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Friday, December 10

Supreme Court says Texas abortion providers may proceed with challenge of six-week ban, leaves law in effect for now
The Supreme Court on Friday said that Texas abortion providers may sue to stop the state’s ban on most abortions after six weeks, but left the law in place for now. The splintered decision allows the providers to return to a district judge who once blocked the law, saying it violated the constitutional right to abortion. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Al Drogo/The Washington Post)

Asian giant hornet season wraps up after no sightings in three months
In snowy Whatcom County, scientists from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) are busy picking up the last of the Asian giant hornet traps before the hornets’ winter hibernation. Public Engagement Specialist Karla Salp told KIRO Radio that it was a successful year, with three giant hornet nests discovered and eradicated in August and September near Blaine. Continue reading at MyNorthwest.com. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

Sen. Liias lands key role in state transportation policy
State Sen. Marko Liias was chosen Thursday as the new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, giving him a central role in deciding how the state spends billions of dollars on transportation each year. Liias, a Democrat from south Everett, was selected in an internal vote by the Senate Democratic Caucus. As a result of the decision, he is expected to give up his post as the majority party’s floor leader. He fills a vacancy created by the departure of the last chairman, former Sen. Steve Hobbs of Lake Stevens, who became secretary of sta Continue reading at Everett Herald. (PhotoCredit)

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Associated Press
911 service faltered in several Washington counties. Here is the latest on what happened

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen High School locked down on Wednesday because of nearby shooting

Auburn Reporter
Surgeon General sounds alarm on mental health in young people during pandemic
King County unemployment is down after COVID-fueled recession

Bainbridge Island Review
BISD explains updated COVID protocols
BI parks requires vaccinations

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham airport gets big boost in activity with the arrival of Southwest
911 service faltered in several Washington counties. Here is the latest on what happened
Whatcom schools investigate threats as other non-school-specific threats circulate
Light snow in Whatcom a preview of the major storm heading toward the region
Whatcom health department still analyzing cause of recent increased COVID rate in county

Capital Press
La Nina arrives, raising hopes for snowpack build-up
Washington wolf killed under state-issued permit

Columbian
In Our View: We are vital component to controlling COVID

Everett Herald
Sen. Liias lands key role in state transportation policy (Liias)
Animal rights group asks for investigation of Everett lab
Tulalip woman is among scores of missing Indigenous people
Mother says son’s beating in Lynnwood school was racist
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg comment: Why the Biden economy is actually pretty good
Bloomberg comment: A cheer for Congress avoiding default, but that’s it

The Facts Newspaper
More children and teenagers struggling with emotional stressors

High Country News
What would a healthy Klamath River look like?

Kent Reporter
Sound Transit picks Federal Way site for light rail vehicle facility

News Tribune
Restaurants in Tacoma’s Lincoln District hit with vandalism, one a hateful phone call
High-ranking Pierce County employee reprimanded for overstepping contract authority
Tacoma library branch temporarily stops in-person services, citing ‘criminal activity’
Op-Ed: Are WA state lawmakers finally ready to limit the governor’s emergency powers?

New York Times
Supreme Court Allows Challenge to Texas Abortion Law but Leaves It in Effect
Consumer prices rose at the fastest pace since 1982.

Olympian
UW men’s basketball trip to Gonzaga canceled due to COVID-19 protocols
Parents of missing 5-year-old girl arrested as search continues, Washington cops say

Puget Sound Business Journal
This popular small-business grant is expiring soon. SBA says to apply ASAP.
WSU lands federal grant to study sustainable jet fuel production
Inflation is rapidly rising, so how should employers approach pay?
How small businesses can protect their supply chains
Opinion: Fill the talent pipeline by investing in education

Seattle Times
From masks to chairlift protocol, here’s what’s new in Western Washington snow country this year
Opponents appeal Seattle’s latest plan for Burke-Gilman Trail’s ‘missing link’
Seattle homeless encampment near public school closes after monthslong effort
Seattle Children’s shares first progress report since releasing anti-racism action plan this fall
Editorial: Dual-credit courses in high school to get a jump on college should be free

Skagit Valley Herald
Port awarded grant to bring broadband to Fir Island

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Snoqualmie releases final Environmental Impact Statement for Mill Site

Tri-City Herald
Mistrial declared in former Pasco officer’s murder trial in Spokane
Pasco councilman resigns mid-term for new job in Walla Walla, had served since 2018

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla water and wastewater rates to increase over next six years
Walla Walla City Council repeals utility fee meant to fund ambulance services

Washington Post
Supreme Court says Texas abortion providers may proceed with challenge of six-week ban, leaves law in effect for now
Prices climbed 6.8% in November compared with last year, largest rise in nearly four decades, as inflation spreads through economy
As scientists race to understand the omicron variant, misinformation has already sprinted ahead
Tropical forests can recover from deforestation remarkably fast and on their own, new study finds
Canada bans LGBTQ ‘conversion therapy’ as France moves to criminalize it
Opinion: In the aftermath of the Michigan school shooting, students plead: Pay attention to our pain

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Mayor Durkan announces nearly $100 million for affordable housing in Seattle
‘I don’t feel honored’: Native mascots at schools are not only offensive; they evoke historical trauma (Lekanoff)
$1,800 from the IRS? Some Americans could be getting it next week
Washington and US expand Pfizer COVID-19 boosters to age 16 and older

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Storm with strong wind, heavy mountain snow expected Friday night and Saturday
Encampment on Seattle Public Schools property cleared
Washington cancels game with No. 5 Gonzaga due to COVID
Court rejects Trump’s efforts to keep records from 1/6 panel
Starbucks workers vote to unionize in Buffalo, New York
Service restored after 911 outage affects region

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Homeless encampment behind Broadview Thomson cleared, outreach volunteer under fire
Another shot: What does the future of COVID-19 boosters look like?
Independent group for western states signs off on COVID boosters for older teens

Web

Crosscut
PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave

MyNorthwest
Lawsuit alleges state redistricting group’s ‘secret negotiations’ defied public meeting laws
State senator proposes bill to repeal Washington’s long-term care tax
Asian giant hornet season wraps up after no sightings in three months
Storm to bring snow to mountains Friday, strong wind to Puget Sound lowlands
911 services restored after a number of Washington counties report outage
Federal cash windfall to Washington state to detect, remove carcinogenic ‘forever chemicals’
Seattle police officer who rolled bicycle over protester’s head suspended for 7 days

The Stranger
Is a Car-Free Pike Place Market Coming Soon? Hahaha, You Must Be New Here

Thursday, December 9

PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave
During the past summer’s stifling heat wave, Robin Fales patrolled the same sweep of shore on Washington’s San Juan Island every day at low tide. The stench of rotting sea life grew as temperatures edged toward triple digits — roughly 30 degrees above average — and Fales watched the beds of kelp that she studies wilt and fade. “They were bleaching more than I had ever seen,” recalled Fales, a Ph.D. candidate and marine ecologist at the University of Washington. She didn’t know whether they would make it. Never in recorded history had the Pacific Northwest experienced anything like the “heat dome” that clamped down on the region in late June 2021. Temperatures reached a withering 116 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland and 121 degrees in Lytton, British Columbia — the highest ever recorded north of the 45th parallel. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Robin Fales)

More than 200 million people in the U.S. are now fully vaccinated, though deaths and cases are still rising
The United States reached a significant milestone late Wednesday, with more than 200 million people now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — about 60 percent of the population. In the past week, an average of 1.92 million doses per day were administered — a 35 percent increase over the week before — according to data from The Washington Post’s tracker. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (David Goldman/AP)

Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Groundbreaking Seattle legislator and college football star George Fleming has died at age 83, family members said. Fleming died Monday at his Seattle home, according to a statement from Fleming’s family on Wednesday. Fleming was elected to the state House in 1968 and two years later was elected to the state Senate, becoming its second African American member. He was chair of the Senate Democratic caucus between 1980 and 1988. Continue reading at The Olympian.

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Associated Press
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83

Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen High School locked down on Wednesday because of nearby shooting

Bellingham Herald
COVID infection rates climb in five Whatcom regions, including big growth in four regions
Parking at Trader Joe’s is a little tougher… here’s an update on border traffic
Bellingham’s Sehome High School locked down Wednesday, closed Thursday
Lowland flurries possible ahead of big storm aiming for Whatcom County
Whatcom may be seeing post-Thanksgiving COVID increase, as state reports 84 new cases

Capital Press
Willamette Egg Farms sold to Iowa-based management company
Environmental group sues Army Corps over pollution from Columbia River dams

Columbian
In Our View: Fossil-fuel moratorium a key step for climate

The Daily News
Cowlitz County COVID-19 cases flatten, hospitalizations increase; Link plans vaccine clinic
Port of Longview’s strong third quarter clears way for record year

Everett Herald
City of Everett outlines light rail priorities for 2037
Family suing over police killing of man near Everett
COVID vaccine is a game-changer for keeping our kids healthy
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Are ‘streateries’ here to stay in Edmonds? Survey says yes
Low income, food insecurity are major factors behind obesity
Bill to reduce catalytic converter thefts introduced in state
Bloomberg comment: Comment: Yes to boosters, but no to mandating them
Bloomberg comment: Comment: As robots replace workers, a crisis of masculinity?
Editorial: Editorial: Brief delay in WA Cares could allow needed fixes
Letter: Getting hard to deny racism’s presence in our schools

The Inlander
Pandemic burnout exacerbates the serious worker shortage at local hospitals
Farm labor was in short supply for decades: The pandemic presented new challenges

Journal of the San Juan Islands
COVID-19 boosters essential for protection as omicron variant spreads across the country

News Tribune
Lakewood mayor decides to step down after nearly a decade
Clover Park High School considers four options to replace its previous Warriors mascot
Public camping ban riles Tacoma City Council. Here’s what happened to the proposal
Preliminary plans filed for possible new medical clinic tied to St. Joseph hospital

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: F.D.A. Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Boosters for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Biden Orders Federal Vehicles and Buildings to Use Renewable Energy by 2050

Olympian
Olympia committee denies OSD request to put school at proposed Yelm Highway park
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Here’s how one state legislator would pay off the Narrows Bridge and remove tolls
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
King County sharing details of its first Omicron case. Pierce, Thurston counties are not
Most residents moved to hotels as city dismantles Deschutes Parkway homeless camp
Tumwater City Council approves mayor’s proposal tied to Port of Olympia property
Nurse’s morphine thefts left Washington patient in ‘excruciating pain,’ feds say

Peninsula Daily News
Olympic National Park chief to leave for Alaska
Reinfections studied to see if omicron is on Peninsula
Port Townsend City Council OKs budget of $45.3 M

Port Townsend Leader
Another COVID-19 death reported in Jefferson County

Puget Sound Business Journal
Infrastructure package will bolster construction industry but inflation, labor will remain challenges in 2022
Tacoma approves historic rezoning plan, clearing path for denser housing
These types of businesses are seeing the highest quit rates
Survey: Most King County residents planning to move want to leave the region
Amazon’s cloud outage showed its immense reach. Here’s why that could be a problem.
Group of 12 academics takes on the controversial issue of freedom of expression on campus
Omicron, flight-to-quality: What’s expected for 2022’s office-market recovery

Seattle Medium
Groundbreaking Metro Transit Updates Passed By King County Council
DEEL Awards Nearly $3M To Child Care Workers For Their Service Throughout The COVID-19 Pandemic

Seattle Times
When the bullying became unbearable, teen reached for help — and found a lifeline in Kent
Seattle area to see strong winds, drenching rain; loads of snow expected in mountains
‘You don’t know how to grieve’: Loved ones of missing Federal Way teen gather 24 years later
Seattle officer who rolled bike over protester’s head gets 7-day suspension
Opinion: Remembering Jolene Unsoeld, Northwest trailblazer

The Skanner
Cop Who Rolled Bike Over Protester’s Head Gets Suspension

Sol De Yakima
Distrito Escolar de Yakima planea abrir cooperativa de salud, remodelar auditorio de Davis
Sigue búsqueda de mujer de Sunnyside que desapareció tras tiroteo, robo de auto en agosto
¿Quiere cubiertos con su comida para llevar? A partir del próximo año, tendrá que pedirlos en Washington

South Seattle Emerald
Black Educators Closing Equity Gaps For African American Students And Teachers
Systemic Fault Lines For Undocumented Community Revealed By The Pandemic, New Report Shows

Spokesman Review
Unvaccinated people still make up the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations at Providence
Christmas Bureau gifts offer solace to families struggling to pay rent, groceries, bills
After crowd boos over kneeling during anthem, Gonzaga women stand together to offer message of hope

Tri-City Herald
Richland City Council officially hires its interim city manager for $12,000 more a year
Columbia Riverkeeper sues Army Corps, claims hot water discharge from dams kills fish
Franklin County commissioners raise sales tax to fund mental health, detox services
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
COVID Update: Vashon experts monitoring Omicron situation
Opinion: The absurdity of living with greenhouse gases

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Attempt to revive defunct flood control district in Waitsburg stymied by lack of records

Washington Post
Long covid is destroying careers, leaving economic distress in its wake
Rapid coronavirus tests are still hard to find in many places, despite Biden vows
FDA authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds amid omicron threat
More than 200 million people in the U.S. are now fully vaccinated, though deaths and cases are still rising
Early studies suggest omicron is formidable — but not unstoppable
How can schools detect potentially violent students? Researchers have an answer.
Without access to charging stations, Black and Hispanic communities may be left behind in the era of electric vehicles

Yakima Herald-Republic
White Pass, other ski areas in region shift toward sustainability as temperatures warm
Yakima will designate secure parking lot for people living in vehicles
Vaccine makers racing to update COVID shots, just in case
Proposed expansion to Naches urban growth area faces opposition
King County COVID-19 omicron patient had not traveled

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Omicron case in King County indicates local spread, health officials say
Organized shoplifting on the rise in western Washington
Vaccine makers racing to update COVID shots, just in case
Catalytic converter thefts get attention of Washington state lawmakers
‘I think we have turned a corner’: Seattle unveils new model in dealing with homeless camps
US unemployment claims drop to 184,000, lowest since 1969

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
US to expand COVID-19 booster shots, 16-year-olds eligible
More than 60 earthquakes occur off Oregon Coast
City of Olympia clears encampment at Deschutes Parkway
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Nonprofit suing Army Corps over pollution in Columbia River

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King Co. omicron patient had not recently traveled, suggesting community spread
Cop who rolled bike over protester’s head gets suspension
Seattle man charged in Chinatown-International District shooting charged in another case

KNKX Public Radio
Why Biden is hosting more than 100 countries to talk about democracy

KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
1 in 10 Americans say the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs
For kids grappling with the pandemic’s traumas, art classes can be an oasis

KXLY (ABC)
Stevens Pass reopens in both directions

Q13 TV (FOX)
Former Washington state legislator George Fleming dies at 83
Crews cleaning up oil spill at Colman Dock
Did the system fail Oakley Carlson? 5-year-old Washington girl remains missing

Web

Crosscut
PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave
25 Climate actions Cascadia could take in 2022

MyNorthwest
Seattle police officer who rolled bicycle over protester’s head suspended for 7 days
Drivers frustrated as they wait for Snoqualmie Pass to reopen
King County omicron patient did not report recent travel, suggesting local spread

The Vancougar
Groundbreaking Sciences Building Set To Appear On Campus (Wylie, Frockt)

West Seattle Blog
Earthquake readiness beyond your disaster kit, and what else District 1 Community Network heard about this month

Wednesday, December 8

Booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be critical against omicron, companies’ study suggests
A booster shot could prove pivotal in helping control the omicron variant of the coronavirus by raising virus-fighting antibodies high enough to block the virus, vaccine makers Pfizer and BioNTech announced in a news release Wednesday. The early data, which is not yet peer reviewed or published, suggests that two shots may not be sufficient to prevent infection from omicron and echoes a finding published Tuesday afternoon by leading scientists in South Africa. Continue reading at Washington Post. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Family of Tulalip man who told deputies ‘I can’t breathe’ during fatal struggle will get $1.75 million in Snohomish County settlement
Snohomish County has agreed to pay $1.75 million to the widow of a Tulalip tribal member who died while struggling with police in 2015, settling a lawsuit over allegations that officers used excessive force on Cecil Lacy Jr. when they held him down, even as he told them he couldn’t breathe. The settlement resolves a suit that at one point was summarily dismissed by a state judge, only to be unanimously reinstated by the Washington Court of Appeals last year Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Galanda Broadman LLC)

How childcare provisions in ‘Build Back Better’ bill could greatly help Washington families
Parents, preschool providers and lawmakers alike say the childcare provisions laid out in a federal spending plan proposal could significantly help families in need of childcare services. Senate Democrats are still negotiating the bill known as “Build Back Better” that, if passed, would expand Medicare, climate change initiatives, and reduce health care and childcare costs. Continue reading at KING 5.

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Aberdeen Daily World
Rent, utility help available for Grays Harbor families

Auburn Reporter
King County Council approves plan for future of housing-first approach to homelessness

Bellingham Herald
A longtime Bellingham oil company has been sold to a Washington state firm
Bellingham city employees get this new paid holiday in 2022
Bellingham mayor shares results of vaccination mandate for city workers
Here’s why recent flooding sent millions of gallons of sewage into Bellingham Bay

Columbian
In Our View: Child care crisis slowing economic recovery

The Daily News
Cowlitz County commissioners pass 2022-2023 budget, swear in new member

Everett Herald
Tulalip elders vote to keep Tomahawks mascot in Marysville
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg comment: There’s no clean energy transition without elimination
WaPo comment: Remembering Pearl Harbor often forgets Pacific’s past

The Inlander
Omicron discovered in Washington as state health officials credit ‘strong’ genomic surveillance
Spokane health district fires two leaders heavily involved in pandemic response

News Tribune
Tacoma has a new police chief. Veteran Dallas cop confirmed by City Council
Tacoma adopts Climate Action Plan to eliminate carbon emissions and save $4 billion by 2050

New York Times
Covid Live Updates: Pfizer Says its Booster Offers Significant Protection Against Omicron
The Achilles’ Heel of Biden’s Climate Plan? Coal Miners.
New Covid Pills Offer Hope as Omicron Looms

Olympian
Squaxin Island and Olympia community celebrate ‘Unity’ installation

Peninsula Daily News
Health officer: Thanksgiving surge size could be smaller than expected
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Puget Sound Business Journal
AWS teaming up with Washington state to provide cloud training to K-12 students

Seattle Medium
Community Mourns The Loss of Former State Senator George Fleming
Strickland Introduces Legislation To Help Servicemembers Access Fertility Care And Start A Family
Massive Health Through Housing Measure Approved By King County Council
Washington’s Black Members Caucus Hopes To Carry Momentum Into 2022 Legislative Session

Seattle Times
Two large North Seattle homeless encampments are being removed this week
See how many people received an additional COVID vaccine dose in each Washington state county
Why experts aren’t worried that 10 earthquakes were just recorded off the Oregon coast
After fatal shooting in protest zone, Seattle mayor’s email called situation ‘foreseeable and avoidable’
More than 3,500 Seattle child care workers to receive payments in recognition of work during pandemic
Family of Tulalip man who told deputies ‘I can’t breathe’ during fatal struggle will get $1.75 million in Snohomish County settlement
Seattle student arrested, accused of threatening a shooting at his middle school
Editorial: Address student concerns about sexual assault

Skagit Valley Herald
Anacortes City Council considers salary increase for mayor
Skagit County to offer COVID-19 boosters in downtown Mount Vernon

Sol De Yakima
Funk propondrá opciones de vivienda a bajo costo en la sesión del ayuntamiento de Yakima
Se detectan casos de la variante ómicron en el estado de Washington
Finaliza construcción de la glorieta en la carretera US 97 afuera de Toppenish

Spokesman Review
Christmas tree trouble: Fires, weather, supply chain issues lead to higher prices, shortages at local lots
‘Absolute last resort’: Spokane City Council approves $3.4 million to cover unanticipated firefighter overtime
Five Spokane County commissioner seats are up for grabs in 2022, and here’s who might be running

Tri-City Herald
Fred Meyer grocery workers in Richland vote to unionize in historic campaign
Popular Kennewick restaurant damaged in early morning blaze
A Benton City businessman paid for a recount in City Council race. Here are the results

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Lewiston teenager and alleged kidnapper located in Spokane Valley
COVID-19 case rates up in Washington, Oregon, down in Walla Walla County

Washington Post
Two years into this pandemic, the world is dangerously unprepared for the next one, report says
Booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be critical against omicron, companies’ study suggests
4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in October as workers continued to search for better opportunities
Jan. 6 committee says it will move to hold former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows in criminal contempt
A child with the virus was sent to school. Then 75 classmates had to quarantine.
A youth mental health crisis was already brewing. The pandemic made it worse, surgeon general says.

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
How childcare provisions in ‘Build Back Better’ bill could greatly help Washington families
Avery Moore becomes next Tacoma police chief
UW seismologists raise concern about ShakeAlert earthquake warning system
Pfizer: COVID-19 booster protects against omicron variant
‘Bold’ proposal would eliminate Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls in less than 2 years (Randall, Bronoske)
‘Groundbreaking day’ as King County Council approves future transit plans
King County to skip homelessness count for 2nd straight year

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
What three Seattle experts are saying about Omicron
Church gets threats for offering free breakfasts across from Ballard Commons
Flooding caused millions of gallons of raw sewage to flow into Bellingham Bay
Explosion in Pacific County damages multiple homes, buildings
Senator announces legislation to remove tolls from Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Randall)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
State senator proposes bill to eliminate toll for drivers using Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Randall)
Biden pushes free at-home COVID tests, but there’s a problem
Seattle Public Schools says homeless camp behind Broadview Thomson will be cleared
Two minors shot, critically injured in Tukwila early Wednesday
State Patrol investigating reports of toaster, other debris tossed at I-5 motorists
Avery Moore confirmed as Tacoma’s next Police Chief
Seattle removes encampment from Ballard Commons after months of complaints

KNKX Public Radio
Omicron variant, flooding among top issues on state’s plate right now
Supreme Court weighs mandating public funds for religious schools in Maine

KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
The House OKs a bipartisan defense policy bill that includes servicemember pay boost

Web

Crosscut
How Cascadia can fight climate change in 2022 — and get back on track
Colville mother’s conviction raises justice issues facing Native women

MyNorthwest
Tacoma approves landmark bill doing away with single-family zoning label
New bill to keep Washington in standard time provides way around need for federal approval
Two minors in critical condition after Tukwila shooting
King County Council approves plan for ‘Health though Housing’ dollars to 2028
Seattle business owners and homeless population grapple over concrete barriers
Seattle police arrest 13-year-old after threat against school
Seattle clears Ballard Commons homeless camp, relocates 66 into shelter options
Seattle plans to finally address over 1,100 buildings at risk of collapse in earthquake
State lawmaker floats proposal to curb recent rise in catalytic converter thefts

The Stranger
“The End of An Era”: The City Closes Ballard Commons, Displacing Unhoused Residents

West Seattle Blog
PORT: Congestion easing, but Northwest Seaport Alliance hopes to get more containers moving

Tuesday, December 7

New King County inquest process delayed amid concerns over ‘integrity’, transparency
The first coroner’s inquest into a deadly shooting by police in King County under a new, greatly expanded process has stalled amid concerns by all involved — the officers, the families of those killed and city officials — over the transparency and integrity of the proceedings. The inquest into the 2017 killing by Seattle police officers of 19-year-old Damarius Butts — the first under a new system upheld this summer by the Washington Supreme Court — was scheduled to begin Dec. 6 and run for 11 days. But it has been postponed until the new year. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Damarius Butts’ family)

Colville mother’s conviction raises justice issues facing Native women
When Maddesyn George of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation stood in court to be sentenced last month, her attorney hoped for two things, but the most important was this: for his client to be heard and believed.“The judge expressed understanding for the plight of Indigenous women,” said Steve Graham, George’s attorney. “We finally felt heard and listened to and understood.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Free Maddesyn George Goalition)

Attorneys seek to move Latino voting rights case from Pasco to Olympia, fearing bias
Three Tri-Citians looking to change how Franklin County commissioners are elected want to take their case to the state capital. They say a combination of political influence, fear of retaliation and publicity will make it questionable whether they will get a fair hearing. The Franklin County commissioners weighed in last week, unanimously supporting a motion to have Prosecutor Shawn Sant fight the move. Continue reading at The Olympian.

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Auburn Reporter
King County woman among first in state to test positive for Omicron
Black drivers disproportionately pulled over by WSP in King, Pierce counties
Kreidler asks insurers for more information on credit scores

Bellingham Herald
Airsoft pistol found in Sehome High School student’s backpack, causing Friday’s lockout
Whatcom surpasses 17,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases during pandemic and sees another death
Biometrics help CBP stop woman allegedly attempting to illegally cross border into Whatcom

Capital Press
Washington Ecology slows down on requiring water-rights for livestock
Economist: High wheat prices unlikely to last

Columbian
In Our View: All I want for Christmas is improved media literacy
In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Safe Stay; rethink tax plan (long term care tax)

Everett Herald
Chris Spitters, Snohomish County’s chief health officer, to step down
Cold-case murder conviction reversed due to juror’s bias
Police: Student, 13, falsely accused classmate of making threat
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Column: Harrop: Hold parents of school shooters responsible
Bloomberg comment: Bob Dole was partisan, but he knew how to govern
WaPo comment: Fifth Amendment isn’t a blanket stay-out-of-jail card
Editorial: Ruling may not be last word on state redistricting

Journal of the San Juan Islands
San Juan County voters pass one of the strongest anti-discrimination policies in the country

News Tribune
Gig Harbor auto theft suspects play ‘Let’s Make a Deal,’ and police get two for one
Op-Ed: Pierce County doesn’t have enough dentists. Lawmakers must expand access to oral health

North American Post
KODA Joins the Chinatown-International District

Olympian
Thurston County adds 4 more COVID-19 deaths as first Omicron variant detected
WA Employment Security Department audit finds unmonitored claims allowed $315K in fraud
Attorneys seek to move Latino voting rights case from Pasco to Olympia, fearing bias
Thurston County elected officials may get a combined $46,000 in raises in 2022
Seahawks ‘taking care of business’ Monday getting COVID-19 vaccination booster shots

Peninsula Daily News
Port Townsend transit plan draws criticism
Two additional deaths recorded in Clallam County

Port Townsend Leader
‘Proof of vaccination’ mandate for restaurants, bars to stay in place until COVID rate drops
Complaint over ‘proof of vax’ mandate accuses officials of treason

Puget Sound Business Journal
Opponent of Washington’s long-term care act targets tax with series of bills
Why the four-day workweek could be the next front in the talent battle
Many transgender employees feel unsafe at work. Here’s how companies can address it.

Seattle Times
Seattle ended decade with faster growth than suburbs, reversing a 100-year trend
New King County inquest process delayed amid concerns over ‘integrity’, transparency
What happened in Seattle after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941
Seattle-area traffic increasing, but still below pre-pandemic levels
Want utensils with your takeout order? Next year in Washington state, you’ll have to ask for them
Opinion: Honor Chief Seattle by building fish passage through Skagit River dams

Skagit Valley Herald
County again commits to taking a hard look at its budget

The Skanner
Judicial Conduct Commission Files Charges Against Judge

South Seattle Emerald
Investigating OIG complaint in City Council’s court — but SCC isn’t acting
Weekend Long Reads: The link between social media and depression
State supreme court returns redistricting issue back to legislators
In the Duwamish watershed, communities respond as Coho salmon face a new threat
Opinion: The silence is maddening
Opinion: Running while Black forever
Opinion: Jury duty is not the solution to trials like Kyle Rittenhouse’s

Tri-City Herald
A Benton City businessman paid for a recount in City Council race. Here are the results
Attorneys seek to move Latino voting rights case from Pasco to Olympia, fearing bias
COVID nightmare for Tri-Cities family. Rare syndrome causes 7-year-old’s heart to fail
Newly-elected Pasco school official has 2 domestic violence convictions. Can he still serve?
11 more Tri-Cities area deaths due to COVID-19. Vaccination rates are slowing
Tri-Cities psychologist accused of being naked in waiting room
Tri-Citians can earn $75 and get a free COVID check for antibodies
‘The pandemic is over,’ Franklin commissioner tells WA when questioned about no masks
First Omicron variant case reported in Pierce County, 2 other WA counties also see cases
Longtime Tri-Cities doctor picked for elected post on the hospital district board

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Criticizing cuts, Whitman professors launch fundraiser to review college’s finances
As Oregon considers permanent mask rule, Umatilla County health director calls it simple technicality

Washington Post
Biden’s ‘Summit for Democracy’ includes countries that hardly seem to qualify
Advocates push nationwide movement for land return to Blacks after victory in California
Biden calls for sweeping new push to expose and punish financial corruption
How Pearl Harbor forced the world’s first around-the-world commercial flight
Gen Z most stressed by coronavirus, citing pandemic toll on careers, education and relationships, poll says
In pointed snub, no U.S. government official will attend Beijing Winter Olympics
Biden is approving more oil and gas drilling permits on public lands than Trump, analysis finds
CDC issues ‘very high’ risk warning for travel to France and Portugal

Yakima Herald-Republic
Labor a top issue as state agriculture group meets in Yakima this week
Sunnyside school superintendent resigns, effective end of December
Commentary: Editorial came up short by a few inches
If Roe falls, some fear ripple effect on civil rights cases

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Use caution with QR codes – they can lead you right to a scammer
Ballard Commons Park to be cleared of encampment Tuesday
New testing rules in effect for U.S.-bound international passengers
Gov. Inslee asks for FEMA aid for regions affected by recent flooding in Washington
Officials: Snohomish County teen falsely accused classmate of threatening school shooting
Amazon unveils workforce development partnership for Washington high school students
Local businesses install blocks to stop RV parking

KUOW Public Radio
Covid blog: Updates for Seattle and the Northwest
Why is the Biden administration increasing the cost of building houses?

KXLY (ABC)
Washington law reducing use of single-use utensils, condiments and straws starts January 1

Web

Crosscut
Colville mother’s conviction raises justice issues facing Native women
How a rollback of Roe v. Wade would affect abortion rights in WA

MyNorthwest
State auditor: Unemployment office needed stronger checks to prevent employee fraud
Amazon unveils workforce development partnership for Washington high school students
Extra security at Monroe High School after rumored threat on social media
Election fraud narrative becomes common thread among candidates looking to unseat WA Republicans
Delta variant remains Washington’s ‘biggest concern’ despite arrival of omicron
Vaccine verification to expand to small restaurants, bars in King County
Three cases of omicron variant found in Washington state

Monday, December 6

A lonely death in jail, an abusive guard and a Clallam County mother’s quest for justice
Everyone, even her mother, thought 23-year-old Kimberly Bender would be safe in the Forks City Jail, away and protected from the drugs and past abuse that haunted her and fed her depression. It turned out that everyone was wrong. Bender, a single mother and member of the Quileute Tribe, died by suicide in her jail cell in December 2019, apparently after enduring weeks of torment and abuse at the hands of a corrections officer with an extensive history of abusive behavior, racism and sexual abuse aimed at men and women behind bars and co-workers alike. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dawn Reid)

First Omicron variant case reported in Pierce County, 2 other WA counties also see cases
The Washington state Department of Health on Saturday announced the detection of the first Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, including one in Pierce County. Continue reading at The Olympian.

State Rep. Lovick gets nod for state Senate
State Rep. John Lovick emerged Sunday as the nearly unanimous choice of local Democrats to fill the Senate seat vacated by Steve Hobbs after his appointment to statewide office. At a special meeting, Lovick received 49 of 50 votes cast by precinct committee officers. They were responsible for nominating three potential successors to Hobbs, now Washington’s secretary of state. The other nominees are Laura Hathaway and Greg Pratt, who both said they support Lovick. Continue reading at Everett Herald.