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Monday, Jan. 24

State offers free home tests; National Guard arrives in Everett
As the Washington National Guard arrived Friday in Everett to help hospital workers, the state also launched an online portal for Washingtonians to get free at-home COVID tests. Both state initiatives aim to combat the recent omicron surge that has increased demand for hospital resources and testing. A National Guard team of about 10 will help with non-clinical tasks at Providence Regional Medical Center, freeing up staff for critical care. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Providence)

Legislators look to make cannabis laws more equitable, again
It’s been seven years since Duane Dunn opened his cannabis dispensary in Tacoma and he still remembers the feeling of joy he had when it first opened. “It was exciting because it was a new industry, it was challenging because it was constantly evolving and changing, and I was happy that I could do something else other than IT,” said Dunn, who had left the IT field after nearly 20 years in the industry. In 2014, he was able to secure a cannabis license after an intense application process and paying a large sum for the application fee. Continue reading at The Olympian.

Omicron’s economic toll: Missing workers, more uncertainty and higher inflation (maybe)
The Omicron wave of the coronavirus appears to be cresting in much of the country. But its economic disruptions have made a post-pandemic normal ever more elusive. Forecasters have slashed their estimates for economic growth in the first three months of 2022. Some expect January to show the first monthly decline in employment in more than a year. And retail sales and manufacturing production fell in December, suggesting that the impact began well before cases hit their peak. Continue reading at The New York Times.

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Associated Press
Bill seeks to criminalize use or sale of fake vaccine cards
Washington justices uphold $18M fine in GMO-labeling case
Supreme Court to hear challenge to race in college admissions

Auburn Reporter
State offers free at-home COVID-19 tests
Kent Democratic Sen. Mona Das proposes 1% cut in state sales tax (Das)

Bainbridge Island Review
Get up to 5 free COVID home tests from state

Bellingham Herald
Plastic rope washes ashore in southwest Washington. In Whatcom, it finds new life
Didn’t get your package delivered in Whatcom County? Here’s one reason why
Here’s how much the snowstorms cost Whatcom, and why some streets weren’t plowed
Whatcom sees 614 COVID cases and a death, as this school district returns to remote learning

Capital Press
Senate panel OKs bill to stop sheriff’s cougar pursuits

The Daily News
Capitol Dispatch: Long-term care program pushed back and modified in House (Randall)
Emergency food and shelter money is available in Cowlitz County
As new mayor of Kelso, Mike Karnofski looking beyond current conflicts
Kalama City Council opposes pursuing curbside recycling, moves ahead on 0.2% sales tax for roads

Everett Herald
Anxious, weary, hopeful: How we’re coping with COVID
Nurses face burnout as hospital staffing shortage continues (Robinson)
Snohomish County judge accused of ‘needlessly’ exposing staff to COVID
State offers free home tests; National Guard arrives in Everett
Billionaire Bezos wants to bring free preschool to Everett
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Omicron will pass. but hospitals’ deficiencies won’t
WaPo Comment: Even building back smaller can still help families
WaPo Comment: Harris has plan to help Dreamers; it’s time to use it
WaPo Comment: Will pro-life supporters now march for kids, moms?
Comment: Full commission needed for best wildlife management
Opinion: Viewpoints: We need more than ‘Just the facts’ to span divides

The Facts Newspaper
Inslee shares Washington’s pandemic story with U.S. House COVID committee
Students’ Basic Needs and Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 at Colleges and Universities

High Country News
Electric vehicles drive up demand for ‘green metals’

International Examiner
Chinatown-ID night watch group promotes community safety for unhoused and housed residents
Remembering solidarity and resilience at rallies in 2021
ICHS begins distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits as part of the Biden administration’s testing supply program
Opinion: Solidarity in the midst of war and hate

Kirkland Reporter
City of Kirkland wants community feedback on police use of force data dashboard

News Tribune
Rep. Thai: Without accountability, police reform won’t work. Civil remedies for victims is needed
Sports make up most of Pierce County school COVID-19 outbreaks, new data shows
UW completes football coaching staff reset with $8.64 million price tag for 2022
A COVID-19 conspiracy ran rampant last week. 2 Pierce County lawmakers helped it spread

New York Times
Virus Live Updates: Omicron’s Spread Could End ‘Emergency Phase’ of Pandemic, Top W.H.O. Official Says
Omicron’s Economic Toll: Missing Workers, More Uncertainty and Higher Inflation (Maybe)
Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge to Affirmative Action at Harvard and U.N.C.
Police Culture on Trial in Case Against Officers in Killing of George Floyd
Something Has to Give in the Housing Market. Or Does It?
Rapid Inflation Fuels Debate Over What’s to Blame: Pandemic or Policy
‘Build Back Better’ Hit a Wall, but Climate Action Could Move Forward

Olympian
National Weather Service issues stagnant air advisory for Western Washington
Most Thurston County roads have reopened after floods, but some work still ahead
Legislators look to make cannabis laws more equitable, again (Saldaña)
Bills to strengthen workers’ rights introduced in Washington State Legislature
700 percent increase in hospitalizations prompts King County hospitals to plead for help

Peninsula Daily News
State Parks commission to consider Fort Worden PDA lease amendment
COVID-19 cases rise on Peninsula
Forks federal disaster recovery center to remain open though Feb. 4
Disaster Recovery Center open in Forks
Lawmakers advance school temblor funding (Tharinger, Chapman, Van De Wege, Frockt)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon endorses affordable housing bills in Washington state Legislature (Bateman, Das)
Federal prosecutors investigating billions in CARES Act, PPP funding for alleged fraud
Government finalizing rule on tracking small business lending, but there is some pushback over privacy
Here’s what American Airlines’ flight cuts mean for Sea-Tac Airport
Teamsters spokesperson calls first day of concrete strike mediation ‘unmitigated failure’

Reuters
Pro-Trump death threats prompt bills in 3 states to protect election workers (Frockt)

Seattle Medium
Pet Clinic Opens In Seattle, Homeless Counterparts Included
Nobles To Sponsor Diaper Need Act (Frame, Nobles)
King County Library System Partners With Public Health—Seattle & King County To Host Vaccine Clinics At Libraries

Seattle Times
Rolling in the deep: Sound Transit’s downtown Seattle tunnel would bring riders 145 feet below the street
Lawsuits claim Urban League, property managers could have prevented deadly 2021 shooting in Seattle
Toxic PCBs festered at a Monroe school for eight years as students, teachers grew sicker (Pollet)
Opinion: Continuing education can unlock family-wage careers
Opinion: We must normalize mental-health days

Skagit Valley Herald
Piece of state legislation has its detractors in Skagit County (Lekanoff)

Spokesman Review
Legislative staff can’t unionize in Washington. A new bill would change that (Riccelli, Saldaña, Jinkins, Billig)

Tri-City Herald
Connell prison sees spike in COVID cases. Benton jail ‘turning the corner’
Bill would pause new WA wind and solar farms, including huge Tri-Cities project
Tri-Cities ‘property manager’ stole $80,000 in COVID rent relief, prosecutors say
12 more Tri-City area COVID deaths. Infection rate still climbing
PNNL leads coastal study to help prep for wildfires, floods and climate change
Audit says Kennewick port official broke law voting to pay his own $49,000 legal bill
‘Emotionally frustrating.’ Tri-Cities health board looks at fighting COVID mask mandates

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Milton-Freewater sees surge in wine-processing businesses with Watermill expansion
Baker Boyer Bank announces new VP, seven new assistant VPs with wave of promotions
Anti-abortion supporters gather at Walla Walla’s annual Walk for Life
With cougars under scrutiny, a Walla Walla hunter remembers the era of the hunting hound

Washington Post
Race-conscious university admission policies to face Supreme Court review
NATO sends more ships, fighter jets to Eastern Europe as Russia masses troops on Ukraine border
Google deceived consumers about how it profits from their location data, attorneys general allege in lawsuits
Four things experts say the Biden administration can do to rein in the pandemic

Yakima Herald-Republic
Three new primary health care clinics open, or will open, in Yakima
Levee repairs on Yakima River set begin Tuesday; portions of Yakima Greenway to be closed
Sunnyside Municipal Court expects to select a presiding judge after three weeks of operating without one
Toppenish School District serves notice it plans to fire two employees after investigation
Advocates push to eliminate state fees charged families of incarcerated youths
Letter: Few Republicans have the courage to defy Trump

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘No one to serve’: Sumas businesses struggling months after historic flooding
Tribes fighting for salmon on Skagit River say $30M spent by Seattle on dam relicensing is ‘mind-boggling’
First images released of possible I-5 bridge replacement designs
Bezos Academy may bring new tuition-free preschool to Everett
Air quality in Puget Sound region isn’t ‘too bad yet’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington State Board of Health considers making COVID-19 vaccine a requirement for students
Lawsuit filed by AG Ferguson says Google secretly tracks users’ location
Omicron sparks urgent plea from hospitals for more vaccines
UW researchers predict end to the pandemic

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Wash. AG claims Google secretly tracks consumer location
King County hospitals strained with coronavirus patients plea for help
New COVID-19 mass testing site opens in Monroe, expands testing in Snohomish County
Proposed senate bill would make donor breast milk more readily available (Trudeau)
Stolen copper wire affecting internet service for some in Seattle

KNKX Public Radio
Showing or selling a fake COVID-19 vaccine card could become a crime in Washington (Salomon)
Four King County libraries will host COVID vaccination clinics

KUOW Public Radio
‘Safe’ hospital staffing and limiting emergency powers: 2022 legislative check-in (Randall)
Pandemic updates: National Guard begins arriving at Washington hospitals
How colleges are dealing with high COVID case counts on campus
Why rapid COVID tests aren’t more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them
Microsoft, redistricting, and ferries, this week.
Seattle Schools warehouse workers drove hours through snow for 60,000 Covid test kits

KXLY (ABC)
Inland Northwest feels early effects of global supply chain crisis
Healthcare workers, leaders at odds against safe staffing bill (Riccelli)

Web

Crosscut
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ in the hot seat at WA school district
Gov. Inslee’s budget seeks to expand voting access in WA county jails
Podcast: The future of election security and access in Washington state

MyNorthwest
‘I have no illusions the bill will pass’: Why state lawmaker is leading latest push for income tax (Hasegawa)
International coalition purchases mining rights to ‘ecologically sensitive’ Skagit River headwaters
National Guard arrives to Harborview Medical Center to help with COVID testing
UW modelers: State might finally be able to end ‘major restrictions’ once omicron wave passes
Analyst’s advice for Washingtonians who got private long-term care insurance
Washington households can order at-home rapid COVID tests at no cost
Increased security following break-in at site of Bellevue home slide
Gov. Inslee defends mandates to Congress: ‘No intervention is as important as vaccination’

The Stranger
Sawant Reignites Her Push for Rent Control in Seattle

Friday, Jan. 21

Parents and caregivers of young children say they’ve hit pandemic rock bottom
The people who take care of and educate children under 5 years old – both parents and providers – are in a special kind of hell right now. These children are too young to be vaccinated, and it’s difficult for them to wear masks consistently. Many child care directors, like [Cori] Berg, are still following 10- or 14-day quarantines, closing entire classrooms after a single positive test, which has caused nonstop disruptions given the current record numbers of Covid-19 cases. Recently, Berg’s infant room had “double decker” quarantines: closed for two weeks, back for one day, closed for another two weeks. Continue reading at KUOW. (Cooper Neill)

Unvaccinated seniors nearly 50 times more likely to be hospitalized than boosted peers
Unvaccinated adults age 65 or older who contracted the coronavirus were 49 times more likely to require hospitalization than seniors who had received booster vaccine doses, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unimmunized adults in that age group were also 17 times more likely to be admitted to a hospital than those who had received either two shots of an mRNA vaccine or one Johnson & Johnson dose. Meanwhile, unvaccinated people between 50 and 64 years old were 44 times more likely to need hospitalization compared with their boosted counterparts. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Scott Olson)

Most eligible WA residents have gotten COVID boosters, but work still ahead, DOH says
About 53% of eligible people have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, according to Washington state health officials. Secretary of Health Umair Shah shared the statistic for the 12 and older eligible population during a Wednesday morning briefing. He said 2.2 million booster doses had been given out across the state. Researchers are still studying the ongoing effectiveness of the vaccines, said Acting Assistant Secretary Michele Roberts. However, she emphasized that the vaccines continue to be a key tool in responding to the more transmissible Omicron variant. Continue reading at The Olympian.

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Associated Press
Washington justices uphold $18M fine in GMO-labeling case
Washington state supreme court upholds $18 million fine for campaign finance violations by large food brands

Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean City homeowners see flood damage for the third time in five years

Auburn Reporter
Opinion: The cost of shaming the homeless for being homeless

Bellingham Herald
Fog, poor air quality are possible in these Whatcom areas through mid-week
If winter blues are a struggle, try these tips to keep the season from getting you down
Canada: No more mining threat for Skagit River headwaters
Whatcom sees big jump in confirmed omicron COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations grow by 23

Capital Press
Washington Supreme Court lets stand $18M election fine against food makers
Farmers give thumbs-down to Inslee’s buffer bill
Washington sheriff defends cougar policy to legislators

Columbian
I-5 Bridge Replacement Program unveils visuals that are ‘an example of direction we’re going’
Washington legislators introduce two bills to boost affordable housing (Wiley, Walen, Stonier)
Hospital admissions surge 62.7 percent in Clark County as COVID-19 cases rise
Opinion: In Our View: Public’s interest in climate action is growing

The Daily News
New bill asks for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to become statewide WA program (Stonier)

Everett Herald
Neighbors hold out on plan for new Lake Stevens trail
Billionaire Bezos wants to bring free preschool to Everett

News Tribune
Tacoma school levies: Here’s what they would pay for and what it could cost you
A COVID-19 conspiracy ran rampant last week. 2 Pierce County lawmakers helped it spread

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Booster Shots Are Instrumental in Fighting Omicron, C.D.C. Data Show
Covid Hospitalizations Plateau in Some Parts of the U.S., While a Crisis Remains in Others
Supreme Court Lets Texas Abortion Law Stay in Effect, for Now

Olympian
Man shot, killed by Lacey police after firing at officer Thursday night
Lacey City Council approves city’s version of ‘missing middle’
After mega-quake, there won’t be much time before tsunami waves reach Olympic Peninsula
Tumwater, Thurston County adopt agreement for city to annex unincorporated ‘islands’
Capital student caught yelling racist slur at basketball game with River Ridge
Most eligible WA residents have gotten COVID boosters, but work still ahead, DOH says

Peninsula Daily News
Inslee issues emergency order over green crab infestation
Worker shortage at area hospitals
State House passes pause to long-term care tax (Sullivan)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tacoma office vacancies expected to drop in 2022, insiders say
Vulcan explains why it’s selling Google’s South Lake Union campus
Renton-based aerospace company raises $27.5M to develop reusable space plane
Seattle-area Teamsters, concrete companies set to meet with federal mediator

Seattle Times
Restaurant workers go ‘missing’ again from Washington’s job recovery
Push for ‘approval voting’ ballot measure in Seattle gets $160,000 boost from national think tank
2 national parks in Washington among most dangerous in U.S., analysis finds
MLK mural on Central District restaurant defaced, but plans are in place to restore it
Washington confirmed the country’s first COVID patient 2 years ago. What have we learned?

Tri-City Herald
1,200+ new COVID cases in Tri-Cities area in 1 day. Hospitals getting slammed
‘Emotionally frustrating.’ Tri-Cities health board looks at fighting COVID mask mandates
3 Kennewick schools locked down after report of a teen with a gun
Franklin County votes on a different home for sexually exploited girls in rural Pasco

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla-based company selected to build new bridge at Harris Park
Prayer vigil rebukes controversial books in Walla Walla schools

Washington Post
Unvaccinated seniors nearly 50 times more likely to be hospitalized than boosted peers
House panel broadens probe into climate disinformation by Big Oil
DeSantis suggests vaccines hurt fertility. A study indicates otherwise — but says catching coronavirus might.
Supreme Court, investigators force Trump and his children on the defensive on multiple fronts

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Bill would allow creation of local income taxes, but only following tax cuts (Hasegawa)
Here’s how quickly Tsunami waves could move after a major earthquake in Washington

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Hospitals still struggling during omicron surge
Why some people with good credit are still seeing sky-high insurance premium increases
Mass COVID-19 testing site to open at Evergreen State Fairgrounds
Olympia School District apologizes after students yell racial slurs at Black basketball player
Thursday marks 2 years since first COVID-19 case reported in Washington
Lawmakers push bill to better prepare houses of worship for potential attacks
Refrigerated trailers at Puyallup hospital due to staff shortage, not surge in COVID-19 deaths
Protesters in Cosmopolis ask for mayor to step down after fire department quits

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Two years into COVID-19 pandemic, state still determined to reach the unvaccinated
On two year anniversary of discovery of local COVID case, top experts look ahead
Downtown crime, repeat break-ins at Seattle Shirt Company concern business owner

KUOW Public Radio
Covid updates today: Covid will likely become endemic
Today So Far: Time for some Covid context
Parents and caregivers of young children say they’ve hit pandemic rock bottom
Omicron hits Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center harder than other surges

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington’s unemployment rate falls to 4.5% in December
Washington Senator introduces bill to allow for local income tax if other taxes are cut (Hasegawa)

Web

Crosscut
Gov. Inslee’s budget seeks to expand voting access in WA county jails

MyNorthwest
Gov. Inslee defends mandates to Congress: ‘No intervention is as important as vaccination’
Legislature debates WA hospital staffing ratios as healthcare labor problem steeps (Riccelli)
Puget Sound housing market hits record numbers as prices continue to soar
‘Right to repair’ bill would give Washington state consumers control over electronics repair (Gregerson)
State lawmakers take up abortion debate amid uncertain future for Roe v. Wade (Randall)
2 years after Washington identified nation’s first COVID case, future of pandemic remains unclear
King County officials announce March unsheltered population count
Washington Senate bill would reimburse doctors, nurse practitioners at same rate
Most of Western Washington appears to be ‘close’ to omicron peak
FAA clears most passenger planes to land at Sea-Tac with 5G signals limited to buffer zones
Statewide upzoning proposal aims for ‘stout’ housing density near mass transit (Walen)
Racist video from Olympia’s Capital High School basketball game sparks outrage
New study highlights devastating effect pandemic has had on Washington arts
Lawsuit claims Washington’s new redistricting maps discriminate against Latino voters
Amazon continues to run afoul of state regulators over safety conditions in warehouses
Democrat-backed bill would give Legislature more control of emergency powers (Jinkins, Randall, Van De Wege)
State mulls changes to Washington marijuana industry amid claims of bias, abuses of power
State House passes 18 month delay for long-term care tax (Sullivan, Jinkins, Billig)

The Stranger
BIPOC-Led Cultural Organizations Got Tons of Funding in 2020—Then We Left Them High and Dry
After a Lackluster Response, Regional Homeless Authority Wants More Money to Shelter People During Bad Weather

West Seattle Blog
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Here’s when the second work platform goes up
CORONAVIRUS: New reduced schedule for Seattle Public Library branches – here’s what will and won’t change locally

Thursday, Jan. 20

As omicron surges, frustrations and challenges mount in correction facilities
Omicron is ripping through state corrections facilities, forcing the suspension of visitation, mounting overtime for guards and deployment of managers to the front line as staffing shortages persist. There were 1,643 confirmed cases among those in custody Wednesday, with outbreaks of varying proportion at 11 of 12 prisons and nine of 11 work release facilities. Visitation is halted across the system until at least Feb. 3. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Sue Misao)

Lawmakers hit brakes on WA Cares payroll tax, plan big changes
Washington House lawmakers Wednesday approved a pair of key bills to delay the payroll tax collections for WA Cares until July 2023 and make broad changes to the first-of-its-kind long-term care program in the face of criticism. The votes come in the second week of the 60-day legislative session, with Democratic House lawmakers moving speedily to address critiques and concerns that have emerged over the program this past year. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)

Thursday marks 2 years since first COVID-19 case reported in Washington
It has been two years since the United States was rattled by its first COVID-19 case, which was reported in western Washington. A man in Everett who had just returned home from a three-month trip visiting family in China was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the following months, the Seattle area became the epicenter of the early U.S. outbreak. At Life Care Center in Kirkland, 39 residents died from complications from the virus within a four-week span. Continue reading at KIRO 7.

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Associated Press
State launching site for free at-home COVID-19 tests
Inslee issues emergency order over green crab infestation
Lawsuit says new majority Latino district in WA a ‘facade’ (Jinkins)
WA House passes pause to long-term care program and tax

Auburn Reporter
WA lawmakers propose making companies responsible for recycling improvements (Das, Kuderer, Nguyen, Pedersen, Saldaña, Stanford)

Bellevue Reporter
City of Bellevue officials are working to get Somerset Neighborhood residents displaced by landslide back into their homes

Bellingham Herald
COVID infection rates across Whatcom continue surge, as one region’s rate surpasses 3,000
Bellingham renews search for new police chief with these qualities
Here’s where a new hotel, more apartments are planned in Bellingham
Inslee issues emergency order addressing European Green Crab infestation at Lummi
Whatcom averages nearly 400 new COVID cases per day and adds a death over holiday weekend

Columbian
COVID keeps rising in Clark County schools
Opinion: In Our View: Robust minimum wage is an important tool

Everett Herald
Alaska Airlines to add Boeing 737s to the Paine Field fleet
As omicron surges, frustrations and challenges mount in correction facilities
Cornfield Report: Democrats ready to ditch the other ‘grand bargain’ of 2021 (Liias)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Editorial: Protect ballots, meetings from armed intimidation (Berg)

The Facts Newspaper
Mayor Bruce Harrell to Issue New Executive Order and Extend Eviction Moratorium for 30 Days
Mayor Bruce Harrell Announces New COVID Testing Site and Expanded Options

The Inlander
Spokane County and its small cities want to change state law to prevent utility tax from Spokane; plus, lawmakers push for safer staffing levels for hospitals (Riccelli, Kuderer)

Kent Reporter
Kent School District interim superintendent wants Kammezell to resign
Former Kent City Councilmember Higgins calls for Kammerzell’s resignation

News Tribune
Clover Park High School changes Native-related mascot to comply with state law
‘Shady’ search for execution drugs led Idaho DOC to Tacoma pharmacy, investigation shows

New York Times
‘Build Back Better’ Hit a Wall, but Climate Action Could Move Forward
After a day of debate, the voting rights bill is blocked in the Senate.
Efforts to Rein in Big Tech May Be Running Out of Time
In Rebuke to Trump, Supreme Court Allows Release of Jan. 6 Files
New Research Shows How Health Risks to Children Mount as Temperatures Rise

Olympian
Washington House passes changes to long-term care insurance program (Sullivan, Paul)
Inslee issues emergency order addressing European Green Crab infestation at Lummi

Peninsula Daily News
Peninsula awaits news on how to order federal masks
COVID-19 cases keep rising on Peninsula

Port Townsend Leader
New bill seeks to clarify use of force | 2022 Legislative Session (Van De Wege)
COVID cases jump by 100 in Jefferson County
Vaccination clinics planned for Saturday in PT, Brinnon

Puget Sound Business Journal
Colleges, take note: Students aren’t enrolling if they think their families can’t afford tuition
Starbucks drops Covid safety rules for baristas in wake of Supreme Court ruling
American Airlines cuts more than 10,000 March flights as Omicron clouds spring rebound

Seattle Medium
King County Land Swap

Seattle Times
WA House approves delaying payroll tax for WA Cares until July 2023 (Sullivan, Paul)
Five takeaways from Seattle’s red-hot 2021 housing market
Omicron flips ‘big switch’ at Seattle-area hospitals as ICUs are spared from COVID surge
Four ways lawmakers want to improve Washington’s mental health system (Callan, Orwall, Dhingra, Davis, Johnson)
New legislative maps illegally dilute Latino votes in Central Washington, lawsuit says (Billig, Jinkins)
Column: In Olympia, crashing school test scores barely make the agenda (Dhingra)

Skagit Valley Herald
Canada: No more mining threat for Skagit River headwaters

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Officials, legislators look for ferry fixes as woes mount (Cody, Fitzgibbon, Nguyen)

Washington Post
After one year in office, what has Biden done about the four crises he pledged to address?
Manchin, Sinema join with GOP in rejecting attempt to change filibuster rules, effectively killing Democratic voting bill
Explorers discover ‘unrivaled’ reef of rose-shaped corals that could hold lessons for warming oceans
U.S., European officials hold crisis talks as Ukraine standoff intensifies

Yakima Herald-Republic
Toppenish superintendent gets raise despite teachers union declarations of ‘no confidence’
Selah police text message investigation leads to effort to change culture, but no discipline
Yakima Valley voters, civil rights groups file lawsuit against state redistricting plan

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state launching portal to deliver up to 5 free at-home COVID tests per household
Washington’s attorney general warns of at-home COVID-19 test price gouging
As COVID-19 cases level off, health officials are cautiously optimistic
If Seattle doesn’t crack down on crime, business owner says he’s ‘out of here’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Thursday marks 2 years since first COVID-19 case reported in Washington
Free at-home COVID tests available from federal government, soon from the state
WA House passes pause to long-term care program and tax (Sullivan)
Supreme Court allows Jan. 6 committee to get Trump documents
Civil Rights activist reflects on fight for voting rights as Senate debates legislation
Free N95 masks: Federal government to distribute more than 400 million masks

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
State to soon launch new web portal to order at-home COVID-19 test kits
COVID self-testing could impact accuracy of statewide case counts
More teachers face burnout during pandemic because of mental health, staffing issues

KNKX Public Radio
Washington House votes to delay long-term care tax for 18 months
Biden acknowledges his team should have done more COVID testing earlier

KUOW Public Radio
Covid Cases Show ‘Signs of Slowing’ in Western Washington
Covid blog updates today: Price gouging on test kits
Syphilis infections on the rise in Seattle area

NW Public Radio
Washington House Votes To Delay Long-Term Care Tax For 18 Months

Web

Crosscut
What’s next for beleaguered WA long-term care program? (Paul, Rolfes)
Latino voters file lawsuit over Washington redistricting plan
Pickleball community rallies to make the game WA’s state sport (Lovick)
A year into Biden’s term, WA immigrants stay mired in uncertainty
Why the Build Back Better bill would fall flat for some WA immigrants

Washington Observer
A tax break for newspapers, but where would the money go? (Mullet)

West Seattle Blog
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit publishes Draft Environmental Impact Statement earlier than expected

Wednesday, Jan. 19

COVID numbers set daily record over weekend in Washington state, but cases trending down
The Washington state Department of Health reported 7,802 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 32 deaths since Friday. The state listed 21,055 cases on Saturday — a record high. It saw 18,066 cases on Sunday and 17,280 cases on Monday. As of Tuesday, statewide totals from the illness caused by the coronavirus were 1,105,622 cases and 10,230 deaths. The case total included 134,200 infections listed as probable. Continue reading at The News Tribune.

Biden to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week
The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Elaine Thompson)

Child care’s heightened burden takes parents out of workforce
Mariko Perez, a mother of two, always planned to return to work. After she and her husband had children, however, they found it was nearly impossible. Perez’s salary as a para-educator didn’t cover the cost of child care. Reluctantly, she took a career break, intending to wait until their children — now 7 and 8 — were old enough to start school. Then the pandemic struck. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Kevin Clark)

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Associated Press
Biden to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week
US plans $50B wildfire fight where forests meet suburbia

Aberdeen Daily World
Local EMT trainers struggle to hang on

Bellingham Herald
Staffing shortages affect Bellingham Police as special units are mothballed
Here’s why Bellingham Police Department has a drone
Conditions ‘strained,’ but Bellingham hospital meeting demand with record 79 COVID patients

Capital Press
EPA committee offers WOTUS recommendations
Hemp compounds block COVID-19 from infecting cells, research shows
Soaring nitrogen prices begin dropping in 2022
Vilsack has $50B plan for more thinning, controlled burns to reduce wildfire
Bill would sink Department of Ecology stockwater policy
Inslee’s proposal mandating stream buffers seen as shift to regulations
Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit over cherry patent infringement

Columbian
Bill would allow Vancouver businesses to continue getting assistance, tax credits (Cleveland)
Washington minimum wage increase ripples through Clark County
Opinion: In Our View: Vaccines, caution best ways to slow COVID
Opinion: In Our View: Legislature must make transportation a priority (Liias)

Everett Herald
Child care’s heightened burden takes parents out of workforce
How many ICU beds open in Snohomish County? One.
Pierce College Puyallup president picked to lead EvCC for now
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Cannabis rules slow research into covid treatments
WaPo Comment: What a ICU doctor tells a patient as covid advances

Kent Reporter
Garbage service returns this week in Kent after work stoppage

Kitsap Sun
Opinion: Reforming our criminal legal system means asking hard questions (Simmons)

News Tribune
Good Samaritan, other hospitals use refrigeration trailers to expand morgue capacity
COVID numbers set daily record over weekend in Washington state, but cases trending down
Gig Harbor man, once CEO of region’s largest electronics recycler, sentenced for tax fraud
Record high COVID cases might have peaked in Pierce County, health officials say
Officials: Officer-involved shooting leaves passenger dead after traffic stop

Olympian
Thurston County’s weekly COVID-19 case count reaches record heights yet again
Bills to strengthen workers rights introduced in Washington Legislature (Saldana, Randall)
Lawmakers introduce bill to reform solitary confinement in Washington prisons (Peterson)
Providence caring for record number of COVID-19 patients, but fewer need critical care

Peninsula Daily News
Peninsula COVID-19 cases grow by 407 over weekend
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Nearly 100 hospital workers kept home

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington restaurants struggling under mounting debt, trade group says
Covid study rocks Pacific Northwest hemp industry, raising hopes
PPP, EIDL fraud top list of SBA management challenges

Seattle Times
Washington’s snow response snowballs into an ideological storm
Excessive force claim against Issaquah police officers can proceed in death of detained man, court rules
Newest member of King County Council says she has no wish list. Not yet.
Opinion: Fund behavioral health integration for children at primary care clinics

Skagit Valley Herald
Hours extended at Skagit County Fairgrounds COVID-19 testing site

South Whidbey Record
Rep. Paul sponsors long-term care tax exemption bill (Paul)

Tri-City Herald
Nearly 100 Benton inmates sick with COVID. 1 in 50 Tri-Citians testing positive
Feds find Hanford sloppy in disposal of sensitive items, from body armor to hard drives
Tri-City police roll out body cams after new WA law takes effect
Expert endorses new Franklin voter map. But one big change is needed for legal elections

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla High School Principal Ron Higgins announces retirement
Baker Boyer Bank promotes Jessie Ilaoa, Rosendo Guizar to senior vice president roles
Walla Walla unemployment down to 2.8%, but businesses still shorthanded as omicron spreads

Washington Post
The long slide: Inside Biden’s declining popularity as he struggles with multiple crises
White House to distribute 400 million free N95 masks starting next week
Omicron hasn’t peaked in U.S., surgeon general says, warning that ‘next few weeks will be tough’
A hot year in North America … and the world
Microsoft has avoided the hot seat for years. Its new mega deal may change that.

Whidbey News-Times
Island Transit seeks public input on service expansion

Yakima Herald-Republic
Commissioners working on Yakima health board restructure, as called for in state law

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
State chipping away at surveying Washington’s most seismically-vulnerable schools
As catalytic converters thefts rise 3,800% in Washington state, lawmakers look for solutions (Ryu, Goodman)
Here’s how to get free N95 masks from the government, starting next week
Here’s where to get your four free COVID tests from the government
‘Come on home’: Washington arts groups seek community’s help in COVID comeback
Some King County inmates should be released amid COVID-19 spike, unions say

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Launch of 5G near airports delayed amid debate over aircraft interference
COVID-19 testing options expanding in Seattle
Challenges mean ‘no timeline’ on when Bellevue residents impacted by slide can return home
You can get a free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 test starting Wednesday; here’s how you do it
COVID forces North Beach School District to stop all classes for the week

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
COVID cases may have peaked in Western Washington but hospital stays still a concern
Mukilteo students stage walkout in bid to get more help for classmates sick with COVID
King County youth diversion program under fire over gun crimes, other felonies
Seattle police won’t enforce some minor traffic violations, a move to boost public safety

KNKX Public Radio
New executive order, ‘missing middle’ plan, school changes, gas tax pause create buzz in Olympia

KUOW Public Radio
Washington state could require cities to allow more multi-family housing options
Has omicron peaked in Washington? Possibly. The view from the Covid tunnel
Some Washington schools are shifting back to remote learning. What’s the plan?
Covid updates today: Cases down 20% in Seattle area
Washington bill aims to stop controversial cougar hunts in Klickitat County (Van De Wege)

KXLY (ABC)
AG’s Office wants Washingtonians to report price-gouging on COVID test kits

Web

LandLine Media
Washington state House panel discusses truck driver restroom access bill (Sells)
Washington state parking, restroom access bills backed by WTA, OOIDA, ATA (Sells)

Tuesday, Jan. 18

Bill to ramp up recycling a top priority for green coalition in 2022 Washington state legislative session
A state Senate bill that seeks to improve Washington’s waste and recycling systems will be one of the top priorities of environmentalists for the 2022 legislative session. Senate Bill 5697 includes provisions that would shift the burden of curbside recycling costs from consumers to packaging producers. It also would require all packaging and paper products sold in Washington to be designed for reuse, recycling or composting by 2031. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Washington students’ test scores drop significantly
Washington students took their first state exams since the pandemic began last fall and their scores dropped. The Seattle Times reports that between 2019 and 2021, the overall percentage of students who met state standards on the math portion of the exam fell by 20 percentage points. Just 30% of children — public school students enrolled in grades 4 through 11 — met standards in math. In English, the portion of kids who met the standard fell by 9 percentage points. Continue reading at The Associated Press.

‘No shortage of questions to be answered’ for region’s shrinking orca population
While scientists, wildlife managers and others continue to untangle the complex web of fish, boat and water quality issues that affect the health of Southern Resident orca whales, the population remains endangered — and continues to shrink. The National Marine Fisheries Service published a five-year review of the species on Jan. 4 in which it recommended the orca’s status under the federal Endangered Species Act remain unchanged. The species uses West Coast and Salish Sea habitat and eats the region’s salmon. Continue reading at Skagit Valley Herald.