Editorial: Legislators should return state’s money for election-fraud junket
The three lawmakers who billed Washington taxpayers for a junket to a farcical election fraud-perpetuating conference demonstrated amazing gall. Each deserves a strong rebuke. The legislators on the far, far right of the Republican House caucus must repay their government reimbursements for hotels and flights to join MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell at his South Dakota conference last August. A renowned Trump supporter, Lindell aimed to spin up nonsense fraud claims into national traction. Continue reading at The Seattle Times.
Washington hospitals ‘closer to a crisis situation’ than ever before amid omicron surge
The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting Washington state hospitals harder than it ever has, especially hospitals in the Puget Sound region where the omicron surge is driving case counts to record levels. “We are closer to a crisis situation than we have ever been,” said Dr. John Lynch, medical director of infection control at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center. During the Washington State Hospital Association’s (WSHA) Thursday morning briefing, one that CEO Cassie Sauer described as the “most depressing” briefing of the pandemic, health leaders sounded the alarm even louder on what could be at stake in the coming weeks if current projections hold. Continue reading at KING 5.
NW passes, other roads shut due to snow, slides, flooding
The latest winter storm to hit the Pacific Northwest brought flood warnings, a halt to travel across the mountains, school closures and icy roads Thursday. The major route across Washington’s Cascade mountains — Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass — was closed Thursday due to high avalanche danger, heavy snow and low visibility. Stevens Pass on U.S. 2, White Pass on U.S. 12 and Blewett Pass on U.S. 97 were also closed Thursday. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Ted S. Warren)
Associated Press
NW passes, other roads shut due to snow, slides, flooding
State lawmakers return with money to spend, differing goals (Billig, Jinkins)
Vaccine rules affecting 80 million Americans goes before Supreme Court
Aberdeen Daily World
Flooding on Thursday harries Aberdeen drivers
Heavy rain, snowmelt lead to flooding on Grays Harbor County roads
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom, Lummi, Nooksack get federal disaster relief for flooding. Here’s what that allows
Whatcom breaks its pandemic infection rate record — again — as omicron quattuordecuples
Windchill back in the teens as snow closes Whatcom schools, makes roads treacherous
Columbian
Clark County health official warns surging omicron cases may strain hospitals
Oregon Metro Council OKs $36M for Interstate 5 Bridge plan
In Our View: Capitol riot revealed cracks in our democracy
Everett Herald
Drive-up COVID testing line clogs north Everett neighborhood
Marysville Pilchuck mascot decision postponed until spring
Inslee: Officials’ lies about election results should be crime
Supreme Court won’t take up lawsuits challenging redistricting
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: As hospitals are swamped, how to fairly ration care?
New York Times
The U.S. added 199,000 jobs in December as employers struggled to find workers.
Supreme Court Divided in Major Challenge to Biden’s Virus Plan
Former Biden Advisers Urge a Pandemic Strategy for the ‘New Normal’
Peninsula Daily News
Highway 101 reopened between 104 intesection and Hoodsport
Clallam courthouse closes for cleaning as COVID-19 cases rise
School delays due to inclement weather
Puget Sound Business Journal
Alaska Airlines announces deep flight cuts due to Omicron surge
State leaders urged to declare crisis as Covid hospitalizations rise
Why the Supreme Court’s OSHA mandate decision likely won’t end uncertainty for employers
Aerospace supply chain braces for Omicron threat amid workforce shortages
Seattle Times
Torrential rain breaks records across Western Washington; here’s when it will dry out
Seattle-area landlords and tenants still awaiting promised government aid as debt continues to mount
Rep. Pramila Jayapal: Democracy still at risk a year after Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Pass closures prevent travel between east and west sides of Washington state
Opinion: Vaccines, more test kits and cooperation will get us through
Editorial: Legislators should return state’s money for election-fraud junket
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County working to replace faulty culverts
County residents eligible for federal flood assistance
Sedro-Woolley City Council expresses opposition to fully contained communities
Tri-City Herald
Inslee says ‘stop the steal’ election lies from WA lawmakers should be a crime
Tri-Cities snowed in. All 3 main passes over WA Cascades closed
Washington Post
Supreme Court hears challenges to Biden’s vaccine rules for workers
In the nation’s hospitals, this covid wave is different
Capitol Police officer sues Trump on Jan. 6 anniversary, saying he ‘directed the mob’ to violence
U.S. economy added just 199,000 jobs in December, before labor market confronted omicron surge
White House preparing to ask Congress for more funding for therapeutics, vaccines, other covid health needs
White House, USPS finalizing plans to begin shipping coronavirus test kits to U.S. households
More than 40 percent of Americans live in counties hit by climate disasters in 2021
Yakima Herald-Republic
Jan. 6 attack demonstrates fragility of democracy, Murray says
Former Yakima City Council candidate Garth McKinney charged with assaulting police officer
Yakima airport remains open for passenger, cargo flights
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington hospitals ‘closer to a crisis situation’ than ever before amid omicron surge
‘I remember every detail’: Rep. Jayapal reflects on Capitol riot one year later
Flooding impacts: 20-mile stretch of I-5 in Lewis County closed due to flooding
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Heavy rain, snow melt causes flooding in Issaquah
All major cross-state passes likely to stay closed until Sunday
Flood warnings in effect for some western Washington rivers
Empty grocery stores shelves spotted across Puget Sound
Inslee wants to outlaw officials and candidates lying about election results
‘The attack is continuing’: WA governor warns of future coup attempt on insurrection anniversary
Olympia Jail operations suspended due to COVID-19
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
A year after Jan. 6 riot, Inslee, state GOP leaders condemn it but differ over lie plan (Billig)
Washington recommends coronavirus boosters for everyone 12 and older
Washington state hospitals near ‘crisis’ as COVID cases surge, officials say
Heavy rains raise flooding threat in Issaquah as residents rush to protect homes, property
Washington reports more than 15,000 new COVID-19 cases
KNKX Public Radio
Inslee says lying about elections should be a crime
Green Amendment would add ‘healthy environment’ to constitutional rights in Washington – (Lekanoff, Das)
KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Omicron dominates Washington state
Fake SPD radio transmissions during 2020 protests ‘added fuel to the fire’
President Biden blasts Trump for ‘spreading a web of lies’ in a Jan. 6 speech
KXLY (ABC)
WA lawmaker barred from Capitol by vaccine rules wants to make bans illegal (Taylor)
Web
Crosscut
Staffing shortages on Washington ferries predate the pandemic
MyNorthwest
Wet weather, potholes in Washington make grocery deliveries challenging
Gov. Inslee proposes bill making it illegal for elected leaders, candidates to spread election fraud lies
Washington health leaders ask mild COVID patients not to visit emergency rooms
Gov. Inslee proposes bill making it illegal for elected leaders, candidates to spread election fraud lies
Evacuation notice issued for Skokomish Valley area in Mason County over flooding
Washington medical association urges Gov. Inslee to aid hospitals operating at ‘crisis capacity’
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell: SPD Proud Boys protest hoax was ‘totally unacceptable’