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Friday, November 4

WA court pauses Albertsons’ $4B payout to shareholders amid Kroger merger
A King County court has temporarily blocked Albertsons from paying a controversial $4 billion dividend to investors as part of the retailer’s proposed merger with rival Kroger. On Thursday, King County Superior Court Commissioner Henry Judson approved a motion by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to temporarily block the dividend, scheduled to be paid Monday, until the court can more fully consider whether the payment violates antitrust laws. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (John Froschauer/The Associated Press)

SPD’s Million-Dollar Parking Space
According to the jury in a recent lawsuit, protesters aren’t the only ones the Seattle Police Department has hurt with toxic gas. After finding SPD negligent for failing to protect a sergeant in the downtown precinct from getting carbon monoxide poisoning on the job, the jury awarded the cop $1,325,000 in damages. Continue reading at The Stranger. (Peter Gamlen)

Atmospheric river brings rain, snow, flood fears to Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound region
An atmospheric river is bringing strong to damaging winds, heavy rain and below-normal temperatures for the Puget Sound region from Thursday evening through Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said. Snow in the passes is expected as is potential river flooding, The Seattle Times reported. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun.

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Associated Press
Atmospheric river brings rain, snow, flood fears to Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound region

Aberdeen Daily World
Library hit with PDC complaint
Hospital CEOs talk staffing shortages

Everett Herald
Long-awaited repair: Bridge to the Big Four Ice Caves reopens
Study calls for nine more Everett police positions

Kitsap Sun
Bremerton City Council expands property tax exemption for affordable housing developments

News Tribune
Pierce SWAT planned to surprise suspect who shot deputy dead in March. What went wrong?
Editorial: Pierce County’s ambitious homeless village plan is a good start. But questions remain
Former Tacoma hospital director sued over handling of child-abuse cases as state expert

Olympian
Lacey City Council names Rick Walk interim city manager
Get ready. Freezing temperatures to follow heavy rain, wind this weekend in Olympia

Puget Sound Business Journal
WA court pauses $4B payout to Albertsons shareholders ahead of merger

Seattle Medium
Seattle’s Green New Deal A Hit
Clashes At Port Of Seattle Over Terminal Duties
When It Comes To Education, Coaches Can Help Fill The Gaps And Increase Positive Outcomes For Student Athletes

Seattle Times
Daylight savings time Q&A: What to know about the time change
Storm brings flurry of weather warnings, watches to Seattle area
In a ‘foreboding sign’ for Seattle, Amazon freezes corporate hiring
WA tribes get $11M from feds to help tackle climate change impacts
Washingtonians split on social media regulation, WA poll says
WA court pauses Albertsons’ $4B payout to shareholders amid Kroger merger

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon School District with state music teacher of the year
Head Start program expands in Burlington

Spokesman Review
With graduation rates increasing, Spokane Public Schools’ Native Education Program hopes to build on success
Snow blankets Spokane ahead of dangerous windstorm

Washington Post
A wide majority of Americans are concerned about politically motivated violence
Elon Musk begins mass layoffs at Twitter
U.S. added 261,000 jobs in October, as labor market softens slightly

Washington Times
New felony law for threatening election workers online gets tested in Washington state (Frockt)

Wenatchee World
Waterville planning commission proposes changes to comprehensive plan

Yakima Herald-Republic
Newhouse, ag leaders urge Senate to pass Farm Workforce Modernization Act before year’s end
Kittitas County, state and tribal officials gather to celebrate water conservation efforts
State officials visit solar farm sites on eastern edge of Yakima County

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle Department of Transportation prepares plows for snowstorms
King County judge temporarily blocks $4 billion dividend payment to Albertsons investors
Quinault Indian Nation’s coastal residents moving to higher ground

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Local families left hanging after hired contractor suddenly files for bankruptcy (Orwall)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Snoqualmie Pass reopens after closing in both directions due to spinouts, collisions
Judge grants Ferguson’s restraining order to block $4B payout to Albertsons shareholders
Road crews ready as snowfall begins at Cascade passes in western Washington
Pierce County microhome village project facing development obstacles
Washington’s hospitality industry still struggling to get back to pre-pandemic staffing

KXLY (ABC)
WSU student employees successfully unionize

NW Public Radio
Judge rules DNR violated environmental policy; department amends 5 timber sales

Web

The Stranger
SPD’s Million-Dollar Parking Space
Opinion: Mayor Harrell Is Effectively Cutting Wages for Domestic Violence Workers

Thursday, November 3

Inslee wants Legislature to focus on housing lower-income Washingtonians
Last year, Washington state poured hundreds of millions of dollars into homelessness and housing, largely due to a one-time infusion of federal pandemic relief funding. Much of the state’s focus was on increasing temporary shelter units and getting people living outdoors off state rights of way, such as near highways. This year, Inslee said he wants to see policies that prevent people at lower-income levels from being priced out of available housing and becoming homeless. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Report points to why Seattle area lacks enough housing near transit
A new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute finds that restrictive zoning may be a chief reason for the Puget Sound region’s lack of affordable housing near transit. According to the report, one-third of the land near transit lines is zoned for single-family housing only, yet less than 5% of housing permits are located in such zones. The result is that fewer people can live close to transit, which offers an affordable alternative to owning a personal vehicle. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Anthony Bolante)

In Our View: More housing is only answer to homelessness
But in seeking long-range solutions, Inslee is focusing on changes to zoning laws. As a policy statement from his office states, “Restrictive zoning ordinances drastically limit areas where middle housing is allowed, and limit equitable opportunity for homeownership.” The result, Inslee said, is a lack of housing for aging populations, first-time homebuyers and middle-income residents. From 2000 to 2015, population growth required 225,000 more housing units than were actually built. Continue reading at The Columbian.

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Associated Press
State attorneys general sue to block Albertsons’ $4B payout

Aberdeen Daily World
McCleary middle school students test Wildcat Creek water
Fishing on most coastal rivers and tributaries back open

Auburn Reporter
King County warns of potential for severe flooding

Bellingham Herald
WA attorney general files lawsuit against Kroger, Abertsons to delay $4 billion payment
Fierce storm aims for Whatcom County. Outages and flooding are possible

Capital Press
PNW wildfires burned far fewer acres this year

Columbian
Editorial: In Our View: More housing is only answer to homelessness

Everett Herald
After rough spring start, Snohomish County farmers see mixed results in harvests
Editorial: County needs a school to train dental hygienists

News Tribune
DaVita cutting 200+ workers. Finances ‘challenging’ for former major Tacoma employer
A strong atmospheric river is headed to Pierce County with rain, wind and possible flooding

Olympian
Thurston County asks for public input ahead of major comprehensive plan update

Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson PUD seeks funds for broadband

Port Townsend Leader
State committee OKs renaming proposals

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report points to why Seattle area lacks enough housing near transit
Tacoma City Council OKs increase for business license fees in 2023

Seattle Times
When grandma calls fraud: WA election workers take accusations personally
WA lawsuit: 3 men illegally moved from juvenile detention to adult prison
Heavy rain, strong winds and freezing temps expected in Seattle area
Inslee wants Legislature to focus on housing lower-income Washingtonians (Macri)
FAA mandates seaplane inspections as Whidbey crash causes concerns

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit Valley Farm settlement to benefit local salmon

Spokesman Review
Spokane International Airport completes second phase of rail, truck facility geared toward attracting manufacturers
Most Americans want to end twice-yearly clock changes, but Congress can’t decide what to do with daylight saving time

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Draft budget for College Place, eyeing major infrastructure improvements, nearly double prior years

Washington Post
Fossil fuel projects were stalled a year ago. Now they’re making a comeback.
Psychedelic mushroom dose can treat stubborn depression, trial suggests
Glaciers in Yosemite and Africa will disappear by 2050, U.N. warns
Countries vowed to ramp up climate pledges in 2022. Very few have.

Yakima Herald-Republic
West Valley School District hears from public about what to do with $19M bond surplus
Yakima City Council OKs property tax rate increase of 1%

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state auditor reports progress made on backlog of sexual assault kits
Several western Washington tribes will receive federal funding to prepare for flooding, heat waves
Increase in Washington college students dealing with food insecurity
Alcohol impairment detection systems could be required in all new vehicles

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
White House touts efforts to cut energy costs; immediate impacts limited, experts say
Time to fall back although legislation passed Senate to OK permanent daylight saving time
Tacoma’s budget looks to increase funding for police, expanding homelessness services
Washington hospitals see surge in patients seeking mental health care, counseling

KNKX Public Radio
Seals and sea lions vex Washington tribes as Marine Mammal Protection Act turns 50

KUOW Public Radio
Some progress made on Washington’s backlog of sexual assault kits

KXLY (ABC)
FAA mandates seaplane inspections after Puget Sound crash
North Cascades Highway to temporarily close starting Thursday night

Q13 TV (FOX)
WSDOT continues work to remove camps from state right-of-ways

Web

Crosscut
Housing vouchers sit unused at some rural Washington agencies

MyNorthwest
Gov. Inslee touts homeless housing successes, lays out new proposals
Delta Airlines pilots overwhelmingly vote ‘yes’ to strike
Boeing execs try to calm investors after multi-billion dollar loss

West Seattle Blog
City budget schedule changes after new prediction of lower revenue

Wednesday, November 2

WA needs to expand mental health care. What happens when neighbors object?
Since 2018, Washington state has slowly attempted to integrate mental health care into communities — a move necessitated after Western State Hospital lost its federal certification and after years of reports from families who’ve struggled to find care. State psychiatric hospitals were the norm for much of the 20th century, but in 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act, marking the start of deinstitutionalization. Now Washington is catching up, investing in community-based mental health care by piecing together funds across several state agencies. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Daniel Kim)

Toxic metal pollution is 10 times worse in racially segregated communities
Racially segregated communities in the United States are exposed to airborne toxic metals at a rate that’s nearly 10 times higher than more well-integrated areas, according to a new study published Tuesday. The study, published in Nature Communications, also found that highly segregated locations were exposed to two times the degree of total air pollution of well-integrated communities.It has long been known that communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of pollution. But the study puts a finer point on it — documenting that people in segregated communities breathe much higher levels of certain toxic heavy metals. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Tamir Kalifa)

CVS, Walgreens agree to settle opioid lawsuits for $10 billion
CVS Health and Walgreens, two of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, have agreed to pay about $10 billion to states, cities and Native American tribes to settle all opioid lawsuits. If the CVS settlement goes through, the chain would distribute roughly $4.9 billion to states and local governments and about $130 million to Native American tribes over 10 years, beginning in 2023. Walgreens has tentatively agreed to pay $4.79 billion to states and $154.5 million to tribes. Walmart also has a settlement pending that will pay $3 billion to resolve similar lawsuits, people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Gene J. Puskar)

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Associated Press
Climate Questions: Does what I do matter?

Aberdeen Daily World
Port of Grays Harbor receives $25.5 million federal grant
Public invited to coastal steelhead virtual town halls

Bainbridge Island Review
Hospital’s operation in an emergency

Columbian
I-5 Bridge replacement officials learn from past, hope policy changes smooth path to new span

Everett Herald
Lynnwood mayor vetoes council’s scrapping of car tab fees
Business Briefs: State minimum wage rises in January

Islands’ Weekly
County Council Approves $3.5 Million Commitment to Affordable Housing

News Tribune
Tacoma police implemented a violent crime plan 90 days ago. Is crime starting to decrease?

Olympian
Thurston homeless camps could be allowed with more flexibility under proposed change
Port of Olympia set to receive $9.27 million grant for marine terminal upgrades

Puget Sound Business Journal
Hispanic business owners are optimistic — but financing is a challenge
AG files suit to block $4B payout ahead of Albertsons-Kroger deal
Economist Conway foresees ‘shallow’ recession for Seattle region
Affirmative action could be “first domino falling” for corporate DEI

Renton Reporter
Sunset Neighborhood transformation projects underway

Seattle Times
WA needs to expand mental health care. What happens when neighbors object?
Lawsuit against Seattle police, Raz Simone can go forward in sex trafficking case
WA sues to block $4 billion Albertsons dividend ahead of Kroger merger

Skagit Valley Herald
Invasive green crab numbers soar, trapping efforts wrapping up

Spokesman Review
Fire marshal issues permit for Camp Hope shelter as legal battles continue

Tri-City Herald
Kennewick water and sewer rates are going up. Council vote was unanimous
Surging West Pasco growth forces new council districts. What it means for voters

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Health director thanks Walla Walla community for response to COVID

Washington Post
New extreme weather pattern emerging: A wintry West and record-warm East
Pandemic led to sharp spike in Black, Asian and Latino homeownership
CVS, Walgreens agree to settle opioid lawsuits for $10 billion
Toxic metal pollution is 10 times worse in racially segregated communities

Yakima Herald-Republic
WSDOT advises traction tires for U.S. 12

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
State-paid psychiatrist never held accountable despite pattern of alleged ‘sexually intrusive’ questions
Department of Ecology working on specifics of future ban on new gas-powered car sales
Dam removal part of plan to clean Olympia’s Capitol Lake
Snohomish County seniors get help adapting to post-COVID pandemic world
New Washington state law protects election workers from online threats (Frockt)
Crime is down citywide in Tacoma, police chief says

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee to push for cleanup of more homeless camps, tiny home construction
King Co. homelessness authority offers incentive package for landlords, housing providers

KUOW Public Radio
AG files suit to block $4 billion pre-merger payout to Albertson shareholders
Washington’s emergency order has ended, but you still have to wear masks in these places
Seattle is suing marketing firm over opioid crisis

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane County allocates over $12 million for new neighborhood features
WA Dept. of Social and Human Services provide resources to people living at Camp Hope

Web

Crosscut
Advocates want Pierce County to stop using E-Verify technology

MyNorthwest
AG: Grocers ‘cannot sabotage their ability to compete,’ halting payout
Incentive program looks to house homeless with help from Seattle landlords

Tuesday, November 1

Want to start saving for college? WA’s GET Prepaid Tuition Program reopens enrollment
Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program will accept new enrollments starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, providing families a way to save for future college and career training costs while their children are young, the Washington College Savings Plans program announced Monday. The 2022-2023 enrollment period runs through May 31 and provides an opportunity to prepay future tuition costs at today’s rates. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Merrill Images)

Indigenous people of the ‘Salmon Seas’ sign proclamation at Woodland Park Zoo
Everywhere, ocean acidification, drought and man-made obstructions have made it increasingly hard for salmon and their predators, like the killer whale, to survive, said Jay Julius, president of Se’Si’Le, the Indigenous-led nonprofit that organized the Monday event. In a proclamation signed by some attendees, they pledged to honor the rights of the salmon people, support efforts to restore and protect salmon populations and call for respect and reciprocity across cultures in the effort. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kylie Cooper)

The Chinook Nation’s existential fight for recognition
The Chinook never stopped fighting for their own land and federal status, filing numerous lawsuits and land claims over the decades. They’ve scored a few victories, even securing a brief period of federal recognition during the Clinton administration. Then shifting politics snatched that away, and the government returned to a position that Chinook leaders view as an erasure of that history, of their very identity: that they simply don’t exist. Continue reading at Indian County Today. (Amiran White)

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Bellingham Herald
More storms take aim at Whatcom, raising concerns about flooding
Timber sale is on despite conservationists’ concern for this storm-damaged legacy forest

Capital Press
Washington farm to pay $138,500 to settle irrigation complaint
Construction slated to begin on new Odessa area pipeline next year

Columbian
Editorial: In Our View: Hate-mongering behind attack on Paul Pelosi

Everett Herald
No trick. Gov. Inslee ends his COVID-19 state of emergency
Comment: Law, compassion required Housing First for shelters

Indian Country Today
The Chinook Nation’s existential fight for recognition

News Tribune
Did Dorcus Allen help his boss murder 4 Lakewood cops in 2009? A jury now has the case
Tacoma police officers are racking up millions in overtime pay. Here’s the problem

New York Times
A Surge of Overseas Abortion Pills Blunted the Effects of State Abortion Bans

Olympian
Team wrapping up investigation of Olympia police’s fatal shooting of Timothy Green
Want to start saving for college? WA’s GET Prepaid Tuition Program reopens enrollment
State announces its official recommendation for future of Capitol Lake

Peninsula Daily News
Port of Port Angeles receives federal grant for infrastructure project

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA says no EIDL applications still considered outstanding

Seattle Times
King County gun violence outpaces 2021 while number of shooting victims dips
Many in WA oppose gas-car ban, poll shows — but electric vehicle demand is high
How to drive on WA passes in winter weather
Seattle redistricting panel rejects late changes, advances Magnolia split
WA’s COVID-19 state of emergency ended but a winter of infections on the way. So what does it all mean?
Indigenous people of the ‘Salmon Seas’ sign proclamation at Woodland Park Zoo
Roadway telepathy: Bellevue blazes a trail in road safety devices

Skagit Valley Herald
Winter Washington State Ferries reservations open Tuesday

Spokesman Review
Spokane County sees typical flu shot participation but low COVID booster numbers
After years of resistance, Spokane joins regional 911 communications system
Some local, nonemergency 911 calls may be placed on hold starting Monday

Tri-City Herald
Cascade Natural Gas bills to jump 20% this month. Here’s why it is going up
Benton County to buy old hospital, create a mental health and addiction recovery center

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla Public Schools graduates with good grades can earn guaranteed admission to five universities and colleges in new program

Washington Post
The truth about election fraud: It’s rare
Pfizer’s RSV vaccine, given during pregnancy, protects infants from severe illness
The world’s melting glaciers are yielding up their secrets too quickly
Supreme Court seems open to ending affirmative action in college admissions

Yakima Herald-Republic
WA Building Code Council may allow gas or electricity to power required heat pumps
Missing Omak teen with ties to Yakima added to WSP’s list of missing Indigenous people

Broadcast

KUOW Public Radio
Emergency Covid orders are ending. Where does that leave renters and landlords?
Washington’s lingering pandemic emergency orders are expiring
As Seattle’s Covid orders end, so will extra pay for food delivery drivers

KXLY (ABC)
Former Spokane County worker pleads guilty to theft of $1.38M in public funds

Q13 TV (FOX)
Community forum to discuss public safety concerns in Pierce County
US diesel supplier warns businesses to prepare for shortages, higher prices for consumers

Web

Crosscut
Breaking down WA’s school funding formula

MyNorthwest
Bivalent booster protects against omicron mutations ahead of winter

West Seattle Blog
TERMINAL 5 UPDATES: Still no shore-power use; newest estimate for south-berth completion

Monday, October 31

Gov. Jay Inslee, lawmakers aim to keep anti-abortion ‘tentacles’ out of WA
Gov. Jay Inslee and state Democratic lawmakers revealed details Friday about a push to enact a “shield law” that would protect abortion patients and providers from out-of-state legal action, and announced two more bills in the works designed to ensure reproductive health care access. One would indemnify Washington-based corporations helping employees in other states get abortions. Another bill would block hospital and health care organization mergers that would limit services such as abortion. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Yakima Valley schools look for ways to engage kids who regularly miss class
Regular attendance is connected to better academic performance and higher graduation rates, even in early grades, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Being present in class is the first step toward learning. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction tracks attendance data each school year. It defines chronic absenteeism as missing two days of school a month on average. That may seem like a low bar, but across nine months of school that would add up to 10% of all instructional days. Continue reading at Yakima Herald-Republic. (Emree Weaver)

WA and Seattle ended their COVID states of emergency. What’s next?
Oct. 31, 2022 marked the end of those states of emergency at the state level and in the city of Seattle. Most restrictions had already been phased out, both because of improvements in pandemic conditions and political pressure to do so. Another 23 orders from the governor’s office ended this month. But COVID-19 remains a problem in Washington. There are still 600 new cases popping up every day and more than 40 deaths each week, according to state health department data. As we enter this next phase of the pandemic, here’s what you need to know. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Lindsey Wasson)