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Tuesday, Nov. 30

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

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

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

Print

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

High Country News
Income inequality proliferates across the West

Islands’ Weekly
Affordable Housing in a Crisis on Lopez Island

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

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

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

North American Post
Africatown Community Home at Keiro – Nov Meeting

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

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

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

Redmond Reporter
Newly renovated Westside Park now open to public

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broadcast

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

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

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

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

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

Web

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

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

Monday, Nov. 29

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broadcast

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

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

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

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

Web

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

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

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

Wednesday, Nov. 24

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

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

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

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

Aberdeen Daily World
Port gets grant for marina modernization project

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

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

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

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

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

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

High Country News
Salmon need better infrastructure, too

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

Kent Reporter
Sound Transit nears decision for light rail maintenance facility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broadcast

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

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

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

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

Web

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

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

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

Tuesday, Nov. 23

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

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

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

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Associated Press
Steve Hobbs sworn in as Washington’s 16th secretary of state
US to release 50 million barrels of oil to ease energy costs
City Council cuts Seattle police budget, drawing criticism
Wolf killed in Washington state for preying on cattle

Bainbridge Island Review
Quarantine due to COVID case at Sakai
Your best COVID defense during the holidays

Bellingham Herald
As Whatcom begins flood recovery work, dairy farms need help getting feed to cows
WSDOT evaluating damaged I-5 overpass in Whatcom County after Sunday’s closure
Here’s your risk of being exposed to COVID in Whatcom at Thanksgiving dinner or shopping
Canadians won’t need COVID test to enter Canada after Nov. 30, but what about Americans?
More rain headed toward Whatcom County, as flood damage assessment begins from last storm

Capital Press
Washington Supreme Court labels Manifest Destiny ‘stealing’
Thanksgiving dinner cost up 14%, Farm Bureau survey finds
WDFW kills one wolf in southeast Washington
Washington dairies struggle amid flood-caused feed crisis

Columbian
Around 2 dozen inmates test positive for COVID-19 at the Clark County Jail

Courier-Herald
Farewell, “Cafeterianasium”
The vaccine transportation helpline can help you get a COVID vaccine

The Daily News
Kelso, Woodland join state Test to Stay program
WestRock fined $140,000 for failing to protect workers from COVID-19
Kelso extends transitional kindergarten application deadline

Everett Herald
Steve Hobbs sworn in as Washington’s 16th secretary of state
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: A tax on vaping may send smokers back to cigarettes
WaPo Comment: Poll finds most in U.S. don’t want guns at protests
Editorial: Train red-light cameras on problem intersections
Letter: No shame in changing your mind and getting vaccine

Federal Way Mirror
Residents, city officials say ‘Not in Federal Way’ to Sound Transit’s OMF site selection

Mercer Island Reporter
City council discusses diversity, equity and inclusion at meeting

News Tribune
Juneteenth will be a day off for many next year. Why doesn’t the law apply to WA schools?
The money was meant for needy kids. Ex-director of Sumner food bank stole it, charges say

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Cases in U.S. Children Are Surging, Doctors Say

Puget Sound Business Journal
Digital technologies emerge as top priority for aerospace manufacturers in 2022
Former Tacoma motel acquired for use as temporary homeless shelter
Companies love to buy back their stock. A tax could deter them.
Lawmakers target SBA direct lending, EIDL program
For lenders, the classic American mall is becoming a ‘four-letter word’
Biden will tap into U.S. oil reserves in concert with other nations
Affordable housing developer breaks ground on 50 units near Seattle U

Seattle Medium
WA BLM Meets With Justice Dept Over Pierce Co. Sheriff Dept
King County Fire Chiefs Association To launch Diversity And Recruitment Workshop Program
Mayor Durkan Announces Municipal Match Partnership With Washington State Opportunity Scholarship For Seattle Promise Scholars

Seattle Times
Quarter shortage creates a two-bit black market in coin-operated Seattle
221 homeless people have died in Seattle since last winter, one of the highest numbers on record
Seattle City Council passes a 2022 budget that emphasizes funding for homelessness, affordable housing
Looking to give? Here’s which items are needed to serve Seattle area’s homeless people
Washington to pay $3 million settlement in alleged prison slaying after DOC ignored warnings about violent cellmate
So you can’t afford a house in Seattle. Are investors to blame?
Opinion: Washington’s moment to shine in offshore wind energy

Skagit Valley Herald
County to close COVID testing and vaccine site in January
Rate of new COVID-19 cases in county continues to drop

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Lack of transit, housing crisis and pandemic fuel local labor shortage

Sol De Yakima
Aumentarán tarifas en el servicio de recolección de basura en Yakima
Invitan a residentes de Yakima a reunión sobre seguridad en el vecindario

South Seattle Emerald
Highline Indigenous Voices celebration features art, education, stories
‘Interrupting Privilege’ celebrates radical listening of BIPOC experiences
Ask a Therapist: Putting ‘care’ and ‘health’ at the center of mental health care
Opinion: Which side are you on?

Tri-City Herald
More changes on the COVID vaccine mandate for 11,000 Hanford workers
1st of kind project near Tri-Cities may pave way for global greenhouse solutions
CBC students must declare COVID vaccine status before heading back to winter classes

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Voters in Walla Walla, Columbia counties may have new representation if proposed maps are approved
Traffic, weather could challenge Walla Walla Valley Thanksgiving travelers
Umatilla County reaches COVID-19 death count of 170

Washington Post
Biden authorizes use of strategic oil reserves to combat high U.S. gasoline prices
Under Trump, ICE aggressively recruited sheriffs as partners to question and detain undocumented immigrants
Justice Dept. asks court to reinstate Biden’s vaccination policy for businesses
Treatments will change the pandemic, but they can’t end it alone
Greenland ice sheet experiences record loss to calving of glaciers and ocean melt over the past year
Climate change fuels a water rights conflict built on over a century of broken promises

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima health officials urge caution ahead of holiday gatherings as COVID pandemic persists
Opinion: Other Views: Challenge other Inslee abuses of veto power

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
‘Pivot away from unreasonable activism’: Seattle law enforcement officials applaud 2022 budget
TSA: 93% of workers comply with vaccine mandate
SPD’s budget shrinks a little more after final vote from City Council
Tumwater paper mill fined $140,000 for failing to protect workers from COVID-19
King County to skip annual homeless count in 2022, cites concerns over ‘harmful’ methodology

Q13 TV (FOX)
About 25 inmates COVID-19 positive at SW Washington jail
Clallam County asking residents to report damage from flooding for federal assistance
Amazon fined $2.5M for sales of industrial pesticides without license
$3.3M in funding awarded to Washington counties aiming to modernize, expand internet access

Web

Why Black therapists are hard to find in WA
Last week’s redistricting drama is exactly why journalists are vital

MyNorthwest
Longview paper mill fined for failing to protect workers from COVID
After months of fraught negotiation, Seattle council fully funds SPD’s staffing plan
King County to skip annual homeless count in 2022, cites concerns over ‘harmful’ methodology
Washington State Ferries hits early snags as it works toward return to normal service
King County Executive to reveal choice for new interim sheriff this week
New details reveal how last-second vote, technical glitches fueled missed redistricting deadline
First Democrat to serve as Washington Sec. of State in decades swears in as ‘radical moderate’

The Stranger
Proposed Initiative Would Let Seattle Vote for as Many Primary Candidates as They’d Like
New Maritime High School Could Make Seattle a Hub for Oceanic Jobs

Monday, Nov. 22

State reports: COVID hit communities of color harder; Yakima Valley groups press outreach efforts
It’s been a stubborn data set during the pandemic: Rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are generally higher in communities of color than among white Washingtonians, according to the state Department of Health. Advocates say outreach efforts remain important, and vaccination rates among Latinos in Washington are improving. The state has looked at discrepancies in the age-adjusted rates of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths based on racial and ethnic groups since the start of the pandemic, with reports issued twice a month. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald-Republic. (Evan Abell)

How to make Washington State Ferries shipshape again
Unless leaders at Washington State Ferries can generate a tidal wave of new money and staffing ideas, the fleet could remain in dire straits through 2022 and beyond. The nation’s largest ferry system, which traditionally completes 99% of scheduled sailings, slid to 90% this summer and 70% by early October, mainly because of crew shortages. WSF then retreated to what it calls an “alternative schedule,” which removed one vessel from most routes, slashing capacity one-third. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Ringman)

Vaccine mandate for federal workers goes into effect Monday
Monday marks a key deadline for part of President Joe Biden’s federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Back in September, Biden signed Executive Order 14043, requiring 3.5 million federal employees to show they are fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, in order to be considered compliant. According to one U.S. official, “more than 90% of federal workers” have had at least one shot by today’s deadline. Continue reading at The Associated Press.