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Friday, October 29

Inslee: Plateauing of COVID-19 cases in Washington is ‘serious concern’
COVID-19 cases in Washington are beginning to plateau after weeks of steady declines, causing “serious concern” among health officials, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. “We still have an extremely dangerous pandemic on our hands,” Inslee told reporters. The state is still seeing more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases each day, he said, adding he does not want to see the state enter into a “sixth wave.” The fifth wave, caused by the delta variant, began in August and lasted through September, before case rates and hospitalizations began to fall. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (AP)

Washington state eviction moratorium set to end Sunday after 19 months
After 19 months, the state’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium will end Sunday. Gov. Jay Inslee confirmed Thursday there will be no more extensions. “We’ve done about all we can do,” Inslee said during a news conference. “We’ve given [counties and cities] millions and millions of dollars of cash, and it’s up to them to get it distributed.” Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Mark Stiles/PSBJ)

Opinion: Military spouses sacrifice enough. They deserve jobs, food and the legislature’s support
With November comes Military Family Appreciation Month, making now the perfect time for us to turn our attention to the families, service members and veterans at home who need our help. Growing up as a military child, I know the challenges that many military families face when they move every two or three years. These moves take a toll, on both the children and parents, adding to the stress that exists when one or more family member serves. Continue reading at Tacoma News Tribune. (LSS Photo)

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Associated Press
Senators urge emergency protections for wolves in US West
Workplace complaints predated Parks director’s resignation

Auburn Reporter
Domestic violence victims need more housing options
Global health experts weigh-in on putting the pandemic behind us
South King County renters need more assistance

Bainbridge Island Review
58 new COVID cases confirmed in Kitsap

Bellingham Herald
Flood warning issued for this part of the Nooksack River in Whatcom
Bellingham acts to aid Sportsplex that’s still struggling with COVID limits, border closure
Mount Baker schools attendance down after threats, but Oct. 28 ‘very quiet day on campus’
State, Whatcom health officials prepare for expected approval of pediatric COVID vaccine
Bellingham hospital reports treating near-record number of COVID-related patients again

Capital Press
WAIT AND SEE: Western farmers hope to bounce back from an exceptionally dry year
Spotted lanternfly suspected in Washington; ‘could be one of most harmful pests in our generation’
Washington Apple Education Foundation executive director to step down
Western states to receive drought resiliency funding
Washington county treasurer ‘kicks tires’ on Farm Credit investments

Columbian
Vancouver Public Schools paraeducators back strike if no deal is reached
Vancouver police: No conflict of interest in investigation into fatal shooting
Evergreen, Vancouver school districts exceed state’s inoculation rate

Courier-Herald
Flood watch issued through Thursday

Everett Herald
In close vote, Lynnwood council votes to end $40 car-tab fee
Marysville superintendent claimed a ‘hostile’ work environment
Lynnwood breaks ground on a justice center shaped by protest
Nearly 90% of Washington public school employees got the jab
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Mercer Island Reporter
City council approves earmarking ARPA funds for operational needs

News Tribune
‘Grasping at straws’: One week after deadly Salishan shooting, families seek answers
Tribal leaders tell Inslee about problems with criminal justice and health care changes
Proposed rules would ban new piers, docks on much of Gig Harbor and Key Pen shoreline
Storm dumps rain on Pierce County; forecasts warn of possible flooding
County investigation of Sheriff Ed Troyer didn’t examine his role in Ellis case. Why?
COVID ‘solicitation fatigue’? Health Care Heroes drive is still raising money, but it’s hard
Alleged serial arsonist arrested for St. Charles fire in Tacoma — and five others
Op-Ed: Military spouses sacrifice enough. They deserve jobs, food and the legislature’s support (Leavitt)
Train strikes, kills person on tracks in Puyallup

New York Times
F.D.A. Expected to Clear First Coronavirus Vaccine for Young Children
An Arena Where the Goal Is ‘Net Zero’ Carbon Emissions, Even From Fans

Olympian
About 94% of state employees complied with vaccine mandate, governor says
Gov. Inslee defends Climate Commitment Act veto, vows to continue this work with Tribes
Washington public school employees exceed state vaccination rates, superintendent says

Port Townsend Leader
JeffCo PUD announces plans for ‘smart’ meters

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington state eviction moratorium set to end Sunday after 19 months
Tacoma city council committee advances plan to add more housing density

Seattle Times
Washington state quietly launches COVID vaccine verification tool
After record-breaking rain, clear skies in the Seattle area will offer rare chance to see aurora borealis on Saturday
Why getting long-term care insurance in Washington is nearly impossible — and has been for months
More than 100 cargo containers went overboard from ship that caught fire off Victoria, B.C., Canadian Coast Guard says
The planet’s future is on the line at Glasgow climate summit
Microsoft launches community college campaign to address cybersecurity workforce shortage
Unemployment claims up in Washington as state continues its slow, uneven recovery
Opinion: Help heal families: Fund domestic violence intervention programs

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon City Council passes city’s 2022 budget

The Skanner
For tribes, ‘good fire’ a key to restoring nature and people

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Flood watch issued in King County Thursday

Sol De Yakima
Celebrarán Día de los Muertos en el Valle de Yakima
Niñez sí enfrenta problemas de salud mental
Defensores de animales protestan en Walmart de West Valley por gato en vigas

South Seattle Emerald
Boosters open up for wider group, vaccine likely for children 5–11

Spokesman Review
Inslee will allow eviction moratorium bridge to expire. Here’s how that could play out in Spokane
Inslee: Plateauing of COVID-19 cases in Washington is ‘serious concern’
‘Fair’ and ‘historic’: Committee approves map splitting Spokane County into five new commissioner districts

Tri-City Herald
Northern lights could glow over WA state and Tri-Cities for 2nd time this month
Long-time Tri-Cities elected official announces his retirement
Richland astronaut Kayla Barron prepares for takeoff within days

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Uncertainty continues over Cottonwood Road annexation to develop around 250 homes
Walla Walla city council approves ending $1.34 per month recycling fee
Three COVID-19 patients die in Walla Walla County, one in Umatilla County

Washington Post
A bitter pill: Biden suffers familiar defeat on prescription drug prices
In battle at Supreme Court over N.Y. gun law, a surprising split among conservatives
Voices from around the world on what’s at stake at COP26
Biden raises the stakes with the biggest gamble of his presidency
Democrats accuse Big Oil execs of ‘obviously lying’ about climate change in historic hearing

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima hits record low unemployment rate as construction industry booms
COVID-19 boosters, vaccines for kids already on the way to Yakima County
Opinion: Yakima employment numbers are worth celebrating

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Storm causes roads to flood as Seattle breaks rain record
Skagit River expected to flood residential areas, roads in Mount Vernon
Brothers indicted in firebombing of Shoreline Black-owned coffee shop
As storms roll in, new plans to keep container ships safe
With Facebook hacks, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Inslee: 94% of state employees comply with vaccine mandate
Nearly 90% of WA’s school employees vaccinated
Arrest made in connection with arsons in Tacoma

KNKX FM
Here’s the timeline for the kids COVID vaccine authorization
4 things to know about possible changes to your student loan debt

KUOW FM
‘Needs not numbers.’ Teachers, families protest Seattle schools special education staff changes
Large classes, little social distancing at a Tukwila charter school worry parents and staff
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW

KXLY (ABC)
Inslee: 94% of state employees comply with vaccine mandate
Washington: 89% of public school employees get COVID vaccine
No COVID vaccine mandate expected for Washington students, but kids will likely wear masks all school year

Web

Crosscut
WA fish researchers use tiny sensors and other tech to save salmon
Podcast | How the pandemic is changing our cities

MyNorthwest
State to ‘monitor’ new King County vaccine requirements, as it preps new verification tool
Gov. Inslee: Dems, Republicans do not ‘own the secretary of state’s office’
Gov. Inslee says Washington’s plateau in COVID cases is ‘very worrisome’
Nearly 90% of Washington’s public school employees vaccinated against COVID

The Stranger
We Must Invest in a Legal System That Works
Sources Allege Port Commissioner Created Hostile Work Environment

West Seattle Blog
About those anchored ships, and what else is happening because the supply chain’s snarled

Thursday, Oct. 28

More than 300,000 kid-sized Pfizer COVID vaccine doses expected in Washington state next week
Washington expects about 316,000 doses of kid-sized Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in the state by the end of next week for children between 5 and 11, pending federal authorization, state health officials said Wednesday. The kid-sized dose, which is equal to one-third of the adult Pfizer vaccine dose, still needs the emergency authorization of the Food and Drug Administration and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The CDC’s committee meets next Tuesday and Wednesday. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Ringman)

Here’s what is in the $1.75 trillion Biden budget plan
President Biden on Thursday unveiled a roughly $1.75 trillion blueprint for overhauling the country’s health care, climate, education and tax laws, as he seeks to break an ongoing logjam among his party’s liberals and moderates that have stalled his economic agenda for months. The plan includes some of Biden’s earliest policy priorities, including new spending to enhance child care and offer prekindergarten free to all American families. But it also shelved some of Democrats’ most fervent plans, including an effort to provide paid leave to millions of workers — one of many casualties in the party’s efforts to reduce its original $3.5 trillion price tag. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Jabin Botsford)

Federal jury: Immigrant detainees are owed minimum wage
A federal jury has determined that The GEO Group must pay minimum wage — rather than $1 a day — to immigration detainees who perform tasks like cooking and cleaning at its for-profit detention center in Washington state. The verdict came Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma in a second trial over the issue. The first trial ended in June with a deadlocked jury. “This multi-billion dollar corporation illegally exploited the people it detains to line its own pockets,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in an emailed statement. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

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Associated Press
Pfizer vaccines for younger kids expected in state next week
Federal jury: Immigrant detainees are owed minimum wage
Workplace complaints before WA Parks director’s resignation
Senators urge emergency protections for wolves in U.S. West
Report Faults WA Sheriff Over Confrontation With Black Man

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham and utility provider sign this accord to fight climate change
WA health officials prepare for expected approval of pediatric COVID-19 vaccine next week
How could opening the border to Canadians impact Whatcom’s COVID testing availability?
Whatcom sees another death and surpasses 15,000 COVID cases, but hospital reports decrease
Flood watch issued for Whatcom as atmospheric river is set to drench region

Capital Press
Biden administration leaves ESA ‘habitat’ undefined
False advertising lawsuit over ‘natural’ chicken revived
21 senators urge emergency protections for wolves in West
Farm groups seek to save chlorpyrifos
Washington AG claims chicken suppliers fixed prices
NW onion shipments down

Everett Herald
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Rep. Rick Larsen: What building back better can mean for the region
Letter: State, local covid precautions have saved many lives
Letter: Community Transit vaccine mandate protects riders, drivers

Issaquah Reporter
New timeline of summer 2022 for opening HOV lanes through Tacoma
Washington secretary of state gets federal job

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Seasonal changes bring extra challenges to resident killer whales

News Tribune
Tacoma police might get extra money to reduce violent crime, boost staffing
Got questions about COVID vaccine for kids? Health department forum will answer them
Tacoma’s Asia Pacific Cultural Center plans major expansion as it celebrates 25th year
Pierce County could triple ferry fares by 2029. Would Anderson Island ‘wither and die’?

Olympian
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
City of Tumwater moves to annex 12 unincorporated ‘islands’ in Thurston County
WA health officials prepare for expected approval of pediatric COVID-19 vaccine next week

Peninsula Daily News
Hospitalizations from COVID-19 growing on Peninsula

Port Townsend Leader
Port Townsend schedules 2022 budget hearing

Puget Sound Business Journal
Starbucks, Costco bump up wages amid national labor shortage
Sound Transit to give update on large development site in Kent
Boeing looks to ramp up 737 Max output, but supply constraints await
Microsoft adds 23,000 employees in past year, mostly outside Redmond
Inflation replaces Covid-19 as chief concern among many small-business owners.

Seattle Times
Seattle police, other officers shoot and injure man near Des Moines grocery store
Seattle parents, educators protest special education staff moves
More than 300,000 kid-sized Pfizer COVID vaccine doses expected in Washington state next week
Man arrested in connection with fire at Islamic Center of Tacoma
Editorial: Move past vaccine-mandate rancor with faith, trust and belief

Skagit Valley Herald
Even with many openings, number of jobs in Skagit County dips in September
County resolution: Seattle City Light needs to do more for fish

South Seattle Emerald
Residents at SEED Affordable Housing properties protest poor conditions, rising rents

South Whidbey Record
Op-Ed: Soundoff: Ferry delays are a dire emergency for Whidbey residents

Spokesman Review
Spokane County’s unemployment rate of 3.5% in September matches historic low
Spokane unveils plan to continue Spokane Parks water-saving projects
Projects would invest billions on Lake Roosevelt for needed renewable-energy storage, but hurdles are high

Washington Post
Biden crafts new spending package aimed at attracting all Democrats
Here’s what is in the $1.75 trillion Biden budget plan
Facebook told the White House to focus on the ‘facts’ about vaccine misinformation. Internal documents show it wasn’t sharing key data.
U.S. economy grew at annual rate of 2% in the third quarter, as delta variant pulled back progress
Big Oil CEOs set to testify before House Oversight Committee
At COP26, climate inequality will meet vaccine inequality

Whidbey News-Times
Letter: Ferry system has attitude problem (Paul)

Yakima Herald-Republic
COVID-19 boosters, vaccines for kids already on the way to Yakima County
Apple Valley Elementary construction dispute goes to Yakima City Council
School bus driver shortage continues in Yakima Valley, districts work on recruitment

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
‘Atmospheric river’ bringing heavy rainfall, increasing threat of urban flooding, mudslides
Pfizer vaccines for younger kids expected in WA next week
Power restored to more than 9,000 customers after utility pole fire causes outage
Disability rights group launches driving challenge to underscore driving disparities in Washington

KNKX FM
Biden unveils a smaller spending framework. Now he has to sell it to House Democrats
UW research captures link between exercise, screen time during the pandemic and kids’ mental health
Detainees at Tacoma ICE facility are owed minimum wage, federal jury says

KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW
This north Seattle hotel will house people who have been chronically homeless
The hopeful orca study, and the backlash that ensued

KXLY (ABC)
Former health officer Dr. Lutz suing Spokane health district for wrongful termination

Web

MyNorthwest
Group pushes to have Pierce County Sheriff added to list of officers with credibility issues
New report details behind-the-scenes saga leading up to firing of WSU football coach Nick Rolovich
King County sending out millions in rental assistance, but may not have enough
Washington health leaders say not enough people getting vaccine as cases plateau
More issues for Boeing with possible new safety concerns over 767, 757 planes
First Seattle homeless residents moving in to King County’s hotel

The Stranger
Why Are Seattle’s Tech Companies Funding Climate Opposition?

West Seattle Blog
Affordable homeownership or mixed use? Options for ex-substation site emerge @ HPAC ‘to get moving on a path forward’

Wednesday, Oct. 27

Number of Washington state, Seattle public workers getting vaccinated inches up
New state and city of Seattle figures show the number of government workers getting their shots continues to inch up amid the coronavirus vaccine mandates. About 275 more Washington state employees have been verified as having gotten their shots since last week’s Oct. 18 deadline, according to updated figures released by the Office of Financial Management. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Alan Berner)

Higher Food Prices Hit the Poor and Those Who Help Them
With food prices surging, many Americans have found their household budgets upended, forcing difficult choices at the supermarket and putting new demands on programs intended to help. Food banks and pantries, too, are struggling with the increase in costs, substituting or pulling the most expensive products, like beef, from offerings. What’s more, donations of food are down, even as the number of people seeking help remains elevated. Continue reading at The New York Times. (Kaiti Sullivan)

Day care for disabled children requires better funding, parents and experts say.
Eric Stobbart tried for three months to put his 3-year-old son with autism and epilepsy into a child-care program. Every center turned his son away. “Center-based day cares for basically your typical child would either turn him away because of his epilepsy or because of his autism,” says Stobbart, who lives in Foxborough, Mass. Continue reading at KUOW. (Getty Images)

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Associated Press
Washington’s Republican Secretary of State to serve in Biden Administration
Enforcement of indoor vaccine mandates proves uneven in US
Half its original size, Biden’s big plan in race to finish

Bellingham Herald
Flood watch issued for Whatcom as atmospheric river is set to drench region
COVID infection rates increase across Whatcom, but 2 regions reach vaccination milestones
COVID cases remain highest among Whatcom’s youngest residents, now hospitalizations climb
Bellingham hospital reports record-high COVID patient load, as Whatcom sees another death

Columbian
Clark County Public Health proposes new fees for services
400 fewer Clark County residents employed in September
Stronger Vancouver to get a new approach
Applicants sought for Clark County Development and Engineering Advisory Board

Everett Herald
Kids are big part of coronavirus surge in Snohomish County
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Keep covid politics out of city’s plea for police
WaPo Comment: U.S. gun culture helping pave way for autocrat’s rule

The Facts Newspaper
Booster doses now available for all three COVID-19 vaccine types for certain individuals
City of Seattle launches $16 million Seattle Relief Fund

High Country News
Wildland firefighters struggle with homelessness

The Inlander
Spokane City Council approves sustainability plan meant to guide urgent climate action

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap school districts adopting new COVID-19 testing protocol to keep more students in class

News Tribune
Troyer violated policies, showed bias during run-in with newspaper carrier, probe finds
Tacoma police have plan to reduce violent crime. Will it work?
The fight over a megachurch in Milton has moved to a new front as opponents file suit
Arrest made in arson at Islamic Center of Tacoma

New York Times
Live Updates: Ahead of Meeting With White House Team, Manchin Criticizes Billionaire Tax Plan
Higher Food Prices Hit the Poor and Those Who Help Them
Oil Executives to Face Congress on Climate Disinformation
This May Be Democrats’ Best Chance to Lower Drug Prices
The Rich World’s Promise of $100 Billion in Climate Aid Inches Forward
F.D.A. Panel Recommends Covid Shots for Children 5 to 11

Olympian
Three residents die of COVID-19 in past week as Thurston County adds 589 cases
2 apartment proposals for Hicks Lake in Lacey are on hold, city says

Peninsula Daily News
Officials brace for sixth wave of COVID-19
Federal judge rejects bid to stop vaccine mandate
GOP election chief who rejects fraud claims up for fed job

Puget Sound Business Journal
Why there’s no relief in sight for supply-chain woes – or the accompanying price hikes

Seattle Times
Boeing projects $1 billion lost from 787 quality issues
Seattle motel owner facing obstacles in attempt to evict squatters from crime ‘hot spot’
‘Atmospheric river’ of rain is on its way to Seattle area
Number of Washington state, Seattle public workers getting vaccinated inches up
Homelessness authority has a vision for downtown Seattle recovery — but first they’re asking for $27M

Skagit Valley Herald
U.S. District Court judge weighing merits of Navy EIS for Whidbey Island

The Skanner
Strickland Amendment to Strengthen Workplace Equity for Women & Mothers Passes House

Spokesman Review
Could a homeless shelter be coming to Spokane Valley? New law makes it far more likely
ADU 4 U? Spokane Councilwoman wants fees waived for attached units
100 Years Ago Today: Spokane, academics back alternative to Grand Coulee Dam

Tri-City Herald
Newhouse takes on Biden COVID vaccine mandate for Hanford. Alternative proposed
$33M aquatic center would be ‘shining star’ for Tri-Cities. Here’s the timeline

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
49 employees fired from Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, most vaccine exemption requests denied
New nonprofit aims to help improve racial equity in the Walla Walla Valley

Washington Post
Vaccine eligibility for mood disorders underscores elevated covid risk
HHS pledges more effort, resources toward harm reduction for drug users
New cases down nearly 60 percent since delta variant surge
Los Angeles is aiming to be first major carbon-free U.S. city, but obstacles loom
As closed-door arbitration soared last year, workers won cases against employers just 1.6 percent of the time
Floods, flames and heat: Images of this year’s extreme weather offer a stark backdrop for COP26 climate summit

Yakima Herald-Republic
School bus driver shortage continues in Yakima Valley, districts work on recruitment
Demand for Yakima Valley homes remains strong
Health officials urge Yakima County residents to get a flu vaccine as COVID-19 continues to spread
Yakima County’s proposed 2022 budget reflects boosts in revenue

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
‘Atmospheric river’ to produce heavy rainfall
City light ‘going back to the drawing board’ after second set of power poles collapses
Arrest made in arson of Islamic Center of Tacoma

KNKX FM
What does the future hold for Washington prisons?
Biden may face tension with allies over climate, Afghanistan and other issues

KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW
FDA advisory panel recommends Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11
Day care for disabled children requires better funding, parents and experts say.
Big shippers promise zero carbon by 2040. Too late, say climate activists
Washington’s Kim Wyman accepts election security job under Biden administration

KXLY (ABC)
Moses Lake City Council votes to find accommodations for unvaccinated firefighters
Court leans toward school rights to curb campus campaigning
Data: Shootings in Spokane up by 27% this year compared to 2020
Report faults Pierce County sheriff over confrontation with Black man
‘Kids are going to suffer’: Local schools struggle to find staff, call on community to fill slots

Web

Crosscut
WA apple growers bank on new varieties to boost consumption

MyNorthwest
‘Atmospheric river’ to produce heavy rainfall across region
Investigation finds Pierce County Sheriff Troyer violated department standards
Seattle to open new COVID vaccination clinic in West Seattle

West Seattle Blog
What’s next for Admiral Church’s overnight-shelter plan, after meeting with neighbors
West Seattle-based Pliable gearing up to run city’s new vaccination hub in High Point – and looking to add vaccinators

Tuesday, Oct. 26

Report: More than 1,000 kids have lost a caregiver to COVID-19 in Washington
More than 140,000 children in the United States have lost a parent or grandparent to COVID-19. In Washington, researchers estimate 1,428 children have suffered such a loss. The findings are part of a peer-reviewed study set to be published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study analyzed death data from April 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, missing the devastation of the delta surge this fall. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Libby Kamrowski)

Number of women in state policing remains low
For two decades, amid the rise of women to governor’s mansions, military leadership and even the vice presidency, the percentage of women among the ranks of state police officers has hardly budged. A Stateline analysis finds that nationally, just 7% of sworn state troopers are female. That’s a tiny gain from 2000, when the average female makeup of state police troopers was 6%, according to a 50-state census by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. Overall, women make up less than 13% of full-time police officers in the United States. Continue reading at Stateline. (Ted S. Warren)

Riccelli: We can end childhood hunger, and you can help
Megan’s kids used to hate getting the free and reduced-price lunch at school. Was there enough money to cover the lunch co-pay in their account? The stigma of choosing from the limited free and reduced-price lunch food options, announcing their family’s economic status, was embarrassing. For Megan, a mother of 5 who volunteers as the director of a nonprofit which supports re-entry for the formerly incarcerated, it was one more bill to worry about. Despite losing her job in August, however, food has not been Megan’s biggest worry. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review.

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Associated Press
Number of Washington state workers getting shots continues to grow
Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman up for federal job
Federal judge rejects bid to stop Washington vaccine mandate
Congress plans fixes for US military’s AWOL weapons problems
King County’s Proof of COVID Vaccine Policy Starts Monday

Auburn Reporter
Racial disparities in bike helmet law forces decision by King County health board

Bellingham Herald
COVID infection rate in Whatcom’s fully vaccinated drops, while unvaccinated see increase
Worst of windstorm hit Seattle, but forecast says Whatcom threat remains
Leonard Forsman named first Native American on UW Board of Regents

Capital Press
Bundy: Report on far-right group undercounted members
Judge allows delay of spotted owl’s critical habitat reduction
Farmers skeptical of Inslee-Murray plan, oppose breaching dams

Columbian
Homesteading family’s lasting legacy realized in agreement to return nearly 10,000 acres of habitat to Colville Tribes in conservation deal

The Daily News
Murray, Inslee Detail Salmon Recovery Process That Could Include Snake River Dam Removal
Conservation Groups Want Washington Forests Managed ‘For All The People’
20-Year Legal Battle Over Salmon To Be Paused Until Next Summer
Will The Passes Get Plowed? Impact Of Vaccine Mandate Firings On State Services Not Yet Clear

Everett Herald
Housing authority traded $2,000 for Lynnwood tenants’ silence
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: Cutting through the confusion over booster shots
WaPo Comment: Threats, violence are threats to debate, democracy
WaPo Comment: Analysis: Trump backers mostly mum on results of fraud probes

High Country News
Alaska Native villages band together to keep the Yukon River’s wild salmon afloat
Decolonizing Idaho’s road signs

The Inlander
Spokane Public Schools pays $150k to family of first-grader held in isolation room for nearly 5 hours

News Tribune
Leonard Forsman named first Native American on UW Board of Regents
Jury returns verdict in sexual abuse, harassment suit against Bethel School District
Newspaper carrier files lawsuit over confrontation with Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer

New York Times
Live Updates: Democrats on the ‘Verge of Something Major,’ Pelosi Says of Budget Talks
YouTube, Snap and TikTok executives take their turn answering to Washington.
Covid Live Updates: F.D.A. Panel Considering Whether to Endorse Pfizer’s Vaccine for Young Children
Latest National Climate Plans Still Fall Far Short, U.N. Report Warns

North American Post
National Trust for Historic Preservation Grants

Olympian
Recent bomb threat was delivered via email, Olympia police say
Wind gusts, rain cause power outages across Thurston County Monday
Tacoma company must pay $214K for environmental violations, fire that hospitalized worker
Tree crushes two people driving in storm in ‘freak accident,’ Washington officials say
Here’s how many WA State Patrol workers left Pierce, Thurston after vaccine mandate

Peninsula Daily News
Long-term care facility resident dies of COVID-19
Tens of thousands without power in Pacific Northwest

Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson Healthcare takes next step on $112 million expansion

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report: Student enrollment at U.S. colleges continues to fall
Here’s what SBA head had to say about business recovery during Seattle visit
Covid-19 relief grants available to Seattle minority-owned businesses
King County order to prove Covid-19 status takes effect
SBA still has billions of dollars left in this EIDL grant program. But time is running out.

Seattle Times
Report: Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman will be named to Biden administration election-security post
Homelessness authority has a vision for downtown Seattle recovery — but first they’re asking for $27M
How Seattle-area businesses are dealing with King County’s new ‘show proof of COVID vaccine or test’ rule

Skagit Valley Herald
Commissioners review redistricting proposals
Skagit County records 459 new COVID-19 cases for the week
New Skagit Tourism Bureau hires its first CEO

Sol De Yakima
Más de 60 mil hogares siguen sin luz en Washington por tormenta de viento

South Seattle Emerald
Custodian photo exhibit hopes to help public value essential workers
Weekend Long Reads: How to save a quarter-trillion dollars in our healthcare system
Skyway community members offered stipend to participate in building local food economy
Law students demand Seattle University cut ties with data companies working with ICE

Spokesman Review
Riccelli: We can end childhood hunger, and you can help
More than 1,000 kids have lost a caregiver to COVID-19 in Washington
‘Angel of mercy:’ CHAS Health worker Ilze Zarins-Ilgen has built trust with Spokane’s homeless population
‘A moral obligation’: Spokane City Council adopts climate plan

Tri-City Herald
New air ambulance service opens in Tri-Cities to transport critical Eastern WA patients
Pasco councilman plans lawsuit to halt COVID vaccine mandate for 11,000 Hanford workers
Tri-Cities’ winter could be colder and wetter than usual, thanks to La Niña
New $90M PNNL center to focus on solving clean energy’s biggest puzzles
Toxic algae is back. Columbia River is unsafe again, say Tri-Cities officials

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla Toyota donates $20,000 in raised funds to local high schools
Walla Walla Community College could see biggest loss of staff among Valley colleges over vaccine mandate
Walla Walla County outlines their mental health care needs at forum
Case numbers continue dip in Walla Walla County
‘The bare minimum’: Body donation programs at Washington universities contend with shortages

Yakima Herald Republic
Demand for Yakima Valley homes remains strong
10-digit dialing now mandatory in the 509 area code
Multiple Lower Valley school districts receive online threats in past week
New redistricting proposal would create a Latino majority by voting age in the 14th

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Storm cleanup continues with more wet weather this week
Coronavirus: FDA considers Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5-11 on Tuesday
Newspaper carrier files lawsuit against sheriff, Pierce County over January confrontation
Lingering power outages cancel classes at some schools
Power restored to most around the Sound
Port Angeles man convicted in misbranding drugs he claimed cured COVID-19
Some Kitsap Fast Ferry sailings canceled due to weather
Washington looks for ‘alternative’ paths to end years-long wait for permanent Daylight Saving Time

KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for Seattle and the NW
Marijuana vaping among teens has more than doubled since 2013
What the U.S. can — and cannot — do for vaccine equity per the State Department

KXLY (ABC)
Federal judge in Spokane denies motion to halt Washington vaccine mandate
Spokane City Council passes new sustainability plan

Web

Civic Skunkworks
Opinion: ‘Right-to-Work’ Legislation May Sound Nice, but It’s Actually Terrible
Opinion: Ultrawealthy Americans Use Philanthropy to Dodge Their Taxes
Opinion: Why American Workers Have Fallen Into the So-Called ‘Skills Gap’

Crosscut
Number of women in state policing remains low

MyNorthwest
Washington AG files lawsuit over ‘sweeping conspiracy’ involving chicken manufacturers
Newspaper carrier files lawsuit against sheriff, Pierce County over January confrontation
Judge rejects third bid to halt Washington’s state worker vaccine mandate
Report: Washington Sec. of State Wyman could be leaving role for new job with Biden administration
Booster doses of COVID vaccines available in Washington for eligible individuals
Potential ‘irreparable damage’ to Puget Sound orcas over alleged illegal salmon hatchery expansion
Mayor launches Seattle Relief Fund to help families impacted by COVID
State recovers $495,000 in stolen unemployment benefits with ‘innovative’ legal strategy
Washington looks for ‘alternative’ paths to end years-long wait for permanent Daylight Saving Time
Weekend storm knocks down trees, power lines
UW Medicine study seeks local participants to understand COVID spread
Amazon hiring for more than 500 positions at new sort center in Fife
Rural Eastern Washington hospitals say no big losses in staffing post-vaccine mandate

Slog
Twenty-Seven Days for Stealing a Souvenir Penny: What It Would Look Like to Get Tough on Misdemeanors in Seattle
Landlords Mess With the Wrong Old Folks Community

Monday, Oct. 25

Storm rips through Western Washington, killing two and leaving more than 100,000 without power in Seattle and beyond
A tree fell and killed two people and more than 100,000 customers lost power Sunday as a strong storm system brought wind and rain to the Puget Sound region. According to Puget Sound Energy’s website, by Sunday evening, the majority of outages were “concentrated in King and Pierce counties, with especially hard hit areas in and around Enumclaw, Graham, Issaquah, Orting, Redmond, Sammamish, Skykomish and Snoqualmie.” Available estimated restoration times and more information on outages are at pse.com/outage/outage-map. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Abortion pills available by mail in WA, but access isn’t equitable
In April, the Biden administration reversed a Trump-era requirement that made it impossible for doctors to remotely prescribe mifepristone, one of two drugs commonly used in medication abortion. The decision made abortion care accessible in the same way other forms of health care have been since March 2020, when clinicians pivoted to telehealth during the pandemic. But while providers in Washington state and across the country have embraced the new delivery system of medication abortion by mail, advocates say access remains far from universal, including in the Pacific Northwest. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Victor R. Caivano)

Greenhouse emissions reached record levels in 2020, even with pandemic lockdowns
Despite a world economy that slowed significantly due to COVID-19, the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record last year, putting the goal of slowing the rise of global temperatures “way off track,” according to the World Meteorological Organization. The United Nations body said Monday that carbon dioxide had risen by more than the 10-year average in 2020 to 413.2 parts per million, despite a slight decrease in emissions due to the pandemic. Methane and nitrous oxide, two other potent greenhouse gases, also showed increases, the WMO said in the latest issue of its Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. Continue reading at KUOW. (Bloomberg)