COVID cases decline in Seattle area, surge moves east
Cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 are decreasing in the Seattle metro area, but hospital leaders are warning that the variant is gaining steam in eastern Washington and could further stress health care facilities. In King County, data shows the rise in omicron infections peaked on Jan. 10 with 7,563 daily cases, The Seattle Times reported. Since then, the county has charted a significant decline, dropping at least 43% in the past week. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Karen Ducey)

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Here’s how Washingtonians can get free at-home coronavirus tests and masks
The always evolving COVID-19 news cycle can make it hard to keep track of what resources are available and how to seek them. In the last few weeks, federal and local officials have made a frenzy of announcements of free rapid at-home tests and masks, as coronavirus cases caused by the omicron variant have surged. In December, President Joe Biden announced the federal government would buy and distribute free coronavirus rapid test kits. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

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Slow internet? Effort aims to boost broadband in Yakima Valley with help from infrastructure bill
A lack of broadband infrastructure has hindered education, economic development and public services to rural Yakima County residents for several years, local officials say. And the past two years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and increased online communication have only amplified the problem. In search of a solution, public officials from various health, education and government organizations met last week for a Connectivity Summit organized by the Yakima Valley Broadband Action Team. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald-Republic. (Emree Weaver)

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Associated Press
WA high court to hear case about transit fare enforcement
COVID cases decline in Seattle area, surge moves east
Weekly COVID cases hit record high, but deaths remain stable, WHO reports

Auburn Reporter
How to curb demand for catalytic converters and reduce theft

Bellingham Herald
Sen. Cantwell talks federal aid for public works repairs, flood prevention in Whatcom County
Bellingham raises parking rates, changes hours and adds paid parking in new areas
Alaska/Horizon cancel all flights at WA’s Paine Field Monday as 5G bars regional jets
Another Whatcom school returns to remote learning, as county surpasses 30,000 COVID cases

Capital Press
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WSDA: Farmers in one county would lose 11,000 acres to mandatory buffers
How Western water markets are changing under pressure
WSU narrowing field of candidates for ag dean

Columbian
Staffing shortages affect Vancouver Public Schools’ COVID-19 test site
Vancouver council steps up timeline for I-5 Bridge planning
Opinion: In Our View: I-5 Bridge drawings help span public divide

The Daily News
Cowlitz County commissioners OK rent assistance contract with CAP; give direction on Board of Health changes

Everett Herald
More 5G-related cancellations as Paine Field fog persists
Sentenced to life as a teen, Monroe prisoner to be released
Past the omicron peak? Snohomish County’s COVID cases declining
$16M grant to speed up broadband to north Snohomish County
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: Financial illiteracy isn’t why most people struggle
WaPo Comment: What ‘The Janes’ hope to remind women under 50
Editorial: Keep ‘Mockingbird’ on Mukilteo ninth-graders’ list

High Country News
Humble suckers: Pacific lamprey have survived 5 mass extinctions but are now under threat

News Tribune
Pierce County reports 46 deaths from COVID in weekly totals but says surge is waning
No rule coming, but Pierce health officials to support businesses that require vaccinations
Sunset won’t be until 5 p.m. today. Should WA finally get off time change roller coaster?
Op-Ed: WA weed industry should be safe, equitable. To do it, modernize Liquor and Cannabis Board

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Vaccination Gap Could Let Another Dangerous Variant Emerge, Experts Say
New Research Hints at 4 Factors That May Increase Chances of Long Covid
E.P.A. Chief Vows to ‘Do Better’ to Protect Poor Communities
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Olympian
More funding for low-income housing on the way. Thurston commission approves home fund
State fines developer $72,000 for water quality violations at Lacey townhomes site

Port Townsend Leader
Employment test for marijuana use questioned | 2022 Legislative Session (Keiser)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Effort to end mandated hazard pay for grocery store workers fails in Seattle City Council vote
OSHA scraps mandate-or-testing emergency rule for large employers. Here’s what businesses need to know.
Two more Seattle Starbucks stores file for union elections
King County awards $23M for affordable housing projects
Port of Seattle appoints interim labor relations director
Hotel construction dips in 2021 as industry continues Covid-19 recovery

Seattle Times
Here’s how Washingtonians can get free at-home coronavirus tests and masks
King County schools ask voters to fund billions in levy and bond measures
WA lawmakers consider bills to crack down on theft of catalytic converters (Ryu)
Washington state Supreme Court to hear case arguing fare enforcement is unconstitutional
King County omicron cases decline as ‘second chapter’ of surge gains steam in Eastern Washington
Washington attorney general sues Google over location tracking
Seattle City Council votes to keep hazard pay for grocery workers
Employees at 2 more Seattle Starbucks locations plan to unionize

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County Public Health to offer more vaccine options at Mount Vernon offices
Skagit County sees success in rental assistance programs

Sol De Yakima
Guardia Nacional llega para asistir al Hospital Memorial de Yakima
Escuelas de Wapato, ocho de Yakima anuncian segunda semana de enseñanza a distancia
Cabañas ayudarán a museo a compartir la historia de campesinos del Valle de Yakima

South Whidbey Record
While unemployment rates are low, hiring struggle continues in Island County

Spokesman Review
Schools COVID-19 update: Numbers of cases dropping in Spokane area
SPS to consider raising substitute teachers’ pay to $200 daily as shortage vexes district
Having fake COVID-19 vaccine card could become crime in Washington if bill passes Legislature (Salomon)
Washington restaurant owners testify about omicron’s toll as Cantwell tells them she’s fighting for more aid money

Washington Post
Black and Latino voters have been shortchanged in redistricting, advocates and some judges say
Talks in Paris aim to resolve Ukraine crisis as Russia warns the West
U.S. stocks climb as investors wait on Fed decision
Omicron wave is wake-up call about need to vaccinate the world, say Hill Democrats, experts
Two senators have a bipartisan plan to tackle future pandemics

Yakima Herald-Republic
Slow internet? Effort aims to boost broadband in Yakima Valley with help from infrastructure bill
Yakima County Commissioner Ron Anderson says he’s stepping down in December
Public can weigh in on proposed communication tower near Rimrock Lake
Letter: Why would anyone oppose requiring voter ID?

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Police, prosecutors would receive ‘victim-centered’ training if bill in Olympia passes (Orwall)
King County officials hope to curb carjackings in 2022
Scrap industry pushes back on legislation intended to curb catalytic converter theft in Washington
Washington state sees average of 800-850 new COVID cases among health care staff per day
Washington restaurateurs make pitch for another round of federal funding

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Hazard pay continuing for Seattle grocery workers
New omicron sub-variant part of ‘big family of viruses”
Magnolia phone and internet outage could last three weeks
Mukilteo school board votes to remove ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ from required reading list
WA lawmakers target catalytic converter theft during legislative session
Movement to unionize Starbucks hits Seattle
Seattle University returning to in-person classes next week

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘I’m very concerned:’ Washington hospitals worried about unprecedented blood shortage 
Effort to unionize Starbucks workers comes to Seattle, coffee giant’s home office location
Cantwell pushes $60B restaurant revitalization fund as many eateries struggle to survive
In unincorporated King County, an encampment stirs concern about crime, trash debris

KXLY (ABC)
Report: Washington leads the nation in potholes
Washington restaurant owners ask for more pandemic relief funding
Wash. schools, libraries get internet funding through American Rescue Plan

NW Public Radio
Money From Timber Sales A Drop In The Bucket For School Budgets

Web

The Hill
Legislatures move to limit governor powers after pandemic (Randall, Chapman, Jinkins, Van De Wege)

The Stranger
Washington Lawmakers Throw a Bunch of Data Privacy Bills at the Wall to See What Sticks (Kloba, Carlyle, Slatter)
Washington Could Get European-Style Recycling. Lobbyists Are Mad About It (Das, Stanford)
Sawant Wants the Council to at Least Pretend to Care About Starbucks Workers
As Omicron Eases, Health Equity Issues in Latino Community Persist

West Seattle Blog
CRIME: Another catalytic-converter theft interrupted. Here’s what’s up with crackdown legislation (Fitzgibbon)