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Friday, Aug. 20

Jennifer Luxton / The Seattle Times

Editorial: As police reforms hit resistance, law-enforcement leaders need to step up
Depending on their interpretations of the state’s new police reforms, law-enforcement agencies are responding to 911 calls with vastly different equipment and tactics, sometimes putting public safety at risk. Some disagreeing law-enforcement leaders should stop obfuscating over the laws and put safety of their communities ahead of their political agendas. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Jennifer Luxton / The Seattle Times)

Washington hospitals nearing capacity, seeing largest number of COVID-19 patients ever
The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) painted a bleak picture for the state’s medical facilities during a briefing Thursday as hospitals approach 100% occupancy amid a new wave in the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading at KING 5.

US keeps ban on nonessential border crossings to slow COVID
The U.S. government on Friday extended a ban on nonessential travel along the borders with Canada and Mexico to slow the spread of COVID-19 despite increasing pressure to lift the restriction. Continue reading at KOMO. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

Print

Associated Press
First Asian giant hornet nest discovered near Blaine
Sheriff contracts COVID-19, still plans to fight mandates
Do I need a booster shot if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
Fed’s Powell: There’s no returning to pre-pandemic economy
US keeps ban on nonessential border crossings to slow COVID
US to erase student debt for those with severe disabilities
Klickitat County Sheriff contracts COVID-19, still plans to fight mandates

Bellingham Herald
Woman sentenced after distributing fentanyl that led to Bellingham boys’ overdose death
A new tiny home village is being built in Bellingham
On day Inslee expands mask mandate, Whatcom County sees 70 new confirmed COVID cases
COVID delta variant more prevalent in Whatcom, as reported cases triple from last week

Capital Press
WSDA finds Asian giant hornet nest
Expect higher commodity prices amid Western wildfires, says farm lender

Everett Herald
Unpermitted bridge work stalls project in Lake Stevens park
Edmonds mayor chooses interim police chief for permanent job
Lake Stevens police chief retires; deputy succeeds him
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Klickitat Co. sheriff with COVID-19 still fighting mandates
Schwab: Biden kept promise of other presidents to get out
Bloomberg Comment: Taliban say they’ve changed, but so has Afghanistan
Bloomberg Comment: Taliban only pretending their barbaric days are over
Bloomberg Comment: Opinion polls show path forward on immigration
WaPo Comment: Afghan soldiers didn’t quit; we left the battle first

News Tribune
Pentagon offers mental health resources to military as Taliban takes over Afghanistan
Got an idea to draw tourists? Here’s how to get Gig Harbor taxes to help pay for it
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Mask Q&A: When and where you should wear a mask in Pierce County
Investigation complete into Tacoma officer who ran over 6 at street-racing event
COVID-19 cases among Pierce County children increase; rural areas see outbreaks
Get vaccinated or lose job, Peninsula School District staff are told

New York Times
Live Updates: Biden to Address Afghan Crisis as Desperation Builds at Kabul Airport
As Childhood Covid Cases Spike, School Vaccination Clinics Are Slow Going
Cutting off jobless benefits early may have hurt state economies.
E.P.A. to Block Pesticide Tied to Neurological Harm in Children
Western Drought Will Last Into Fall or Longer

North American Post
A-Bomb Survivor A Message from a Life Saved: Take Off, My Dream!

Olympian
About to lose unemployment benefits next month? Washington won’t keep the program going
School workers included in WA state vaccine requirement; masks are back for everyone
Thurston County workers may have to get vaccinated or test weekly to retain their jobs
Despite the rise in COVID cases, the state fair will still go on. Bring a mask
Netted and tagged with a tracker this so-called ‘murder hornet’ led the state to its nest
Here’s how Washington Tribes are updating their COVID measures

Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County hits another record with virus case rate

Puget Sound Business Journal
Remaining Boeing 747 production hits single digits
Facebook rolls out virtual meetings platform as companies grapple with hybrid work
NASA, SpaceX agree to pause on lunar lander contract after Blue Origin lawsuit
New college disclosures highlight years of enrollment declines, schools in distress heading into pandemic

Seattle Times
Editorial: As police reforms hit resistance, law-enforcement leaders need to step up

Skagit Valley Herald
Reps. Larsen, DelBene talk American Rescue Plan Act
Mount Vernon event to provide COVID-19 vaccine information in Spanish

South Seattle Emerald
State mandates vaccinations for school system employees, expands mask-wearing indoors
Opinion: We need the flexibility gig work promises and basic rights
We can be heroes: The summer blood shortage and why it’s vital for bipoc to donate
‘Hai! Japantown 2021’: Honoring the past and reviving the present
Opinion: From Somalia to Afghanistan, we stand with our newest neighbors

Spokesman Review
Spokane’s Monroe Street Bridge focal point for suicide, mental health awareness
The statewide mask mandate is back for everyone, but there are some exceptions. Here’s where you need to wear a mask in Washington
Opinion: Nicholas Goldberg: We can’t blame the unmasked and unvaccinated for being irresponsible? Really?

Tri-City Herald
‘Just getting tired.’ Kadlec employees plan picket after months with no contract
Prestigious NASCAR-style event will launch NW’s newest raceway in Tri-Cities
‘Explosive growth’ in Tri-Cities COVID cases called ‘a crisis.’ Vaccinated people at risk
Benton Franklin Fair events kick off with Tri-Cities parade. Here’s what to expect
Historic link made from $17B Hanford treatment plant to radioactive tank waste
Coalition wants Oregon governor to deny Easterday dairy permit near Tri-Cities
Update: Health officials recommend canceling the Benton Franklin Fair, other large events

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Providence medical center in Walla Walla names new officer
Walla Walla teen allegedly molested by unfamiliar woman on her front porch
School officials: vaccine mandate presents challenge to small districts in Walla Walla area

Yakima Herald Republic
With Yakima Valley Memorial nearly full, doctors urge people to wear masks and get vaccinated

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
US extends COVID-19 border restrictions with Canada, Mexico through Sept. 21
COVID-19 testing demand in King County doubles amid delta variant spread
Pierce County pharmacy continues push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19
Washington’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate among strictest in the US. Here’s who is exempt
Washington hospitals nearing capacity, seeing largest number of COVID-19 patients ever

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Wazzu’s Rolovich says he intends to follow vaccine mandate
Capitol standoff: Man who claimed to have bomb outside Library of Congress surrenders
US to erase student debt for those with severe disabilities
FBI Seattle launches campaign for awareness, reporting of hate crimes

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
State entomologists find Asian giant hornet nest, plan to eradicate it next week
Washington frontline workers feeling effects of battling fifth wave of COVID-19 surge
Delta variant raises concerns for large events
Large gatherings fueling COVID-19 surge, hospitalizations at all-time high
Gig Harbor cancels remaining summer events amid COVID-19 surge
‘Tremendous volume of patients’ puts Longview hospital at max capacity
Seattle nears record number of fires set at homeless camps this year

KNKX FM
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition calls on EPA to maintain standards set in 2014

KUOW FM
COULD A NEW FISH PASSAGE SYSTEM HELP SNAKE RIVER SALMON?
At WA Ferries, vaccine mandate looms amidst ‘unprecedented’ worker shortages
Covid blog: Pandemic updates for the NW

KXLY (ABC)
COVID-19 hospitalization surge, staffing shortages push hospitals to their limits
Firefighters across the area potentially quitting over vaccine mandate

Q13 TV (Fox)
Teacher against the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate plans to claim exemption
Officials: COVID filling hospital beds statewide while vaccine newcomers come around
COVID-19 or RSV? Symptoms parents should watch for in kids

Web

Crosscut
Decolonizing your plate
Descolonizar el plato
More mosquitoes in WA could come with hotter, longer summers

MyNorthwest
US extends ban on non-essential travel across Canadian border
New hotel spaces fuel 132% increase in Seattle homeless shelter referrals
Washington’s new mask mandate takes effect Monday: Here’s what you need to know
Shoreline woman charged in hate crime arrested, held on bail
First Asian giant hornet nest of 2021 found east of Blaine
Police arrest woman for breaking court order protecting Seattle mayor
Despite delta variant, fall travel expected to take off, says local analyst
WSU football coach could face choice between getting vaccinated or losing his job

Ms. Magazine
Reforming Law Enforcement Training Could Reduce The High Rate of Sexual Assault Case Attrition (Orwall)

Slog
Washington Superintendent Basically Tells Brandi Kruse that Teachers Can Easily Lie Their Way Out of Inslee’s New Vaccine Mandate
Seattle and Washington State Scramble to Assist Afghan Refugees

Thursday, Aug. 19

School workers included in WA state vaccine requirement; masks are back for everyone
Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday expanded the state’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement to include K-12 school staff, most childcare and early learning staff, and higher education, as the state struggles to contain a rising tide of COVID-19 cases. The governor also expanded the state indoor mask mandate to include everyone again in indoor settings, regardless of vaccine status. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Ted S. Warren)

Opinion: Vaccination, mask rules are burdensome, but necessary
Yes, new state rules requiring indoor masking for everyone and vaccinations for school and child care employees feel like a step backward in our seemingly endless battle against COVID-19. Yes, they’ll certainly be met with howls of protest. But yes, they’re unquestionably the fastest and safest way to reclaim our lives. So let’s all stop whining, suck it up and run this virus out of town once and for all. Continue reading at Yakima Herald-Republic. (Evan Abell)

‘Are we going to really be able to prevent eviction?’ Community groups brace for next housing crisis
There’s more than $300 million in rental assistance available for renters and landlords before Washington state’s eviction moratorium expires. But the money has been so slow to reach eligible people in Seattle and across King County, community groups are bracing for another housing crisis. Jeanice Hardy is dogged by a question this money was meant to answer: “Are we going to really be able to prevent eviction?” Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

Print

Associated Press
Washington requires COVID-19 vaccination for teachers, staff
Appeals court overturns ruling against Value Village
Washington wildfires grow, prompt evacuations, burn homes
Govt sharpens antitrust attack against Facebook with filing
Desperation, pressure for aid increase in Haiti after quake
Biden to require vaccines for nursing home staff

Aberdeen Daily World
Federal infrastructure bill includes $1 billion for culvert grants
Letter: Tsunami siren network

Auburn Reporter
How you can help Afghan refugees in the Puget Sound area

Bellevue Reporter
Some people qualify for third shot of vaccine, says health department
Governor reinstates indoor mask rule, whether you’re vaxed or not

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom health department ‘very concerned’ by growing COVID hospital rate among vaccinated
This ‘monumental’ step toward more sustainable shipping taken in Bellingham
COVID-19 outbreak at Whatcom County Jail spreads to corrections deputies
Whatcom weather’s a marked change from last week’s heatwave. What that means for summer
These Whatcom regions are seeing the most COVID-19 cases and highest infection rates

Bothell-Kenmore Reporter
Group demands accountability following Seattle Children’s racism investigation

Capital Press
Biden’s EPA to ban pesticide chlorpyrifos
FDA rejects request to regulate hemp extract as dietary supplement
Washington AG: Farmers can’t contest capital gains tax until they pay it
Mega wildfires threaten water supplies
First in-person wheat trade team tours PNW’s ‘unusual’ crop

Columbian
Washington teacher union backs vaccination mandate
Clark County Public Health: Delta’s footprint unclear
Opinion: In Our View: State should help protect Afghans who fled

Courier-Herald
Enumclaw Council debates two issues involving multi-family housing

The Daily News
State law provides for OSPI to withhold funds for ‘noncompliance’
Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense hires more attorneys to deal with Blake resentencing, pandemic caseload
Herrera Beutler speaks about vaccines, infrastructure during phone town hall

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Inslee revives use of mask in the state; requires vaccination for school personnel
More “get out now” evacuations are issued for Schneider Springs fire

Everett Herald
Inslee reinstates indoor mask rule, whether vaxxed or not
Fewer renter protections after Monday, but help is available
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: Afghan allies must be rescued before it’s too late
WaPo Comment: Parents again anxious about kids’ return to schools
Editorial: Our duty and privilege to accept Afghan refugees
Letter: Vaccines, masks are right thing to do for all of us
Letter: Comparing covid vaccinations to Holocaust is absurd

The Facts Newspaper
Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases, further exhausting hospital capacity across the state

Federal Way Mirror
King County COVID-19 testing sites see surge in visitors

The Inlander
Equity vs. Equality: It’s all about fairness and the recognition that different people may need different tools

Kitsap Sun
‘A worthy adversary’: Kitsap COVID-19 virus activity hits pandemic-long high point

News Tribune
Tacoma selects new manager for its historic theaters. Not everyone is happy with pick
Tacoma schools, teachers’ union move to comply with Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine order
Time to mask up: Here’s what the new mask directive means in Pierce County
Editorial: Don’t overlook Tacoma area military families left ‘raw and sad’ by Afghanistan exit

New York Times
Biden Says Troops May Stay in Kabul Longer to Assist Evacuations
Covid Live Updates: W.H.O. Official Blasts Plans For Booster Shots
U.S. Takes a New Stab at Facebook Antitrust Suit
Biden Announces Virus Measures for Schools and Nursing Homes

Olympian
School workers included in WA state vaccine requirement; masks are back for everyone
About to lose unemployment benefits next month? Washington won’t keep the program going
Inslee’s new vaccine mandate raises temperature on WSU football coach Nick Rolovich
Thurston County workers may have to get vaccinated or test weekly to retain their jobs
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state

Peninsula Daily News
Mandate for health care workers sparks protest
Teachers ordered to be vaccinated
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Port Townsend Leader
Gov. Inslee announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all public school employees

Puget Sound Business Journal
Infrastructure bill could bring in billions for Puget Sound-area port projects
King County rent-relief program is underway, but falling short of need
Workers, in demand, have a new demand of their own: A career path
Inslee expands mask mandate, announces vaccine requirements for teachers
SBA’s PPP loan forgiveness portal sees surge. It’s also putting pressure on lenders to join.

Seattle Medium
Inslee Announces Educator Vaccination Requirement And Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate

Seattle Times
What to know about Washington state’s new mask mandate, vaccine requirement for school and child care workers
King County lags in distributing rent assistance for tenants, landlords
USDOT deputy secretary promotes electrification in Seattle, tours West Seattle Bridge
Hundreds in Tri-Cities, Olympia protest Washington mandates on masks, COVID vaccines
Washington’s COVID vaccine mandates ordered by Gov. Jay Inslee are among the strictest in the nation (Keiser)
Here’s how to help new local arrivals fleeing Afghanistan
When a homeless encampment was cleared, no one went to a shelter. The reasons are complicated
Opinion: Listen to the AMA and remove sex labels from birth certificates in Washington state

Skagit Valley Herald
Census: Skagit County population is growing and more diverse
People rally against school mask mandates
Groups vow to continue fighting Navy over jet noise

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Snoqualmie Valley School District runs slight budget deficit

Spokesman Review
Washington Supreme Court mandates COVID-19 vaccines for workers, encourages lower courts to do same
Masks required indoors again, as local hospitalizations and cases continue to climb
Inslee: Teachers and staff must receive COVID-19 vaccine by mid-October
Coordinated effort helps vaccinate Spokane’s homeless
Spokane Valley anti-mask protest erupts after Inslee’s new COVID mandates: ‘When is this going to end?’

Tri-City Herald
Officials recommend large Tri-Cities events cancel due to COVID. What that means for the fair
Hundreds rally in Tri-Cities against WA school mask mandate — and new vaccine rules
300+ new COVID cases reported in 1 day in Tri-Cities area, as hospitals overwhelmed
Prosecutor rules in ‘troubling’ Richland bypass shooting of unarmed man. New details released
Crews start emptying radioactive waste from massive, leak-prone Hanford tank

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Get the shots or not? Decision impacts fire chief, others

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
School officials: State vaccine mandate presents challenge to small districts in the Walla Walla area
Masks debated during public comment at Walla Walla School Board meeting
Walla Walla city leader’s weekly COVID-19 videos strengthened community during pandemic
Umatilla County reaches 100th COVID-19 death

Washington Post
Afghans waving national flag stage protests in several cities, defying Taliban rule
The wildfire was everywhere. Could a school bus driver and 22 kids find a way out?
Biden to get coronavirus booster as U.S. recommends third shot to Americans
Divisions emerge among Republicans over how to handle Afghan refugees
‘Active bomb threat’ near U.S. Capitol; Cannon, Madison and Jefferson office buildings evacuated
How to cope with the existential dread of climate change
Opinion: The Taliban says it will respect women. But we Iranians have seen this movie before.

Yakima Herald Republic
School vaccination requirement met with relief, frustration in the Yakima Valley
Yakima County has 297 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest since early January
Opinion: Vaccination, mask rules are burdensome, but necessary

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Masks required for all Washington residents in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status
Inslee makes COVID-19 vaccine a requirement for all school employees
Vaccine mandate for Washington school workers comes amid staffing shortages
Seattle restaurants and bars work to navigate another mask mandate
Sen. Cantwell tours West Seattle Bridge damage, hears plan for repairs

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Capitol Police investigating ‘active bomb threat’ near Library of Congress
Gov. Inslee: All teachers required to be vaccinated; indoor mask mandate
Vaccine breakthrough cases rise in Washington
Black wine bar owner focused on sustainability, paving way for underrepresented entrepreneurs
Health director issues mask directive for Pierce County

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee revives indoor mask mandate, orders all school workers to get COVID-19 vaccine
Pierce County issues mask directive even for those vaccinated for COVID-19
New COVID-19 mandates don’t go over well with all Washingtonians
Q2 results set new records for Seattle’s homeless outreach efforts
Redmond mayor backs controversial homeless shelter plan despite vocal opposition
Delta variant now makes up nearly all new COVID-19 cases tested in Washington
Will Washington’s new indoor mask mandate be enough to combat fifth surge of COVID-19?

KUOW FM
Washington Issues Vaccine Mandate for K-12 Staff and New State Mask Requirement
Washington leaders urge action to welcome Afghan refugees (Jinkins)
Covid blog: Pandemic updates for the NW
EPA Will Ban A Farming Pesticide Linked To Health Problems In Children
Could a new fish passage system help Snake River salmon?
‘Are we going to really be able to prevent eviction?’ Community groups brace for next housing crisis
COVID-19 Booster Shots Will Roll Out In September In The U.S.

KXLY (ABC)
Parents statewide participate in rally against the mask mandate in schools
‘We kinda saw it coming around the corner’: Local business owners react to new mask mandate
Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward responds to Gov. Inslee’s COVID-19 mandates

NW Public Radio
Washington Issues Vaccine Mandate For K-12 School Employees And Statewide Mask Mandate
Could A New Fish Passage System Help Snake River Salmon?

Q13 TV (Fox)
Inslee announces COVID vaccine requirement for educators, return of indoor mask mandate
‘Ruthless:’ Tacoma man shocked over 60% rent hike
Dozens of parents rally against masks in schools in Ferndale

Web

Civic Skunkworks
Kroger Can Easily Afford to Pay Higher Wages. They’re Giving $1 Billion to Wall Street, Instead.

Crosscut
Fish struggle to survive as water issues worsen in Klamath Basin
WA mandates vaccines for teachers, other school staff
Opinion: We need our own climate emergency research center

MyNorthwest
As mask mandate returns, delta variant now makes up 98% of state’s COVID cases
Gov. Inslee: ‘No reason to abandon a career’ over COVID vaccine mandate
Washington state adds 22,700 jobs in July, unemployment down to 5.1%
Gov. Inslee mandates vaccines for educators and staff, orders all vaccinated to mask up
Pierce County issues new mask mandate for indoor public spaces
Seattle council backs investigation of Indigenous human rights violations

Slog
Seattle and Washington State Scramble to Assist Afghan Refugees
Washington’s Public Long Term Care Program Is Good, Actually, and You Should Opt In

Wednesday, Aug. 18

Washington hospitals filling as pandemic labor shortage strains health care system
The labor shortage roiling American industries from restaurants to retail stores is now stressing the health care system, causing a ripple effect among Washington hospitals of severe overcrowding. The state’s hospitals are at near maximum capacity, forcing administrators to shuffle patients to other facilities, cancel surgeries and fill hallways with rented beds. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)

Washington wildfires grow, prompt evacuations, burn homes
Strong winds on Monday led to fire growth in central and eastern Washington that prompted new mandatory evacuations and burned homes, fire officials said. A fire northwest of Spokane that started Sunday near the town of Ford caused residents to scramble to leave their homes on Monday, The Spokesman-Review reported. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Joseph O’Sullivan)

CDC: COVID-19 booster shots recommended for all after 8 months
U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top authorities, calls for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The doses could begin the week of Sept. 20. Continue reading at KING 5.

Print

Associated Press
Washington wildfires grow, prompt evacuations, burn homes
US health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19
Fueled by winds, largest wildfire moves near California city
Death toll from Haiti’s weekend earthquake rises to 1,941
House Dems plan budget vote next week, defying moderates

Aberdeen Daily World
Fifth wave of COVID pandemic impacts Grays Harbor County
Aberdeen mayor, council member clash over comments

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County sees 70 new confirmed COVID cases, 11 hospitalizations reported Tuesday
As hospital sets new pandemic record for COVID patients, Whatcom sees another big weekend
Work continues on this new tiny home village in Bellingham

Capital Press
Wheat tops $10 per bushel, but will it stay there?

Everett Herald
COVID-19 patients are again filling Snohomish County ICUs
Everett council evaluates city responses to homelessness
High-density housing isn’t coming to Mukilteo
WaPo Comment: It’s hubris to focus on ‘America’s humiliation’
WaPo Comment: U.S. again faces moral obligation to aid refugees
Letter: County’s mask mandate seems pretty clear; please follow it

The Inlander
What is wildfire smoke doing to our health?

Islands’ Weekly
Bipartisan bill hopes to improve rural veterans’ access to health care
County to host vaccine clinics next week

Kent Reporter
Residents debate police reform laws at Kent town hall

Kitsap Sun
City of Port Orchard restricts large-scale event permits for the rest of the summer

Mercer Island Reporter
City council to delve into draft sign code update on Sept. 21

News Tribune
Snopes co-founder tied to Tacoma company accused of fraud against homeless veteran
Troyer asks County Council to cover legal fees in criminal probe. Here’s what it decided
Opinion: Washington has a long history of welcoming refugees. Afghanistan should be no different (Jinkins, Thai)
Editorial: Election fraud hysteria persists in Washington, and Pierce County takes center stage
Op-Ed: Tacoma teachers, like me, must be vaccinated against COVID-19 for good of all

Olympian
Firefighters respond to fires in 2 Olympia area homeless encampments
UPDATE: Thurston County 911 dispatch unable to receive landline calls for hours Tuesday
Human remains found on JBLM-based plane seen surrounded in Afghanistan, Air Force says
Olympia hospitals have limited beds, ventilators available, health officials say
Can people with diabetes get a third COVID shot? Here’s what CDC guidance says

Peninsula Daily News
‘Consider your neighbor’
Broadband meeting set in Brinnon tonight
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Third doses of COVID vaccine for those at risk in works

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tacoma council approves plans to spend $2.8M in state, federal recovery funds
Seattle area ranks among country’s most EV-friendly metros
Aerospace manufacturers seek to retain workers lured by high-growth tech firms
Seattle eases restrictions in bid to fill empty downtown storefronts
Rep. Duerr and Sen. Frockt: Opinion: An innovative new tool for Washington communities to create jobs

Seattle Times
Washington hospitals filling as pandemic labor shortage strains health care system
Three Alaska Airlines employees die of COVID as leadership moves toward vaccination mandate
Tuesday was Seattle’s coolest day in more than 2 months. Is fall weather here to stay?
How to end America’s longest war the right way, Washington state style
Seattle-area Afghans enduring sleepless nights, terrified for family in hiding under Taliban rule

Skagit Valley Herald
Anacortes to Sidney ferry service won’t return until 2022
County seeking applicants for Planning Commission
COVID cases, hospitalizations continue to surge

South Seattle Emerald
Program expands in South King county to offer rides to transit centers and more
Weekend Long Reads: The climate change report
Seattle Children’s Hospital workforce protest for full Covington report
The South End guide to reducing our carbon footprint: safety to walk and roll
Ask a Therapist: How to live in a turbulent new normal
Advocates push for systemic change in face of rising hate crimes in Seattle
Opinion: Climate anxiety is not a diagnosis, it’s a new reality

South Whidbey Record
Oak Harbor man credits vaccine for mild symptoms during 2nd bout with COVID-19
Langley council discusses bringing back mask mandate

Spokesman Review
Those with invalid drug possession convictions can petition Inslee to eliminate remaining supervision, likely paving way for 1,200 commutations
‘Despair, doubt and uncertainty’: As Afghans rush to evacuate Taliban-controlled capital, Spokane volunteer awaits their arrival in Virginia
Crosswalk Youth Shelter plans big move out of downtown Spokane

Tri-City Herald
Can people with diabetes get a third COVID shot? Here’s what CDC guidance says
Crews start emptying radioactive waste from massive, leak-prone Hanford tank
UPDATE: Benton commander who backed Hatcher’s recall named interim sheriff
COVID patients flooding into swamped Tri-Cities hospitals. New cases swelling
Tri-Cities survey shows which city is resisting the COVID vaccine the most and why
Tri-Cities voters won’t see transit sales tax cut on their ballots

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Two Umatilla County women die with COVID-19, at ages 29 and 82
PLAZA WAY SERIES FINALE: Plaza Way roundabout now open in Walla Walla

Washington Post
With the Taliban now in control, here’s what Afghans are seeing in Kabul
How CDC data problems put the U.S. behind on the delta variant
Vaccines show declining effectiveness against infection overall but strong protection against hospitalization amid delta variant
Haiti earthquake survivors, stranded by storm, search for shelter
A mom of 4 who died of covid days after her husband makes one final wish: ‘Make sure my kids get vaccinated’
Federal mask mandate for planes, buses and trains to extend into next year

Whidbey News-Times
Letter: Parents ‘experts’ when it comes to protecting kids
Letter: Sharing views of anti-masker is ‘irresponsible’

Yakima Herald Republic
Census data shows Latinos now make up more than half of Yakima County’s population
CWU awards $10,000 in scholarships to fully vaccinated students
Three Alaska Airlines employees die of COVID as leadership moves toward vaccination mandate
Wildfire Resources for the Yakima Valley
Crews continue carving lines as Schneider Springs Fire prompts more evacuations
Air quality alert in effect through noon Wednesday for Yakima and Kittitas counties
Letter: Stop mincing words: they’re parasites, not patriots
Letter: Privileged protesters forget how lucky they are

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
COVID-19 booster shots recommended for all after 8 months
‘If it’s your child, it should be your choice’: Rallies across Washington call for end to school mask mandates
Younger, unvaccinated COVID-19 patients fill ICU at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center
Asian American woman files suit against Shoreline neighbor alleging racial harassment
Pacific Northwest nonprofits prepare for refugees from Afghanistan

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Shoreline victim in anti-Asian hate crime; family files lawsuit
Booster shot recommendations could create vaccine logjam in the Pacific Northwest
Afghan refugees to be resettled in Seattle and Tacoma
Seattle man desperate to get family out of Afghanistan
New UW study says pregnant and breastfeeding woman do well with the COVID vaccine

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Protesters ask Redmond mayor to halt plans for homeless housing at former motel
Charges filed against suspect accused of threatening to kill Black man

KNKX FM
They want to tell the real history, celebrate vibrant people of the Coast Salish
In a hot NW housing market, even isolated Point Roberts is seeing prices sizzle

KUOW FM
Your Garden Might Be a Fire Hazard
Covid blog: Pandemic updates for the NW
America’s Security May Depend On Critical Minerals. But Mine Workers Are Scarce
Senators Demand TikTok Reveal How It Plans To Collect Voice And Face Data
A Seattle-area Afghan American reacts to ‘stolen hope’
WATCH: Biden Delivers Remarks On Afghanistan
Hazy skies and heat blanket the Pacific Northwest

KXLY (ABC)
Gov. Jay Inslee to hold press conference with state superintendent Chris Reykdal

Q13 TV (Fox)
Family files civil lawsuit against neighbor who is criminally charged for hate crime
COVID-19 booster shots: US recommends booster for all Americans starting in September
Some parents pulling their kids out of school due to lack of remote learning options
Biden extends 100% federal reimbursement of states’ COVID-19 costs
Supporting housing needs for Afghan refugees resettling in Western Washington

Web

MyNorthwest
Douglas County judge set to hear oral arguments for lawsuits against capital gains tax
Shoreline family suing neighbor charged for alleged anti-Asian hate crime, years of bullying
More than 100 homes evacuated in Lake Chelan due to wildfire
Washington parents’ group plans to protest mandatory masking in schools
Criticism for U.S. government as next border closure decision looms
Masks required for tourists, employees at any National Park
Gov. Inslee offers clemency for drug possession convictions invalidated by court ruling
Seattle council votes to move parking enforcement away from SPD

Slog
New Data Visualization Tool Shows Just How Bad the Recent Explosion of Transphobic Bills Is
Is Hope to Be Found in America’s Shrinking White Population?

Tuesday, Aug. 17

New Washington laws aim to break foster care-to-prison pipeline
What unites the group of imprisoned men seeking change isn’t addiction recovery, making amends or anger management. Instead, it’s a shared childhood experience: foster care. “State-Raised” is the name of the group they’ve formed with the goal of disrupting the foster care-to-prison pipeline. Washington legislation passed this spring is designed to help that mission, the group’s founder, Arthur Longworth, said on a recent call from the Monroe Corrections Complex. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Elaine Thompson)

Inslee commutes more convictions to clear backlog left after Washington state’s drug-possession law struck down
Gov. Jay Inslee has commuted the sentences of more than 125 people on community supervision whose drug convictions have been deemed unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court. That is part of a broader push to grant as many as 1,200 commutations for people on supervision whose convictions were invalidated by the court’s ruling in February, Inslee announced Monday. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

More protection: US likely to authorize COVID booster shots
After struggling for months to persuade Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, U.S. health officials could soon face a fresh challenge: talking vaccinated people into getting booster shots to gain longer-lasting protection as the delta variant sends infections soaring again. As early as this week, U.S. health authorities are expected to recommend an extra dose of the vaccine for all Americans eight months after they get their second shot, according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Continue reading at KING 5.

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Associated Press
Over 200 coronavirus cases linked to Gorge music festival
Inslee commutes more drug possession convictions
More protection: US likely to authorize COVID booster shots

Aberdeen Daily World
Applicants sought for ad-hoc coastal steelhead advisory group

Auburn Reporter
King County preserves thousands of acres of farmland from development

Bellingham Herald
‘Anticlimactic’ end for temporary oil transshipment ban at Cherry Point
Bellingham, Whatcom see this wake-up call in U.N. climate change report
‘It was a tough deal’ — weekend fire causes estimated $700,000 damage on Whatcom farm
Whatcom sees 300 confirmed COVID cases last week, as hospital sets pandemic record high
Whatcom restaurant diners, shoppers suffer from these supply chain problems

Capital Press
9th Circuit rules against landowners in Clean Water Act dispute
Asian giant hornets elude WSDA pursuers

Columbian
Opinion: In Our View: Unvaccinated to blame for virus surge
Clark County’s COVID vaccination rate lags behind state
COVID presents Clark County schools chiefs with obstacles and opportunity

The Daily News
City of Longview plans cleanup at Alabama Street homeless camp, hosted site plan inches forward

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Protesters in Yakima oppose vaccine mandate, mask requirement
State superintendent asks for vaccination mandate to include school personnel
Heat affects agricultural workers; defenders ask for permanent protection rules

Everett Herald
WHL requires all players and staff to be vaccinated
Editorial: Delta variant is playing hardball; so must we
WaPo Comment: As Kabul falls, blame game overshadows context
WaPo Comment: What fall of Kabul means for Biden’s foreign policy
WaPo Comment: U.S. errors in Afghan war a repeat of Vietnam
Letter: Many lives depending on county’s indoor mask mandate
Letter: Still no proof of claims of ballot fraud, ‘stolen’ election

Federal Way Mirror
Inslee to provide clemency to those convicted under “unconstitutional” drug possession law

High Country News
Will Klamath salmon outlast the dam removal process?
For dairy cows, where there’s smoke, there’s less milk
‘Every part of a degree of warming that we can avert will make the future better’

Kent Reporter
King County applies for acquisition funding assistance of Federal Way hotel

Kitsap Sun
‘Swamped’ emergency room at St. Michael suffers from staffing issues, COVID-19 onslaught

News Tribune
Bookworms young and old happy to be back among the stacks as libraries re-open
COVID-19 surge intensifies in Pierce County with latest 3-day case total
2 Pierce County sheriff’s drug unit personnel disciplined after internal investigation
Some people fleeing Afghanistan will settle in Tacoma, Seattle
Air Force jet leaving Kabul with Afghans clinging to it appears to be from JBLM

New York Times
Live Updates: Taliban Promise No Reprisal Killings, but Afghans Are Desperate to Escape
U.S. to Advise Boosters for Most Americans 8 Months After Vaccination
American Hospitals Buckle Under Delta, With I.C.U.s Filling Up
Thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. are trapped. What happens next?

Olympian
Thurston County confirms 723 new COVID-19 cases in past week
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state

Peninsula Daily News
Food bank seeks federal funds
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Public schools ready for in-person classes
Peninsula-wide mask mandate starts Monday
Masks required indoors in Clallam, Jefferson counties starting Monday
Tsunami sirens added to Peninsula

Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson County Public Health: Nearly 90 percent of COVID cases are unvaccinated residents

Puget Sound Business Journal
Covid-19 tax credit may expire early. Millions of dollars are at risk.
Seattle eases restrictions in bid to fill empty downtown storefronts
Colleges pushed average attendance cost to over $40,800 as pandemic flared
Bezos’ Blue Origin sues NASA over lunar lander contract awarded to SpaceX

Seattle Times
Seattle adds several miles of bike lanes to streets during pandemic
Washington state members of Congress are all-in for the return of earmarks
Inslee commutes more convictions to clear backlog left after Washington state’s drug-possession law struck down
Dramatic video of C-17 at Kabul airport shows people clinging to JBLM-based plane
Washington state’s Supreme Court largely upholds ruling that homeless man’s truck is a home
Opinion: Pacific Northwest workplace heat fatalities are a failure of government

Skagit Valley Herald
Grant will help Sedro-Woolley Farm to School program expand
Burlington to look into space concerns at fire station
Controversy continues between Seattle, tribes over Skagit River dam

The Skanner
Seattle Park Encampment Gone After Dozens Get Housing

Spokesman Review
Reykdal: Without vaccine mandate, keeping schools open this year will be challenging
As kids head back for full-time in-person instruction, experts urge masks, vaccines as COVID-19 risk remains high
LA Times: Food stamp aid to increase by more than 25% over pre-pandemic levels
Opinion: Spin Control: Is the ballot initiative fever cooling in Washington?

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities doctor surrenders license. He violated patient sexual misconduct, abuse rules

Vancouver Business Journal
New Washington Legislation – ‘Washington Cares Fund’

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Ports in Walla Walla, Columbia counties awarded $2 million for rural broadband projects
COVID-19 update: Unvaccinated people ‘making a choice’ that impacts all, Umatilla County official says

Washington Post
More than 600 Afghans cram into one U.S. transport flight, as thousands flee Taliban
She was the only member of Congress to vote against war in Afghanistan. Some called her a traitor.
Taliban’s de facto leader arrives in Afghanistan as group declares ‘amnesty’ for government officials
Weekly cases approach pre-vaccine levels as U.S. plans booster shots for most Americans
Opinion: The latest GOP anti-mask lunacy is stirring a backlash. New polling reveals it.

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County kids lost ground on childhood immunizations during the pandemic
‘Go now’ evacuation notices expanded to part of SR410 because of Schneider Springs Fire
Washington state drought recovery unlikely this fall, officials say
PNWU launches one-year master’s program in medical sciences
Editorial: In these dark days, where is hope?

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington group helping people navigate where to find a third COVID-19 shot
State of emergency declared in Chelan County as Twenty-Five Mile Fire grows to 4,000 acres
Falling childhood vaccination rates in Washington ‘concerning’ for health department

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Afghan refugees to be resettled in Seattle and Tacoma
Taliban resurgence may cause additional PTSD cases for war vets
‘Stop the vaccine mandate’ movement erupts across Washington
Veteran first responder exposes difficulty getting treatment for PTSD
Local concern for women amid chaos in Afghanistan
Biden on Afghanistan: ‘There is never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces’
Locally based Air Force cargo jet in viral video of Kabul chaos
COVID-19 test appointments in high demand as travel increases
Kent husband, father working to get family out of Afghanistan

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Local efforts underway in Washington state to help vulnerable Afghans escape Taliban
Protest planned at City Hall over homeless shelter proposal in Redmond

KNKX FM
State legislators reflect on how Afghanistan withdrawal affects Washington (Jinkins)
How the view from space is helping fight wildfires on the ground
Skeptics of sea otter reintroduction getting organized on Pacific Coast
‘It’s heartbreaking.’ One hospital chief executive’s warning about the fifth wave of COVID-19

KUOW FM
A Seattle-area Afghan American reacts to ‘stolen hope’
Covid blog: Pandemic updates for the NW
Death Threats And Conspiracy Theories: Why 2020 Won’t End For Election Officials
Home Prices Are Now Higher Than The Peak Of The 2000s ‘Housing Bubble.’ What Gives?
1st Live Asian Giant ‘Murder Hornet’ Of 2021 Spotted In Washington State
Vaccination politics: Gov. Inslee’s mandate vs a Republican’s ‘free society’
Washington is 10% more diverse than it was 10 years ago. What does that mean?
Heat wave likely killed far more people in Washington state than reported
Washington superintendent asks for vaccine mandate for public school employees
NW hospitals stock up on ice and ‘prepare for the worst’ of heat-related illnesses
As vaccination rates stagger and delta looms, Washington’s road out of the pandemic remains uncertain

KXLY (ABC)
Mayor Woodward issues mask requirement at all city facilities
‘Feels like a battle they cannot win’: Emails show school districts’ concerns over mask mandates
Parents and students gather to protest mask mandates

Q13 TV (Fox)
Hospitals delay non-emergency surgeries as COVID infections rise in Washington
Opinion: The Divide: State workers respond to Gov. Inslee’s vaccine mandate

Web

Crosscut
Making Seattle safer for walking and cycling is proving difficult
New Washington laws aim to break foster care-to-prison pipeline
How Seattle Children’s issues became bigger than Dr. Ben Danielson
Opinion: Four policy changes Seattle landlords and tenants should agree on

MyNorthwest
Gov. Inslee offers clemency for drug possession convictions invalidated by court ruling
Seattle council votes to move parking enforcement away from SPD
Seattle mayor to sign downtown empty storefront legislation into law
Federal Way man fears for his family in Afghanistan
Edmonds woman explains why she got a COVID-19 booster shot
Washington Department of Agriculture begins Asian giant hornet tracking effort
King County moves to acquire Federal Way’s Red Lion hotel
Wildfire smoke may have contributed to Western US COVID case counts

Monday, Aug. 16

Heat and smoke protections for WA farmworkers may fall short
While Washington regulators created new rules to protect farmworkers who harvest during the heat and smoke, worker advocates say the protections fall far short of what’s necessary. Under the emergency rules, temperatures must break 100 degrees before employers are required to provide a paid cooling break, and air pollution must reach hazardous levels before farm owners must provide masks. Continue reading at Crosscut.

Washington’s unemployment recovery among fastest in US
Washington’s unemployment rate continues to improve as it recovers from significant Covid-19 pandemic-related job losses. A report by WalletHub found Washington’s change in unemployment claim numbers for the week ending Aug. 2 was 75% less than it was the same week in 2020. The state still hasn’t fully returned to its 2019 level, however. There were about 1.5% more claims filed last week than were filed in the same period in 2019. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal.

Rep. Lovick: Comment: State’s new laws on policing an aid to police, public
Forty years ago, I proudly joined the Washington State Patrol. Back then, I had the utmost respect for our community’s protectors. Now, I have 40 times more respect for them. Yet we are having more difficulty coming together than ever before. When you’re involved in complex legislation determining the future of policing, it isn’t about who is right, but about doing what is right. I spent 2020 looking into people’s eyes and listening to their pain. As someone who wore the badge for decades, I needed to hear this. It was the first step in a journey toward collective healing. Continue reading at The Everett Herald.