Staff shortages prompt some schools to resume remote learning
Schools across Snohomish County have been scrambling to keep their doors open as a surge in COVID cases has left classes without teachers, bus routes without drivers and cafeterias without cooks. “The reality is staffing is just getting thinner and thinner. … The district has done the best they can, they’ve sent people from the district office to help,” said Amy Stevenson, a music teacher at Lynnwood High School. “It’s been all hands on deck but it’s just not enough.” Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Dan Bates)
Tsunami advisory canceled for Washington, but serves as reminder for the ‘Big One’
After 12 hours Saturday, West Coast emergency management agencies canceled a tsunami advisory following an underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. While the Washington coastline saw minimal impacts from the tremors, it was a reminder of past Pacific tsunamis and the potential earthquake and tsunami of the Cascadia subduction zone. The South Pacific eruption on Friday evening spewed ash, steam and gas, according to satellite images, and a sonic boom could be heard from Alaska, according to the National Weather Service. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (National Weather Service)
The Nooksack River is in “grave danger,” warns Whatcom scientist with numbers to back it up
The Nooksack River is in “grave danger” of experiencing irreversible changes and ecosystem collapse if Whatcom County doesn’t rapidly reform the way it manages nearby human activity. That was the warning that Western Washington University environmental sciences associate professor John McLaughlin gave at the annual environmental caucus meeting for the Water Resource Inventory Area #1 on Monday, Jan. 10. The Water Resource Inventory Area #1 is the watershed designation for the Nooksack River system. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.
Associated Press
State Supreme Court OKs Cooke Aquaculture steelhead farming
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County school districts fighting battle with COVID to keep students in classrooms
The Nooksack River is in “grave danger,” warns Whatcom scientist with numbers to back it up
Bellingham mayor, council urge action on voting rights bills on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Whatcom’s COVID weekly infection rate reaches quadruple figures, as 2 new deaths reported
New Whatcom state senator says bipartisan outreach is key to success
Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Sports gambling legislation needs adjustments
Opinion: In Our View: ‘Forced quarantine’ claims endanger society
Opinion: Cheers & Jeers: Back in session; blood needed
Courier-Herald
Enumclaw library passing out at-home rapid COVID tests
The Daily News
Capitol Dispatch: Reps expect debate over long-term care to land next week.
Everett Herald
MLK celebration honors leaders, urges people to uproot racism
Death, grief and comfort at Everett’s pandemic epicenter
After snowstorms, cities make a roadmap for next time
Staff shortages prompt some schools to resume remote learning
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Comment: Honor King by passing voting rights legislation
Comment: North Sound families need aid after flooding, cold
WaPo Comment: Invoking King’s legacy without exhausting it
WaPo Comment: NPR holds master class in confronting Trump, Big Lie
Editorial: Fix WA Cares and let it resume its important work
Letter: Voting rights bills needed to defend democracy
Federal Way Mirror
8 King County libraries passing out at-home rapid COVID tests
Journal of the San Juan Islands
San Juan ferry routes are fully staffed, but WSF proceeds with caution
Kitsap Sun
Supreme Court agrees to hear case against Bremerton schools about on-field prayers
News Tribune
Tsunami advisory canceled for Washington, but serves as reminder for the ‘Big One’
Syphilis cases among infants show concerning increase in Pierce County, experts say
There’s been a rise in behavioral health needs. East Pierce Fire is hiring an expert
Tacoma’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration to recognize community leaders Monday
Peninsula schools superintendent addresses COVID plan, staffing, need for substitutes
Editorial: ‘It really is that bad.’ WA doctors grateful for National Guard’s help amid COVID spike
Op-Ed: Using Growth Management Act, WA lawmakers can create resilient climate future. Here’s how
New York Times
Census Memo Cites ‘Unprecedented’ Meddling by Trump Administration
The C.D.C.’s New Challenge? Grappling With Imperfect Science
Supply Chain Woes Could Worsen as China Imposes New Covid Lockdowns
Olympian
Here are the Thurston County ZIP codes that saw higher COVID-19 cases per capita
Learn more about North Thurston proposal for shorter summer breaks at Wednesday forum
Lawmakers aim to adjust and refine police accountability laws passed during 2021 session (Jinkins, Goodman, Bronoske, Johnson)
National Guard members will be activated to assist at Washington state hospitals
City of Tenino loses $280,309 to phishing email scam, state Auditor’s Office says
Peninsula Daily News
Tsunami advisory prompts Peninsula to watch for waves
State Supreme Court OKs Cooke Aquaculture steelhead farming
Hospitals strained as COVID-19 cases grow
Shorter leash for Inslee considered (Chapman, Tharinger, Van De Wege)
Seattle students rally for stronger COVID-19 safety protocols at schools
Port Townsend Leader
Another COVID death reported in Jefferson County
Puget Sound Business Journal
Omicron sharpens labor pains for short-staffed businesses
Affordable housing shortage puts many workers on the doorstep of a crisis
No end in sight: Seattle-area concrete workers strike grinding development to a halt
Many restaurants were already in dire straits. Omicron made it worse.
Opinion: Inslee’s low carbon task force is long overdue
Seattle Times
Seattle is plagued by potholes, Bellevue not so much
Inslee, Washington Democrats push election bills, as they weigh threats to democracy (Frockt, Saldaña, Hunt)
Most of Seattle area’s 200,000 unvaccinated adults say they will ‘definitely not’ get COVID shots
Column: As students rally for stronger school health and safety protocols, ‘let the youth speak their truth and let them be heard’
House bills target crisis of missing Indigenous people in Washington state (Lekanoff)
Abuse allegations mount against South King County politician charged with domestic violence
Gun control, transportation, housing among Seattle leaders’ wish list for state Legislature (Pollet, Saldaña, Carlyle)
COVID’s invisible toll on Seattle’s trans community
Opinion: MLK said it best: ‘Love is the greatest force in the universe’
Skagit Valley Herald
Sauk-Suiattle tribe: Seattle City Light violating rights of salmon under “natural law”
Skagit County to begin work on strategic plan
The Skanner
Pierce County deputy fatally shoots person
Sol De Yakima
Falta de personal afecta a hospitales del Valle de Yakima
Escasez de suministro de sangre afecta a hospitales locales
South Whidbey Record
Port sets $20 an hour minimum wage for staff
Spokesman Review
Thousands of current and former Spokane County residents would be repaid for fines from unconstitutional drug law under new bill
As staffing crisis worsens in hospitals, legislators look to implement safe staffing standard (Riccelli)
Omicron season: How can you prepare in the event you test positive?
Tribal Tribune
Colville Tribes Address Covid-19 Surge
Tri-City Herald
Expert endorses new Franklin voter map. But one big change is needed for legal elections
New details on Amazon’s plans for hiring 1,500 Tri-Cities workers
‘To help other people.’ Tri-Cities nonprofit leader awarded MLK Spirit Award
1 in 100 Tri-Citians test COVID positive in last two weeks. New pandemic record
Record numbers slam Tri-Cities COVID test sites. How to order new home kits
CBC postpones Martin Luther King award presentation because of COVID spike
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla unemployment down to 2.8%, but businesses still shorthanded as omicron spreads
From the Vault: 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service at Whitman College
Washington Post
How the Tonga volcano generated a shock wave around the world
Martin Luther King Jr.’s family marches in D.C. for Senate action on voting rights bill
As nations decide to live with the virus, some disease experts warn of surrendering too soon
Inside a pioneering U.S. site authorized to monitor people using drugs
Yakima Herald-Republic
A push for equality in Yakima: Ester Huey tells her story
It Happened Here: Yakima residents conduct first Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Where to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day across Puget Sound
22-year-old senator says priority is flood relief for Whatcom County
Here’s how to get four free COVID tests starting Wednesday
COVID-19 booster clinic held as some schools in Washington go remote again
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Local Tongan community working to get updates on situation after volcanic eruption near Tonga
Omicron expected to peak Sunday
$1.5M reserved in funding for families impacted by November flooding in North Sound
It will cost Tacoma $3.5M to settle fight over pipes tied to I-5 construction project
Schools struggle to stay open in omicron surge
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Delayed rape kit links Florida man to 2006 Seattle child rape
Parents, students weigh in on more COVID testing, learning platforms amid COVID spike
Expert hopes Tsunami Advisory helps people prepare: ‘It’s a good wake-up call’
Asian Giant Hornet nests eradicated in 2021 came from nest found the year prior nest
KUOW Public Radio
Police Reform, Guns, and Pickleball: First Week of Washington’s 2022 Session (Jinkins)
‘The worst’ it’s been: Covid hospitalizations reach all-time high in Washington state
Covid updates for today: Don’t go to the hospital if you’re in Washington state
Volcano eruption sends tsunami to Washington Coast
What’s happening with schools, snow, and… pickleball? We’ve got you covered
Seattle’s ‘green’ power violates salmon’s legal rights, tribe says
KXLY (ABC)
Where and how to get your free home COVID-19 tests
Lewiston changes form of government, adds council members
Washington legislature priorities: police, health benefits, and more
Q13 TV (FOX)
Several groups fighting against human trafficking in King County
KATU TV
Washington one of few states to fund new suicide hotline (Orwall)
Web
MyNorthwest
‘Health care workers are at their breaking points’: Coalition pushes state lawmakers for solutions
State lawmaker proposes bill to offer people money in exchange for gas-powered yard tools
Nearly 600 potholes reported to SDOT last week in wake of frigid weather
State makes discovery about Asian giant hornets eradicated in 2021
Skagit County COVID test site to temporarily shut down over staff shortage
Legislature considers bill to ban fur farms, production, sale in Washington
Supreme Court to hear case of Bremerton coach in lawsuit over praying at games
Burien extends eviction moratorium until state of emergency ends
With ‘quiet weekend ahead,’ Seattle area poised for longest dry streak in over 100 days