The national COVID emergency is over. What does that mean in WA?
While most state and federal COVID proclamations have already lapsed, including masking and vaccination requirements, Thursday’s expiration of the nationwide public health emergency will further “end the flexibility” the government has for some COVID-aid efforts, according to Public Health — Seattle & King County. Other changes as the federal emergency ends include the country’s future supply of vaccine, treatments and testing. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)
Yakima residents weigh in on new WA heat rules for outdoor workers, set to take effect in June
Yakima area business owners said they need more time to comply with new state requirements to protect people working outside in high temperatures, while advocates for workers said the changes are necessary, especially with hot weather in the forecast. The state heat rules for outdoor workers, which lay out requirements for breaks, shade and water provisions at high temperatures, are tentatively scheduled to begin on June 15. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Evan Abell)
Editorial: Mental health isn’t driving Tacoma youth violence — but the system is failing our kids
The violence we see in our communities — and in particular the epidemic of youth violence that has recently rocked Tacoma — cannot be boiled down and attributed to simply a lack of “mental health” services. Whether it’s well-meaning elected officials doing the talking or those trying to score political points, applying a broad brush, in this case, is both dangerous and disingenuous. Equally true: Pierce County desperately needs a functional youth mental health system, one capable of serving the complex needs of kids and families in Tacoma and beyond. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Dean J. Koepfler)
Associated Press
Amazon to receive $1 billion in tax breaks for new data centers
Axios
Hot temperatures could set a record in Seattle
Bellingham Herald
Tenants frequently face deposit theft in Bellingham. Here’s what you can do about it
Excessive heat watch for Whatcom County is forecast as temperatures spike
2 Hanford tanks are leaking nuclear waste into the ground. Plan to deal with them settled
Capital Press
Fuel expected to stay below last summer’s record highs
Columbian
Clark-Cowlitz rescuers take ‘more human’ approach to those in mental health crises
Everett Herald
COVID-19 public health emergency officially ends
Port of Everett settles stormwater lawsuit for $2.5M
Editorial: In defense of pickleball, its birthplace and its ‘Pwock!’ (Lovick)
Letter: Farmworkers in H-2A via program often are abused
The Inlander
Yakama Nation warns feds they’ll sue over long delayed cleanup of a Columbia River island connected to Bonneville Dam
Opinion: Despite their grip on power in Olympia, Washington Democrats are failing in law enforcement and transparency in government
International Examiner
CID announced as one of 11 endangered national historic places
News Tribune
Editorial: Mental health isn’t driving Tacoma youth violence — but the system is failing our kids
New York Times
E.P.A. Proposes First Limits on Climate Pollution From Existing Power Plants
Olympian
Inslee rescinds COVID-19 vaccine mandate for state workers, but offers cash to keep up with shots
Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA rolling out a big change to its marquee lending programs
Gen Z workers feel overworked and underpaid
Seattle Medium
New Program Aims To Help Diversify The Tech Industry
City On Board With Alki Elementary Rebuild
Gov. Inslee Signs Bill To Remedy Discrimination In Housing
Seattle Times
The national COVID emergency is over. What does that mean in WA?
Inslee rescinds COVID-19 vaccine requirement for WA state employees
King County Metro to reduce bus trips this fall; not enough drivers
State report finds WA education agency hasn’t tracked federal funds effectively (Pollet)
Seattle-area hikes: Trailhead Direct transit-to-trail service returns
Opinion: We all scream for capital gains tax dividends for working families
Spokesman Review
After Spokane passed city drug laws, other local governments look to craft their own
Bipartisan, Cantwell-backed rail safety bill informed by Spokane officials advances to Senate floor
Tri-City Herald
WA irrigation district serving Benton County fined $168K over worker safety
Washington State Standard
The state’s child care gap proves tough to solve (Wilson)
Inslee to ditch vax mandate for state workers as health emergency ends
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley College union says it has ‘no confidence’ in college president
Yakima residents weigh in on new WA heat rules for outdoor workers, set to take effect in June
Broadcast
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Inslee lifts COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Washington state workers
Here’s what to expect in the U.S. as Title 42 ends for asylum-seekers
An EPA proposal to (almost) eliminate climate pollution from power plants
KUOW Public Radio
Should we think of gun violence as a ‘disease’? These epidemiologists do
Washington ends Covid-19 vaccine requirements for state employees
Q13 TV (FOX)
Bill cracks down on street racing, WSP uses aviation to catch perpetrators (Lovick)
Web
Crosscut
Washington to invest $21M in abortion, reproductive health care (Hansen, Slatter, Cleveland, Riccelli, Keiser)
Inslee rolls back COVID vaccine mandate for WA state employees
MyNorthwest
Department of Health sunsets COVID-19 exposure app WA Notify
Two Puget Sound schools change schedule due to shelter-in-place incidents
Seattle changing school start times to save money; pushing other cuts to close major deficit
Port of Everett settles $2.5M lawsuit over sewage water violations
West Seattle Blog
ALKI ELEMENTARY: District plans May 22nd community meeting about school rebuild