Covid long-haulers face grueling fights for disability benefits
[Deepa] Singh, who worked as a project manager for a Fortune 100 company, is among a cohort of long covid patients who have been denied disability benefits, either by private insurance companies, which operate benefit plans offered by employers, or by the Social Security Administration, which manages government disability benefits. Tasked with sorting legitimate health claims from fraudulent or marginal ones, these gatekeepers now face a novel challenge as the coronavirus pandemic drags on: a flood of claims citing a post-infection syndrome that is poorly understood by the medical community and difficult to measure. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Jeff Swensen)
Washington residents face sticker shock at the pump as prices skyrocket
On Monday, Washington state’s average gas price hit $4.449 per gallon, the highest it has ever been. Monday’s average beat the record set in 2008 by nearly 10 cents, according to AAA, and the price will likely continue to increase for some time to come. In just one week, the average Washington gas price has soared more than 40 cents and is currently well above the national average of $4.065 per gallon. Experts point to the war in Ukraine, which has caused the price of crude oil to skyrocket, as the main reason why gas prices have risen so drastically and at a dizzying pace in recent weeks. Continue reading at KING 5.
Washington lawmakers pass bill to weaken the reach of employer NDAs
A bill championed by tech workers that targets employer nondisclosure agreements is headed to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk after passing through the Washington state Legislature last week. House Bill 1795, introduced as the Silenced No More Act, mimics a California law that prevents employers from using NDAs to block employees from talking about harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Tech whistleblowers, including former Google manager Chelsey Glasson and former Apple software engineer Cher Scarlett, have led the support for the bill, which was introduced by state Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal.
Associated Press
Washington Legislature OKs alert system for missing Indigenous women (Lekanoff)
Washington state redistricting commission chair resigns
Bainbridge Island Review
Inslee set to ban high-capacity gun magazines (Liias)
Bellingham Herald
Northwest Indian College announces $100,000 contribution from Amazon
Bellingham hospital reports fewest COVID patients since August, but Whatcom adds a death
Capital Press
Russian war in world’s ‘breadbasket’ threatens food supply
Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Put pedal to metal to finish transportation bill (Jinkins)
Everett Herald
Cornfield Report: Time to work out budget deals, iron out policy disputes (Duerr)
Election offices, government meetings will be gun-free zones (Berg, Senn)
Marysville offers $200,000 in federal grants to nonprofits
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Fill ‘pothole’ in state’s transportation package (Liias)
High Country News
The far-reaching consequences of woodsmoke pollution
News Tribune
Pierce County talks of investing in ‘dumping ground.’ Would forming city there be better?
Dozens of bomb threats have HBCUs looking to Biden for support, FBI for answers
Average price for a gallon of gas in Tacoma highest its ever been, AAA reports
Op-Ed: As president of TCC’s Black Student Union, I know Tacoma colleges need more state support
New York Times
Live Updates: Biden Bans Russian Oil Imports as Civilian Toll in Ukraine Grows
The New York Times Pulls Its News Staff From Russia
Covid Live Updates: U.S. Mask Mandates Ease Quickly, With a Few Holdouts
Supreme Court Allows Court-Imposed Voting Maps in North Carolina and Pennsylvania
States Aren’t Waiting for the Supreme Court to Tighten Abortion Laws
Most Women Denied Abortions by Texas Law Got Them Another Way
E.P.A. to Tighten Tailpipe Rules for the Biggest Polluters on the Road
North American Post
Nobuko Miyamoto: Giving Voice to Asian American Stories – Part 1
Women May Need Financial ‘Catch-Up’ ~ MONEY TALK
Olympian
Gas prices reach ‘unprecedented’ levels in Thurston County and WA state on Monday
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
WA Center for the Performing Arts to drop COVID protocols effective March 16
Peninsula Daily News
Makah to open land to public after two years
Clallam County adds two deaths due to COVID-19
Free days coming up for state parks
Puget Sound Business Journal
Kitsap to create center for autonomous water vehicle research
Washington lawmakers pass bill to weaken the reach of employer NDAs (Berry, Keiser)
Seattle Times
Seattle’s record high gas prices leave drivers, gas stations with tough choices
Seattle’s eviction ban has lifted. Here’s where to find help
Large food bank provider increases wages to $25 an hour, as nonprofits see high turnover, burnout
How much oil do Pacific Northwest refineries get from Russia?
As WA gas prices continue to soar, here are some tips for conserving fuel
In survivors’ words: How colleges should better respond to sexual misconduct
Rep. Hackney: Electrify diesel trucks serving the ports to build a cleaner supply chain
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County commissioners get update from state lobbyists
Burlington mayor pitches adding to homeless services during Gov. Inslee tour
State reports only 80 new cases of COVID-19 for Skagit County during past week
Sol De Yakima
Brandt & Sons en Wapato adquirirá planta empacadora
Planean complejo de apartamentos en antiguo Hotel Gateway
South Seattle Emerald
‘Reckoning’ Exhibit at Seattle Central College Examines Racism and White Complicity
Inside The New Othello Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic
Celebrating Women in our Lives — Part 1
Spokesman Review
Bipartisan pressure grows in Congress to ban U.S. imports of Russian oil, risking higher gasoline prices
Ballot, envelope and casting location bills pass Washington Senate (Kuderer)
Fairchild deploying tankers, 150 personnel to support NATO operations
Tri-City Herald
Columbia River salmon return forecast. And what it means for the 2022 fishing season
Richland School Board in ‘disarray,’ says state leadership expert brought in for coaching
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Whitman College director launches fundraiser to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland
Washington Post
U.S. to ban oil imports from Russia as White House explores drastic plans to buffer economy from energy shock
In historic crisis, 2 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of Russian invasion, U.N. says
Covid long-haulers face grueling fights for disability benefits
In Texas, the nation’s largest children’s hospital is halting gender-affirming care for trans youths
The forgotten woman behind International Women’s Day
Longtime Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio charged with conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Global covid-19 death toll tops 6 million, another grim milestone in the pandemic
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Veterans who died by suicide would be honored under Washington bill (Orwall)
Washington residents face sticker shock at the pump as prices skyrocket
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Russia attacks Ukraine: Biden expected to ban Russian oil imports
Islamic community center in Burien damaged in hit-and-run
Sales of high-capacity magazines brisk as bill banning them heads to Governor’s desk (Liias)
Washington Legislature OKs missing Indigenous women alert (Lekanoff)
People in Northwest helping with Ukraine humanitarian crisis
Price for gas hits highest-recorded average in Washington, AAA reports
Concern grows over rising crime in the South Sound after violent weekend
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Construction companies ordered to pay fines for worker death
Washington state to change names to 18 geographical features to get rid of derogatory word
Measure to ban high-capacity gun magazines heads to Gov. Inslee, who plans to sign it (Hackney)
Inslee orders state agencies to review ties, contracts with Russia that can be canceled
KNKX Public Radio
This tribe has fought for years to get federal recognition. It’s about their identity
KUOW Public Radio
Teachers Without Licenses Taught at Seattle-area Charter Schools, Audits Find
What do you do when there’s no local news source? You make one
Pandemic updates: Covid cases waning in the Seattle area
Returning to the office, a moment of joy for some. Others, would rather stay home
How sanctions are pinning down the Russian economy
Gasoline prices surge to a national record, with prices topping $4.17 gallon
Senate passes anti-lynching bill and sends federal hate crime legislation to Biden
WATCH: Biden expected to ban imports of Russian oil because of Moscow’s war on Ukraine
Visiting the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial (Lekanoff)
KXLY (ABC)
Pickleball one step closer to becoming official state sport of Washington
How to keep you and your family safe amid rising property crimes
NW Public Radio
Washington State Redistricting Commission Chair Resigns
Cybersecurity Concerns – From Ukraine To The Northwest
Web
Crosscut
Life in incarceration: Japanese Americans in WA reflect on WWII
Lawsuits over venue relief grants help some applicants secure millions
MyNorthwest
Islamic youth community center in Burien damaged in hit and run
All lanes of southbound I-5 reopen in Lakewood after sign falls on freeway
Organized labor burgeons in Congress with collective bargaining success for legislative staff
‘No relief in sight’ for hyper-competitive Puget Sound housing market
Proposal requiring employers to include salary ranges in job postings nears passage
State lawmakers approve changes to how voter initiatives appear on ballots
Gas prices soar to record levels across Washington state
Tacoma offering grants for small businesses to replace broken windows
Whatcom County deputies shot in February suing alleged shooter
West Seattle Blog
UKRAINE: What an exchange student in West Seattle wants you to know
Would you pay more to speed up West Seattle light rail? You might be asked to, under bill that state legislators just approved
TRANSIT: Here’s what Metro’s next ‘service change’ brings for West Seattle routes