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Wednesday, Dec. 1

Seattle to pay $3.5M to settle police wrongful-death suit
The city of Seattle will pay $3.5 million to settle a wrongful-death civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the children of a pregnant Black woman who was fatally shot by two white Seattle police officers in 2017. Karen Koehler, a Seattle attorney who represented Charleena Lyles’ estate, said at a news conference Tuesday that the case was scheduled for trial in King County Superior Court in February before the settlement was reached Monday, The Seattle Times reported. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Ted S. Warren)

WA kids 5 to 11 are getting vaccinated faster than the national average
Nearly all children attending Washington’s K-12 schools are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, to the relief of many parents. Four weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration cleared Pfizer’s pediatric dose of its vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 for emergency use. Since the start of November, at least 116,000 children in the 5-to-11 age group in Washington state have started the vaccination process, according to the Washington Department of Health. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)

I-5 flood catastrophe could be national security issue, cutting JBLM from many troops
Rising sea levels and rainier winters are likely to result in floods that could affect Interstate 5 where it crosses the Nisqually River, possibly as soon as 2040. If the river overflows, it could cut Joint Base Lewis-McChord off from more than a third of its workforce, officials say. The military base is concerned about the impacts a flooding event would have on its operations, former garrison chief of staff Tom Knight told The News Tribune before retiring from the civilian post earlier this year. Continue reading at The News Tribune.

Print

Associated Press
Northwest WA residents asked to remain vigilant amid latest rain event
COVID vaccine verification digital record offered in Washington
Seattle to pay $3.5M to settle police wrongful-death suit
US expected to toughen testing requirements for travelers as omicron spreads
World on edge as more omicron variant information is discovered
Lummi Nation declares disaster after invasive crab arrives

Auburn Reporter
As new COVID-19 variant looms, vaccination disparities linger in King County

Bellingham Herald
Everson mayor declares ‘This flood event is over,’ as Nooksack crests below flood stage
3 sentenced after running drug ring distributing thousands of fentanyl pills in Whatcom
Whatcom County’s Slater Road remains under floodwater

Capital Press
Washington Ecology: Cows need water right to sip from a creek
USDA promised to invest in regional markets. Now, it’s happening

Columbian
Clark County school districts dip into federal funds to offset pandemic costs
Opinion: Other Voices: Food insecurity is embarrassing to wealthy nation
Opinion: In Our View: Condit Dam a lesson in nature’s reinvention

The Daily News
Cowlitz County commissioners skip 1% property tax increase; approve Woodland subdivision plan

Everett Herald
Funding secured: Mudslide memorial will be a place to remember
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Local aero firms get $4.5 million from feds to protect jobs
Bloomberg Comment: Towns, rural areas have lost banks; now drug stores
Bloomberg Comment: What it will take to get world’s freighters in sync
Bloomberg Comment: With omicron lurking, retailers should seek mandate
WaPo Comment: A lesson for Congress’ Jan. 6 committee from 1856
Letter: CRT issue is hiding racism of some

The Facts Newspaper
DOH launches WA Verify: State’s new Digital COVID-19 Verification Record system

Issaquah Reporter
Kokanee salmon make a comeback in Zackuse Creek

News Tribune
I-5 flood catastrophe could be national security issue, cutting JBLM from many troops
Special council meeting Wednesday to tackle proposed Home in Tacoma amendments
Editorial: To correct a 50-year-old mistake, WA must act now to address I-5 flood risk at Nisqually

New York Times
Live Updates: Supreme Court Appears Open to Upholding Mississippi Abortion Restriction
Covid Live Updates: U.S. Considers Tougher Rules for Travelers
W.H.O. members agree to begin talks on a global pandemic treaty.
Democrats’ Bill Would Go Far Toward ‘Patching the Holes’ in Health Coverage

Olympian
They cut costs in the ’60s. Now part of I-5 faces flood danger or up to $4.2B to fix
Development agreement between Tumwater and Port hits bump after port rejects new proposal
City of Olympia to remove Deschutes Parkway homeless encampment on Dec. 8
Jolene Unsoeld, who represented Olympia area in legislature and Congress, is dead at 89
As I-5 chokes the Nisqually, tribe warns circle of life for salmon, orcas collapsing

Peninsula Daily News
Omicron variant not found in Washington state as of Tuesday
Most Idaho abortions banned if Roe v. Wade is overturned

Puget Sound Business Journal
Microsoft shareholders vote to release report on sexual harassment cases
Banks reap big profits as economy rebounds from Covid-19
Washington manufacturers eye expansion in response to pandemic challenges

Seattle Medium
Central Area Senior Center To Host Booster Shot Vaccination Clinic
New Partnership Makes College More Attainable For Graduates Of Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Times
Central Seattle absorbed more than half of the city’s housing growth in the last decade
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sells half his shares in the company
City of Roy drops challenge of multimillion-dollar verdict in police shooting, adds $793,000 in attorneys’ fees to payout
Seattle’s wettest fall on record has already hit unsheltered people hard, and it could get worse
To reduce tourist rush hour, Leavenworth makes changes to annual Christmas lights festival
City of Seattle agrees to pay $3.5M to settle Charleena Lyles wrongful-death civil suit
Editorial: Worried about omicron? Keep calm, get vaccinated

South Seattle Emerald
Mount Baker community to meet with officials over latest fatal shooting (Saldaña)
Opinion: Behavioral health workers took on a giant corporation — and won big

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities rescue crews search Columbia River for man seen jumping from blue bridge

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Case counts continue to drop in Walla Walla, Columbia, Umatilla counties
Record highs in the Walla Walla Valley forecast for Wednesday

Washington Post
Fate of Roe v. Wade in hands of nine justices after spirited arguments
Government nears weekend shutdown as Republicans take aim at vaccine and testing mandates
FDA advisers narrowly recommend authorization of first antiviral pill to treat covid-19
How Mississippi ended up with one abortion clinic and why it matters

Yakima Herald-Republic
The Vanished: Mapping decades of missing and murdered on Yakama Reservation
Fewer people seeking shelter in Yakima area while homeless rate remains the same, survey shows
Selah will have open house Thursday on proposed police station, municipal court building
New task force on missing and murdered Indigenous people to meet for first time Thursday in Toppenish
Letter: COVID-19 pandemic shows that we are America’s worst generation
Letter: Yakima City Council needs to represent all people

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Federal Way mayor asks fellow mayors in south King County to collectively address violent crime
Abigail Echo-Hawk wants recognition for missing, murdered Indigenous women
More than $2 million in lottery prizes still unclaimed in Washington state

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Omicron brings more interest in booster shots, but finding an appointment can be tough
Seattle area sets new record for wettest fall season
Local hospitals bracing for omicron variant

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Massive flooding in Whatcom County has residents asking about federal disaster relief aid
King Co. homeless camp removal proposal shut down
Seattle Police Department audit shows room for improvement in disciplinary system
Staffing crisis impacting response to 911 calls in Seattle
Washington State Ferries on alternative schedules to help offer more reliable service
Outreach team helps people living at Bitter Lake encampment move to new tiny house village

KNKX Public Radio
Seattle will pay Charleena Lyles’ family $3.5 million to settle wrongful death lawsuit
Listen: How Washington health officials are preparing for the omicron COVID variant

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Settles for 3.5 M in Lawsuit Over the 2017 Police Killing of Charleena Lyles
Omicron’s arrival in Washington state is imminent. Experts say they’re prepared
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
How wet is it? Historically wet. A glimpse into the future of PNW weather trends
Pfizer wants the FDA to let 16- and 17- year-olds get a COVID-19 booster shot
Coronavirus variants seem to ‘evade immunity.’ Here’s what that really means

Q13 TV (FOX)
Lummi Nation declares ‘disaster’ after removing over 70K invasive crab species

Web

Crosscut
WA kids 5 to 11 are getting vaccinated faster than the national average
Opinion: What it’s going to take for Tacoma to become an ‘anti-racist city’

MyNorthwest
Audit from police watchdog warns of ‘gaps in the discipline system’ for Seattle officers
Should Seattle take a traffic lane for an outer loop at Green Lake?
Washington state to preserve, reseed two million acres of forest by 2040
King County Council rejects attempt to remove public homeless encampments
Seattle agrees to settlement in Charleena Lyles wrongful death lawsuit
Secretary of State warns Washingtonians about giving to fake charities
South King County mayors demand action from state to end rash of violence
Seattle area sets record for wettest fall season with more rain on the way

The Stranger
Seattle Agrees to Pay $3.5 Million Settlement in Police Killing of Charleena Lyles
How Long Will Seattle’s COVID Bubble Last?

Tuesday, Nov. 30

‘Pretty serious place of worry.’ WA hospital officials brace for new COVID-19 variant
As COVID-19 hospitalization rates continue to decline in Washington state, officials fear all the hard work in surviving the Delta wave could soon be lost to the next variant, Omicron. Statewide, the daily average of confirmed COVID hospitalizations as of Monday was at 694, down from 806 a week ago, and down from 1,013 daily average a month ago, according to Cassie Sauer, CEO of the Washington State Hospital Association. Sauer spoke during a Monday briefing with reporters. Continue reading at The Olympian.

CDC says ages 18 and up should get COVID booster shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday broadened its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots for all adults as the new omicron variant is identified in more countries. The agency had previously approved boosters for all adults, but only recommended them for those 50 years and older or if they live in a long-term care setting. CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the new guidance reflects the emergence of the omicron variant, which has not yet been identified in the U.S. but that officials say will inevitably reach the country. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

As officials tally losses from flood damage, tribes say impacts on fish runs won’t be known for years
The Nooksack River registered some of its highest flood levels ever in the recent flooding that authorities now say caused as much as $50 million in damages. But that doesn’t fully account for the impact on salmon runs and habitat restoration work managed by the Nooksack Indian Tribe. And the Lummi Nation listed major concerns about flooding impacts on its two salmon hatcheries, as well as likely devastation on juvenile fish and redds in the Nooksack Basin. Continue reading at KNKX Public Radio. (Lindsie Fratus-Thomas/Courtesy Nooksack Indian Tribe)

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Associated Press
Powell says Fed may accelerate pullback in economic support
West Seattle Bridge repairs slated to finish by mid-2022
Reports: Pfizer to seek COVID vaccine booster authorization for ages 16-17
CDC says ages 18 and up should get COVID booster shot
New lead testing method could reveal higher levels in water

Auburn Reporter
King County and Port of Seattle to collaborate on waste-to-fuel study

Bainbridge Island Review
115 new COVID cases confirmed in Kitsap over long Holiday weekend

Bellevue Reporter
Multi-family housing development breaks ground in BelRed Corridor

Bellingham Herald
New flood watch issued for Nooksack River as Sumas waters recede a second time
Whatcom sees 215 COVID cases and a death over holiday weekend, passes 300K vaccine doses
Another ‘atmospheric river’ on the way as Nooksack River floods Whatcom cities again
Here are the Whatcom County roads still closed due to floodwaters as of Tuesday morning

Capital Press
Coho salmon run shatters record as steelhead numbers flop
WDFW floats plan for lethal control of wolves

Everett Herald
Job-seekers today are choosy, forcing employers to adapt
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: Omicron met quickly with transparency and caution
WaPo Comment: Keep history’s racist accounts, but not as only source

High Country News
Income inequality proliferates across the West

Islands’ Weekly
Affordable Housing in a Crisis on Lopez Island

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Prepare your property for the next big rain event

Mercer Island Reporter
Residents are invited to online Community Climate Kickoff Event

News Tribune
Here are the latest COVID-19 case totals for Pierce County

North American Post
Africatown Community Home at Keiro – Nov Meeting

Olympian
Thurston reports 5 more COVID-19 deaths, but weekly case count is significantly lower
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
‘Pretty serious place of worry.’ WA hospital officials brace for new COVID-19 variant
Thurston commission to hold public hearing on interim emergency housing ordinance

Peninsula Daily News
Three deaths from COVID in Clallam County
Northwest residents urged to stay alert as storms roll in

Puget Sound Business Journal
As Omicron emerges, here’s how experts say employers can address variants
Microsoft CEO sells half his stake in the company ahead of new state capital gains tax
US border closures may loom amid spread of Omicron variant

Redmond Reporter
Newly renovated Westside Park now open to public

Seattle Times
Seattle-area home price growth starts to level off, still No. 7 in the nation
South King County cities calling for collective approach to combat rise in violent crime
Final phase of repair work begins for West Seattle Bridge
Washington state virologists hunt specimens for omicron variant, confident they can spot it
Seattle-area youth created this guide to connect teens to multicultural mental health care

Sol De Yakima
Negocios de Yakima prevén mejor acceso al concluir obras de North First Street
Foros comunitarios en Yakima buscan acercar a la comunidad con la policía
Rod’s House anuncia plan para crear refugio juvenil de emergencia permanente en Yakima

South Seattle Emerald
King County will forego annual count of homeless population
Weekend Long Reads: The problem with police violence stats
Patti Cole-Tindall announced as Interim King County Sheriff
Social media’s existential crisis

South Whidbey Record
Rep. Paul: Sound Off: Our ferry system is vital — and it needs reform

Spokesman Review
Spokane joins regional funding effort for social services center
Toys arrive at the Christmas Bureau as volunteers get ready for weekend opening
With Omicron on the way, ‘boosters are what’s up’
Spokane sticks with LiveStories to distribute rental assistance – for now

Tri-City Herald
Humane Society staff harassed after agreeing to take over Tri-Cities animal control
Demand nearly doubles in 2 years at Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission
6% in Franklin County receives COVID boosters — less than half WA state pace

Vancouver Business Journal
Washington Policy Center: State is painting lipstick on its one-of-a-kind, long-term care law

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla County participating in free program promoting home tests for COVID-19
Dayton School District to discuss progress on 90-day and 1-year plans
Dayton City Council moves closer to passing 2022 budget with public hearing slated
Noting redevelopment fears, College Place restores mobile home park zoning
New mental health program offers an alternative to jail in Walla Walla County
With new term, College Place’s mayor renews COVID-19 emergency declaration

Washington Post
White House aides search for available contingency funding as they monitor omicron risks
What Happens to Democracy When Local Journalism Dries Up?
A changing climate is buckling concrete and flooding roads. States are moving slowly to guard the nation’s infrastructure.

Yakima Herald-Republic
New task force on missing and murdered Indigenous people to meet for first time Thursday in Toppenish
Heritage University to construct new, expanded Early Learning Center
Letter: Critical race theory isn’t being taught outside of universities
Column: Breaking even against American vigilantism
Letter: Valuing profits above all else has divided America
Opinion: Other Voices: It’s long past time for the Senate ethics panel to address senators’ Jan. 6 actions

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
West Seattle Bridge enters final repair phase Monday, projected to reopen mid-July 2022
UW researchers will determine if the new COVID-19 variant will create a ‘real problem’
Washington state testing for COVID-19 omicron variant
Where to get a COVID-19 booster shot in western Washington

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Federal Way mayor building coalition to fight crime
Flood watches in effect for north coast, North Sound
Final phase of West Seattle Bridge repairs underway, expected to reopen in 2022
Better Business Bureau names its 12 scams to beware of for Christmas
Study: Seattle one of America’s worst cities for package theft
Kent mayor issues statement after several shootings in same area

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Wettest November in history to end with one last day of steady rain
Multiple cities outside Seattle group up in effort to combat rise in violence
Man at odds with Ballard neighbors leaves neighborhood with help from non-profit
Whatcom County homes hit by flooding for a second time this month
Washington geologists are tracking landslides to help inform where they may happen again

KNKX Public Radio
As officials tally losses from flood damage, tribes say impacts on fish runs won’t be known for years
Why some researchers think the omicron variant could be the most infectious one yet
Billions of federal dollars could replace lead pipes. Flint has history to share

KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Northern Washington tribes fear ‘devastation’ of salmon by extreme floodwaters

Web

MyNorthwest
Local leaders: Emerging omicron variant ‘does not change our approach to fighting pandemic’
Pierce County school mascot ‘warriors’ slated for replacement over new state law
Still ‘a lot we don’t know’ about omicron variant, says Washington hospital official
From taxes to police reform: Seattle council begins work on 2022 wishlist for state lawmakers
Sound Transit investigating incident where passengers on disabled train walked into tunnels
‘It’s not sustainable’: Destructive flooding highlights need for solutions in Whatcom County
Kent mayor issues statement after several shootings in same area

West Seattle Blog
Here’s what we saw atop the West Seattle Bridge after today’s briefing
Near-record coho count as Fauntleroy Creek salmon-watching season wraps

Monday, Nov. 29

President Biden urges ‘concern, not panic’ over omicron variant
President Joe Biden called the new COVID-19 variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said he was not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown. He urged Americans anew to get fully vaccinated, including booster shots, and return to face masks indoors in public settings to slow any spread. Speaking Monday at the White House, Biden said it was inevitable that the new variant would reach the U.S., but he also said the country has the tools necessary to protect Americans — particularly the approved vaccines and booster shots. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

Discipline delayed: Washington state struggles to stop sexual misconduct in health care, leaving patients vulnerable
In 282 cases since 2009, state health regulators have taken more than a year to discipline a provider accused of sexual misconduct, an investigation by The Seattle Times has found. From the moment officials receive a complaint, they have deadlines laid out in state regulations: 21 days to evaluate the allegations, 170 days to investigate, 140 days to decide whether to bring charges, with more time limits to hold hearings. But these deadlines are largely aspirational and routinely missed. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Time runs out on harmful Native American names and mascots in WA schools
By the beginning of next year, Native American names and mascots are no longer allowed in public schools across Washington state. In the Marysville School District, Marysville Pilchuck High School is dropping the name Tomahawks, and Totem Middle School will no longer call themselves Thunderbirds. Dr. Stephanie Fryberg has studied the harms that come from Native American mascots and imagery. She’s a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. She’s also a Tulalip tribal member. Continue reading at KUOW. (Marysville School District)

Print

Associated Press
Biden urges vaccinations, not more restrictions as omicron spreads
Northwest residents urged to stay alert as storms roll in
COVID’s ‘not done with us’: Nations rush to contain omicron
State faces threat of more ‘atmospheric rivers’ and floods
EXPLAINER: What we know and don’t know about omicron variant
Enrollment drop could cost WA schools $500M in state funding
Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight

Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County jobless rate rises to 5.8%
Flood damage assessed in Whatcom County as more storms forecast
Flood losses could hit $50 million in Whatcom County; more rain expected

Auburn Reporter
Department of Health announces QR code verification program to prove vaccination status

Bellingham Herald
‘It appears that we are through the worst of it,’ Everson says; Sumas sounds flood siren
I-5 lane still closed south of Bellingham; here are Whatcom roads impacted by latest storm
Lummi Nation declares disaster as tens of thousands of invasive European green crab found
Extend-A-Hand helped her ‘know where her kids would sleep’ so she could find a job, home
With worker shortages still an issue in Whatcom County, wages are on the rise locally
Ferndale mayor on upcoming severe weather
Sumas businesses, city hall and more begin cleanup following flooding
Whatcom sees another COVID-related death, but Bellingham hospital reports another decrease

Capital Press
Washington Farm Bureau picks new president
H-2A wages to rise by 9% in California, 6.5% in Washington, Oregon
USDA promised to invest in regional markets. Now, it’s happening—but how?
WSU dryland research station precipitation above average — so far
Lessons from disaster: What the Bootleg Fire reveals about forest management

Columbian
Success of White Salmon River restoration a blueprint for other Northwest dams
Opinion: In Our View: COVID cautions remain important for holidays
Opinion: In Our View: Legislature must address infrastructure
Opinion: In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Shop locally, COVID outbreak

The Daily News
Fossil fuels and the future: Where will Cowlitz County go now?

Everett Herald
A pandemic playbook, used nationally, was made in Snohomish County
Snohomish adopts sales tax for mental health, affordable housing
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Another outbreak sends 60 to isolation at Monroe prison unit
Arlington formally recognizes homeland of Stillaguamish people
Everett officials have questions about a 125-room hotel shelter
County proposes roundabouts, narrow lanes for 84th Street NE
Comment: Confronting racism here will take real effort
Comment: Federal Child Tax Credit reducing poverty; for now
Comment: Indigenous people don’t disappear; they’re ignored
Comment: Climate migration gets thoughts moving on cause
Comment: Career-based learning is keeping students engaged
Comment: NRA shot itself in the foot; that may not matter
Bloomberg Comment: Working world’s gender gap persists, study confirms
Bloomberg Comment: World has given covid variants room to get deadlier
WaPo Comment: 5 supply chain myths show problem’s complexity
WaPo Comment: Ahmaud Arbery was victim of his own optimism
WaPo Comment: Military families’ plights make case for family leave
WaPo Comment: Native American cultural influences embedded in U.S.
WaPo Comment: So, is the ERA part of the Constitution, or not?
Editorial: Everett must make most of pandemic windfall
Letter: State should end animal fur trade

Kent Reporter
Kent City Council considers adding more red-light cameras

News Tribune
Here’s what police chief candidate Michael Carroll has to say about issues facing Tacoma
Here’s what police chief candidate Kathy McAlpine says about issues facing Tacoma
Here’s what police chief candidate Sean Case has to say about issues facing Tacoma
Here’s what police chief candidate Avery Moore has to say about issues facing Tacoma
Here’s how Pierce County will spend money from its long-awaited behavioral health tax
Dungeness crab season to open Dec. 1 for first time in years

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: W.H.O. Warns of ‘Very High’ Risk From Omicron as Questions Remain
Tracking Omicron and Other Coronavirus Variants
Small Manufacturers Scramble to Remake Their Supply Chains
Interior Dept. Report on Drilling Is Mostly Silent on Climate Change

Olympian
Thurston commission to hold public hearing on interim emergency housing ordinance
Lummi Nation declares disaster as tens of thousands of invasive European green crab found
Mayors scramble for face time with Buttigieg with billions of infrastructure dollars at stake
South Sound escapes flooding from ‘atmospheric river’
Planning to visit this part of Mount Rainier? You’ll have to wait. It’s not safe
Editorial: Port fails community by dragging feet on hotel sale that would provide housing

Peninsula Daily News
Some flooding reported on Peninsula; rain in forecast
Authorities continue to monitor COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term-care facilities

Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson County reports 19th death to COVID-19
Jefferson County hosts COVID clinics for children
Another COVID death reported in Jefferson County

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA’s EIDL a struggle for some small-business owners as deadline nears
Hybrid work is expected to be the new norm. Pulling it off successfully will come with challenges.
Big malls facing big loans as the sector remains on shaky ground
What’s next for the U.S. free community college movement
Climate Pledge Arena’s groundbreaking sustainability efforts offer a gigantic example — and new challenges
Restaurants offer higher wages, but labor squeeze endures
UW Bothell student housing redevelopment gets underway
Opinion: Leading when you don’t know the answers

Redmond Reporter
Affordable housing and service center receives $900,000 in county funding after budget approval

Seattle Times
Jury awards $7 million to former public defender stalked by client, finds King County liable for hostile work environment
It’s been the wettest early fall on record in the Seattle area — and more rain is coming
UW researchers create wearable device that detects and reverses opioid overdoses
Meet the drag queen on a mission to create safe outdoor spaces for underrepresented communities
Ordering in: Food delivery surged in the Seattle area as COVID-19 pandemic took hold
A sea turtle found off Washington’s coast, cold and clinging to life, recovers at Seattle Aquarium
Netflix’s ‘Maid’ can spark more understanding of the issues facing domestic workers
‘Unimaginable:’ Mount Vernon dairy farmers reeling from flood devastation
As ketamine clinics emerge in Seattle to treat mental illness, so does debate about safety and regulations
Discipline delayed: Washington state struggles to stop sexual misconduct in health care, leaving patients vulnerable
Editorial: Give every student access to computer-science education

Washington Post
Biden says omicron variant is ‘cause for concern, not a cause for panic,’ urges vaccination, booster shots
International travelers stranded, angry in omicron’s wake: ‘The first thing I did was cry’
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is stepping down
Congress returns to work staring down fiscal deadlines and fights over Biden’s agenda
Omicron coronavirus variant poses ‘very high’ global risk, WHO warns
Omicron travel bans on African countries are ‘Afrophobia,’ Malawi’s president says
Opinion: The Rule of Six: A newly radicalized Supreme Court is poised to reshape the nation

Yakima Herald-Republic
National college admissions navigation program has strong roots in Lower Yakima Valley
Bipartisan redistricting plan may not allow Latino voters in Yakima to elect preferred candidates
Opinion: Other Views: Details of Arbery prosecution should still worry us

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Sea-Tac Airport sees up to 150% increase in holiday travelers over 2020
Black residents 6 times more likely to experience force from Pierce County deputies, study finds

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Another atmospheric river to likely bring more flooding
Sea-Tac Airport sees busiest travel day of Thanksgiving as omicron variant looms
Canada reports first 2 cases of omicron COVID-19 variant in Ottawa
Voluntary evacuations underway in Whatcom County
Flooding predictions for Skagit River downgraded
National Guard pre-deployed as Whatcom County prepares for weekend flooding
Reports: Italy, Germany report cases of omicron COVID-19 variant
Highly mutated ‘omicron’ variant sends UW Medicine labs rushing to prepare
Link light rail line in Seattle’s U-District back running after train stops, riders left stranded

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
City of Kent pledges action after multiple shootings in span of one week

KUOW Public Radio
Time Runs Out on Harmful Native American Names and Mascots in Wa Schools
Massive Covid outbreaks occurred at Seattle-area schools with lax protocols
As the Supreme Court considers Roe v. Wade, a look at how abortion became legal
The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by the omicron variant
As Omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don’t do much good
Smaller fish tags to help sockeye studies above Grand Coulee Dam

Web

Crosscut
Can younger generations spur corporations to divest from fossil fuels?
Infrastructure legislation could open doors to women in building trades

The Stranger
Bellevue School District Student Speaks Out About Abuse, Gets Expelled (Thai)
Council Uses JumpStart Payroll Tax to Fuel Big Affordable Housing Investments in 2022 Budget

West Seattle Blog
Bridge-work briefing and more for your West Seattle Monday

Wednesday, Nov. 24

Thanks to vaccines, Thanksgiving 2021 is closer to normal
Leading up to the holiday season last year, Gov. Jay Inslee imposed sweeping restrictions on indoor gatherings. Health officials urged people to celebrate only with their immediate household, and COVID-19 tests were largely limited to those with symptoms. Now, shots mean health officials are giving the OK on some get-togethers. But not without some caveats. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Andy Bronson)

Washington launches QR codes to verify COVID-19 vaccination
Washington state launched Tuesday a new way to verify COVID-19 vaccination – QR codes. Using the online tool WA Verify, the state will generate a digital vaccination record card that includes a QR code that can be scanned to prove if you’re fully vaccinated, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The new tool comes as more businesses require proof of vaccination to enter. Continue reading at KING 5.

Whatcom County flood losses could reach $50 million from last week’s atmospheric river
Damages from flooding in Whatcom County could reach as high as $50 million, Whatcom County officials said at an online briefing Tuesday, Nov. 23., at the Whatcom Unified Emergency Operations Center. John Gargett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management, said he wouldn’t be surprised if public and private damages and economic losses reach that mark. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.

Print

Associated Press
King County executive names new interim sheriff
US to require vaccines for all border crossers in January

Aberdeen Daily World
Port gets grant for marina modernization project

Auburn Reporter
King County proposes redistricting map, asks for feedback from public
Services at Auburn senior center slowly return to pre-pandemic levels

Bellingham Herald
Two Whatcom County regions see large drops in their COVID-19 infection rates last week
Three bridges are out, but Bellingham saw some success stories as Pineapple Express hit
Whatcom County official makes early estimates on flooding cost
Whatcom County flood losses could reach $50 million from last week’s atmospheric river
Bellingham obtains ‘incredible asset’ to develop as ‘unprecedented waterfront experience’
Bellingham hospital reports it’s treating its fewest COVID-related patients in a month

Capital Press
New grant to expand Washington state’s farm-to-school programs
13 Western meat, poultry processors receive USDA grants to scale up
EPA gets international calls to not ban chlorpyrifos
Timber groups can’t intervene in red tree vole lawsuit

Columbian
Around 2 dozen inmates test positive for COVID-19 at the Clark County Jail
Opinion: In Our View: Secretary of state should be nonpartisan position

Everett Herald
Thanks to vaccines, Thanksgiving 2021 is closer to normal
Recounts in Mill Creek, Stanwood as 2021 election is certified
Thanksgiving traffic forecast is heavier than pre-pandemic
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Comment: This Thanksgiving, thank farmers, too, for the meal
Bloomberg Comment: Even during labor shortage, you can’t ‘just get a job’
WaPo Comment: Biden breaks pledge to stem drilling on public lands
WaPo Comment: Elon Musk’s billions can’t solve world hunger on own
Editorial: Small Business Saturday a focus for local economy

The Facts Newspaper
DOH launches WA Verify: State’s new Digital COVID-19 Verification Record system
New rule opens door to widespread testing for harsh chemicals in drinking water
K C seeks to collaborate with residents in urban unincorporated areas to Reimagine Public Safety
As Cases Surge Across the Country, Seattle Prepares to Protect Against COVID-19 During Holidays

High Country News
Salmon need better infrastructure, too

The Inlander
Gov. Jay Inslee says he wants to eventually get rid of his COVID mandates, but even he doesn’t yet know when

Kent Reporter
Sound Transit nears decision for light rail maintenance facility

News Tribune
Editorial: Talk is cheap. Pierce County must fix sheriff’s department use-of-force disparities

New York Times
G.O.P. Fights Covid Mandates, Then Blames Biden as Cases Rise
See Where U.S. Covid Cases and Hospitalizations Are Surging

Olympian
Thurston County COVID-19 case rate already matches 2020’s peak winter rate
I-5 will close overnight in Tacoma next week. Here’s how to avoid construction
Maximum avoidance or anything goes? Disease expert says find happy medium for holidays
Longview paper mill fined nearly $140,000 after failing to report COVID-19 infections, death

Puget Sound Business Journal
Shippers say supply chain crisis highlights need for smarter communication
More workers are returning to the office, but there’s a catch
Small Business Saturday is critical in 2021. Consumers are on board.
Businesses have new way to confirm vaccine status with launch of digital tool
Amazon agrees to pay $2.5M after Washington state investigation into pesticide sales
Report: FAA memo flags more 787 Dreamliner issues

Seattle Times
Republican lawmakers sue over COVID requirements at Washington Capitol building (Jinkins)
Prosecutors can photograph tattoos of Auburn officer charged with murder, judge rules
Patti Cole-Tindall to become King County interim sheriff; department workers, new hires could get bonuses up to $15K

South Whidbey Record
Bipartisan commission fails to draw new political boundaries
South Whidbey vaccine clinic thrives without electricity
Virtual field trips increase park accessibility
Nearly all Whidbey school staff fully vaccinated, data shows
Infrastructure bill will help ferry system stay afloat

Tri-City Herald
20 years in the making, massive nuclear plant takes final steps to treating Hanford waste

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla County commissioners approve levy increases for 2022 property taxes
Oregon drops outdoor mask mandate; Walla Walla Valley sees decreasing COVID-19 cases

Yakima Herald-Republic
Rod’s House unveils plans for permanent emergency youth shelter in Yakima
Yakima Valley Memorial still nearly full even as COVID cases decline
Letter: Rittenhouse verdict shows justice system protects white people at all costs
Letter: Rittenhouse verdict is proof that white privilege exists in America

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Claim that Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day needs context
After Covington sting, King County Sheriff’s Office warns of brazen shoplifters
75-year-old woman attacked in downtown Seattle hate crime
Supply chain issues at West Coast ports impact everyday shopping and seasonal items
Washington launches QR codes to verify COVID-19 vaccination
More than 90 infected during COVID-19 outbreak at Cedar Creek Correctional Center

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Thanksgiving travel forecast to be back at pre-pandemic levels, but with higher gas prices
Five students expelled after protesting Bellevue School District’s handling of assault reports
Redmond-based company involved in NASA asteroid-impact mission
Ferndale Food Bank loses delivery trucks in flood right before Thanksgiving

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Timeline to move homeless encampment behind K-8 school sped up several weeks
Bellevue’s downtown unit aims to limit retail theft during holiday shopping
Seattle approves expanded programs for people living in RVs
State sued after girl leaves foster care with 20 teeth in need of repair or extraction
Suspect sought in alleged hate crime attack on Black Seattle community activist
King County appoints first person of color to sheriff position

Q13 TV (FOX)
Whatcom County plans to request federal assistance for Noocksack River flood damage recovery

Web

Crosscut
Critics call for reform of WA redistricting process after commission failure
A look at last-minute deal-making in WA redistricting negotiations

MyNorthwest
Lake Washington Boulevard closing to pass-through traffic Nov. 25-28
Most Seattle-area trains, buses, ferries on holiday schedules for Thanksgiving
Seattle mayor urges caution at holiday gatherings as COVID surges in parts of US
Long-term care tax exemption applicants told not to worry about latest email
King County looks for feedback on plans to expand 911 alternatives, ‘reimagine public safety’
Washington Department of Health launches digital alternative to vaccine card
State BLM group calls for investigation after report detailing biased policing in Pierce County

The Stranger
Council Uses JumpStart Payroll Tax to Fuel Big Affordable Housing Investments in 2022 Budget

Tuesday, Nov. 23

Steve Hobbs sworn in as Washington’s 16th secretary of state
Steve Hobbs was sworn in Monday as Washington’s 16th secretary of state, the first person of color to head the office and the first Democrat to hold the position in 56 years. Hobbs, who is of Japanese descent, is leaving his Senate seat representing the 44th legislative district to replace Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Wyman — the fifth consecutive GOP secretary of state in Washington dating back to 1965 — is taking a key election security job in the Biden administration. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Ted S. Warren)

221 homeless people have died in Seattle since last winter, one of the highest numbers on record
Ten months into the calendar year, the coronavirus pandemic, drug epidemic, record-breaking heat wave, and customary cold and wet snaps had killed at least 159 homeless people, which is higher than normal. The county medical examiner’s office, who investigate violent and sudden deaths, doesn’t expect 2021 homeless deaths to pass the previous high of 194 in 2018, but they’re likely to pass the two years since. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Alan Berner)

Canadians won’t need COVID test to enter Canada after Nov. 30, but what about Americans?
Vaccinated Canadians making short trips to the U.S. and back will be the only ones getting a pass from the Canadian government’s requirement of a molecular test to cross the border, Canadian health officials told The Bellingham Herald. Vaccinated Americans still must produce a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter Canada, even if it’s just a trip for a weekend or a day. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.