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Wednesday, Feb. 23

WA to pay $3.75M after death of man whose cancer went untreated in prison
Washington state will pay $3.75 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of a man who died at Monroe Correctional Complex after his cancer went untreated despite repeated pleas. Kenny Williams, 63, died in June 2019 of breast cancer that had spread to his bones. If he’d received chemotherapy, as recommended by an oncologist, he’d likely have lived to his release date last fall, according to the lawsuit. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Courtesy of Julie Gobble)

Interest in seaweed farming across Puget Sound is ‘booming’
In winter, when the water is cold and clear, the conditions in Puget Sound are ideal for shellfish, Marine biologist Joth Davis says it’s also great for kelp. “It’s got a kind of nutty flavor, and it’s firm and crisp. So, it’s not at all what you’d expect,” Davis said. Kelp thrives in the Hood Canal. It’s what geographers call a fjord: deep in the center, shallower on the edges and perfect for seaweed production, according to Davis. Continue reading at KING 5.

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID?
Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? Experts say it’s not likely that the highly transmissible variant — or any other variant — will lead to herd immunity. “Herd immunity is an elusive concept and doesn’t apply to coronavirus,” says Dr. Don Milton at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

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Associated Press
Public to be allowed back in Washington Senate gallery
Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID?
Proposal to nix derogatory term referring to Native Americans targets hundreds of U.S. sites

Bellingham Herald
WWU closes Viking Union Tuesday after receiving emailed threat
Bellingham hospital reports treating its fewest COVID-related patients since delta’s onset
Whatcom’s truck crossing closed for 2nd straight weekend by Canadian protesters at border

Capital Press
USDA releases first National Hemp Report

Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Insulin price debate highlights health care’s ills

Everett Herald
Save salmon, create jobs: A new plan for Snohomish watershed
Cornfield Report: A review of meaty budgets and the return of Potato Day
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Senate votes to ban high-capacity magazines (Liias, Frockt)

Kent Reporter
King County Wastemobile coming to Kent March 4-6

Kitsap Sun
Point-in-time count will survey homeless individuals across Kitsap.

News Tribune
It’s not always easy to build apartments in Tacoma, despite heavy demand. Here’s why
COVID cases and deaths for Pierce County continue to decline as Omicron wave fades
Tacoma changed tax breaks for apartment developers. How will they help affordability?
You may not know this historical home is a public park. It’s set for $1 million update

New York Times
Who’s Requiring Their Workers to Be Vaccinated?
Climate Scientists Warn of a ‘Global Wildfire Crisis’
U.S. and Allies Impose Sanctions on Russia as Biden Condemns ‘Invasion’ of Ukraine
Biden Interviews 3 Supreme Court Candidates as His Search Narrows
Climate Fears on Back Burner as Fuel Costs Soar and Russia Crisis Deepens

Olympian
Public will be allowed in WA State Senate chambers again starting Friday
Thurston County’s homeless count starts Thursday. Here’s what’s different this year

Peninsula Daily News
COVID omicron sub-variant raising concern nationally

Puget Sound Business Journal
Microsoft began Activision deal talks after harassment report, regulatory filing reveals
Legislation focused on pot shop robberies nears final hurdle

Runta News
New Resources as COVID Eviction Moratoria Concludes

Seattle Times
WA to pay $3.75M after death of man whose cancer went untreated in prison
With freezing temps in forecast, cold-weather shelters open in King County
Seattle City Council effort to extend moratorium fails; residential evictions to resume next week
Cannabis sales increased across WA during the pandemic. Here’s where sales soared
Proposed tax on WA fuel exports scorned by neighboring states (Liias)
WA Senate to reopen viewing space for the public as COVID wanes
Editorial: Ports keep region’s economic engine roaring
Opinion: Oregon Gov. Brown to Inslee: Put the idea of a fuel tax ‘back on the shelf’

South Seattle Emerald
Cold Weather Shelter Plan Illustrates Challenges With Encampment Elimination Proposals
Dr. Dorothy Cordova Celebrates 90 Years of Building Beloved Community in Seattle
Councilmember’s Homelessness Plan Could Include 10 New Mass Encampment Sites
‘Chino Y Chicano’ Podcast Centers POC Stories in Seattle

Tri-City Herald
Gov. Inslee supports wind farms ahead of Horse Heaven decision during Tri-Cities visit
1,400+ demand ‘immediate resignation’ of 3 Richland school leaders in wake of mask vote
Boiler explosion ignites Hermiston potato chip plant. Injuries reported
Richland school board may be heading for another shakeup
February a bad month for COVID deaths in Tri-Cities, even as new case rates fall
Inslee’s Tri-Cities visit prioritizes housing, climate issues

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla County Commissioner Greg Tompkins will not seek reelection

Washington Post
Utah bucked alcohol industry with its tougher DUI law. A new study shows it made roads safer.
Ukraine prepares state of emergency; Russia vows to resist U.S. sanctions
Masks come off in blue states. Residents wonder: Is it too soon, or long overdue?
Former Minneapolis officers ‘chose to do nothing’ as Chauvin knelt on Floyd, prosecutor says in closing
African Americans say the teaching of Black history is under threat
Five months post-covid, Nicole Murphy’s heart rate is still doing strange things

Yakima Herald-Republic
Letter: Are you sure your kids are that upset about masks?

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington winemakers struggle to save their crops as extreme weather becomes the norm
Interest in seaweed farming across Puget Sound is ‘booming’
Here’s why 30 loads of concrete are so important to the West Seattle Bridge

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle City Council rejects proposal to extend city’s eviction moratorium
UTC files complaint against bus company First Student for safety violations

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle City Council votes to block open-ended extension of eviction moratorium
Financial experts say consumer goods are costing more in 2022
Seattle pauses effort to remove encampment outside City Hall, for now
Proposal in Tacoma to deploy mental health crisis team instead of police gets boost
Seattle police release report to City Council showing troubling crime trends

KNKX Public Radio
School support, pay raises, a tax-free day: What’s in WA supplemental budget proposals?
Legislature considers proposals to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from cosmetics, firefighter gear

KUOW Public Radio
Democrats in Olympia Undeterred by Anger From Oregon, Idaho and Alaska Over Targeted Fuel Tax (Wylie)
Pandemic updates for Seattle: City Council could extend eviction moratorium past February
Ukraine moves to declare a national state of emergency and calls up reservists
Corporate opioid payouts now being finalized would top $32 billion

Web

Crosscut
New UW research explores a way to fight off invasive green crabs

MyNorthwest
Record low temperatures set in across Puget Sound region with more snow showers on tap
With Washington traffic deaths on the rise, Democrats mull expanded ‘complete street’ design (Liias)
Seattle council upholds eviction moratorium expiration set for Feb. 28
Local Ukrainian-Americans scared for loved ones amidst Ukraine invasion
Bill to create pathway to early release for aggravated murder offenders dies in the House (Dhingra, Goodman)
Snohomish County issues warning for possible measles exposure at Sea-Tac Airport
Alaska lawmaker proposes taxes on fish, boats in retaliation for Washington fuel export tax
Snow moves down into King, Pierce counties as temperatures plummet
New lawsuit opens old wounds over the ‘Missing Link’ of the Burke-Gilman Trail
‘We need reform’: Seattle councilmember highlights need for cannabis equity
Seattle council set for vote on resolution to override eviction moratorium end date
Activists block weekend homeless camp removal outside Seattle City Hall
With four Seattle Starbucks pushing to unionize, one greenlights election date
Eight new Seattle cameras will automatically ticket drivers starting in March
Hundreds still homeless from November floods in Whatcom County

The Stranger
The Seattle City Council Let the Eviction Moratorium End

West Seattle Blog
CITY COUNCIL: Eviction moratorium won’t be extended; free street-café permits will
FOLLOWUP: Why the Roxbury spill took all day to clean up
PREVENTING POLLUTION: HPAC gets lowdown on million-gallon-tank project Wednesday

Tuesday, Feb. 22

WA Democrats introduce operating budgets to fund K-12, transportation and homelessness
With three weeks left to go in the 2022 legislative session, House and Senate Democratic budget leaders released their proposed supplemental operating budgets on Monday. Both proposals include large investments in transportation, housing and homelessness, and K-12 public schools. Senators are proposing a $63.4 billion operating budget plan, while House Representatives have proposed $65 billion for their supplemental operating budget plan. Democratic Rep. Pat Sullivan from Covington, who helped craft the House proposal, said that while the House budget reflects their caucus’ priorities, they did consult with the Senate on some of the bigger items. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Ted S. Warren)

Overwhelmed by chaos and uncertainty, families with kids under 5 are on a vaccine roller coaster
They’ve wrestled with child-care crises. They’ve missed work and paychecks. Some have even changed careers when day-care closures forced them to work remotely. Parents of children younger than 5 say they feel forgotten and left behind, watching others reclaim normalcy while they stay home with kids who are too young to be vaccinated and have to quarantine when there is an exposure to the coronavirus at day care or school. “The rest of the world has moved on, and they are not able to do so safely,” said Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Megan Jelinger)

4 ways we can boost Washington’s mental health workforce, from people in the industry
Washington’s mental health workers are leaving their jobs in droves. “We need to be able to keep staff and retain and recruit them. Without doing that, we won’t be able to serve the community that we do,” said Jose Lopez, director of inpatient services at Comprehensive Healthcare in Eastern Washington. The biggest challenges to recruiting and retaining mental health care workers are low wages and feelings of exhaustion and stress, providers say. Salaries are not keeping pace with the cost of living and the high-pressure needs of the job. Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

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Associated Press
Washington Senate, House release supplemental budget plans (Rolfes, Frame)

Capital Press
UW scientists foresee wolves in S. Cascades, Olympic Peninsula

Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Strong legislation needed to curb governor power

Everett Herald
‘They are safe here.’ Snohomish County welcomes hundreds of Afghans (Robinson)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Comment: Transportation bill moves us ahead to greener future (Liias, Fey)
Bloomberg Comment: Covid’s variants changing what we know about vaccines
WaPo Comment: How a vaxxed doctor judged his covid risk at a party
WaPo Comment: Why I’m keeping my mask on when indoors
Editorial: Students best use of state’s unexpected revenue (Rolfes)
Editorial: Those caring for disabled need better compensation

The Facts Newspaper
King County ending vaccination verification policy on March 1

New York Times
The Treasury is asked to investigate its hiring of lawyers from big accounting firms.

North American Post
Oral Health is Essential for Everyone at Every Age

Olympian
WA Democrats introduce operating budgets to fund K-12, transportation and homelessness (Sullivan, Rolfes)
Health care advocate Deborah Senn, Washington’s first female insurance commissioner, dies at 72

Peninsula Daily News
Highway 112 work outside Neah Bay begins Tuesday

Puget Sound Business Journal
FAA leadership transition puts troubled Boeing programs in the spotlight

Seattle Times
Why the concrete driver strike will delay fixes to the West Seattle Bridge
MacKenzie Scott donates millions to nonprofit that works inside schools, filling gaps left by overstretched staff
4 ways we can boost Washington’s mental health workforce, from people in the industry
Seattle area unlikely to see much more snow this week, but record cold is possible
Flush with taxpayer dollars, Washington Democratic lawmakers release new budget proposals (Rolfes)
Editorial: Build state’s transportation plans on a bipartisan foundation (Liias, Fey, Saldana, Ramos)

Skagit Valley Herald
Concrete resident shot by Sedro-Woolley police dies from injuries

South Seattle Emerald
A Duwamish Valley Truck Electrification Program Looks To Reduce Air Pollution
Do No Harm: King County Board Of Health Repeals Inequitably Enforced Bicycle Helmet Law
Stalled Bill Would Have Protected Reproductive Health When Hospitals Merge
Di’andre Campbell, Using His Gifts In True Service

Spokesman Review
Spokane’s housing crunch gets national spotlight
Spokane’s annual homeless count kicks off this week. Here’s why this year’s tally is crucial
Spokane mayor expands emergency homeless shelter during cold
Washington Democrats announce state budget plans to spend excess tax revenue (Ormsby)
Delayed procedures resume in Spokane hospitals as COVID-19 cases continue to decline

Washington Post
Russia expands Ukraine claims; Germany halts Russian gas pipeline
Three White men guilty of hate crimes charges in connection with Ahmaud Arbery murder
Overwhelmed by chaos and uncertainty, families with kids under 5 are on a vaccine roller coaster
Colombia court decriminalizes abortion, adding to regional momentum
U.S. faces extreme cold blast, stormy weather in week ahead

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley broadband provider hopes private companies part of internet access solution
Letter: Keeping Girls in School Act deserves support

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Fatal crashes on the rise in Pierce County
‘Representation totally matters’: Tri-Cities winemaker shares lack of diversity in the industry

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Tacoma man attacked by suspect with hammer asks for Tacoma leaders to address crime
Homeless encampment outside Seattle City Hall remains — for now
‘It’s quite disappointing:’ West Seattle residents react to bridge project delay

KNDO/KNDU
State senate to consider language access equity bill (Orwall, Ortiz-Self)

KXLY (ABC)
Should magic mushrooms be legal? Advocates say they are a life-changing treatment (Salomon)
Traffic deaths are up nationwide. It’s happening in Spokane, too

NW Public Radio
Call For Book Bans In 2 WA School Districts
Families Of Washington Inmates Fear For Their Health
Company Wants To Expand Flow Of Natural Gas Through PNW

Web

The Stranger
Op-Ed: Repealing the Capital Gains Tax Is a Long Shot

Monday, Feb. 21

For homeless parents, search for housing is long and traumatic
Melinda Parke is tired of heating chicken nuggets in a microwave. Living in a motel isn’t ideal, but at least the last one had a little kitchen. Parke and her son Elijah, 8, are on multiple waiting lists for some type of permanent housing. Elijah, who has severe autism, isn’t handling the disruptions well. It’s noisy at the south Everett motel and strangers knock on their door late at night. “This has been such a gut-wrenching thing to go through,” Parke said. “I’m watching my son get worse and worse every day.” Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ryan Berry)

Abandoned in the ER: When kids are left at hospitals, the state is no longer taking charge of their care
In 2021, emergency room social workers at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma called Child Protective Services 11 times asking for assistance. Each time, a child had been left in the ER — abandoned, as far as the hospital was concerned — by their parent or guardian. And each time, when asked to help find the child someone to care for them, the agency said no. The experience at Mary Bridge is an example of what hospital staff describe as a new and concerning trend across the state’s pediatric emergency rooms. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Amanda Snyder)

Thousands of elective surgeries set to continue in Washington as moratorium is lifted
Despite all the full hospital beds, the ban on elective and non-urgent surgeries in Washington has been lifted. And now, the big question is how will hospitals begin to clear away the backlog of tens of thousands of cases? Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UW Medicine system has had about 18,000 backlogged procedures. Health care experts agree it’s going to take time to clear it all. Cassie Johnson ended up in the ER and having emergency surgery last summer after her tonsillectomy was postponed twice. Continue reading at KOMO News.

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Auburn Reporter
After evidence of racist and discriminatory enforcement, King County repeals bike helmet law

Bainbridge Island Review
BI ferry terminal to get $33 million facelift

Bellingham Herald
Regardless what a red-light camera sees, the law actually decides what is a full stop
With end to mask mandate in sight, Whatcom health officials ask for continued vigilance
With prices soaring, a power agreement could bring these 700 jobs back to Whatcom
Man charged with shooting two Whatcom County deputies appears in court

Capital Press
Washington farm groups gird for Round 2 of ergonomics fight
Washington lawmakers consider ‘net ecological gain’ requirement

Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Share state’s revenue bounty with taxpayers
Opinion: In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Backing bodycams; map mess

The Daily News
After deaths of Cowlitz County tow truck drivers, change coming in state Legislature
Capitol Dispatch: As Legislature enters final third, here is where local and major bills stand (Ryu)
Kalama City Council directs Planning Commission to review multi-family parking code

Everett Herald
For homeless parents, search for housing is long and traumatic
Q&A: Lynnwood’s coming mental health center
As Lake Stevens braces for Costco traffic, Highway 9 gets new roundabout
Lofty goals find high hurdles in county’s Office of Social Justice
Flu season stats: 5 deaths reported in Washington
Letter: Anti-abortion pregnancy services are about control
Letter: Are we seeing a regression in women’s roles in U.S.
Letter: Snohomish OK of apartments vote against small-town values
Letter: Policy debates need sunshine, not corporate sugar
Letter: Transportation bill moves us ahead to greener future (Liias, Fey)

The Facts Newspaper
COVID-19 trends give leaders the confidence to look towards next phase of pandemic response

Islands’ Weekly
Child mental health gets attention in state Legislature (Callan)

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Statewide COVID-19 restrictions begin to relax

News Tribune
Bethel School District cancels job fair as failed levies impact ability to make job offers
Should Gig Harbor be in the PenMet Parks District? This person wants voters to decide
Unauthorized Puyallup school to close. Parents complain of mold, shoddy instruction

New York Times
A Key to Returning to Normal Is Paid Sick Leave, Democrats Say
Black Farmers Fear Foreclosure as Debt Relief Remains Frozen
Uproar Over ‘Crack Pipes’ Puts Biden Drug Strategy at Risk

Olympian
State agency alleges new and repeated safety violations at school bus company
Homelessness is a challenging topic. A Lacey group found it just as hard, members say
Lacey moves forward with project to stabilize lives of 4 adult teens
What American cities can learn from Britain’s once-vast public housing system

Peninsula Daily News
Kingston Express connects Port Townsend to Seattle
County governments aim for return to hybrid meetings
Three-way divide on nurse staffing bill (Chapman, Tharinger, Van De Wege)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report: Seattle among few metros to build most offices in urban areas
As tensions rise at picket lines, King County judge to limit Teamsters’ activity

Seattle Medium
Citizens Tired Of Shootings In Seattle’s Little Saigon

Seattle Times
How to prolong the life of your N95 and KN95 masks
More buses idled as supply chain issues hit Seattle-area transit
Abandoned in the ER: When kids are left at hospitals, the state is no longer taking charge of their care
Construction work has been the domain of white men, that could be changing
Civil rights groups seek retroactive application of police decertification statute (Pedersen)
Health care advocate Deborah Senn, Washington’s first woman insurance commissioner, dies at 72
WA Senate bill aims to lower rising cost of insulin for some diabetes patients (Sulivan)
Seattle residents drive movement to tear out Highway 99 in South Park (Liias)

Skagit Valley Herald
New COVID-19 cases down to 203 for the week

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Valley cities receive funds to look at future housing needs

South Seattle Emerald
The 80th Anniversary of EO 9066 and Japanese Americans’ Seattle Legacy
First Annual Kwanzaa Awards Recognizes Black Organizations and Individuals

South Whidbey Record
State funding package may pay for green buses for Island Transit

Washington Post
Where Trump’s border wall left deep scars and open gaps, Biden plans repair job
U.S. claims Russia has list of Ukrainians ‘to be killed or sent to camps’ following a military occupation
Police regain control of most of Canada’s capital, say protesters will continue to be identified and charged as holdouts persist
A year after Texas cold spell, study shows renewable energy could help prevent blackouts

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley senators vote no on WA voting rights law changes (Saldaña)
A simple watch helped connect Yakima Valley woman to her late husband during WWII Japanese incarceration
Letter: Support wildland firefighters by supporting Tim’s Act
Letter: History won’t remember Trump kindly
Families and advocates stress importance of sharing stories of missing and murdered Indigenous people

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘Easy to melt’: Snowpack in Cascades, Olympics is at serious risk
Mobile police precinct having positive impact in Little Saigon, neighbors say
Crews begin clearing tents from sidewalk near Seattle City Hall
End to mask mandates: Oregon, Washington doctors ‘cautiously optimistic’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Snow falls in North Sound lowlands
Seattle City Hall encampment sweep thwarted by advocates
Striking concrete workers urged to return to mediation, strike deal
Hundreds still homeless from November floods in Whatcom County
Homeless camps, crime hot spots getting cleared out in Seattle
Students hold walkout at South Sound high school to protest attack on autistic classmate

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Thousands of elective surgeries set to continue in Washington as moratorium is lifted
Oregon, Washington lawmakers discuss steps toward replacing Interstate Bridge
City of Seattle clears homeless encampment across from City Hall
12th and Jackson in Little Saigon Seattle cleared; Businesses relieved but wonder how long

KNKX Public Radio
King County repeals bicycle helmet law, citing equity

KUOW Public Radio
Pandemic blog: Mask mandates phasing out in Washington
Washington says goodbye to its mask mandate, but not its state of emergency…yet
Mixed reactions as Washington plans to ease mask restrictions

KXLY (ABC)
King County Board of Health gets rid of bike helmet law

Web

Crosscut
Banning toxic chemicals in cosmetics moves forward in WA (Das)
The light rail is coming to Bellevue. Will a vibrant arts scene follow?
WA proposed budget funds stipends to attract low-income board members (Wilson)

The Stranger
The Seattle City Council Could Extend the Eviction Moratorium

Friday, Feb. 18

Mandatory masking in WA schools is ending, but some are wary of the change
Students and teachers across the state will be able to go to class without masks starting March 21, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday. For some of Washington’s youngest students, it will be their first time experiencing school without wearing a mask. “This is a big moment,” said state schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal, appearing with Inslee at Thursday’s news conference. But Reykdal also cautioned that the step doesn’t mean the end of the global virus outbreak. “It means we have a little bit more flexibility now to take that next step.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Transportation funding package moves to House
A package that pays for free passes on public transportation for young people and upgrades to major bridges are part of a 16-year funding plan approved by the state Senate. The Senate approved the proposed revenue sources for the $17 billion “Move Ahead Washington” transportation investment package on a 29-20 vote Feb. 15. The bill, sponsored by Transportation Committee chair Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, now goes to the House. The plan includes funding for transit programs, replacement of fish passageways and electrification of the state’s ferry fleet. Liias said, “We are on the verge of a new day in transportation.” Continue reading at The Bainbridge Island Review.

King County repeals bike helmet law, but all sides still agree: wear your helmet
King County’s Board of Health voted Thursday to repeal its helmet law that required bike riders to wear helmets or face $30 fine, and additional court fees. Recently, researchers have found that people of color and those living homeless are disproportionately ticketed. That equity concern runs into the worry that a repeal could lead to more head injuries. While the decision to wear a bike helmet is now up to individual riders, all sides of the repeal debate still agree on one thing: wear your helmet. Continue reading at KUOW. (Cascade Bicycle Club)

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Associated Press
Washington justices: Animal abuse can be domestic violence
State to lift indoor mask mandate March 21
King County ending vaccine requirements at bars, restaurants
Seattle-area companies give $10M to fight homelessness
Immigration reform advocates hope Newhouse-backed proposal could spur bipartisan deal

Auburn Reporter
Governor: Masks can come off March 21 in most public settings

Bainbridge Island Review
Transportation funding package moves to House (Saldaña, Liias)

Capital Press
Washington lawmakers consider another path to buffers
Washington sheriffs line up against WDFW cougar bill

Columbian
2 Vancouver long-term care facilities to open non-COVID units
Opinion: In Our View: Federal oversight provides safety, accountability

The Daily News
Weyerhaeuser receives $40,000 water quality fine from Department of Ecology

Everett Herald
Governor: Masks can come off March 21 in most public settings
Alaska launches Boeing 737 service at Paine Field in Everett
State Supreme Court hears Everett case of bus fare checks
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Column: Schwab: How Mukilteo schools avoided a mockery of history
WaPo Comment: Why Jan. 6 defendents’ unusual defense isn’t working

The Facts Newspaper
Inslee says pandemic ‘turning point’ could see mask requirements lifted soon
COVID-19 trends give leaders the confidence to look towards next phase of pandemic response

The Inlander
In bringing back wild lynx, Confederated Colville tribes hope to right historical wrongs and restore balance to wildlife on the landscape

Islands’ Weekly
Statewide COVID-19 restrictions begin to relax

News Tribune
Deaths pile up on Pierce County highways as motorists drive faster and more dangerously
Rep. Fey: The $16 billion transportation package can transform WA — and Pierce County. Here’s how

Olympian
For residents of Olympia’s homeless mitigation site, getting housed is a long shot
Statewide indoor mask mandates to be lifted for most places on March 21, Inslee announces

Peninsula Daily News
Authorities say COVID-19 mitigations should stay in place until March 21
Opinion: POINT OF VIEW: Proposed legislation fails to solve problem of nursing care

Port Townsend Leader
Indoor mask mandate to end March 21 in JeffCo and across Washington State
Transit workers to get COVID hazard pay

Puget Sound Business Journal
Alaska Airlines brings 737 service to Snohomish County’s Paine Field
‘We need to get people back into the office’: Public officials take up Microsoft’s push to reopen workplaces
Seattle region’s construction cost index posts biggest-ever increase
King County may keep indoor mask mandate after statewide order expires
Business-backed group unveils $10M-plus effort to ‘dramatically reduce’ homelessness in downtown Seattle
Inslee sets end date for Washington’s indoor mask requirement

Runta News
What VOT Stands For, Who Does It Serve?

Seattle Medium
Are Seattle Schools In Turmoil?
AG Ferguson: Center For COVID Control Blocked From Operating Testing Centers In Washington While Case Continues
Discriminatory Enforcement Leads To Repeal Of Bicycle Helmet Law By Board Of Health
Seattle Chinese Woman Hit With Bat

Seattle Times
Median net worth of Seattle-area homeowners neared $1 million in 2021
Mandatory masking in WA schools is ending, but some are wary of the change
Demands for answers over Durkan’s, Best’s deleted texts
Family sues Clark County deputies, arguing they escalate stops into police shootings
King County repeals mandatory bicycle helmet law
Opinion: Restore Seattle’s vitality by helping people move easily and affordably

Sol De Yakima
Programa elimina grafiti, suprime comunicación entre pandillas
Yakima Valley College abre despensa para alumnos
Inslee: el 21 de marzo se levanta mandato de mascarilla en escuelas, negocios en WA

South Seattle Emerald
Gov. Inslee Says No Indoor Mask Rule After March 21
Sound Transit Eliminates Design That Made South End Light Rail Most Dangerous Stretch
Federal Monitor Claims FBI Aware of Alleged SPD Sexual Violence
No Proof of Vaccination Required in Bars, Restaurants or Other Businesses as of March 1

Spokesman Review
Technical advisory group approves of some criteria for requiring COVID vaccine for kids
‘The need is still there’: Spokane County sends SNAP another $13 million in federal funds for rental assistance
Washington’s mask mandate will end March 21, Inslee says
New health board composition hits snag over different understandings of tribal component of the law (Riccelli)

Tri-City Herald
Richland workers exposed to radiation at nuclear power plant, says fed agency
Richland students will be returning to class Friday with masks on — for now

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla-area schools prepare for transition when mask mandate ends March 21
Columbia Pulp shuts down ‘most operations’ citing need to better develop customer base for alternative fiber
Mental health among students main concern for Walla Walla County health officials, seek assessment

Washington Post
Facebook whistleblower alleges executives misled investors about climate, covid hoaxes in new SEC complaints
Biden to speak about Ukraine amid unconfirmed reports of evacuations from separatist area
Police begin arrests, escalate efforts to end Canada’s ‘Freedom Convoy’
Former suburban Minneapolis officer Kim Potter faces sentencing for killing Daunte Wright
Africa may have been hit harder by covid-19 than anyone knew

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley schools and health officials plan for end of mask mandate on March 21
Yakima school board approves calendar for next academic year
Selah group acquires site for new food bank, seeks funding help to make it happen
Letter: Don’t be misled — the pandemic still isn’t over

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Councilmember Sawant to propose extension to Seattle eviction moratorium
Tacoma auto shop owner waits hours for police to respond to burglary call
Masks no longer required in most public spaces in Washington beginning March 21

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Charges filed after autistic student attacked in school bathroom
Inslee announces loosening of state mask mandate starting March 21
King County Board of Health repeals helmet law
Despite planned rollback of COVID-19 restrictions, many employees to keep working from home
Ending homelessness? Seattle-area billionaires and businesses help launch new plan
King County to end vaccine verification policy March 1

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Inslee: State mask mandate to end in most places, including schools, next month
Parents react to Washington schools lifting mask mandate in March
Seattle’s ‘Green Book Tour’ revisits sites of Black-owned spaces during segregation era
Woodland Park takes center stage in Seattle’s effort to address homelessness
Seattle Police Department losing officers and struggling to replace them

KNKX Public Radio
Washington indoor mask mandate will lift March 21 with some exceptions

KUOW Public Radio
King County repeals bike helmet law, but all sides still agree: wear your helmet

NW Public Radio
Washington Mask Mandate To End March 21

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington state to end mask mandate March 21 for most places, Inslee announces
Washington mask mandate: Students will no longer have to wear masks as of March 21

Web

Crosscut
WA proposed budget funds stipends to attract low-income board members
Washington state mask mandate ends March 21

MyNorthwest
Washington’s proposed gas export tax is ‘unacceptable,’ says Oregon governor
Lawmakers, reform advocates clash over next phase of state’s policing ‘fix’ bills
Western Washington’s ‘false spring’ fades as temperatures trend toward record lows
Former US Vice President Al Gore touts Washington state as climate policy leader
King County repeals bicycle helmet law over discriminatory enforcement concerns
Washington hospitals allowed to resume non-urgent surgeries after pause
Harrell aims to ‘hit reset’ on strained relationship between Seattle mayor, city council
Coalition of businesses to put $10 million into addressing Seattle homelessness
Washington state to end indoor mask mandate on March 21
Free youth transit access, expanded traffic cameras within transportation budget passed in Senate (Lovelett)

The Stranger
Washington’s Indoor Mask Mandate Will End on March 21
Regional Homelessness Authority Will Try to Solve Homelessness with Philanthrocapitalism
Op-Ed: Stop Expanding Criminalization in Washington State

West Seattle Blog
UPDATE: Governor announces most statewide mask mandates will end March 21
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Barrier removal
DEVELOPMENT: Approvals for 9 houses east of Puget Park

Thursday, Feb. 17

Legislative staff hold sickout after collective bargaining bill dies in WA Legislature
Washington’s Democratic state lawmakers often talk up worker solidarity and union organizing. But after they failed to advance a bill this week to allow their own staffers to collectively bargain, Democratic legislators got a taste of organizing from the boss’s side of the table. On Wednesday, scores of Democratic legislative staffers engaged in a sickout after learning that House Bill 1806 would not advance. Nearly three dozen emails sent Wednesday morning by The Seattle Times to House Democratic legislative assistants bounced back with out-of-office messages. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)

King County ending vaccine requirement at bars, restaurants
Washington’s most populous county will no longer require COVID vaccination checks to enter restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms beginning March 1. King County officials made the announcement Wednesday. Businesses will be free to impose their own vaccination requirements if they choose, but there will be no countywide requirement. Since last fall, indoor eateries and cultural and recreational spaces have been required to verify their customers’ vaccination status or a negative COVID test as a condition for entry. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Bellamy Pailthorp)

WHO says global case decline affected by drop in testing, deaths still alarmingly high
Newly reported coronavirus cases are dropping worldwide, but World Health Organization officials urged caution Wednesday, saying that a drop in testing might be contributing to that decline and that covid deaths remain alarmingly high. During the week starting Feb. 7, health officials reported 16.3 million new infections globally, an 18.2 percent drop from the previous week, according to WHO figures. Deaths inched higher in the same period, though, to above 73,000, an increase of 0.5 percent from the previous week. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Paul Yeung)