Drought likely to persist across most of Northwest
While a cool and wet spring has aided drought recovery in parts of the Northwest, climate experts in Oregon, Washington and Idaho say conditions remain critically dry in other areas with little chance of bouncing back before summer. Nearly 70% of the region is in some stage of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, with 20% in “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, the two driest categories. The most severe drought continues to be in central and southern Oregon, eastern Washington and southern Idaho. In contrast, all of western Washington and Oregon’s Willamette Valley were pulled out of drought thanks to record April rainfall. Continue reading at the Capital Press. (Ryan Brennecke/EO Media Group)
Here’s how abortion clinics are preparing for Roe to fall
Leaders of a Tennessee abortion clinic calculated driving distances and studied passenger rail routes as they scanned the map for another place to offer services if the U.S. Supreme Court lets states restrict or eliminate abortion rights. They chose Carbondale in Illinois — a state that has easy abortion access but is surrounded by more restrictive states in the Midwest and South. It will be the southernmost clinic in Illinois when it opens in August. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.
As interest rates rise, WA preps state-run student loan program
As the federal government debates student loan forgiveness and increases interest rates on future loans, the Washington State Legislature is stepping in to make borrowing for school more affordable for students here. Gov. Jay Inslee in March signed House Bill 1736, establishing a low-interest student loan program to make higher education more manageable for college students in Washington. State Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, who sponsored the legislation, has pushed this idea in the past. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Paul Christian Gordon for Crosscut)
Associated Press
Abortion-friendly states prep for more patients if Roe falls
Experts warn that drought will impact Northwest this summer
First invasive European green crab found in Hood Canal
Biden forest plan stirs dispute over what counts as “old”
Ex-judge to head office probing Washington police shootings
Capital Press
Drought likely to persist across most of Northwest
Solar company seeks to override Washington county’s law
Columbian
Clark County restaurants left out after Senate votes down pandemic aid
Here’s how abortion clinics are preparing for Roe to fall
Everett Herald
Everett marks $2.7 million in federal funds for homeless housing
Kitsap Sun
Washington among states prepping for more patients if Roe v. Wade is overturned
Puget Sound Business Journal
Under tight deadline, Climate Pledge Arena builder went green and ‘proved it could be done’
Boeing finalizes order for up to 150 Max jets
Seattle Medium
King County COVID Rental Assistance: Help Where It Was Most Needed, But Questions Remain
Seattle Times
Reduced summer hours at Seattle Golden Gardens, Alki Beach to curb ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal’ behavior
Almost 5,000 felony cases await resolution in King County Superior Court, thanks to COVID, other factors
Officials tout outreach success at Seattle’s Woodland Park; Mayor Harrell promises homelessness plan this month
Seattle’s I-5 lane closures start this weekend; traffic jams also ahead in Montlake, Mountlake Terrace
How to stay safe while on Puget Sound, WA lakes and rivers
A cruise ship ‘green corridor’ in the PNW? Ports make pact over carbon emission goals
Dow Constantine proposes raising King County property taxes to preserve natural spaces
Report: Seattle police making progress toward ending federal oversight; bias, force concerns remain
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County home prices skyrocket
Washington Post
Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court justice, pressed Ariz. lawmakers to help reverse Trump’s loss, emails show
How a Social Security program piled huge fines on the poor and disabled
After the shock fades, fear rises in the aftermath of Buffalo shooting
A generation of LGBTQ advocates hopes the clock isn’t ticking backward
Even as gas prices rattle economy, Americans can’t stay off the road
CDC recommends covid booster shot for children ages 5 to 11
Yakima Herald-Republic
WA state council OKs using ag land south of Tri-Cities for 240+ turbine wind farm
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Woodland Park visitors notice results of city homeless outreach, encampment cleanup
Sen. Murray proposes bill to help parents with child care costs
Seattle could be primed for Russian spy operations amid Ukraine conflict
No, an Auburn gas station is not anticipating $10/gallon regular gas prices
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State tries to deal with psychoactive substances made from hemp
‘This is not a victory lap’: Local leaders tout homeless camp referrals in Woodland Park
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle Mayor Harrell, city officials praise Woodland Park outreach success after sweep
With COVID cases rising in King County, will mandatory face masks make a comeback?
State agriculture officials taking steps to stem the spread of bird flu in Washington
Panel tackles roles of police, community in bid to bolster public safety in Seattle
KUOW Public Radio
Federal lawsuit over new sports betting rule could jeopardize tribal sovereignty, critics say
Seattle to weigh new tax hikes on big businesses like Amazon and other ‘progressive’ options
Scenic Tacoma road permanently closed to cars. Blame climate change
KXLY (ABC)
COVID-19 pandemic impacts newborn screening program in Washington
Gov. Inslee: New indoor mask mandate ‘not under consideration’
Washington asks live poultry sales to end because of bird flu
NW Public Radio
The Fight For Legacy Forests, Part Eight: What Next? A Look At The DNR’s New Carbon Project
Q13 TV (FOX)
WDFW: Invasive green crabs found in Hood Canal, ‘furthest south’ they have been detected
Web
Crosscut
As interest rates rise, WA preps state-run student loan program (Sullivan, Harris-Talley)
Podcast | Bob Ferguson on Roe v. Wade, guns and policing
WA food banks test innovations as food insecurity grows
Washington wants to plug in to the next thing in fuel: hydrogen (Carlyle)
Podcast | Gov. Jay Inslee on Roe v. Wade, COVID-19 and climate policy
Flush with federal cash, WA cities steer resources to police
Why some WA nonprofits face high barriers to federal relief