Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion
The May opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia has led to a sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca so far this year. Both state and federal law require oil transport companies to prepare stringent spill response plans, conduct regular drills to stay in compliance and keep a fleet of response vessels at the ready. But environmental advocates like Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman say the risk in Washington’s inland waters is disproportionate. Although the Lummi, Suquamish, Swinomish and Tulalip tribes, as well as Gov. Jay Inslee, all registered opposition to the pipeline expansion last decade, neither tribal nor Washington state government had jurisdiction over Canada’s decision to export more crude via tanker. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Gregory Scruggs)
Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds
Washington prisoners held in solitary confinement are not receiving basic quality-of-life care, such as frequent showers, health care, visitation, regular meals and enough toilet paper, according to a report from a state watchdog. The state’s independent investigations office for the Department of Corrections also describes “dehumanizing and traumatizing” restraint practices used by the department, including spit hoods, pepper spray, tasers and shock shields. The report is the second in a three-part series the Office of the Corrections Ombuds is releasing at the request of state lawmakers, who are considering ways to reduce or end solitary confinement. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)
WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Four farm workers in Franklin County tested presumptively positive for bird flu, in what WA Department of Health said are the state’s first cases of bird flu detected in humans. Officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies held a press conference on October 20 to provide updates on their investigation into the cases. The cases originated at a farm that was the site of a bird flu outbreak in chickens. Roughly 800,000 birds were euthanized after the outbreak was confirmed by WA Department of Agriculture on October 15. Continue reading at KXLY.
Axios
Boeing reaches tentative deal to end strike
What to know about Seattle’s revised growth plan
Biden admin floats expanded contraception coverage
Bellingham Herald
State Ecology fines North Whatcom County berry farm for illegal use of water
Indigenous families continue fight against eviction amid Nooksack disenrollment dispute
Everett Herald
Striking Boeing Machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
$25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?
News Tribune
Feds award $657 million contract to get fish past dam in Tacoma Public Utilities watershed
Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing reaches tentative deal with union
Puget Sound Energy lands federal funding to improve the power grid
Seattle Times
West Seattle Blog co-founder Patrick Sand dies at 67
Four test positive in WA’s first human bird flu infections
Tux and gown alert: Washington will have an inaugural ball after all
Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County opens survey on climate element of comprehensive plan
Spokesman Review
Section of Centennial Trail to temporarily close
Franklin County egg farm workers contract bird flu
Spokane elder refugee program helps them bust through language barriers, isolation
Tri-City Herald
Power knocked out to thousands in Tri-Cities and Hanford nuclear site. What we know
Egg farm workers sickened with bird flu near Pasco in WA’s 1st suspected human cases
How a small reactor in Eastern WA became the world’s first nuclear plant 80 years ago
Washington Post
What’s behind the sudden surge in young Americans’ wealth?
A young teen gives birth. Idaho’s parental consent law snags her care.
Heat pumps were supposed to save the planet. But they’ve run into a bump.
WA State Standard
Striking Boeing machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
Four farm workers in Washington appear to test positive for bird flu
Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
2 shot at memorial site for woman killed in deadly Capitol Hill shooting the day before
WSP: Washington records more than 200 deadly crashes with dozens caused by impaired drivers
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Amazon executive defends controversial office policy
Boeing offers new strike proposal, union vote to come this week
Franklin County the site of first presumed human infection of avian influenza
Monroe School District sued for allegedly ignoring years of bullying and discrimination
KNKX Public Radio
Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle’s growth plan inches toward more housing, draft by draft
Fewer staff, longer reviews? Seattle Mayor Harrell proposes cuts to city’s construction department
KXLY (ABC)
Paraeducators rally against Mead School District
WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Families come together for tree planting event promoting environmental justice and community health
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom County eyes ‘banked capacity’ to ward off budget woes
What can be done to fix Washington’s under-funded public school system? (Rules, Timmons)
Crosscut
Klickitat sheriff’s growing volunteer posse raises questions (Goodman)
The Urbanist
Opinion: Expanding tree canopy is a climate solution and livability boost
West Seattle Blog
Announcing a death in the WSB family
CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closure next Friday-Sunday, October 25-27