Ukrainians in Seattle condemn Russian invasion back home
Mirroring protests across the U.S. and in Russia, dozens of Seattle residents rallied Thursday to express anger toward Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and grief over the reality of the conflict entering a new stage. People with personal ties to Ukraine, and those without, gathered shortly after noon on the red brick plaza in front of the University of Washington’s Suzzallo Library, with Ukrainian flags and yellow and blue scarves draped over their shoulders. They held signs condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin or inscribed with the messages: “Save my country” and “No War.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday
The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday will announce a change to the metrics it uses to determine whether to recommend face coverings, shifting from looking at COVID-19 case counts to a more holistic view of risk from the coronavirus to a community. Continue reading at KING 5.
Washington AG sues Providence, Swedish hospitals over charity care law
Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit against 14 Providence and Swedish Health Services hospitals for allegedly denying charity care to eligible patients. The hospitals in question include some of the largest in the state: Swedish Medical Center First Hill, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Continue reading at The Puget Sound Business Journal.
Associated Press
CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday
WA Redistricting Commission to pay fines, legal costs
Bainbridge Island Review
Inslee easing some mask requirements
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County sees its first COVID-related death of a resident younger than 20 years old
As COVID-19 cases ease, Bellingham and Whatcom agencies look toward in-person meetings
Having trouble finding a COVID rapid test for the border? Here are some options in Whatcom
CDC moves Whatcom’s COVID transmission level to ‘moderate’ as cases, hospitalizations slow
Capital Press
Washington bill treads familiar path to buffers (Salomon)
Bill to halt cougar-pursuing sheriff falters in Washington House (Chapman)
WDFW proposes new wolf-removal rule
$55 million allocated for work on Columbia-Snake dams
Driver shortage frustrates trucking industry, agricultural producers
Russia-Ukraine uncertainty pushes wheat prices higher
Columbian
Clark County COVID-19 case rate falls sharply this week
Opinion: In Our View: Helping West Coast ports should be a priority
Everett Herald
New superintendent picked in ‘divided’ Marysville School District
AG sues Providence for alleged failure to provide charity care
Short-staffed Community Transit to cut 164 spring bus trips
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
As Amazon moves in, Arlington road projects aim to ease traffic
High Country News
How a Tacoma gas facility started a fight over climate change, sovereignty and human rights
News Tribune
COVID is waning, but Pierce County funeral directors worry about its lasting effects
Tacoma police shoot, kill man suspected of armed robbery
Car thefts in Pierce County exploded in 2021. Here’s why and how to protect your ride
Brovary, a Sister City of Tacoma, hit by air strike during Russian invasion of Ukraine
Colleges need legislative support to help transfer students attain 4-year degrees
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
New York Times
Live Updates: Ketanji Brown Jackson Is Biden’s Supreme Court Pick
A key inflation metric is still rising. War in Ukraine could make it worse.
House Panel Widens Investigation of Trump’s Handling of Documents
Covid Live Updates: Over 5 Million Children Lost Caregivers to the Virus, Study Says
The C.D.C. will soon loosen indoor mask guidelines, officials say.
Companies Finalize $26 Billion Deal With States and Cities to End Opioid Lawsuits
Olympian
Procession of the Species canceled again, but Arts Walk will go on this spring
WA Redistricting Commission to pay fines, legal costs
Noose found by firefighter inside Washington fire station sparks investigation
Washington State politicians respond to Ukraine crisis, offer support
7 more Thurston residents die due to COVID-19 as virus activity continues to fall
Peninsula Daily News
Winter’s last gasp? Snow here and gone
Russia invades Ukraine
Peninsula on track for lifting proof-of-vaccine mandate
Running Start information to be presented
Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington AG sues Providence, Swedish hospitals over charity care law
Sound Transit names acting CEO known for her big-picture outlook
Seattle Times
Ukrainians in Seattle condemn Russian invasion back home
Seattle Public Schools shuts down bidding process on new school-bus contract
WA lawmakers condemn Russian attack on Ukraine as ‘cruel ambition’ of Putin
Opinion: Tossing that mask puts others at risk to a persistent, deadly pandemic
Editorial: Legislature, turn gun-control progress into real protections
Skagit Valley Herald
Deadline for FEMA disaster assistance fast approaching
Sol De Yakima
Rep. de Selah Jeremie Dufault no buscará reelección en 2022
South Seattle Emerald
Rainier Beach High School Basketball Players Allege Tournament Seeding is Unfair
How SPS’ Equity Tiers Are Used to Address Educational Debt
Black-Owned ‘AISLE 4OUR’ Grand Opening to Feature Retail and Creative Studio Space in the South End
Spokesman Review
Gov. Inslee appoints new member to State Parks and Recreation Commission
‘We’re not sure what tomorrow holds’: Ukrainian Americans in Spokane weigh in on Russian invasion
‘The actions of a madman’: Northwest lawmakers condemn Russian assault on Ukraine as Biden ramps up sanctions (Murray, Cantwell)
Tri-City Herald
Building honors Kennewick police chief’s 44 years serving the public
Here’s what Kennewick, Prosser and Finley schools decided about their failed levies
How to help growing number of homeless Tri-Citians? Inslee hears concerns, solutions
Tri-Cities snow makes roads slick, delays some classes. How long will it stick around?
Richland School Board violated WA open meetings law over mask vote, lawsuit claims
Mental health evaluation ordered for Richland Fred Meyer murder suspect
Attempt to oust Richland School Board president over COVID mask rule ‘nitpicking’ fails
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
College Place to make first foray into solar energy
Walla Walla residents will preview construction on Poplar and Alder streets at virtual open house
Taxes for residents in the Walla Walla School District decrease in 2022, College Place to follow next year
Washington Post
Russian forces press closer to Kyiv; Kremlin offers talks — on tough terms
Zelensky says he’s Russia’s ‘No. 1 target’ and calls for talks with Putin
Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
After decades of lobbying, supporters say they have the votes in the House to pass a reparations bill
Peer pressure is ending mask usage in schools
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Memorial Hospital will put $14.8 million into staff pay and bonuses
Letter: Kids don’t mind wearing masks? Wanna bet?
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘One of our heroes’: Remembering trailblazing State Senator George Fleming
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Russia attacks Ukraine: Ukraine keeps control of key cities UK intelligence says
Public transit: the new drug den. What’s being done to keep you safe?
Gov. Inslee to terminate vaccine requirements for large events on March 1
Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court
Nearly 15,000 out of work; federal mediators back to help end concrete strike
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Average Seattle rent jumps 30.9 percent, but Portland had the worst increase in the US
Seattle eviction moratorium ends Feb. 28, as tenants, landlords remain behind on payments
KNKX Public Radio
In Ukraine, the road to war was paved by the failure of diplomacy
Quiet Sound aims to expand efforts to protect endangered orcas from marine traffic
KUOW Public Radio
Focus Shifts to Safety as Washington Prepares for the End of Its Statewide Mask Mandate
Northwest reacts to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Pandemic updates: State board considers whether Covid vaccine should be required for K-12
World leaders fine-tune punitive measures against Russia
Effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine trickling over to the U.S.: Today So Far
Biden announces new sanctions as Russia attacks Ukraine
What’s in a nose? Smell training may help recovery from Covid-19 anosmia
Emergency U.N. meeting is interrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Q13 TV (FOX)
Pacific Coast states threaten to tax salmon if Washington state taxes them on gas exports (Fey)
Web
Crosscut
Human Elements: How a biologist uses data to help salmon and humans
Chehalis tribes opened the country’s first distillery on reservation land
WA redistricting panel admits it broke the law. What now?
MyNorthwest
‘They laughed in our face’: Latest talks in Seattle-area concrete worker strike fall flat
Puget Sound region’s light rail-centered affordable housing projects expand to Sea-Tac
Seattle rallies behind Ukraine with solidarity demonstration at UW’s Red Square
Local politicians unanimously pledge support for Ukrainian-Americans
Snohomish County nonprofit to cut off new rental assistance applications
State Democrats unveil targeted tax breaks, but say broad relief isn’t sustainable (Rolfes)
The Stranger
Nobody Knows the Number of Seattle Small Businesses at Risk of Eviction Starting Next Week
Seattle Firefighter Finds Noose Inside Bitter Lake Fire Station
Washington Is Leaving Its Large Arts Institutions on the Hook for Eye-Popping COVID Mitigation Costs
West Seattle Blog
‘We’re still hoping to open in mid-2022,’ bridge-work director tells West Seattle Transportation Coalition
ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT: Sewer overflow closes shoreline in Fauntleroy
DEADLINE: Seattle Public Schools’ open-enrollment period for school choice
CORONAVIRUS: Last two days for city’s West Seattle vaccination clinic
DEVELOPMENT: Beach Drive demolition imminent