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Wednesday, July 21

Evictions slowed during pandemic but some Washington renters still faced pressure to move, UW report says
Although a statewide moratorium sheltered many tenants from eviction over the last year, some renters still lost their housing in more informal ways, according to a recent report from researchers at the University of Washington. In a survey of renters with low incomes, about 16% reported a landlord texting, emailing, calling or telling them in person to vacate their rental unit, compared with 9% before COVID-19. Nearly 6% reported a landlord shutting off utilities compared with 4% before the pandemic. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

U.S. extends border closure to Aug. 21 while Canada will allow in vaccinated Americans
Vaccinated Americans may be able to begin traveling to Canada in 2½ weeks, but Canadians, whether they’re vaccinated or not, will not be allowed to cross the border into the U.S. for non-essential reasons for at least another month. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, July 21, announced that it was extending its temporary restriction prohibiting non-essential cross-border travel from Canada through at least Aug. 21. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Richard Read)

Washington’s death toll from June’s heat wave has reached 112
Authorities say last month’s Pacific Northwest heat wave that toppled all-time temperature records killed at least 112 people in Washington state. KUOW reports the Department of Health updated its tally on Monday, which caused the death toll to increase by 21. In Washington, the bulk of the deaths were in the state’s most populous counties, King, Pierce and Snohomish, though 20 of Washington’s 39 counties reported at least one death caused by the triple-digit heat. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

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Associated Press
Washington’s death toll from June’s heat wave has reached 112
Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell quizzes airlines on delays, worker shortages

Aberdeen Daily World
$70 million in Chehalis Basin funds on hold
QIN gets federal funding for solar power in new Generations building
Op-Ed: Young people should be reading newspapers
Op-Ed: What good is a minimum wage if it’s stolen?

Bellingham Herald
U.S. extends border closure to Aug. 21 while Canada will allow in vaccinated Americans
Electric vehicles have a bright future in Whatcom County, if this issue can be overcome
COVID likely skewed annual homeless count, but it showed these numbers in Whatcom County
Whatcom COVID case numbers slowly creep up, but no new delta variant cases reported

Capital Press
Fish and Wildlife Service withdraws critical habitat rollbacks for spotted owl
As fires rage, DNR closes Eastern Washington lands
Earlier, hotter, bigger and faster fires are fueling historic fire season
Coping with stress, stigma and suicide in farm country

Columbian
PeaceHealth COVID outbreak traced to patient; 3 of 4 infected workers unvaccinated
Editorial: In Our View: Climate essential component of I-5 Bridge plan

Courier-Herald
The King County Council put “Ranked Choice” voting legislation on hold this year, but may pitch it to voters next year. What do you think of this voting style?
Two weeks left to apply for small business grants in unincorporated King County

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Recreational areas in eastern Washington closed due to fire danger
Yakima authorities ask public opinion on parks, recreation

Everett Herald
Former Marysville student charged with racist death threats
Most sheriffs in Washington pledge to protect 2nd Amendment

Federal Way Mirror
Residential migration on the uptick as COVID eases

International Examiner
200 days in Congress, and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland is full of surprises

Kent Reporter
Kent-based Blue Origin completes its first human flight into space | Photos

Kirkland Reporter
County property purchased in Bellevue for Eastside supportive and affordable housing

Kitsap Sun
‘I get to practice where I trained’: Residency program helps fill doctor’s void in Kitsap
Thanks to storage, aquifers and wells, Kitsap water providers report normal water levels
USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier arrival expected Thursday

Mercer Island Reporter
Islanders react to mask-free life as things return to normal
Letter: Thoughts on climate change

News Tribune
There’s a big construction project underway at UW Tacoma. Here’s what they’re building
South Tacoma, Lakewood transit stations need improvements, groups say. Will they happen?

New York Times
U.S. Life Expectancy Plunged in 2020, Especially for Black and Hispanic Americans
As Virus Resurges, G.O.P. Lawmakers Allow Vaccine Skepticism to Flourish
Republicans are set to block an infrastructure bill in the Senate, pleading for more time for bipartisan talks.

Olympian
An Olympia parks project that was approved in the ’90s may begin construction in 2022
Thurston County added 1 death, 187 COVID-19 cases last week. Is virus activity rising?
Vaccinated people can still get COVID. Here are the most common symptoms, study says

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tacoma mayor seeks funding to join South Sound affordable housing coalition
Retail market sees some improvement in Q2. But supply chain, labor shortage continue to weigh on industry.
Biden to name a critic of Big Tech as the top antitrust cop
Think the labor shortage is bad now? The long-term pain is only going to get worse.
Amazon ‘ramping down’ Covid-19 testing for warehouse workers
Cyberattacks that targeted UW, Microsoft linked to Chinese government
This $2B transportation industry grant program is now closed. When will the money go out?

Renton Reporter
Study suggests that the top 10 percent of gasoline-using drivers consume one-third of all the gas

Seattle Medium
City Of Seattle Grants $10.4 Million To Community Organizations Focused On Safety For Communities Of Color
Dunn Introduces Legislation To Provide Greater Transparency For Property Taxes

Seattle Times
Evictions slowed during pandemic but some Washington renters still faced pressure to move, UW report says
Seattle’s new Fairview Avenue bridge opens Saturday morning
Canada’s new COVID border rules have put us in our place
A new generation of Asian American artists is expanding Bruce Lee’s legacy
Washington State Department of Natural Resources will close lands east of Cascades due to extreme fire danger
Parents are returning to work, but Seattle’s child care industry continues to struggle with COVID-19 impact
Editorial: Washington prisons require humane climate resiliency

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County considers changes to building codes
Conway School Board approves school district’s budget

South Whidbey Record
Four county officials fined for public disclosure violations
South Whidbey Harbor sees revenue surging post-COVID

Spokesman Review
State Rep. Rob Chase’s anti-vaccine comments removed from Facebook, called ‘false information’
Hot, dry conditions fuel several wildfires in Eastern Washington, Idaho
Opinion: Matthew Hollon, MD: A big, bold idea for Spokane

Tri-City Herald
State closes Eastern Washington land to camping due to fire danger
Attorneys charging $1 million a month to get Easterday farms, ranches out of bankruptcy
COVID patients hospitalized in Tri-Cities more than double in a week

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Water conservation encouraged for extreme drought in Walla Walla Valley, but no restrictions yet
Fires in Umatilla National Forest grow to 92,000 acres

Washington Post
Heat waves are dangerous. Isolation and inequality make them deadly.
Rescue efforts launched after record floods in central China displace 1.2 million
Key federal aid programs are running out of time — and cash — as new coronavirus variant spreads
Growing number of Republicans urge vaccinations amid delta surge

Whidbey News-Times
Letter: Vaccination rate is appallingly low across the country
School board member threatens to sue students
Law enforcement role in school threats debated

Yakima Herald Republic
Judge issues temporary protection order against Yakima council member Jason White
High fire danger leads to DNR, WDFW land closures. Here’s how it will affect the Yakima Valley
Fewer Yakima County residents out of work in June as businesses ramp up activity
Yakima Valley law enforcement critical of police reform measures set to go into effect

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Drone highways? Washington Transportation Commission planning for the future
Health officials urge people who use drugs to carry Narcan as overdose deaths rise in Washington
Homeless encampment near I-90 in Seattle to be removed following string of rock-throwing incidents
New timeline for replacement of I-5 bridge between Washington and Oregon

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Large homeless camps to be cleared along highway to address debris-throwing incidents
Auburn hotel to be King County’s latest site to house chronically homeless people
Two veterans work to get interpreter out of Afghanistan
Seattle Children’s eliminates opioids from Bellevue surgery center
Canadian tourism businesses brace for American travelers
DNR-managed lands in Eastern Washington closed due to extreme fire danger
State proposes new toll rates on SR 99 Tunnel, Tacoma Narrows Bridge
‘Frustrating and disappointing’: Washington families react to new Canada entry requirements

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Transportation officials mulling how much to increase price on Washington state toll roads
Doctors stress unvaccinated kids should continue masking, social distancing
Breakthrough COVID cases prompts new calls to mask up in Washington state
Crews to clear homeless camp near I-90 that has been linked to rock attacks on motorists

KXLY (ABC)
$2M grant increases learning opportunities for kids outside the classroom

NW Public Radio
Western Ranchers Are Cuttin’ Herds Like Mad To Prep For A Winter With Short Hay
Extreme Fire Danger Forces Managers To Close Public Lands In WA, OR

Q13 TV (Fox)
WSDOT to remove homeless camp along I-90 as rock-throwing incidents increase in the area
Delta variant accounts for 83% of US COVID-19 cases, CDC says
Amazon to end testing for COVID-19 at warehouses this month

Web

MyNorthwest
US extends ban on non-essential travel from Canada
Seattle Children’s eliminates opioids from Bellevue surgery center
Homeless camps along I-90 to be cleared after 7 more vehicles hit by debris
Thurston County ambulances seeing long emergency room wait times
Bellevue appoints interim police chief with Steve Mylett leaving for new job in August
Future of Seattle’s proposed I-5 lid will likely fall to city’s next mayor
With fires ‘smashing records,’ state closes DNR lands in Eastern Washington
Washington’s fentanyl crisis deepens as overdose deaths continue to rise
Washington’s military-focused vaccine lottery holds first drawing Tuesday

Tuesday, July 20

Canada to open border for fully vaccinated U.S. residents Aug. 9 after COVID closure
After 16 months of border restrictions, fully vaccinated Americans are going to be able to visit Canada starting Monday, Aug. 9. The Canadian government made the announcement on Monday, July 19. Americans will need to prove to border officials they are fully vaccinated through the ArriveCAN app. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result, according to a news release from the Canadian government. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Warren Sterling)

As fires roar through its hills and forests, once again the Colville tribe watches its ‘life’s blood burn’
Lean and weathered, a horseman by trade who has broken his shoulders twice riding broncs and racing, Ralph Moses is Nez Perce by blood and no stranger to fear. He experienced a new kind of terror Monday night as he watched a wildfire encircle his home. Started by lightning, moved by wind and fed by parchment-dry grass and trees, the fire roared through his 110-acre ranch, lapping at the home he’s lived in since 1972. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Poor data, racism fueling crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people, activists say
Across the country, there are thousands of reports of Native Americans missing. But for a long time, what has been a crisis on Indian reservations has been widely ignored. Thanks to grassroots efforts drawing more attention to these cases, there are members of law enforcement and some lawmakers paying attention and working to turn awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women, men, girls and boys into action. Continue reading at KING 5.

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Associated Press
Officials say shellfish illnesses linked to heat wave
Canada to let vaccinated US citizens enter country on Aug. 9

Aberdeen Daily World
Letter: We need to work together

Auburn Reporter
Drug overdose data shows an alarming trend in recent years

Bainbridge Island Review
BI council to look at PSE transmission line proposal

Bellingham Herald
Get shaken awake early Tuesday? Small earthquake rattles near Whatcom County school
Want to go to Canada for non-essential travel on Aug. 9? You need this app first
Whatcom official threatened after social media post about COVID vaccine effort
Canada to open border for fully vaccinated U.S. residents Aug. 9 after COVID closure

Capital Press
Burned acres well above year-earlier levels
Washington farm groups join fray over capital gains tax
Washington raspberry industry gets report to mull

Columbian
Washougal School District budgets for rebound after losing students
PeaceHealth COVID outbreak traced to patient; 3 of 4 infected workers unvaccinated
I-5 Bridge project details timeline, goals

Everett Herald
Come October, United Airlines will discontinue flights at Paine Field
Snohomish Council tackles touchy subject of mayoral pay hike

High Country News
The orchardist rescuing fruit trees in New Mexico

Kent Reporter
Watts proud of his accomplishments as Kent school superintendent

Kitsap Sun
Great Peninsula Conservancy receives grant for North Kitsap Divide Block Forest

News Tribune
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Final three victims of June heat wave identified in Pierce County
Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt shifts homeport to Bremerton for extensive refit

New York Times
How Bad Is the Bootleg Fire? It’s Generating Its Own Weather.
Americans’ Medical Debts Are Bigger Than Was Known, Totaling $140 Billion
States and Cities Near Tentative $26 Billion Deal in Opioids Cases

Olympian
Thurston commission approves plan to fund non-profit grants for pandemic recovery
Safeway workers approve Teamsters contract, averting strike threat
Thurston County tenants facing rent increases as governor’s rent protections expire

Puget Sound Business Journal
If companies aren’t paying attention to housing, they should be.
United Airlines will exit Paine Field this fall
Downtown Seattle Association launches campaign to bring people back downtown
KPMG report ranks Seattle 3rd in US innovation hub rankings

Seattle Times
Urban slowdown: Suburbs grew faster than Seattle in 2021
United Airlines will halt flights from Everett’s Paine Field airport later this year
‘Best day ever!’ Bezos, 3 others journey into space and back
Cruise lines navigate complex rules as Alaska sailings resume from Seattle
Seattle study of breast milk from 50 women finds chemical used in food wrappers, firefighting foam
Wearied by the pandemic, Seattle’s Chinatown International District celebrates reopening
Opinion: Wonder where your food comes from? Ask a Washington farmer

Skagit Valley Herald
With eyes on the future, La Conner School District welcomes new superintendent
Latest week shows increase in new COVID-19 cases in Skagit County

The Skanner
COVID-19 Outbreak Reported at Vancouver Medical Center

Spokesman Review
As fires roar through its hills and forests, once again the Colville tribe watches its ‘life’s blood burn’
‘It’s a worker’s market’: Staffing shortages force Spokane-area businesses to adapt
After 20 heat-related deaths, some say Spokane region needs better planning for future heat waves
University of Washington will test COVID-19 booster shots
South King County mechanic wins Washington’s $1 million vaccine lottery
Opinion: Lee Williams: Spokane has a real child care crisis, and needs the help of the stimulus
Opinion: George Wuerthner: All the wildfires? It’s the climate, stupid

Washington Post
Delta variant poses major risk to Biden’s promises of swift economic comeback
In 1961, she lost her chance to go to space. Today, at 82, she finally got her shot.
U.S. and E.U. security officials wary of NSO links to Israeli intelligence
Going further than CDC, pediatricians group recommends masks in schools even for the vaccinated
What happens when an athlete tests positive for the coronavirus at the Olympics?

Yakima Herald Republic
Chinook Fest returns, focused on country and roots-rock
Small farmers face labor shortages in the Yakima Valley
Opinion: Data-driven policing is promising, as long as we know who’s driving the data

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
With conflicting back to school mask guidance, what’s next for Washington students?
Poor data, racism fueling crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people, activists say
Health department takes new approach to getting people vaccinated in south King County
Washington’s law enforcement concerned, confused by incoming reform laws (Goodman)
Which Washington county is most vaccine-hesitant? Check this map

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
‘Frustrating and disappointing’: Washington families react to new Canada entry requirements
First cruise ship of delayed season departs Seattle
United Airlines will pull its last route out of Paine Field in October

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington state’s rising number of COVID-19 cases stokes concern, anxiety
Seattle’s cruise industry poised to return after being docked last year for COVID-19
$5.5 million settlement reached in nurses’ lawsuit against health provider
Officials say surge in shellfish illnesses linked to heat wave
Outreach worker says homeless camp near Seattle school will be cleared
Seattle or state: Who’s responsible for camp linked to I-90 debris throwing incidents?
Threat for wildfires in Washington increasing as long drought persists

KXLY (ABC)
New police reform laws affecting domestic violence cases
Vaccinated Americans will be able to visit Canada starting August 9
New WA laws start to close public broadband gap — but it’s a small step (Hansen)

Q13 TV (Fox)
Size of Oregon wildfire underscores vastness of the US West

Web

Crosscut
Citizen scientists enlist in fight against WA’s murder hornets
Why equity and diversity matter in the great outdoors

MyNorthwest
Scientists haven’t had ‘a good look at J-pod’ of orcas in last three months
Washington cherry crop faces challenges of heat wave, wildfires
‘Good news’ for Puget Sound smoke forecast despite ongoing wildfires
Canada to let fully vaccinated Americans visit starting in August
Weekend sees another 4 cars hit by debris on I-90 through Seattle
United Airlines will pull its last route out of Paine Field in October

Slog
Cruise Ships Are Even Dirtier Than You Thought

Monday, July 19

‘This isn’t over.’ Even as life gets back to normal for many, COVID-19 keeps killing Washingtonians
Millions of Washington residents are vaccinated, the state has dropped most restrictions, and life for many is tilting toward pre-pandemic conditions. But people are still dying from the virus. Losses at this stage can seem particularly cruel, like having a loved one die in battle just days before the armistice is signed. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Dangerous conditions complicate wildfire fight in western US
Erratic winds and dry lightning added to the dangers for crews battling the nation’s largest wildfire on Monday in parched Oregon forests, just one of dozens burning across several Western states. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles, an area about the size of Los Angeles. The blaze just north of the California state line was 25% contained. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Noah Berger)

What small business owners need to know about PPP loan forgiveness
The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program was as massive as it was popular, dispensing a total of 11.8 million forgivable loans for nearly $800 billion across 2020 and in early 2021. But, as those loans start to come due, small businesses need to stay abreast of the most recent developments and rules to make sure they maximize every dollar, particularly when it comes to PPP loan forgiveness or the interplay with potentially lucrative employee retention credits. Continue reading at The Puget Sound Business Journal.

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Associated Press
Dangerous conditions complicate wildfire fight in western US
COVID-19 outbreak reported at Vancouver medical center

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen commits $7 million to Gateway Center
Letter: Closing Aberdeen homeless camp hard-hearted

Auburn Reporter
New state police reforms change policing in Auburn
Council discusses body-worn cameras for Auburn police

Bainbridge Island Review
Opinion: ‘Underdog’ dad taught me system sometimes works
Parks able to answer more questions about BAC purchase

Bellingham Herald
These sales numbers show how big a hit Whatcom restaurants, businesses took from COVID-19
With border reopening a possibility next month, Whatcom prepares to welcome Canadians
What’s with all the ship traffic in Bellingham Bay? There could be more on the way

Capital Press
Washington sets rule for farm work in wildfire smoke
Lawsuit seeks more spill over Columbia Basin dams for salmon
Red Apple Fire slows in Central Washington

Columbian
COVID-19 outbreak sickens patients, staff at PeaceHealth
Editorial: In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Vaccine milestone, virus variants

Covington-Maple Valley Reporter
WSDOT awards contract for I-405/NE 132nd Street Interchange project in Kirkland

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Washington issues emergency rules to protect workers from fire smoke
Fire evacuation order lifted near state route 821
Dairy workers will receive overtime pay starting July 25
Small farmers face labor shortages
Extreme heat kills a significant portion of the Northwest cherry crop

Everett Herald
Snohomish County winds down emergency response to COVID-19
Edmonds Rescue Plan could put $12 million back into the city
Housing Authority considers 1,500 units for Baker Heights
Down to 2 police officers, Brier reaches out to the county
Shoppers, it’s once again time to break the plastic bag habit
Editorial: Burke: Trump is history, but recent enough to justify study
Comment: Viewpoints: Why Trump won’t get far in social media lawsuits
Comment: Inslee dropped ball in touting pandemic response
Comment: Why schools should teach about racism
WaPo Comment: National Mall to fly flags, one for every covid death
WaPo Comment: Court-packing is dead but other reforms are possible
WaPo Comment: Biden’s BLM pick faces scrutiny for Earth First ties
WaPo Comment: Here’s what can replace monuments to Confederates
Bloomberg Comment: Trump’s Twitter lawsuit raises one serious concern

High Country News
Supreme Court ruling fails to protect Indigenous voters
The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe calls on Seattle to remove the Gorge Dam

Issaquah Reporter
What is ranked-choice voting and why does it matter?

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Ferry fares set to increase in October
Moratorium on new vacation rental permits continues
Opinion: County finance update: Coming out of the pandemic

Kent Reporter
WSDOT launches new Good To Go!

Kitsap Sun
Nurses’ class action suit against CHI Franciscan settles for $5.5 million

News Tribune
Opposition growing to proposed Milton megachurch, including from Native American tribes

New York Times
Why the New Monthly Child Tax Credit Is More Likely to Be Spent on Children
Democrats to Propose a Border Tax Based on Countries’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Stocks tumble amid concerns over the Delta variant’s impact on growth.
U.S. Formally Accuses China of Hacking Microsoft
Senate Democrats took their voting rights push on the road with a hearing in Atlanta.
Opinion: Joe Biden’s Monumental Environmental Gambit

Olympian
Thurston County tenants facing rent increases as governor’s rent protections expire
Fred Meyer warehouse workers vote to authorize strike; work stoppage could begin Monday
Here’s why Thurston County residents who need an ambulance might be waiting longer
10 questions answered about the draft environmental report for Capitol Lake

Port Townsend Leader
COVID-19 cases on the rise in Jefferson County

Puget Sound Business Journal
Workforce shortage and other costs will likely cause restaurant prices to rise
Pike Place Market took a catastrophic economic hit. Now, it’s mounting a comeback.
PPP loan forgiveness: SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman says new application portal will roll out ‘very soon’
What small business owners need to know about PPP loan forgiveness
Private college president thinks higher ed’s business model is broken — and he has a proposal to fix it
Blue Origin’s auction winner declines space trip due to ‘scheduling conflict’
‘It’s been a long time coming’: Housing developer welcomes Tacoma’s growth
Op-Ed: Seattle will thrive again

Redmond Reporter
Opinion: Why wouldn’t you vaccinate to save loved ones? | Roegner

Seattle Times
‘This isn’t over.’ Even as life gets back to normal for many, COVID-19 continues to kill
Other regions have specific plans for heat waves. Experts say Seattle, Puget Sound cities need them too
The Seattle Times v. Seattle: Why we’re suing City Hall | From the editor
Though millions are at risk for diabetes, Medicare struggles to expand prevention program
Is it really OK to not be OK? Richard Sherman and Naomi Osaka cases show there’s a ways to go to support mental health
Opinion: Congress, follow Washington’s lead on voting rights and pass the For the People Act
Opinion: Right past wrongs of racist ‘urban renewal’ and pay reparations to Seattle’s Black community

Skagit Valley Herald
Hot summer has taken toll on water temperatures, snowpack

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Meet the new superintendent for Snoqualmie Valley School District
Town hall set for Meadowbrook Utility Local Improvement District project

South Whidbey Record
So long, s’mores: No campfires allowed in a stricter burn ban
Editorial: Island County’s pandemic bonuses are a smart idea, if legal
Island County employees to get COVID bonuses

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities teacher threatened after she signs onto controversial pledge
New WA tax law could upend retirement plans. The blame is on Dems and Gov. Inslee
‘Day by day.’ Milk prices may climb as WA dairy cows hit hard by NW heat wave
COVID hospitalizations mount in Tri-Cities area with rise in new cases
Wildfire scorches 100 acres west of Tri-Cities

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Lawsuit alleges Walla Walla School District failed to protect student from sexual harassment

Washington Post
U.S., allies accuse China of hacking Microsoft and condoning other cyberattacks
Haiti’s acting prime minister Claude Joseph says he will step down amid leadership dispute
Biden administration repatriates Guantánamo Bay inmate to Morocco
In this summer of covid freedom, disease experts warn: ‘The world needs a reality check’
Opinion: The spirit of John Lewis lives on in the voting rights fight

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima Police Department renews focus on data-driven policing, will invest in license plate cameras
Officials ask residents what they like — and want — in Yakima city parks and recreation facilities
State issues emergency rules to protect workers from wildfire smoke
Opinion: Congratulations to Washington’s newest millionaire

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Why isn’t the Seattle area in a drought like the rest of the state?
Victoria Clipper, Black Ball Ferry optimistic on US-Canada border reopening
VERIFY: Yes, rent control is illegal in Washington

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Fred Meyer warehouse workers authorize strike
Long-delayed Seattle cruise industry setting sail
How a carbon market is fueling change in the Nisqually Community Forest
Welcome back party in Chinatown-ID draws crowd to Hing Hay Park
Revive I-5 returns to Seattle with a full freeway closure
Researchers tackle Dungeness crab population concerns
Out of service ferry causing big delays at Kingston-Edmonds crossing
Two dozen cases of debris thrown at drivers in Seattle in two weeks, spurring calls for action
Mount Rainier announces parkwide fire ban

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
COVID cases are trending up across Puget Sound bringing on a call for masks
COVID-19 outbreak reported at Vancouver medical center
Bootleg Fire nears 300,000 acres as containment stalls at 22%

KXLY (ABC)
Local organization to launch billboard campaign addressing violence against Indigenous women
New police reform laws raise concerns for local police departments
“Shot of a Lifetime” grand prize winner announced

Q13 TV (Fox)
Seattle’s ‘normal’ summer returns for July with weeks-long streak of pleasant temperatures
The Divide: Seattle sues the news
Inslee says Washington will not follow LA County, which has reverted back to mask mandates
New research from WSU shows many leaving the hospitality industry
Opinion: Brandi Kruse: Inslee’s shame game serves no purpose

Web

Crosscut
Want ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer’s low tax rate? Buy a sports team
A tale of two waters
Historia de dos aguas
Opinion: In the PNW, Confederate flag controversies are not new

MyNorthwest
United Airlines will pull its last route out of Paine Field in October
Fred Meyer warehouse workers authorize strike
Building under demolition partially collapses in downtown Seattle
Two firearms found at Sea-Tac Airport screening 5 minutes apart
Re-imposing state’s mask mandate ‘not under consideration,’ says Gov. Inslee
Officials hope to have homeless camp next to Bitter Lake school cleared by September

Friday, July 16

Washington Supreme Court reinstates King County inquest system that expands inquiry into police-caused deaths
The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated sweeping changes made to the King County inquest procedures in 2018, providing an expanded avenue for the families of people killed by police to seek answers and establish culpability. In a unanimous, 49-page opinion the justices struck down most challenges by several county law enforcement agencies, including the King County Sheriff’s Office, which had argued successfully in superior court last year that King County Executive Dow Constantine had overstepped his authority in making the changes. The justices overturned the lower court ruling, authored by Judge Julie Spector, on almost every point. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Rachel La Corte/AP)

COVID outbreaks more than doubled in WA state schools in April and May, report shows
A total of 301 COVID‐19 outbreaks occurred in K‐12 schools between August 2020 and May, according to the latest report updated by the Washington State Department of Health on June 30. A total of 1,139 cases was associated with the outbreaks. Outbreaks have more than doubled since the March 31 update by the health department, which showed 134 COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools between August and February. Continue reading at The Olympian. (North Thurston Public Schools)

Canada could open to vaccinated U.S. tourists as soon as August, Trudeau says
Canada could reopen its borders to vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September, and possibly welcome immunized Americans as soon as mid-August, the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said late Thursday. Canada closed its land border with the United States in March 2020 as the pandemic first accelerated, and it has since restricted entry for other foreign visitors to help stem the spread of the virus. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Cole Burston/Bloomberg News)

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Associated Press
Female grizzly collared in Washington for 1st time in 40 years
Drought emergency declared in Washington state
Wildland fire near Wenatchee threatens more than 1,500 homes
Explainer: Washington tenants get modified eviction reprieve
Child tax credit starts hitting US families’ bank accounts
Supreme Court reinstates King County police inquest system
US requires more tests for safety switches on Boeing 737s

Auburn Reporter
Auburn Community Court has prevention in mind

Bainbridge Island Review
17 new cases of COVID confirmed in Kitsap
Bellevue has way more jobs than housing

Bellingham Herald
Comcast internet outage impacting more than 2,500 customers in Bellingham
These striking Bellingham workers return to work as negotiations continue

Capital Press
Washington drought turning exceptionally bad
Fires threaten Indigenous lands in dry Northwest
Cattle group: Anti-CAFO legislation misguided

Everett Herald
Legacy of pollution makes Everett port project ‘challenging’ (Sells. Wicks)
Federal Child Tax Credit payments are hitting bank accounts
Reopening brings emotional triumphs and challenges
Bloomberg Comment: Success of child tax credit may depend on one’s goals
WaPo Comment: America must confront long history of Nazism, racism

The Facts Newspaper
Expanded Child Tax Credit Puts Money in Pockets of Northwest Washington’s Working Families
Council approves requirement for electric vehicle charging in new development
New Efforts to Support Small Businesses Across the Downtown Core
City of Tacoma Awarded $2 Million Federal MBDA Business Center Program Grant
Americans Feel Less Prepared for Retirement than Before the Pandemic
Small businesses in unincorporated King County hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for grants

Kent Reporter
Department of Ecology declares drought emergency in WA

Mercer Island Reporter
Crime on Mercer Island increased by 11.3% in 2020

News Tribune
Trash and graffiti piled up in Tacoma during COVID-19. What’s the city doing about it?
<href=”https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article252820098.html”>Man sexually assaulted by another patient at Tacoma behavioral health hospital, lawsuit says
South Sound 911’s new, bigger communications building almost open. Here’s a look inside
Strike threat looms over PNW Safeway, Fred Meyer as contracts set to expire
Richard Sherman freed from King County jail after 35 1/2 hours in. Here’s what’s next

New York Times
Devastation from floods spreads in Germany and elsewhere, with hundreds missing.
Plans for free pre-K and community college could provide a ‘ladder into the middle class.’
Possible Winners and Losers in a Student Loan Proposal
Building Solar Farms May Not Build the Middle Class

Olympian
Lacey to spend $177,000 on outreach team that will serve homeless, others in crisis
COVID outbreaks more than doubled in WA state schools in April and May, report shows
Arson suspected for 12 fires started along I-5, US-101 in Thurston and Mason counties
It’s wildfire season in WA. When can we expect smoke to arrive west of the Cascades?
Here’s when Canada’s Trudeau sees border opening, with ‘positive path of vaccination rate’

Peninsula Daily News
Berry now health officer for both Jefferson, Clallam
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Puget Sound Business Journal
Educators grapple with accessibility issues after year of remote learning
Amazon rolls out service to store and analyze health care data
Report: Almost a quarter of Seattle-area homes purchased with cash in 2021

Seattle Times
Chuweah Creek fire grows to 34,280 acres, burns 14 structures
Red Apple fire grows to 11,000 acres, evacuation orders in place
In Seattle’s hot housing market, nearly a quarter of sales are all cash
FAA orders inspections of Boeing 737 cabin air sensors
UW rowing carries tradition of success into Olympics with 16 Huskies competing in Tokyo
Mayor Durkan urges Seattleites to ‘re-create and rebirth’ downtown, its neighborhoods during ‘Welcome Back Weeks’
YouthCare CEO to step down after protest, racial turmoil inside homelessness organization
Washington Supreme Court reinstates King County inquest system that expands inquiry into police-caused deaths
Opinion: Why would we allow cruise-ship waste of any kind in Salish Sea?

Skagit Valley Herald
Outdoor workers get added protections during extreme heat
Delta variant confirmed in Skagit County
Skagit 911 considers asking voters for sales tax increase

The Skanner
Drought Emergency Declared in Washington State

South Seattle Emerald
New signage final step in preserving legacy of Licton Springs as indigenous landmark

Spokesman Review
Avista says during customer town hall that it’s ‘committed to learn’ after controversial planned power outages
Wildfires grow in Washington, Idaho as forecast shows some signs of relief for Spokane
With virus cases rising, mask mandate back on in Los Angeles

Washington Post
The child tax credit is confusing for divorced, single, and non-traditional parents. Here’s who gets to keep the money.
The health and climate consequences of the American food system cost three times as much as the food itself
Canada could open to vaccinated U.S. tourists as soon as August, Trudeau says
Death toll from European floods passes 115 as receding waters reveal scope of devastation
The Amazon rainforest is the world’s carbon sink. Parts of it now release more carbon than can be absorbed.
Arrested and beaten during civil rights protests, she’s 93 and finally telling her story
Opinion: The right’s reckless anti-vaccine campaign is not mere pandering. It’s fatal.

Yakima Herald Republic
A Yakima Valley WWII veteran and POW shares his story with congressional history project

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Inslee to announce winner of $1 million COVID-19 vaccine lottery prize today
‘We’re just lucky’ Red Apple Fire hasn’t caused more damage, farmer says
DCYF oversight board grills state child welfare leader about alleged punishment of foster youth
Microsoft says it blocked spying on rights activists, others
SB I-5 lanes closed this weekend for Revive I-5 work in Seattle

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
District unveils plan to clear homeless camp near Seattle school
Firefighters making ‘significant progress’ on Red Apple Fire in Chelan County
Fully vaccinated Americans can enter Canada as of mid-August

KNKX FM
EPA warns private prison company about pesticide misuse at Tacoma ICE facility
State Supreme Court reinstates King County police inquest system

KUOW FM
Why King County’s Home Values Shot Up Even Further Amid a Pandemic
Tacoma detention center gets federal warning after chemicals impact detainee health
Hot NW summer: More high temps and low precipitation ahead
Flood Deaths Are Rising In Germany And Officials Blame Climate Change
Illinois Is The 1st State To Tell Police They Can’t Lie To Minors In Interrogations
Despite police objections, state Supreme Court gives thumbs up to revamped King County inquests

KXLY (ABC)
Female grizzly captured, collared in northeast Washington
Gov. Inslee to announce ‘Shot of a Lifetime’ grand-prize winner Friday

Q13 TV (Fox)
Renton pet store criticized over payment systems and puppy mills
Neighbors praise ‘skilled’ firefighters as they tackle the Red Apple Fire in Wenatchee
Ballots mailed for Washington’s primary: What you need to know
Pacific Northwest heat wave likely killed ‘billions’ of marine animals, experts say
$4.8 million investment in policing and mental health response in WA
EXPLAINER: WA tenants get modified eviction reprieve
Data shows many leaving the hospitality industry

Web

Crosscut
New WA laws start to close public broadband gap — but it’s a small step (Hansen)
Firing of Spokane public health official boils over into high-level fight
Deeply Rooted: A tale of two waters

Slog
New Study Shows That Lidding I-5 Is More Than Possible — It’s a Good Idea

Thursday, July 15

Gov. Inslee declares drought emergency as wildfire conditions worsen in Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday announced an emergency drought declaration to cover nearly all of Washington. The announcement comes after an extended drought — made worse by the recent heat waves — has lasted into wildfire season, with blazes tearing across Eastern and Central Washington. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Pete Caster/AP)

IRS begins sending monthly checks to millions of American parents in crucial test for Biden
The Biden administration on Thursday launched the biggest anti-poverty program undertaken by the federal government in more than a half-century, delivering monthly payments to the overwhelming majority of American parents for the first time. The Department of Treasury said it has sent checks to households representing approximately 60 million children under a provision in the stimulus package passed by Democrats in March. The payments can be withdrawn Thursday but appeared in many bank accounts as early as Wednesday. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Demetrius Freeman/Washington Post)

Democrats Roll Out $3.5 Trillion Budget to Fulfill Biden’s Broad Agenda
President Biden and congressional Democrats vowed on Wednesday to push through a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint to vastly expand social and environmental programs by extending the reach of education and health care, taxing the rich and tackling the warming of the planet. The legislation is far from passage, but top Democrats have agreed on working to include several far-reaching details. They include universal prekindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds, two years of free community college, clean energy requirements for utilities and lower prescription drug prices. Medicare benefits would be expanded, and green cards would be extended to some undocumented immigrants. Continue reading at The New York Times. (Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times)