Billions of federal dollars headed to Western forests to manage fires
Less than a year after Washington state committed $328 million toward reducing the impacts of climate-charged catastrophic wildfire and improving forest health, the U.S. Forest Service announced a plan liable to supercharge that effort. A U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement on Jan. 18 adds nearly $3 billion more to the nation’s forest restoration efforts and fire reduction, especially on federal forest lands in the heart of Washington’s fire country and in 10 other Western states. Just as significant, the accompanying plan incorporates the newest science and reflects Indigenous stewardship practices. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)
Bill to limit ammunition magazines shows how firearms debate has changed in Olympia
One 24-hour span demonstrates just how much the debate over firearms, at least for now, has changed at the Washington Legislature. After an emotional debate late Wednesday night, Democratic lawmakers passed Senate Bill 5078 on a party-line vote. The legislation, now headed for debate in the House, would prohibit the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearm magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. If enacted into law, the ban — which advocates and many Democrats have called necessary to reduce gun violence and fatalities — would limit not just magazines for rifles that hold 20 or 30 rounds. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Daniel Kim)
Cost of living for US families up an extra $276 on average
The cost of living for an average U.S. family has gone up an extra $276 a month, according to The Wall Street Journal. As inflation rises, the price of groceries, gasoline and cars is making up all those costs. Overall household debt jumped by $1 trillion, the most since 2007, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Driving that debt in part are car and home loans, as car prices jumped up over 12%. Low supply and high demand are driving up car prices, but shoppers are still driving off with new cars and higher loans. Continue reading at KOMO News.
Associated Press
Justices reject 4th recall against Sheriff Adam Fortney
State Senate OKs ban on sale of high-capacity gun ammunition (Jinkins, Liias)
Deadly NW heat wave prompts effort to boost air conditioning (Mullet)
Judge restores protections for gray wolves across much of US
Washington Senate approves seismic safety bill for schools (Frockt)
Auburn Reporter
COVID-19 cases decrease in Auburn
Inslee: Mask mandate is going away, but not quite yet
Bainbridge Island Review
All-electric ferry in the works for Bremerton
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom man arrested in area of Thursday’s shooting of 2 deputies booked in Skagit County
Suspect surrenders, Whatcom deputies who were shot ‘conscious, alert, in stable condition’
As Lynden students protest, Whatcom schools await guidance on universal masking mandates
PETA said orca named by Lummi Nation was ‘deathly ill.’ Seaquarium says she’s recovering
Capital Press
Judge restores some wolves to endangered species list
Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Nurse staffing bills may not be healthy approach (Stonier)
Everett Herald
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Hundreds gather for annual aerospace conference — without Boeing
Bloomberg Comment: The bill that could head off another Jan. 6 debacle
High Country News
The first answer for food insecurity: data sovereignty
Islands’ Weekly
Application period now open for new county climate and sustainability advisory committee
News Tribune
Editorial: Critical race theory to sex ed: WA parents deserve easy access to school board meetings
Olympian
Gun rights activists gather in Olympia to oppose gun bill passed Wednesday night in Senate
Lacey set to spend $4 million to acquire 12 acres for new police station
Thurston commission to expand LEAD diversion program for non-violent offenders
Peninsula Daily News
State superintendent comments surprise regional officials
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon drops mask requirements for vaccinated employees
Report: Amazon retail CEO Dave Clark sells Medina home, moves to Dallas
Crime-weary business leaders offer recommendations to Seattle council committee
State lawmakers weigh nurse staffing bill to address shortages, burnout (Riccelli)
Seattle Times
Bill to limit ammunition magazines shows how firearms debate has changed in Olympia (Hansen, Jinkins, Liias)
WA cannabis bill seeks to make industry more diverse, equitable (Wicks, Morgan)
Journalists of color at KING 5 hope to inspire the next generation of trailblazers
Skagit Valley Herald
City of Sedro-Woolley upgrading its facilities
South Seattle Emerald
New Children’s Book Speaks Truth Through An Indigenous Lens
From Refugee To Advocate: Medard Ngueita, World Relief Seattle’s New Executive Director
Tri-City Herald
Mask frustration boils over in another tense Richland School Board meeting
Well-known Tri-Citian to lead Ben Franklin Transit until new manager is hired
Washington Post
Biden to split billions in Afghanistan funds between 9/11 victims and humanitarian aid
How Supreme Court Diversity has Shaped American Life
Officers charged in George Floyd’s killing omitted key details from the scene, Minneapolis officer testifies
Some Trump records taken to Mar-a-Lago clearly marked as classified, including documents at ‘top secret’ level
Biden says easing mask mandates ‘probably premature’ as blue states loosen covid restrictions
Yakima Herald-Republic
Selah police, Yakima County sheriff’s deputies to get body cameras
Yakima, Ellensburg set high temperature records on Wednesday and Thursday
Washington officially has a new all-time maximum temperature record: 120 degrees
Letter: Books like “The 1619 Project” offer crucial truths
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle landlords make plea to end eviction moratorium
2 Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies shot after responding to dispute between neighbors
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Two deputies shot, injured responding to dispute between neighbors
State schools chief says it’s time to remove statewide mask mandate in schools
West Seattle residents react to potential bridge reopening delay
Bill to require job postings to include salaries passes Washington Senate
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Two Whatcom County deputies wounded while responding to active shooter call, officials say
Should Washington schools drop mask mandates?
Seattle man sentenced for assaulting federal officer during Jan. 6 riot at US Capitol
Cost of living for US families up an extra $276 on average
How inflation and tangled supply lines are gripping economy
KNKX Public Radio
Washington state legislators propose tax on Oregon drivers’ fuel (Fey, Wylie)
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Sellers Can ‘kick Back and Let the Market’ Decide What People Will Pay for Their Homes
Gun violence devastated her family. Now she’s working with Seattle to end it
Pandemic updates for Seattle: Washington state mask mandate to be phased out
Outdoor event mask mandate ends soon. Indoor may be next
Pandemic conditions are changing again. Let’s talk: Today So Far
KXLY (ABC)
‘Rethinking the relationship’: How Spokane’s new planning director says he’ll make housing more affordable (Jinkins)
Web
Crosscut
Billions of federal dollars headed to Western forests to manage fires
MyNorthwest
City of Bellevue reaches deal with owners for demolition of home that slid off foundations
Why aren’t metal theft laws working in Washington state?
Seattle chief librarian race takes a surprise twist with remote work dispute
Two deputies shot, injured responding to dispute between neighbors
Judge restores gray wolf protections after being eliminated in 2020
Seattle man sentenced for assaulting officers during US Capitol riot
NOAA committee verifies record for state’s hottest ever day from 2021 heatwave
‘This is the year this gets done’: State restrictions on high capacity magazines on path to passage (Liias, Kuderer)
Washington inches closer toward dream of high speed rail system (Liias)
West Seattle Blog
VIDEO: What the Community Advisory Group for West Seattle’s light-rail project heard, and asked, at first Draft Environmental Impact Statement briefing
CORONAVIRUS: What the governor announced today, and how local numbers are going