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Tuesday, April 20

Washington state lawmakers pushing statewide police training reform
A dozen bills that would reform the way police are trained in Washington state are under consideration by lawmakers. Kris Van Cleave visited the state’s Criminal Justice Training Center to see how that new training is encouraging officers to slow down and take a step back. Continue reading at CBS News.

Lawmakers close to approving millions for Washington state’s firefighting efforts
As Washington state’s wildfire season gets underway, lawmakers in Olympia are close to passing legislation that would help give firefighters the necessary tools for battling wildfires. House Bill 1168 is aimed at reducing the threat of wildfires across the state of Washington by creating a dedicated fund that would provide $125 million every two years to boost wildfire response, accelerate forest restoration and support community resilience. Continue reading at KING5 TV.

In Our View: Legislature has to act this week on transportation
Washington lawmakers have little time remaining to invest in our state and prepare for a prosperous post-pandemic future. The end of the 105-day legislative session is Sunday, setting the stage for a busy week of defining the priorities of the state’s residents. Continue reading at The Columbian.

Print

Associated Press
Should states set pot policy by its potency? Some say yes
All Washington students can be learning in-person Monday

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Cocktails to-go, alcohol delivery to continue in Washington state through 2023 (Ormsby, Darneille)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
This bridge repair will mean delays in downtown Bellingham for about nine months
U.S.-Canada COVID-19 border closure extended until May 21, Canadian official tweets
PeaceHealth will give 3,800 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week in Whatcom County
State’s new poet laureate and Lummi tribal member talks about ‘innate music of language’
When will we know if booster COVID shots are needed? Fauci estimates a timeline
Boost for cannabis companies? US House passes pot bill as decriminalization is weighed
Opinion: This exhausted Black mother weeps for her sons and the sons of my sistas

Capital Press
Central Oregon cattle mutilations perplex investigators
Despite frost damage, Washington tree fruit growers predict good crop
Changes coming to Washington farmworker housing rule

Columbian
Clark County reports three new COVID-19 deaths, 258 new confirmed and probable cases
In Our View: Legislature has to act this week on transportation

The Daily News
Cowlitz County reports 58 COVID-19 cases, three deaths as local vaccine appointments are left open

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Local organizations receive grants to increase access to vaccines
Federal government offers funeral assistance for those affected by COVID-19

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Students statewide returned to school buildings on Monday
Dental staffing shortages are more than a pain in the mouth
One crime, two very different punishments for Everett teens
County plans 7th mass vaccination site, at Ash Way Park & Ride
Snohomish County kicks off new rental assistance program
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: It’s time to take police off the traffic beat
Harrop: Why do we still find ‘Persons of Color’ as remarkable?

The Inlander
It’s time to change the North Central High School “Indians” mascot

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
COVID-19 cases surge 19.1% in Washington state

News Tribune (subscription required)
County hires ex-U.S. attorney to investigate sheriff. Here’s what he’ll do and be paid
Bullet from Pierce County shooting nearly hits mother and 5-month-old in nearby apartment
Tacoma to vote on law banning camping on public property (again). Advocates push back
Editorial: ‘Stunt’ had no chance to limit Inslee’s powers. Washington Dems, GOP must do better (Kirby)

New York Times
A Global Tipping Point for Reining In Tech Has Arrived
Amid Biden Climate Push, a Question Looms: Is America’s Word Good?
U.S. Readies Small-Business Grants as P.P.P. Nears End
Few Charges, Fewer Convictions: The Chauvin Trial and the History of Police Violence

Olympian (subscription required)
Environmental group appeals West Bay Yards project to Thurston County Superior Court
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Walter Mondale, who rose from small-town Minnesota to vice presidency, dies at 93

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Half of adults on Peninsula have had shots

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing raises retirement age for CEO by 5 years, CFO heads for exit
Opinion: Clean energy infrastructure vital to Washington’s future
SBA offers new details on its $28.6B Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Early start to Washington’s wildfire season has officials worried
Pharmacy catering to a diverse South Seattle neighborhood is on a mission to vaccinate against COVID-19
FedEx close to a deal to operate out of Paine Field as Boeing abandons its 787 Dreamlifter center
Two crew members on Washington ferry to Alaska test positive for COVID-19
Auburn City Council votes to create criminal penalty for camping on city property
Around Seattle, the oldest students return to school buildings for the first time in more than a year

Skagit Valley Herald
Annual state fisheries plan goes to federal review
Schools planning for more in-person learning
Skagit County’s COVID-19 numbers may be leveling off
Anacortes Police Chief John Small announces retirement

South Seattle Emerald
Last-minute bill in Legislature would limit police traffic stops (Nguyen)
Community groups oppose slated change to Duwamish River cleanup
Lived Experience Coalition says no one asked them about homelessness initiative

Spokesman Review
Masks no longer required at CdA schools
With new law, Spokane City Council makes electric vehicles a top priority
Gonzaga and Providence partner to offer COVID vaccines on-campus
Audit flags potential conflict of interest in shelter contracts; Stuckart fires back
Spokane NAACP meets as jury deliberates Chauvin case: ‘You hope for the best, but you expect the worst’

Washington Post
The jurors who will decide Derek Chauvin’s fate
DHS watchdog declined to pursue investigations into Secret Service during Trump administration, documents show
India’s devastating outbreak is driving the global coronavirus surge
FDA weighs ban on menthol cigarettes, which disproportionately addict — and kill — Black Americans
Opinion: I’ve lost the whole notion of fun

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County to remain in Phase 3 despite upward revision of COVID-19 hospitalization rate
In the Yakima Valley, food banks develop new approaches to feeding the hungry — including mobile pantries
Newly digitized photos of Yakima Valley farmworkers bringing people together
A reporter’s story: I put off my COVID-19 vaccination because I don’t like needles. But the shot didn’t hurt, after all
Yakima faith coalition to host Zoom memorial for COVID victims

Broadcast

CBS News
Washington state lawmakers pushing statewide police training reform (Dhingra)

KING5 TV (NBC)
King County launches in-home COVID-19 vaccine program for vulnerable adults
Having trouble making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in Washington? Here are some tips
Auburn City Council makes camping on city property a criminal penalty
‘I wanted to have some fun’: Washington man pardoned from prison by Inslee arrested two days later
Lawmakers close to approving millions for Washington state’s firefighting efforts (Springer)

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Coronavirus testing suspended at Rainier Beach and West Seattle sites
State lawmakers pass bill that could phase out gas car sales by 2030 (Macri, Liias)
Auburn the latest Puget Sound city to consider tightening rules for homeless camping
Can’t pay your rent? Help available for some Snohomish County residents

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Auburn council OKs ‘tough love’ ordinance for homeless who repeatedly refuse help offers
Local Proud Boys leader ordered jailed before trial on Capitol riot charges
Man finds over 60 syringes at abandoned homeless camp in riverfront park
Washington vs. Texas: Which state is responding to COVID-19 better?

KNKX FM
A WSU bioethicist’s take on pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Pandemic-curtailed Amtrak service to be partially restored next month in Pacific NW

KUOW FM
Pandemic is ‘substantial, but holding steady’ in King County
Blog: Pandemic news for the NW
U.S. Ambassador To Russia Returns To Washington As Relations Sour Further
When You Add More Police To A City, What Happens?
First day back brings mixed emotions for some middle and high school students
State Department To Issue Travel Warnings Amid ‘Unprecedented’ COVID-19 Risks

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Police Behavioral Health Unit sees increase in calls during pandemic
State audit of Spokane’s Community, Housing and Human Services finds conflicts of interest, mishandling of money
EWU Board of Trustees starts new presidential search

NW Public Radio
Legal Sports Betting Comes To Washington In Deal With Tulalip Tribe

Q13 TV (Fox)
Downtown Seattle businesses prepare for possible riots while awaiting Derek Chauvin verdict
Washington 6-12 students return to school for the first time in over a year
Nearly 50% of recent college graduates are jobless, survey says

Web

Crosscut
Opinion: The case for a capital gains tax on Washington’s super-rich (Hackney)
WA could re-criminalize drug possession. Seattle leaders are concerned (Dhingra)

Monday, April 19

Starting in 2023, an estimated 420,000 Washingtonians will get tax rebates of $300 to $1,200
Starting in 2023, an estimated 420,000 Washingtonians will receive rebates of between $300 and $1,200. The program, modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), is expected to pay out about $250 million a year. “I wish we could do more. But this is a historical piece,” said Rep. My-Linh Thai, D-Newcastle, the chief sponsor of tax-rebate measure, House Bill 1297. “It’s a little thing that government can do for the people.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert)

Gov. Inslee signs bills to help Washington’s unemployed residents
With a sweep of the governor’s pen, a set of bills aimed at helping improve the state’s unemployed residents became law on Friday. The governor signed Substitute House Bill 1455, Substitute House Bill 1493, and Substitute Senate Bill 5425, all of which passed the Legislature last week. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Ted S. Warren)

All Washington students can be learning in-person Monday
Students in Washington who have have not already begun in-person learning and want to will do so on Monday. Gov. Jay Inslee signed an emergency proclamation in March requiring all public K-12 schools to provide an in-person learning option for all students by April 19, KING5 reported. The proclamation requires schools to offer an in-person instruction option that equates to at least 30% instructional time. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald.

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Associated Press
Lawsuit over 737 crash alleges autothrottle malfunction
Boeing sees uptick in airplane orders as travel picks up
Inslee signs measure addressing health provider PPE costs
State Senate OKs bill to reinstate drug possession penalties
Billions spent on coronavirus fight, but what happens next?
Public health seeks steady funding, not feast or famine
All Washington students will be learning in-person Monday
Fire crews battle brush fire amid hot temperatures, wind
Marshawn Lynch discusses vaccine hesitancy with Dr. Fauci

Aberdeen Daily World
New approach to drug possession: State Senate says make it a gross misdemeanor (Dhingra, Simmons)
Aberdeen City Hall homeless camp extended through July 31
Two more mass vaccination site clinics scheduled, many other local vaccine options available

Auburn Reporter
Auburn studies criminal penalties for illegal camping on public property
Column: Democrats, Republicans, budgets and taxes | Roegner

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
These BTC students’ efforts ‘will have a cascading effect on future generations’ of salmon
State restricts outdoor fires as conditions dry out
New pandemic relief considered in Bellingham for these ‘essential’ workers
Whatcom sees 52 new COVID-19 cases Saturday
Republican lawmakers still pressing for action to limit governor’s emergency powers
Chinook Salmon are returning to Whatcom Creek thanks to this program
Whatcom sees 30 new COVID-19 cases Friday, WWU changes phases to open up more
‘This doesn’t feel like the right moment’ to reopen U.S. border, Canadian official says
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Friday in Washington state

Capital Press
Washington lawmakers look at three ways to increase fuel costs

Columbian
In Our View: Wildfire bill approval will be investment in state
In Our View: President on right track with infrastructure plan
In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Manufacturing jobs; COVID-19

The Daily News
Effort to bring K-5 back to class Monday is ‘problem solving room by room’
Study finds Chinook salmon are returning to rivers younger than before, re-sparking debate on fish management

Everett Herald (subscription required)
County nixes new shelter plan, expands cold-weather refuge
Survey: Snohomish is state’s sixth-healthiest county
Paull Shin went from Seoul streets to Senate leadership (Liias, Ryu)
Cornfield Report: Is the ‘grand bargain’ crumbling? Is a drug-law fix coming? (Fitzgibbon)
Mill Creek has new drug law — it could be obsolete in days
Ouch: Judge orders Tim Eyman to pay state’s $2.9M legal tab
Tulalip Tribes reach deal with state on sports betting
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
State order targets Boeing Everett plant’s polluted history
Comment: State’s drug abuse reforms should include prevention
Comment: Lawmakers can start restoring equity to state taxes
Bloomberg Comment: Canceling kids’ sports is doing more harm than good
Editorial: Lawmakers must keep at transportation’s grand deal (Fitzgibbon)

High Country News
Species conservation is a human problem

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
A little more than a year after COVID-19 hit, Kitsap reaches 100 virus deaths
Future of state transportation projects hinge on carbon-pricing debate (Hobbs)
Opinion: History of discrimination against Asian Americans echoes back

News Tribune (subscription required)
Puyallup begins search for diversity consultant after calls for action against racism
Expect noise from JBLM as soldiers participate in training exercises

New York Times
As New Police Reform Laws Sweep Across the U.S., Some Ask: Are They Enough?
Covid-19 Live Updates: All U.S. Adults Eligible for Vaccine, Meeting a Biden Goal
Live Updates: Biden Invites More Lawmakers to the White House to Discuss Infrastructure
Progressive Lawmakers to Unveil Legislation on Energy and Public Housing
The Fed Faces Criticism as It Wades Into Climate and Equity Issues

North American Post
Nikkei Uncovered, A Poetry Column: Year-Ending

Olympian (subscription required)
Republican lawmakers still pressing for action to limit governor’s emergency powers (Paul, Chapman, Jinkins, Leavitt, Bronoske, Kirby)
Thurston County turns to voters to increase funding for Medic One system
As debate on Snake River dams churns, tribes quietly lead the way in reintroducing salmon
Racist Zoom bombings in North Thurston and across the state prompt calls for reform

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Virus cases rising on Olympic Peninsula

Port Townsend Leader
New COVID-19 infection found in mid-county area

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle judge allows data privacy suits against Microsoft, Amazon to proceed
King County has millions for rental assistance, but payments face delays
Many employers are weighing vaccine mandates. They might not be worth the headache.

Seattle Medium
Inslee Signs Bill To Help Communities With Large Manufacturing Centers (Entenman)
Strickland Announces Diverse Community Project Funding Advisory Panel
Proposed Legislation By Cantwell, DelBene Would Build Millions Of New Affordable Housing Units

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Why some health care workers in Washington state were reluctant to get COVID shots
Politics, race were key factors when Washington schools reopened for in-person learning during pandemic
From incarceration to the Washington Legislature, Rep. Tarra Simmons hits her stride in first term in Olympia (Simmons, Randall)
How a Japanese immigrant stood up to the injustices of his day with a pioneering civil rights message that resonates in ours
Auburn’s proposal to change civil fee to criminal charge is not ‘criminalizing homelessness,’ say officials
Opinion: Earth Day 2021: A year for bold action on climate and environmental justice
Starting in 2023, an estimated 420,000 Washingtonians will get tax rebates of $300 to $1,200 (Thai, Nguyen)
Zoom bombings that target marginalized people spark demands for legal protections

Skagit Valley Herald
New trails and restoration work highlight group’s efforts

South Seattle Emerald
Opinion: Loss in Bessemer was the beginning, not the end, of organizing inside Amazon
Lawsuit challenges state and counties to refund financial penalties for drug charges
Weekend Long Reads: Why the CDC ‘paused’ the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine
Current and former staff call out anti-Blackness at Ingersoll Gender Center
Case numbers hold steady but health officials warn, ‘not the time to blink’
Port of Seattle business accelerator centers women- and minority-owned businesses
Councilmember Morales unveils legislation to stop “discriminatory” loophole and prevent no-cause evictions

Spokesman Review
Police halt drug possession arrests as they await major rewrite of Washington’s drug laws after Supreme Court ruling (Dhingra, Frockt)
Coeur d’Alene, Walla Walla, Lewiston and other ‘metropolitan areas’ could lose that status under federal proposal
Department of Children, Youth and Family Services to pay $300,000 settlement following discrimination investigation

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities online auction to help women with scholarships, mentorships and more
Every day is Earth Day for some PNNL researchers
Critic of Kennewick School District COVID decisions to run for school board
Tri-Cities food banks delivered 1,600% increase in meals during COVID pandemic
‘Senseless death.’ Two young Tri-Cities fathers. More than two lives ruined
‘Iconic view.’ Developer proposes Tri-Cities hilltop hotel. Neighbors are up in arms
Free COVID vaccinations available at Pasco drive-thru event Sunday
Woman, 25, dies of gunshot wound outside a Tri-Cities home
2 more COVID deaths in Tri-Cities area, as new cases still rising
Finley crash ties up traffic when 21-year-old hits oncoming construction truck
Tri-Cities garden to cultivate health and crush cancer
Tri-Cities physical therapist’s license suspended after sexual assaults in senior care facilities

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Weston-McEwen student Aiden Wolf writes about growing out his hair to honor his native culture
Over 30K pounds of dog food donated to Blue Mountain Humane Society
Walla Walla streateries can stay — with new guidelines
Walla Walla officials say mass clinics will wind down as case counts remain low
Walla Walla County reports five new COVID-19 cases Thursday
Walla Walla Valley farmers markets plan season openers with pandemic guidelines set
Walla Walla’s Ryan Dahlin back in jail for allegedly violating release agreement on child sex crimes
April’s Walla Walla Wine Month booming in 2021 as restrictions ease
Walla Walla woman pleads guilty to taking grandma’s car

Washington Post
Ex-officer who police say killed 3 in Austin has been arrested after 20-hour manhunt
Union alleges Amazon pressured workers as it seeks to set aside warehouse vote
The race to untangle the secrets of rare, severe blood clots after Johnson & Johnson vaccination
NASA flies a helicopter on Mars, the first time an aircraft has flown on another planet
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny moved to prison hospital amid concerns for his failing health
Prosecution’s closing arguments urge jury to believe what it saw

Yakima Herald Republic
County pest board seeks public’s help to contain apple maggots
Yakima faith coalition to host Zoom memorial for COVID victims
All Washington students can be learning in-person Monday
Billions spent on coronavirus fight, but what happens next?
Fire crews battle brush fire amid hot temperatures, wind
Yakima Valley schools likely to apply for high school graduation waiver option
Wildfire bill focused on electric utilities heads to Inslee’s desk

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Remainder of Washington students can return to classrooms Monday
Washington could ban new gasoline cars by 2030, ahead of other states
Washington’s universities consider requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students
Mother of man killed by police hopes lawsuit, more diversity in Washington Legislature will change laws (Johnson, Nobles, Lovick)

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Parents want removal of homeless encampment near school
Young people driving another COVID-19 surge in Pierce County, health officials say
Concerns warm weather could lead to tragedy on the water
Students protest Seattle Pacific University policies after discrimination lawsuit
Crowd concerns at forefront as warm weather drives people outdoors
Senate passes drug possession fix, sponsor votes against it (Dhingra, Goodman)

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
One homeless encampment cleared, but another remains as Seattle students return to school
Coronavirus vaccine supply is still well short of demand

KNKX FM
Northwest Snowpack Is Good, But Dry, Cold, Windy Spring Wreaking Havoc With Crops

KUOW FM
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
U.S., China Agree To Cooperate On Climate Crisis With Urgency
After a milestone week, calls for patience and perseverance on a tenuous Covid plateau

NW Public Radio
Unrecognized Tribes Like The Chinook In SW Washington Struggle Without Federal Help In Pandemic
Past As Prologue: Sheep, Ranching And The Beginning Of Industrial Agriculture In The Northwest

Q13 TV (Fox)
State lawmakers debate drug possession laws (Nguyen)
Washington becomes first state to provide forensic exams for survivors of strangulation (Dhingra)
Potential COVID-19 antiviral drug being tested in humans after proving effective in hamster study
Brandi Kruse: Supporting police doesn’t mean ignoring mistakes
The Divide: What is behind vaccine hesitancy?

Web

Car and Driver
Washington State Plans to Ban Sales of Gasoline Cars after 2030 (Liias)

Crosscut
Washington now recognizes Juneteenth, but there’s more to the story

MyNorthwest
Parents want removal of homeless encampment near school
Boeing union members ratify new contract, avoid a strike
COVID updates: All US adults now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine
Tulalip Tribe reaches deal for first sports betting contract in Washington
Tentative agreement reached between Boeing, local union
King County hovering just below Phase 3 threshold
Gov. Inslee signs bill to put statue of tribal rights activist Billy Frank Jr. at U.S. Capitol
Gov. Inslee signs bills to help Washington’s unemployed residents
State Auditor responds to ESD’s claim that audit numbers are ‘inflated’

West Seattle Blog
ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Back-to-school Monday watch, with Water Taxi schedule change
Part-time in-person learning starts for middle-, high-school students

Friday, April 16

Washington solidifies goal to end sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030
The Washington Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that sets a goal to end the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030. The measure passed as an amendment, added on to a larger bill establishing publicly available mapping telling drivers where they can access charging and refueling stations for electric vehicles, and mandating electric charging capabilities in all new residential buildings by July 2024. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Getty Images)

Mother of man killed by police hopes lawsuit, more diversity in Washington Legislature will change laws
Sonia Joseph hopes the death of her son will help change a state law. In June 2017, a Kent police officer shot and killed 20-year-old Giovonn Joseph-McDade following a chase with officers. The city of Kent settled a lawsuit Wednesday with Joseph-McDade’s family for $4.4 million. Continue reading at KING5 TV.

Legislature approves expansion of low-income tax credit
A bill that would expand a tax credit for low-income workers and families that would start paying out benefits for the first time in 2023 was approved by the Washington Legislature Thursday. The House, on a 93-3 vote, concurred with changes made in the Senate and the measure now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald.

Print

Associated Press
WA Senate OKs bill to reinstate drug possession penalties (Dhingra)
Inslee warns of 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington state
Legislature approves expansion of low-income tax credit
Video: Chicago boy wasn’t holding gun when shot by officer

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Senate OKs bill to recriminalize drug possession, divert early offenders to treatment (Dhingra, Pederson)
Watch live: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee on COVID-19, Legislature at 2:30 p.m.
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state
With fourth COVID-19 wave imminent, Inslee urges Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
Whatcom sees 27 new COVID cases, one related death and one new variant case reported
Coronavirus weekly need-to-know: Rare J&J blood clots, vaccine side effects, kids & more
Will Pfizer COVID vaccine need a third dose? Company CEO explains why that’s ‘likely’
Dust may hold clues for scientists hunting better tools to predict COVID outbreaks
If you’ve had COVID, your first vaccine dose may cause worse side effects. Here’s why

Capital Press
Washington bill called discriminatory against foreign farmworkers (Ryu)

Columbian
Clark County COVID-19 cases continue surge as vaccine opportunities expand

The Daily News
Standardized testing postponed in Washington schools; teachers encouraged to focus on lost learning
Cowlitz County reports first case of UK variant; state officials warn of possible 4th wave

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Report: Poor Roads in Yakima Result of Lack of State Budget

Everett Herald (subscription required)
As eligibility expands, 4,700 flock to local vaccine clinics
‘The time is right’ to honor helpers, says former congressman
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Cornfield Report: 9 bills the governor is signing and 1 that he won’t (Dhingra)
WaPo Comment: Will people trust media when values aren’t shared?
WaPo Comment: Covid ignores borders; public health must as well
Editorial: Bills’ merger makes clean-driving future possible (Macri, Ramel, Liias)
Letter: Build Mukilteo’s NOAA research center to fit budget

High Country News
Americans go on a gun-buying frenzy
What’s the value of tracking recreation in the West?

The Inlander
Developer says the U.S. should follow Washington state’s lead to maximize clean building in its national infrastructure plan

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Vax Day: Everyone 16+ in Washington eligible for a COVID-19 shot. Find an appointment here
St. Michael emergency room hits capacity, requiring ambulances to temporarily divert patients

News Tribune (subscription required)
How roughly $900K in the state capital budget could preserve Black history in Tacoma
Man critically wounded Thursday by Pierce County deputy in Buckley shooting
Pierce County sees more than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday
City of Tacoma finds way to put mothballed fire engine back in service, at least for now
Sign-ups available to get help seeking relief from Pierce County court debt
Murder hornets could be attracted to your hummingbird feeder, Washington officials say

New York Times
Unemployment Is High. Why Are Businesses Struggling to Hire?
Why Amazon’s Workers Sided With the Company Over a Union
Covid-19 Live Updates: Booster Shots May Be Needed, Drugmakers and Scientists Say
States Struggle With Vaccine Pause as Federal Officials Reassure Public
U.S. Suicides Declined Over All in 2020 but May Have Risen Among People of Color
After Another Police Shooting, Biden Urges Calm. Activists Want Answers.
Seeking Cooperation on Climate, U.S. Faces Friction With China

Olympian (subscription required)
New Stream Team app makes search for wildlife into a treasure hunt
Senate OKs bill to recriminalize drug possession, divert early offenders to treatment (Dhingra, Pedersen)
Olympia considering cap on short-term rental properties
Thurston County adds 35 COVID-19 cases on Thursday
With fourth COVID-19 wave imminent, Inslee urges Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
Rainier, Yelm, Tenino schools expand in-person learning to 4 days; Tumwater in May

Peninsula Daily News
Audit: Unemployment fraud likely higher than $647 million
Racial, violent graffiti found at Port Angeles High School
Health officers concerned about vaccination hesitancy
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Port Townsend Leader
New COVID-19 infection found in mid-county area

Puget Sound Business Journal
Bezos says Amazon needs to do a better job for employees in his final shareholder letter
Report: Tech company job postings in Seattle decline
Amazon releases diversity data, pledges to promote more women, Black employees
Opinion: Indoor air quality can affect health

Seattle Times (subscription required)
‘Strong evidence’ of a fourth wave as COVID vaccine doses become available for all Washington adults
How to get ready for COVID vaccinations? What reactions to expect after the shot?
New approach to drug possession: Washington Senate says make it a gross misdemeanor, after Supreme Court strikes down felony law (Dhingra, Simmons)
Amazon must address racial and gender pay inequities in its workforce, Harvard Business School petition says
Johnson & Johnson suspension forces homeless nonprofits to rethink vaccine plan for people living outdoors
$4.4 million Kent settlement brings families together to mourn their dead and protest police violence
Opinion: Statewide renter protections are on the way but will they get up and running in time?

Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley City Council OKs funds for Burlington shelter
Skagit Land Trust completes purchase of property at entrance to Samish Island

Spokesman Review
‘It’s like ordering a Mercedes’: Spokane’s pandemic-induced bike shortage isn’t going away anytime soon
Inslee warns of potential fourth coronavirus wave as vaccines open to all Washington residents 16 and up
Veterans, McMorris Rodgers air concerns about VA health records system after agency halts rollout over problems in Spokane

Tri-City Herald
Franklin case rate climbs above state reopening limit. But Tri-Cities vaccinations rising
4th District congressional candidate yanks Craigslist ad after being accused of sexism
Here’s what that Richland truck convoy was carrying. Each load weighed 24 tons
Some Richland parents worry distance learning will shut down as classroom reopen
Several fully-vaccinated Tri-Citians still caught COVID. What health officials are saying
Proposed Colville tribal casino in Tri-Cities could become a major employer
Another jump in Tri-Cities COVID cases. Vaccine not being snapped up
No appointment needed tonight for free COVID vaccines at Tri-Cities fairgrounds
Another jump in Tri-Cities COVID cases. Vaccine not being snapped up
Construction contract awarded for $75 million laboratory in Richland
She’s been missing 18 years. New site could help find abducted Tri-Cities girl
Proposed Colville tribal casino in Tri-Cities could become a major employer
Kennewick students help feed Tri-City hungry

Vancouver Business Journal
Permit activity in Vancouver is on the rise

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Dozens of Walla Walla teens, young adults line up for first shot at a vaccine Thursday
Plaza Way construction to begin next week
Walla Walla County reports five new COVID-19 cases Thursday
Dozens of Walla Walla teens, young adults line up for first shot at a vaccine Thursday

Washington Post
Gunman kills 8 at Indianapolis FedEx facility before shooting himself, police say
In Nebraska, the fight for covid-19 protections for meatpackers is still on
Chicago releases video of officer fatally shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo
Annual vaccine booster shots may be needed, potentially stretching supply

Yakima Herald Republic
Will Yakima County stay in Phase 3? Vaccinations, hospital trends and other factors at play
WA Senate OKs bill to reinstate drug possession penalties (Dhingra, Pederson)
Inslee warns of 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington state
Fire danger high Friday in NW Oregon including Portland
Yakima County pays $20,000 to settle claim against prosecutor in missing text message case

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Pierce County business urges public to take pandemic seriously after Phase 2 rollback
Inslee urges gatherings to be held outdoors to quell rising COVID-19 cases
Where can I get vaccinated more quickly in Washington?
Persistence, patience key in hunt for COVID-19 vaccine as Washington widens eligibility
Mother of man killed by police hopes lawsuit, more diversity in Washington Legislature will change laws

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Indianapolis shooting: 8 people killed at FedEx facility near airport; gunman also dead
3 counties go back to phase 2 of state’s reopening plan
First day of expanded vaccine eligibility comes day before Pierce County’s rollback to Phase 2
Seattle teacher’s union votes to bring students back to class
State senator wants to end police stops for minor offenses (Nguyen)
Inslee says no to Pierce County’s request for more COVID-19 vaccine doses
Vaccines opening to general public; new appointment alert tool launched by CovidWA.com
DNR: Rising fire danger prompts new burn restrictions

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington state lawmakers send a host of police reform bills to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Goodman, Johnson, Entenman)
Police body camera policies vary widely in Washington
New Regional Homelessness Authority CEO asks for patience as fledgling agency takes shape
Vaccine appointments in Eastern Washington continue to go unfilled despite increased eligibility
Amid concern of 4th wave, Inslee tells Washingtonians to ‘take it outside’
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands in state to anyone 16 years of age and older

KNKX FM
Wilcox: Legislature should have a say in emergency powers
Washington sets ambitious goal: All new cars sold will be electric by 2030

KUOW FM
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
Washington park officials are watching carefully as warm weather arrives in the NW
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
How The U.S. Could Halve Climate Emissions By 2030
For a reporter on the Covid-19 beat, ‘Vax Day’ comes full circle
Washington state to create use of police force investigation office and public database
What justifies clearing a homeless encampment?

KXLY (ABC)
‘Take it outside’: Inslee asks Washingtonians to gather outdoors to reduce COVID case rates
Centralia pot lab may be the first in WA to lose its license

NW Public Radio
Northwest Snowpack Is Good, But Dry, Cold, Windy Spring Wreaking Havoc With Crops

Q13 TV (Fox)
Gov. Inslee warns of 4th pandemic wave as vaccine availability opens wide
Vaccine eligibility opens up for Washingtonians while health experts worry about fourth surge
Gauging Washington state’s mental health as COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available

Web

Crosscut
The future of WA transportation hinges on carbon pricing debate (Fitzgibbon, Carlyle, Saldaña, Hobbs)
A first for Washington, locals advise lawmakers on climate change (Fey, Lovelett)
Inside Washington’s $328M push to prevent disastrous wildfires (Springer, Riccelli)

MyNorthwest
Washington solidifies goal to end sale of new gas-powered cars by 2030
All Washington school districts now on track to resume in-person learning by deadline
Gov. Inslee defends decision to roll three counties back to Phase 2
Seattle teacher’s union votes to bring students back to class
In parting letter to shareholders, Bezos says Amazon ‘needs to do a better job’ for its workers
Homeless encampment near North Seattle school will be allowed to remain
Superintendent Reykdal delays state tests for students over ‘inequitable access for remote learners’
What to expect with Washington vaccine eligibility now opened up
City has now relocated nearly all residents of homeless camp near Capitol Hill school
Beware of the dangers of distracted driving
Dog Aging Project co-directed by UW researchers needs participants
Investigation to determine whether Pierce County sheriff has ‘pattern of misuse of authority’
There’s ‘still time’ to slow the spread of COVID-19, prevent fourth wave
Police investigating explosion at Everett apartment building

Slog
Human Composting Is Disrupting the Death Industry
Police Misconduct Soared in 2020, but Olympia Just Imposed New Accountability Measures

Thursday, April 15

Slew of police reform bills headed to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk
As Washington lawmakers began wrapping up their work on an ambitious package of police accountability legislation in the past week, reminders of the cause were not hard to come by. In Minneapolis, prosecutors were concluding their murder case against former officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who died after Chauvin pressed a knee to his neck for about nine minutes. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)

Washington state governor OKs bill banning for-profit jails
One of the country’s largest for-profit, privately run immigration jails would be shut down by 2025 under a bill signed Wednesday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The measure approved by the Washington Legislature bans for-profit detention centers in the state. The only facility that meets that definition is the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, a 1,575-bed immigration jail operated by the GEO Group under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Continue reading at KXLY.

In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C.
Steps from the Nisqually River where Billy Frank Jr. fished and facing his mounted dugout canoe, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Wednesday to honor Frank, champion of treaty rights and environmental protections, with a statue at the nation’s Capitol. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Steve Bloom)

Print

Associated Press
Statue of Native American leader step closer to U.S. Capitol (Lekanoff)
Slew of police reform bills headed to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk (Entenman)
Vaccines open to all as health officials warn of 4th wave
Homeless Americans finally getting a chance at COVID-19 shot
US jobless claims plunge to 576,000, lowest since pandemic
J&J vaccine to remain in limbo while officials seek evidence
Washington state governor OKs bill banning for-profit jails
Inslee OKs bill banning for-profit jails
Washington health officials urge patience as all adults become eligible for vaccine Thursday

Aberdeen Daily World
Still slots open for Friday mass vaccination site first dose clinic
Commentary: I’m a conservative. Here’s why I support the For the People Act

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C. (Lekanoff)
Murder hornets could be attracted to your hummingbird feeder, Washington officials say
Inslee speeds prison release for more than a dozen convicted of simple drug possession
Whatcom County reports four more fully vaccinated residents test positive for COVID-19
Whatcom expecting 600 more vaccine doses from state, sees 29 new COVID cases Tuesday
Over 200 vaccinated Washingtonians test positive for COVID. That’s not unexpected
Tax Day becomes Vax Day on Thursday when all WA residents 16 and older qualify for shots
Adults vaccinated for COVID can gather safely, but can kids join in? What experts say
If you’ve had COVID, your first vaccine dose may cause worse side effects. Here’s why
COVID vaccines should last nine months, FDA says, amid debate over booster shots

Capital Press
USDA cancels Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Tom Vilsack: Secretary of Agriculture talks about issues facing farmers and his plans for USDA
Ex-Weyerhaeuser manager gets prison in $4.5M fraud scheme

Columbian
Clark County Public Health chief urges vaccinations as case counts climb
Tower Mall COVID-19 vaccination appointments open in Vancouver
Clark County reports 76 new COVID-19 cases as total passes 20,000
COVID-19 tests provide crucial clues about how to fight coronavirus, but they’ve fallen in Washington state
In Our View: Biden should make Hanford cleanup a priority
Letter: Restrictions are needed

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Food demand continues to rise in central Washington
Yakima Valley College to Continue Online Learning in Fall
COVID-19 vaccines to be administered in Granger on Wednesday

Everett Herald (subscription required)
‘One in a million’ side effect halts Johnson & Johnson vaccine
U.S. 2 trestle rebuild part of Senate transportation package (Hobbs, Fitzgibbon, Fey)
Package funding U.S. 2 trestle, Monroe bypass on the move (Hobbs)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance

High Country News
Will COVID-19 vaccinations mean more prison overcrowding deaths?

The Inlander
Developer says the U.S. should follow Washington state’s lead to maximize clean building in its national infrastructure plan
Abolish the Police: In their absence, build a more just society

News Tribune (subscription required)
Inslee says no to Pierce County’s request for more COVID-19 vaccine doses
COVID-19 cases confirmed Wednesday in Pierce County climb above 100
Sunny days here to stay in Tacoma, and temps could reach 80 this weekend
Tax Day becomes Vax Day on Thursday when all WA residents 16 and older qualify for shots
An infamous Tacoma motel will soon become a shelter for homeless moms. Will it work?
Editorial: New Black history holiday good for Washington. But don’t slight this minority group

New York Times
Covid-19 Live Updates: Johnson & Johnson ‘Pause’ Shakes Vaccinations Worldwide
Retail Sales Jump and Jobless Claims Drop in New Signs of Recovery: Live Updates
House Panel Advances Bill to Study Reparations in Historic Vote
As the Senate advances a bill addressing hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans, Biden names a liaison to the community.
Biden Takes On Sagging Safety Net With Plan to Fix Long-Term Care

Olympian (subscription required)
Family of Black man killed by police will be paid $4.4 million by Washington city
Thurston County reports 28 new COVID-19 cases, increasing overall total to 8,156
Olympia’s Police Chief search postponed until late 2021
Any Thurston County adult can get a COVID-19 vaccine at these weekend events
In view of Billy Frank Jr.’s canoe, Gov. Inslee signs bill to send statue to D.C. (Lekanoff)
Blaze destroys Port of Shelton commercial building Tuesday night

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Everyone 16 and older now eligible for COVID vaccine

Port Townsend Leader
Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinics canceled in Washington
Four new COVID-19 cases reported in Jefferson County

Seattle Medium
Families And Educators Are Optimistic About SPS’ Return To In-Person Learning

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Inslee signs into law bill to put statue honoring Billy Frank Jr. in U.S. Capitol (Lekanoff)
Seattle teachers union approves deal for middle- and high-school return
Standardized tests for Washington state students delayed until fall 2021
As thousands get vaccinated against COVID, joy, relief and gratitude spread in Seattle
Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of Black man killed by police
Editorial: Get grants moving to help entertainment venues survive
Western State Hospital CEO who led Washington’s psychiatric facility through turbulence to step down
Seattle really is ‘CRAZYTOWN’ — and it will be our salvation after a rough year

Skagit Valley Herald
Officials, residents celebrate completion of Maddox Creek project

South Seattle Emerald
Vaccination path forward temporarily unclear for thousands of King County residents
SPS educators confront issues of race and disability as students return to schools
Durkan revisits push to move parking enforcement from police to SDOT

Spokesman Review
Woman’s Club of Spokane wants homeless shelter out of its building
Law and Justice Council members push back against proposal to dissolve their group
All Washington residents ages 16 and older eligible for vaccines starting Thursday
Each state honors two residents with statues in the U.S. Capitol. Washington will replace pioneer Marcus Whitman’s.
Students in Washington won’t have to take two standardized tests this spring, OSPI says

Washington Post
Chauvin declines to testify, invoking his Fifth Amendment right as defense rests its case
D.C. Guard misused helicopters in low-flying confrontation with George Floyd protesters, Army concludes
40 acres and a mule: How the first reparations for slavery ended in betrayal
Opinion: A coronavirus-infected Republican’s anger at Trump signals turbulence ahead

Yakima Herald Republic
All Washingtonians 16 and up now eligible for COVID vaccine
Decision on controversial Yakima health board rules tabled again
Sunnyside School District to return to full-time in person by end of April
Yakima Valley College to continue remote learning through the fall
Investigation finds nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens to everyone 16 and older in Washington, but supply still lags demand
Pierce County executive, Inslee disagree over COVID-19 vaccine supply demands

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Vaccines opening to general public; new appointment alert tool launched by CovidWA.com
Worries of a fourth wave as vaccine eligibility about to expand
WA: 217 COVID-19 cases found among 1.7M fully vaccinated
Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of man killed by police
Two major homeless camps in Tacoma will get toilets, trash bins as part of city pilot

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Software developers, volunteers helping Washingtonians track down vaccine appointments
After union fight, Jeff Bezos to focus on Amazon workers
State health officials fear Washington is entering 4th wave in coronavirus pandemic
Some challenging disparities in arrests during Seattle protests

KNKX FM
Meet Rena Priest, Washington’s first Indigenous poet laureate
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
Hate Crimes Task Force proposed by King County councilman and prosecutor
Inslee signs bill banning private prisons, including Tacoma ICE facility

KUOW FM
Washington’s state-run vaccination sites to extend hours to improve access
Signs Of Economic Boom Emerge As Retail Sales Surge, Jobless Claims Hit Pandemic Low
As Auto Industry Goes Electric, Can It Avoid A Battery Bottleneck?
Blog: Pandemic updates for Washington
Washington state auditor’s report details unemployment fraud
Billy Frank Jr. in, Marcus Whitman out as part of U.S. Capitol statue swap
April 14th | How do we manage Covid anxiety?
Washington state halts Johnson & Johnson vaccinations amid blood clot investigation

KXLY (ABC)
Vaccine eligibility expands in Washington Thursday. Here’s how to book an appointment

NW Public Radio
It’s Official: Statue Honoring Billy Frank Jr. To Replace Marcus Whitman At U.S. Capitol
Washington Auditor Says State Unemployment Fraud Likely Much Higher Than $647 Million

Q13 TV (Fox)
Vaccine eligibility opens up for Washingtonians while health experts worry about fourth surge
Vaccine ‘breakthrough’ cases double in Washington, but still .01 percent of all vaccinations
Vaccine fairy works magic for hundreds across Western Washington
City of Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of unarmed Black man shot and killed by police
Washington students will not have to take state exams this spring

Web

Crosscut
Centralia pot lab may be the first in WA to lose its license
After COVID, brain fog lingers. UW researchers are finding out why

Slog
The House Wants to Lift the Eviction Moratorium Before Tenant Protections Kick into Gear (Macri, Paul, Chapman, Rule, Kuderer, Peterson)
Meanwhile, in Portland: The Portland Police Union Headquarters in Flames on Second Night of Daunte Wright Protests

West Seattle Blog
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit has questions for you. Plus – see early property-acquisition estimates

Wednesday, April 14

WA Senate passes bill to lower unemployment insurance tax hit next year
The Washington State Senate unanimously passed a bill to lower the unemployment insurance tax hike for small businesses next year. Unemployment insurance is paid solely by taxes on business owners. The taxes are set to skyrocket in the next few years to refill the Unemployment Trust Fund, which has been all but depleted from the record number of people on jobless benefits this past year. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (David Zalubowski)

Bill on equity training moves past House
School personnel in Washington state may be required to go through equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism training if a bill is signed into law during this year’s state legislative session. Senate Bill [5044], which passed in the House Sunday in a 57-40 vote, would include equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism standards in existing cultural competency training school board directors, district and school staff must undergo, according to the bill’s text. Continue reading at The Columbia Basin Herald.

After A Turbulent Year, Washington State Poised To Ban Guns At Protests, Capitol Grounds
After a summer of armed, mostly white “patrols” at racial justice protests and the winter insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Washington lawmakers are ready to ban guns at demonstrations and the statehouse. Continue reading at InvestigateWest. (Emily McCarty)