emerald
News Gleams: More affordable housing, help for families with young children, and more!
Opinion: Seattle’s curbs and corners

Tri-City Herald
Kennewick has new mayor. 1st controversy on the agenda is ethics complaints
‘Wasted my time.’ Franklin voting map committee frustrated with commissioners

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Vashon’s third spike reaches ‘unprecedented’ levels of disease

Wall Street Journal
Phone-Bill Fees to Fund Suicide Hotline Spark Statehouse Debates (Orwall)

Washington Post
On Jan. 6 anniversary, Biden calls out Trump for ‘web of lies’ about 2020 election
A year after Jan. 6, are the guardrails that protect democracy real or illusory?
Record 4,000 children hospitalized amid U.S. omicron surge
Supreme Court is set to review Biden’s vaccine rules for businesses, health-care workers. Here’s what to know.

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima health officials urge masks, vaccines as COVID cases skyrocket, hospitalizations rise
Former Yakima City Council candidate Garth McKinney charged with assaulting police officer
Yakima County jobless rate hits 31-year low for November

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
These are the Washingtonians facing charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
Jan. 6 one year later: Fact-checking three claims about the insurrection
Biden decries ‘big lie,’ blames Trump for Jan. 6 Capitol attack
Mason County declares state of emergency over collapsed structures, snow impacts
President Biden approves federal disaster funding for flood-hit areas of Washington
Washington distributing 5.5 million at-home COVID-19 tests, opening new mass vaccination site
Lakewood COVID testing center closes due to high demand, ‘safety concerns’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Mountain passes closed by heavy snow
OPA report: SPD used fake radio transmissions during 2020 CHOP protests
Road crews working long shifts in Bellingham after another round of snow
Trash woes continue as some neighborhoods start third week with no garbage pickup
Police shoot and kill suspected burglar who killed K-9, injured officer
President approves disaster relief funding for Washington communities ravaged by flooding last year
Inslee announces free at-home testing, masks amid surge in omicron cases
Mayor calls for resignation of Kent police official who displayed Nazi insignia on office door
Seattle expands ways for residents to receive COVID-19 vaccinations
King County purchases 400,000 additional COVID-19 test kits for residents
In wake of legal troubles, failed ballot initiative, Tim Eyman pivots to lawsuit against Gov. Inslee

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
All three major passes closed due to heavy snow, falling trees & poor visibility
President Biden approves Washington Disaster Declaration for historic November floods
Washington to expand access to coronavirus tests, to help contain spread of COVID-19
Getting COVID on purpose still a bad idea, doctor says
Amid big case backlog, new Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison vows to restore law, order 

KNKX Public Radio
As omicron soars, Inslee announces expanded testing and mask distribution to keep schools open
With case counts soaring, demand for COVID tests causing long waits

KUOW Public Radio
President Biden blasts Trump for ‘spreading a web of lies’ in a Jan. 6 speech
Covid blog: Omicron dominates Washington state
COVID testing FAQ: When to test, what kind of test to use and what your results mean
One year after the Jan. 6 insurrection, signs of a nation deeper in peril

KXLY (ABC)
Inslee announces plan to expand testing, offer free masks in effort to tackle omicron surge
Some people turn to at-home COVID testing with demand so high. Is it accurate?
Spokane lawmaker pushes for bill that would create scholarships for violent crime survivors, families

Q13 TV (FOX)
Invasive crab species at Lummi sea pond has experts, locals concerned
President Biden issues major disaster declaration for historic November floods

Web

Crosscut
Poll says WA economy is top legislative concern for 2022
WA voters split on handling the pandemic and the economy, poll finds

MyNorthwest
Drive-by shooting bill pre-filed in Washington may never see daylight (Simmons, Hackney, Goodman)
King County district to use one-of-a-kind smartphone voting platform for third straight year
Snohomish County says save testing for those with symptoms, exposures
Watchdog group: SPD ‘added fuel to the fire’ during 2020 protests with fabricated Proud Boys threat
Opting against closures, Gov. Inslee shifts focus to increased COVID testing and boosters
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers tests positive for COVID-19

La Raza del Noroeste
Qué hacer si obtiene un resultado positivo en la prueba de COVID-19

The Stranger
The Cops Just Made Shit Up During CHOP