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Friday, April 9

WA lawmakers look to keep families together in foster care reform
With tears in her eyes, Karen Osborne recalled the day in 2014 when police showed up to take away her 6-week-old daughter. Osborne hadn’t been accused of abuse or neglect. Instead, social workers were concerned about Osborne’s “mental capacity.” They had already removed seven of Osborne’s previous children and made plans to remove her new baby before the child was even born. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)

Some states work to expand voting rights for people with felony convictions
For Tarra Simmons, a representative in the Washington legislature, Wednesday was a “full-circle moment.” After initially failing in 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee restored voting rights to more than 20,000 people with felony convictions who are out of prison, but still under community supervision. Continue reading at ABC News. (Ted S. Warren)

Law to reduce plastic waste, ban Styrofoam statewide passes House floor vote
It looks increasingly likely that Washington will ban Styrofoam, reduce plastic waste and strengthen recycling markets. A bill to that effect is nearly through the Legislature. E2SSB 5022 passed a house floor vote Wednesday night, 73-24. Rep. Liz Berry, the prime sponsor in the House, spoke before the vote. Continue reading at KNKX. (Koji Sasahara)

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Associated Press
Amazon appears to have enough votes to block union effort
Washington state Senate OKs carbon-cap legislation (Carlyle)
Biden’s ambitious expansion of long-term care sparks debate
Senate approves bill requiring “just cause” eviction
One year since Skagit Valley COVID-19 superspreader event
Washington Legislature revises 3-strikes sentencing law (Darneille)
Inslee to announce possible new COVID restrictions Monday
Biden halts sale of National Archives center in Seattle
Boeing: Possible electrical issue in some 737 MAX aircraft

Auburn Reporter
State Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics and gear (Pedersen, Johnson, Van De Wege)
Formerly incarcerated people regain right to vote in Washington (Simmons, Nguyen)

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Public employees’ pensions to remain whole despite pandemic furloughs
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state
Watch: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 update Thursday
Whatcom sees 29 new COVID cases Thursday and is No. 2 county for U.K. variant
134 COVID-19 outbreaks linked to these Washington schools, according to state report
Homeless families with kids overwhelmed agencies. Here’s what Whatcom County is doing to help
Whatcom County sees 29 new COVID cases Wednesday; 1 in 5 residents fully vaccinated
This is how broadband internet gets to your house
What to know as data shows COVID-19 vaccine effective in adolescents
How are Americans using their $1,400 stimulus checks? Here’s what a survey found
Can you donate blood after getting a COVID vaccine? What to know about eligibility
Coronavirus weekly need-to-know: Vaccine passports, cleaning guidelines, alcohol & more
Army scientists hope their COVID-19 vaccine will be a universal booster shot
Is it OK to drink alcohol before or after COVID vaccination? What to know
Inslee: COVID-19 distancing can now be 3 feet in schools
Worried about new coronavirus variant? Listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci explain
Here’s the CDC’s new guidance on COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting

Capital Press
Washington snowpack deepest in nearly a decade
WDFW head sees need for quicker call on wolf removal
Good water year predicted for Yakima Basin farmers

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Yakima braces for a surge in homelessness

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Renovated Port of Everett terminal gets first cargo customer
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
1,000 jobs: Amazon to open distribution center in Arlington
Inslee to announce possible new COVID restrictions Monday
Cornfield Report: Climate change debate hogs spotlight; Inslee demurs on Blake (Ortiz-Self)
Editorial: Capital budget a bipartisan boost for communities

The Facts Newspaper
DSHS 24/7 facilities to allow indoor visitation
FEMA will reimburse up to $9,000 for COVID-19 related funeral expenses.
Seattle Municipal Court Partners with King County Municipal Courts to Resolve Outstanding Warrants
Court of Appeals Upholds Employment Termination of Former Officer Adley Shepherd

High Country News
What the narwhal can tell us about the climate crisis

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Navy builds new magazines to store missiles from destroyer fleet in Puget Sound

News Tribune (subscription required)
Tacoma police disband violent crime task force as drive-by shootings, homicides skyrocket
Pierce County sees more than 100 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday
‘Technical glitch’ left Pierce County under-ordering COVID-19 vaccines, state says
Pierce County COVID-19 rate means Phase 3 is slipping away
Editorial: Washington needs real police reform, not ‘what if’ hysteria about high-speed chases
Editorial: Washington smokers now get vaccine priority. Our gut doesn’t approve; our head does

New York Times
Live Updates: Biden’s Budget Proposes 16 Percent Increase in Federal Spending on His Domestic Priorities
Biden Creating Commission to Study Expanding the Supreme Court
Amazon Workers Defeat Union Drive at Alabama Warehouse
Vaccine Passports Could Unlock World Travel and Cries of Discrimination
Beyond Pandemic’s Upheaval, a Racial Wealth Gap Endures

Olympian (subscription required)
Public employees’ pensions to remain whole despite pandemic furloughs (Hunt)
Thurston County adds 15 more COVID-19 cases
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Thursday in Washington state

Peninsula Daily News
Police agencies, prosecutor decline abuse allegations against Sequim couple
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Inslee to announce county rollbacks on Monday
Several COVID-19 outbreaks reported in Clallam County

Puget Sound Business Journal
The vote to unionize an Amazon warehouse appears to be failing
Inslee worries some counties may backtrack on pandemic reopening

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Carbon-cap climate legislation sought by Inslee is OK’d by Washington state Senate (Carlyle, Nobles, Lovelett, Jinkins, Fitzgibbon)
Washingtonians seeking open appointments make long treks to COVID vaccine sites, but health officials discourage it
Inslee to announce possible new COVID restrictions Monday
What vaccinated people can do safely now, and what COVID precautions the rest of us should take
Seattle homeless shelters now have COVID vaccines, but few takers so far
Seattle, King County to receive $26 million in federal COVID relief funds to combat homelessness
Opinion: Reform access to Washington’s behavioral-health services (Simmons)
Opinion: How to handle the ‘Genocide Olympics’ in Beijing

Skagit Valley Herald
County Commissioner Lisa Janicki joins Gov. Inslee in call to fight homelessness
Vaccinations keep pace, but rate of new COVID-19 cases in Skagit County is increasing
Sedro-Woolley City Council fills vacancy

Spokesman Review
Amazon worker union effort in Alabama could spread to Spokane
Spokane parks department outlines plan, seeks volunteers to replace trees lost in January windstorm
City of Spokane outlines plans for 2021 construction season
Biden’s gun control proposals already largely in place in Washington, different story in Idaho
Tribal leaders, lawmakers hail Biden administration decision to halt sale of National Archives facility in Seattle

Vancouver Business Journal
Local businesses to benefit from business license surcharge fee refunds through March 2022

Yakima Herald Republic
A Valley-wide call to from schools to parents: Kindergarten registration is open
Sale of National Archives center in Seattle, housing Yakama Nation records, halted by Biden
Yakima airport to receive $1 million in federal COVID relief funds
Inslee to announce possible new COVID restrictions Monday

Broadcast

ABC News
Some states work to expand voting rights for people with felony convictions (Simmons)

KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington’s request to waive some standardized testing met with ‘resistance’
Amazon appears to have enough votes to block union effort
Inslee could announce stricter COVID-19 rules for some counties Monday
COVID-19 infections could drop by June – depending on the vaccine rollout, UW researcher says

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Boeing alerts customers about possible issue with 737 MAX, some jets grounded
Pierce County likely to return to Phase 2
Inslee calls on lawmakers to allocate more money for homeless crisis
Washington Senate approves measure to protect renters
Approval to sell Seattle National Archives building withdrawn after months of backlash
Vote counting to start in Amazon union election
Steep decline in giant sea turtles seen off US West Coast

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Momentum builds for police reform measures in Washington state legislature
How will Seattle respond to its homeless crisis once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides?
Suspect accused of targeting Asian American victims with racial slurs pleads not guilty

KNKX FM
Feds reverse decision to sell historic archives in Seattle
Law to reduce plastic waste, ban Styrofoam statewide passes House floor vote (Berry, Das)
Northwest Apple Exports Are Down As Eastern European Growers Crunch Into U.S. Shipments

KUOW FM
How a little Island drug store became one of the biggest vaccination sites in Washington State
Coronavirus blog: Updates for Seattle and Washington state
Biden Sets Up Commission To Study Supreme Court Reform
Biden Proposes $1.5 Trillion Federal Spending Plan
Seattle-based clinical trial tweaks mRNA vaccines to fight Covid variants
National Archives will stay put in Seattle after feds drop plan to move them
Covid spikes in some WA counties could mean return to Phase 2

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Sheriff’s Office struggles with recruitment, looking out-of-state
Spokane launches $70 million construction season
WSU nursing students, faculty help administer more than 15,000 vaccine doses
‘The ability to vote is a powerful tool’: Voting rights restored to people with felony convictions (Simmons)
Gov. Inslee to visit Spokane Arena vaccination site Friday

Q13 TV (Fox)
Pierce County businesses prepare for possible rollback into Phase 2
Health officials again warn to not get too lax after getting COVID-19 vaccine

Web

Crosscut
WA lawmakers look to keep families together in foster care reform (Ortiz-Self)
Washington state poised to ban guns at protests, Capitol grounds (Kuderer, Senn)

Slog
Want a Nice Park on Top of I-5? Too Bad, Democrats From the Suburbs Could Block It

West Seattle Blog
WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Friday watch, with first low-bridge change ahead

Thursday, April 8

Voting rights restoration bill’s passage brings hope to our formerly incarcerated communities
As someone who has experienced incarceration, I see voting rights restoration as a mark of good government. It sent me the message that “I matter” instead of reinforcing the stigma and second-class citizenship that are often experienced when people like me reenter our communities. Continue reading at The South Seattle Emerald. (Michael Fleshman)

Washington Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
The Washington Senate has approved a measure to ban the use of Native American names, symbols and images as school mascots, logos and team names at most public schools in Washington. The bill passed the Democratic-led chamber on a bipartisan 40-9 vote Tuesday night and now heads back to the House — which passed the measure in February — for a final vote. Continue reading at KXLY. (Aaron Ontiveroz)

Other Views: Capital budget exemplifies investment in Washington
The biennial capital budget for construction projects does not receive the attention of the two-year operating budget, but wise spending on construction will be essential for helping Washington recover from the pandemic. Capital projects not only provide the infrastructure for a prosperous future, they put people to work in constructing that future. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Rachel La Corte)

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Associated Press
Steep decline in giant sea turtles seen off US West Coast
Students lead US push for fuller Black history education
Snow falling in the Cascades raises avalanche concerns
Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
Lawmaker apologizes for doing video hearing while driving (Saldaña)
Report: State needs to spend almost $15B to maintain roads
State Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics and gear (Pedersen, Johnson, Van De Wege)
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees (Simmons)

Aberdeen Daily World
Sails and sale? Lady Washington plans to make waves, Chieftain may have buyer
About $24 million in relief funds allocated for Grays Harbor County
Commentary: Neglected U.S. infrastructure: Pay now or pay (more) later
COVID-19 vaccine supply smaller after manufacturing mistake

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
CDC has new warning for travelers: Avoid Canada for now, even if you are vaccinated
Felons can vote immediately after release from custody under law signed by Gov. Inslee (Simmons, Kuderer, Dolan)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
COVID-19 variants are here and more transmissible. This is what Whatcom County Health knows
Nooksack and Lummi tribes offer Pfizer COVID vaccines at upcoming clinics in Whatcom
Washington lawmaker apologizes for driving while in virtual transportation meeting (Saldaña)
Is the end of the COVID pandemic on the way? Fauci urges Americans to ‘hang in there’
How soon — and how long — could you feel side effects of COVID vaccines? What to know
Biden gun control actions to be announced as South Carolina reels from mass shooting

Columbian
In Our View: Capital budget exemplifies investment in state
Harrop: Proof of vaccine not overreach
Letter: Demilitarize local police (Johnson)
Clark County’s COVID-19 activity rate continues to climb

El Sol De Yakima (available in English via Google Translate)
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff: Vaccination Efforts in Yakima, Yakama Nation Are Example for the Nation
State House of Representatives Moves to Close Tacoma Detention Center (Ortiz-Self)
Yakima braces for a surge in homelessness
Second Gentleman meets with Yakama tribal leaders on tour of Washington

Everett Herald (subscription required)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
How to get vaccinated in Snohomish County
Commentary: Lawmakers should adopt proposed policing reforms

High Country News
What is the pandemic’s lasting impact on first responders?

The Inlander
An Airway Heights police officer — honored as a leader combating domestic violence — is accused of abusing numerous women

International Examiner
Bob Shimabukuro: Remembering his legacy of community activism, art and creative journalism
Vigil at Hing Hay Park honors victims of Atlanta massage parlor shootings
Opinion: The elephant in my rooms

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
COVID-19 cases again on the rise in Kitsap fueled by South Kitsap ‘hot spot’
UPDATE: No motive offered after suspect’s arrest in fatal shooting of Bremerton man
Medic who shot 2 in Maryland had ties to Bremerton before receiving assignment to medical research center
Opinion: Equity training is a must

New York Times
How Debt and Climate Change Pose ‘Systemic Risk’ to World Economy
Live Updates: Biden Announces Action on Guns, Saying ‘This Is Just a Start’
After Pandemic, Shrinking Need for Office Space Could Crush Landlords

Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County reports 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state
Felons can vote immediately after release from custody under law signed by Gov. Inslee (Simmons, Kuderer, Dolan)
Deschutes Parkway encampment gets a cleanup

Peninsula Daily News
Hazard pay measure for grocery workers on precipice
Peninsula College cancels women’s basketball games due to COVID-19
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID-19 variants gain ground in Clallam County

Port Townsend Leader
Inconvenient truth: Forest climate proposal won’t work | Guest Viewpoint (Van De Wege)
Three more COVID-19 cases found in mid-county area
COVID-19 case count rises to 351 in Jefferson County

Puget Sound Business Journal
The $16B SBA venue grant program launches. Here’s who gets to go first.
Sea-Tac Airport plans $6M upgrade to its Wi-Fi network
Business leaders worry recovery could backslide as Covid surges
UW spinout Icosavax raises $100M for vaccine development
Pacific Northwest ports unveil cross-border pact to cut emissions
SBA is forgiving more small PPP loans. But larger ones are trapped in a ‘dark hole.’

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Supply of COVID vaccines smaller than expected after manufacturing mistake with J&J vaccine, Washington state health officials say
Legislature moves to resentence up to 114 people serving life without parole under Washington’s three-strikes law (Darneille)
Sea-Tac Airport traffic up 278% over a year ago, but down 59% from 2019 before COVID
Bill restores voting rights to Washingtonians with felonies upon release from prison (Simmons)
Opinion: Justice delayed: COVID-19’s staggering criminal-case backlog

Sequim Gazette
Guest opinion: Forest climate proposal won’t work (Van De Wege)

Skagit Valley Herald
Report: Skagit County median home price climbs to $485,550
Seattle City Light submits revised dam study plan to regulatory agency

South Seattle Emerald
Opinion: Gun violence is a symptom of poverty
Japanese American redress and African American reparations intertwined
Court upholds firing of SPD officer who punched handcuffed woman
Opinion: Voting rights restoration bill’s passage brings hope to our formerly incarcerated communities
Madison Bus Rapid Transit project secures funding, Metro to modify passenger limits
Opinion: When black men are killed in Seattle’s south end, why does society shrug?
Opinion: Renters must get organized to win ‘just cause’ and other protections against eviction

Spokesman Review
A year into pandemic, Spokane libraries are welcoming patrons back inside
Spokane County’s median home price soars to $341,750 in March
Amid mounting opposition to Rep. Mike Simpson’s plan to save Snake River salmon, supporters of dam removal hope for bipartisan backing in Congress
Gonzaga leaders encourage students to get tested, follow virus protocols following March Madness games

Tri-City Herald
CDC has new warning for travelers: Avoid Canada for now, even if you are vaccinated
Richland favorite restaurant closes its doors permanently after 40+ years
Criminal investigation into Benton sheriff witness tampering reopened by WA State Patrol
New COVID cases jump Wednesday in Tri-Cities ahead of state reopening decision

Vancouver Business Journal
Trust is critical in post-COVID development and construction

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla man pleads not guilty in jail staff assault, seeks release to Spokane
Milton-Freewater and Athena-Weston schools make the jump to full days
Man reportedly skateboards from California for Walla Walla court date, three years late
Local man allegedly wields ax, enters properties in Burbank

Washington Post
Tourists and looters descend on Bears Ears as Biden mulls protections
Intelligence forecast sees a post-coronavirus world upended by climate change and splintering societies
Opinion: A GOP governor’s frantic appeal to Trump voters reveals a terrible GOP truth

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County almost certain to be moved back to Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening plan
Report: Yakima County’s crumbling infrastructure underfunded by state
COVID-19 vaccine supply smaller after manufacturing mistake
Students lead US push for fuller Black history education
Opinion: Other Views: Capital budget exemplifies investment in Washington

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
As vaccinations rise, Seattle experts emphasize importance of COVID-19 testing
Recent rise in Washington COVID-19 cases not linked to variant first seen in UK
City of Seattle and health partners set new record at mass vaccination site
Ports of Tacoma, Seattle commit to a goal of zero emissions by 2050
Tacoma plan aims to boost affordability and diversity of housing
Skagit County could slip back to Phase 2 if COVID-19 trends continue rising

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
School board members ask city of Seattle not to clear homeless camps on school property
State Senate passes big steps to police reform
City of Seattle asking residents to preregister for vaccine appointments
Another wave of students headed back to classrooms in Bellevue
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees
Lawsuit filed to overturn emergency ban on use of credit scores to set insurance rates
Northwest seaports announce plan to cut all emissions by 2050
Cleanup of half-mile stretch of homeless encampments underway in Olympia
2 Washington cities ranked among ‘most relaxed’ cities
Seattle gets its largest weekly allotment of COVID vaccine doses to date
New COVID-19 testing facility opens at SEA Airport

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Inslee signs bill restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated Washingtonians (Simmons)
Hate crime suspect took part in Seattle’s racial justice protests
Seattle ramps up efforts at mass vaccination sites
Washington state juggles COVID-19 vaccine supply before all adults are eligible
Olympia cleans up sprawling homeless encampment amid concern over what’s next

KNKX FM
Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees (Simmons)
King County residents, workers over 16 can now register for vaccine

KUOW FM
Coronavirus blog: Updates for Seattle and Washington state
Biden To Nominate Gun Control Advocate, Law Enforcement Veteran To Lead ATF
Almost 19,000 Migrant Children Stopped At U.S. Border in March, Most Ever In A Month
Miles de personas acuden en masa al sitio de vacunación masiva de Yakima
Voter rights keep expanding in Washington state, as other states restrict
Heavier rainfall to cost Seattle area billions to avoid sewage spills
Thousands flock to Yakima mass vaccination site

KXLY (ABC)
Small business owners take advantage of grants; deadline to apply for another round Friday
WSDOT showcases the state’s wildlife crossings for National Wildlife Week
Washington Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
Nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state

Q13 TV (Fox)
House OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force (Johnson)
Biden to announce executive orders Thursday on America’s ‘gun violence public health epidemic’
Businesses concerned over possibility of moving backward in phases
Law enforcement reform bills advance in Olympia
Bellevue stands against racial biases with ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ campaign

Web

Crosscut
How fired cops win their jobs back: arbitration (Salomon)
Nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state
Opinion: After Blake, will Washington state repay victims of the war on drugs?
Getting the story: How we investigated cops’ credibility problems

MyNorthwest
Rep. Walsh introduces bill prohibiting ‘vaccine passports’ in Washington
Cleanup of half-mile stretch of homeless encampments underway in Olympia
King, Pierce counties could be rolled back into Phase 2 next week
King County needle exchange program halted in Federal Way after outcry from city leaders
Group sues to stop Washington ban on using credit scores for insurance rates
Union vows to continue battle over firing of SPD officer who punched handcuffed suspect
State Senate passes bill to ban use of Native American mascots in schools
House, Senate pass set of bills to improve unemployment system

Wednesday, April 1

State Senate passes bill that bans chokeholds, sets standards for police tactics
The Washington state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would set standards for police tactics and equipment statewide, in part banning chokeholds, neck restraints, and no-knock warrants. The Senate amended the bill, so it will now go back to the House of Representatives so it can consider the amendments. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tony Overman)

Social equity in Washington state cannabis industry at stake in legislative bills, licensing
Nine years ago, Washington state broke major ground as one of the first two states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. But left out of the conversation in 2012 was something that’s slowly gaining attention — racial equity in the cannabis industry. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

UW biologist: Herd immunity ‘necessary but not sufficient’ for return to normal
The term “herd immunity” has been thrown around frequently as vaccinations in the United States have ramped up, with many viewing it as the end goal for the COVID-19 pandemic. But as University of Washington biologist Carl Bergstrom detailed in a thread posted to Twitter, it may not be that simple. Continue reading at MyNorthwest.

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Associated Press
Decision strikes key parts of Native American adoptions law
Washington Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics, gear (Pederson, Johnson, Van De Wege, Hobbs)
Study: Drought-breaking rains more rare, erratic in US West

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
State Senate passes bill that bans chokeholds, sets standards for police tactics (Hobbs, Van De Wege, Johnson, Pederson)
Whatcom vaccine doses double this week; county sees six new COVID cases Tuesday
Here’s how to get one of 900 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine at Whatcom clinic
Why elder abuse is such a huge problem and what to do about it
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state (Pederson, Johnson, Van De Wege, Hobbs)
What to know about Pfizer, Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccines
Latest batch of $1,400 stimulus checks to be deposited Wednesday for many non-filers
Whatcom vaccine doses double this week; county sees six new COVID cases Tuesday
CDC COVID-19 campaign: ‘I wear a mask because’
How soon — and how long — could you feel side effects of COVID vaccines? What to know
Ready to travel outside the US? Passport renewal backlog could delay you for months

Capital Press
Washington potato industry tallies cost of COVID-19 precautions
Washington farm groups: COVID housing rules outdated
WSU accused of misappropriating beef genetics test
Leadpoint pack injures calf in northeast Washington
Forest Service, sheep rancher defend grazing in national forest

Everett Herald (subscription required)
A tall task: Finding common ground in region’s floodplains
Snohomish County shows signs of losing ground on coronavirus
Cornfield Report: Budget talks gain speed; COVID may shift state into reverse (Jinkins, Saldana, Rolfes, Hobbs)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Leadership Snohomish County offers racial equity conference
2nd Gentleman Doug Emhoff hears pleas from Yakama Nation
Bloomberg Comment: What to make of diverse regional approaches to covid
WaPo Comment: Prosecuting misdemeanors may be increasing crime
Editorial: A return to live events if covid’s spell is broken

High Country News
A Colorado county provides a model for saving the West’s open spaces

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Former US Attorney Brian Moran, former Kitsap prosecutor, returns to prior firm

News Tribune (subscription required)
Filmed attack of Asian couple in Tacoma was hateful, regardless of motive. Now what?
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington state
Here are Pierce County’s COVID-19 case numbers for Tuesday
Pierce County names investigator to examine sheriff’s confrontation with newspaper carrier

New York Times
Likely Legal, ‘Vaccine Passports’ Emerge as the Next Coronavirus Divide
How Debt and Climate Change Pose ‘Systemic Risk’ to World Economy
The Biden administration seeks to raise $2.5 trillion through corporate tax increases.

Olympian (subscription required)
State Senate passes bill that bans chokeholds, sets standards for police tactics (Hobbs, Mullet, Johnson, Pedersen)
Thurston County plans daily vaccine events as it reports 16 new COVID-19 cases
Settlement would raise average PSE electricity bill 2.9%. Here’s how you can weigh in
Regional Housing Action Plan offers 52 ideas to ease Thurston’s housing crisis

Peninsula Daily News
Personal computer group seeks those who need the technology
Spiking case numbers worry health officers

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA is forgiving more small PPP loans. But larger ones are trapped in a ‘dark hole.’
Puget Sound region receives $97M for transit projects
Boeing 737 Max supplier files for bankruptcy, seeks sale of Everett plant

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Delayed repairs threaten Washington state bridges and highways. Will lawmakers act this year? (Saldaña)
Social equity in cannabis industry at stake in legislative bills, licensing (Morgan)
Kim Pham, founder, publisher of long-running Seattle Vietnamese newspaper, dies (Nguyen)
Washington State Patrol adds 4 names to list of missing Indigenous people
Pierce County Council wants to hire former U.S. attorney to investigate Sheriff Ed Troyer
Audit of King County jails finds racial disparities in discipline, says ‘double-bunking’ leads to violence
Seattle state senator apologizes for joining a Zoom hearing while driving (Saldaña)

Seattle Medium
Senate Appropriates $250,000 To Fund Car Tab Payment Workgroup (Nobles)
Bill Easing Impact Fees On Early Learning Facilities Heads To Governor’s Desk (Harris-Talley)

Skagit Valley Herald
Anacortes City Council confirms new fire chief
County expects to receive $25 million in American Rescue Plan funds
New Sedro-Woolley fire chief sworn in

Spokesman Review
A year later, visits in long-term care facilities reunite families separated by COVID-19
‘Hope in action’: Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff visits Central Washington communities hardest hit by COVID-19
Spokane Valley creates new housing and homeless coordinator job
UW School of Medicine tops U.S. News ranking of best graduate schools for primary care education
Democrats want to drain the state’s Rainy Day Fund to help pay for COVID costs. Here’s what that might mean. (Ormsby)

Tri-City Herald
Death of devoted volunteer firefighter from COVID mourned in Prosser procession
Truck erupts into flames at gas station fuel pumps
2nd Gentleman Doug Emhoff hears pleas during WA visit to breach Snake River dams
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Tri-Cities
Ki-Be schools try 3rd time to pass levy — or face more budget cuts
It’s back to full-time, in-person Tri-Cities classes. Schools announce return dates
62 more COVID cases confirmed over weekend in Tri-Cities
Easterday CEO’s ghost cattle fraud case was kept secret until his guilty plea
Not eligible for COVID vaccine yet? Not too early to book Tri-Cities appointments

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla County business, residential leaders oppose environmental House Bill 1091

Washington Post
Corporate America isn’t welcoming former Trump Cabinet officials with open arms, headhunters say
The union drive at Amazon signals a potential sea change for the labor movement. Will it last?
Chauvin trial resumes with use-of-force expert saying ‘no force should have been used’ on Floyd when he was not resisting

Yakima Herald Republic
Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff points to vaccine efforts in Yakima, Yakama Nation as an example
Board of health gives direction on school distancing; decision up to school districts
As states expand vaccines, prisoners still lack access
Washington Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics, gear (Hobbs, Van De Wege, Johnson, Pederson)
Decision strikes key parts of Native American adoptions law
Study: Drought-breaking rains more rare, erratic in US West
Bezos endorses higher corporate taxes for infrastructure

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Tacoma body camera video shows response after sheriff called 911 on Black newspaper carrier
Man says he is suing Seattle PD to spark change in police behavior
Woman, spat on last May in SPD’s first reported anti-Asian pandemic-related crime, speaks out
Mass vaccination site to open at Lake Sammamish State Park
Seattle gets its largest weekly allotment of COVID vaccine doses to date
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos supports corporate tax hike
Kshama Sawant calls on city to extend moratorium on ‘catastrophic’ 72-hour parking rule
56 orcas, including rare white one, spotted in Salish Sea over weekend
King County jails audit finds racial bias in discipline
Security concerns linger three months after U.S. Capitol insurrection
Starbucks launching trial program where customers can get reusable cups, return them to the store

KNKX FM
Audit demands changes to curb violence, racial disparities at King County jails

KUOW FM
Tacoma’s Hilltop has hope for an equitable recovery
Pandemic blog: Updates for the Northwest
Your Weather Forecast Update: Warmer Climate Will Be The New ‘Normal’
After a substantial pandemic dip, Seattle rents inch back up

Web

Crosscut
Opinion: Is it time for Seattle to decriminalize shrooms and psychedelics?

MyNorthwest
Construction underway on first of two new Amazon towers in Bellevue
Washington Senate OKs restrictions on police tactics, gear
Tacoma program is paying city’s homeless to clean up trash and debris
Pierce County Council tags former US attorney to investigate Sheriff Ed Troyer
Kshama Sawant calls on city to extend moratorium on ‘catastrophic’ 72-hour parking rule
UW biologist: Herd immunity ‘necessary but not sufficient’ for return to normal
Five Seattle Starbucks stores test reusable ‘Borrow A Cup’ program
Why the Seattle Fire Department is looking for homes to burn down
Concerns rise as more children contract COVID-19 variant

Slog
Homeless Advocates Find Red Flags in Proposed Charter Amendment
Seattle’s Bike Helmet Law Is a Racist Failure

Tuesday, April 6

Bill to honor Billy Frank Jr. with statue in D.C. heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk
The full Washington state Legislature has now approved a bill to honor the late Billy Frank Jr., a history-making treaty rights advocate and Nisqually tribal member, with a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Tony Overman)

Tacoma launches program to pay homeless people to pick up trash, debris
Tacoma has launched a pilot program that will pay homeless people to collect trash and debris from public streets, an effort to remove garbage from city streets while providing jobs to the unsheltered. The initiative is the result of an effort by Tacoma City Councilman Robert Thoms, who thinks the effort will play big dividends. Continue reading at KOMO News.

Lawmakers move to outlaw fake ballot collection containers
It could soon be a crime to set up a fake ballot drop box in Washington. A bill making it a gross misdemeanor to misrepresent “an unofficial ballot collection site or device as an official ballot drop box” set up by a county auditor cleared the state House on Monday. A conviction can result in a maximum fine of $5,000 and 364 days in jail, or both. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Sue Misao)

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Associated Press
As states expand vaccines, prisoners still lack access
Legislature approves bill seeking Billy Frank Jr. statue
Washington state apple exports drop substantially in 2020-21
6 in Washington sickened by Salmonella linked to songbirds
Replacing Marcus Whitman statue in DC with Billy Frank Jr. approved by state Legislature
Official: Biden moving vaccine eligibility date to April 19

Aberdeen Daily World
Confused about the new unemployment tax break? Here are some answers.
Walsh explains decision not to vote on gun legislation (Jinkins, Kuderer)
Commentary: Biden’s plan to upgrade almost everything — we’re worth it
Commentary: Seen through the eyes of others, George Floyd’s death, even more despairing
Gonzaga’s pursuit of perfection ends in out-of-synch showing

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
As staff are vaccinated, students return, Whatcom schools adjust to this COVID safety rule
Whatcom County sees 37 new COVID cases Monday, still within state’s Phase 3 goals
Bill to honor Billy Frank Jr. with statue in D.C. heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Hunt)
PeaceHealth COVID vaccine doses double this week and Skagit offers these unclaimed doses
WA state reports more than 700 new COVID-19 cases on Monday
Summer can’t ‘bail us out’ of the COVID pandemic, Fauci says. Here’s why
Do you need all those disinfectant wipes? CDC issues new COVID cleaning guidelines
Latest batch of stimulus checks going out includes ‘plus-up’ payments. Who’s eligible?
A million Americans owed $1.3 billion by IRS in delayed tax refund. What to know
Cancer diagnoses see a huge spike at age 65, study finds. Doctors speculate why

Capital Press
Wash. farm groups: Low-carbon fuel bill better, still bad (Van De Wege, Carlyle)
Ag groups say Simpson dam plan poses threat

Chinook Observer
Springing back to life: Signs ‘normal’ is returning
Editorial: State making a muddle of saving salmon

Columbian
Clark County sees 141 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death as numbers creep up
In Our View: Fair elections must be a bipartisan goal

The Daily News
Columbia County Second Amendment Sanctuary ordinance to get legal review by local court
Woodland officials pitch Interstate 5 offramp intersection improvement project to Rep. Herrera Beutler

Everett Herald (subscription required)
County’s sixth mass vaccination site to open in Tulalip
It has been one volatile year in the county’s job market
Lawmakers move to outlaw fake ballot collection containers (Hunt)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Comment: Protect state’s new long-term care trust program
Editorial: Help map county’s internet dead spots

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
COVID-19 cases surge 15.1% in Washington state

News Tribune (subscription required)
WA state reports more than 700 new COVID-19 cases on Monday
Pierce County sees more than 300 new COVID-19 cases over weekend; 80 on Monday

New York Times
As Variants Have Spread, Progress Against the Virus in U.S. Has Stalled
Covid-19 Live Updates: U.S. Vaccinations Accelerate as Variants Linger
Fears of White People Losing Out Permeate Capitol Rioters’ Towns, Study Finds
Biden Plan Spurs Fight Over What ‘Infrastructure’ Really Means
Vaccine Passports, Covid’s Next Political Flash Point
America Has Long Favored Cars Over Trains and Buses. Can Biden Change That?
If You Build It, They Will Bike: Pop-Up Lanes Increased Cycling During Pandemic
Test Flight for Sunlight-Blocking Research Is Canceled
Opinion: How Lower-Income Americans Get Cheated on Property Taxes

Olympian (subscription required)
Bill to honor Billy Frank Jr. with statue in D.C. heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Hunt)
Thurston County reports 39 new COVID-19 cases from weekend
Yelm police arrest man after high speed chase Monday morning
Food insecurity a problem within the U.S. military. ‘It’s a bit of a touchy subject’
Volunteers needed for Thurston County vaccination clinics through April 12
Latest batch of stimulus checks going out includes ‘plus-up’ payments. Who’s eligible?

Peninsula Daily News
Letter supports breaching dams
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle monorail station upgrades begin in preparation for Kraken fans
Opinion: How women entrepreneurs can turn road blocks into building blocks

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Allen Foundation grant boosts COVID-19 vaccination in vulnerable Seattle-area communities
Appeals court upholds firing of Adley Shepherd, former SPD officer who punched a handcuffed suspect
King County’s 30-year forest plan eyes growth of the canopy with nods toward climate change, timber industry
No regrets from Gonzaga, which gets pummeled by Baylor in the men’s NCAA title game
Editorial: Next Corrections leader must repair prison health care

Skagit Valley Herald
Pushing Past the Pandemic: Skagit County school districts continue to adapt
Sedro-Woolley schools to return to full-time in-person learning

Spokesman Review
Residents at Spokane assisted living facility bond through Gonzaga basketball
Sadness in Bubbleville: Strange setting had strange, unsettling ending for Gonzaga
Spokane Police officers train to provide critical first aid as they increasingly arrive before medical personnel
Religious services in Spokane cautiously expand in time for Easter and other holidays. But is online worship here to stay?

Tri-City Herald
Ki-Be schools try 3rd time to pass levy — or face more budget cuts
‘Serious disappointment.’ WA state is politicizing massive Hanford cleanup, Newhouse says
Not eligible for COVID vaccine yet? Not too early to book Tri-Cities appointments
Tri-Citians slower than others to get the COVID vaccine. What’s the holdup?

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Walla Walla weather experts look to a more typical April after 2 months of cooler temps
Walla Walla residents raise $20,000 to fund new police K-9
Walla Walla County business, residential leaders oppose environmental House Bill 1091
COVID-19 variants found in Walla Walla County, health officer says.
Former Trilogy Recovery Community director charged with voyeurism
Washington entrepreneurs invited to pitch products to Walmart
Ammunition at Walla Walla Valley stores scarce as demand climbs

Washington Post
In key showdown, U.S. judge tests prosecutors’ claims that Proud Boys leaders planned Jan. 6 Capitol breach
‘This is environmental racism’ How a protest in a North Carolina farming town sparked a national movement
The U.S. government approved trillions in aid. Many hard-hit families have yet to receive it.

Yakima Herald Republic
As eviction moratorium nears end, Yakima advocates brace for surge in homelessness
Union Gap library and community center moving ahead, with groundbreaking anticipated this spring
Officials: 6 sickened by Salmonella linked to songbirds
Labor board says Amazon illegally fired outspoken workers
Legislature approves bill seeking Billy Frank Jr. statue (Lekanoff)

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Bodycam video shows police response after Pierce County Sheriff accused newspaper carrier of threats
2 Seattle retirement community employees fired for faking positive COVID-19 tests
New program aims to help Washington homeowners be ready for wildfire season
‘Remain vigilant’: UW experts urge caution this summer as COVID-19 numbers change

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Seattle’s cruise season could see revival this summer
Concerns rise as more children contract COVID-19 variant
Why anti-Asian hate crimes go unreported
Infections linked to raw milk consumption in multiple Washington counties
Washington state apple exports drop substantially in 2020-21
Facebook data on more than 500M accounts found online

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Time running out as lawmakers race to fix drug possession law tossed by state high court (Dhingra)
New bodycam footage shows news carrier denying he threatened Pierce Co. sheriff
Court upholds firing of Seattle ex-cop who punched handcuffed woman
As Seattle students return to class, homeless encampments at 2 schools stir concerns
Health experts anticipating possible fourth COVID-19 surge in Washington state
Tacoma launches program to pay homeless people to pick up trash, debris
Grassroots efforts helping Washingtonians find COVID-19 vaccine appointments

KNKX FM
Legislature approves bill seeking Billy Frank Jr. statue at U.S. Capitol
State urges spring boaters to take advantage of safety courses (and wear a life vest)

KUOW FM
‘Kind of excited, kind of nervous.’ Seattle elementary students return to the classroom
Biden Envoy To Iran On What To Expect In Renewed Nuclear Talks

NW Public Radio
Paint A ‘Happy Little Tree’ Or Your Backyard Fence With Washington’s New Recycling Program (Peterson)
Family Attorney Questions Police Narrative In Shooting Of Antifa Supporter Near Olympia

Q13 TV (Fox)
Biden moving COVID-19 vaccine eligibility date for all US adults to April 19, official says
‘We’re all living in fear:’ Federal Way community members say they’re fed up about crime

Web

Crosscut
From art to infrastructure, the New Deal shaped Seattle’s future

MyNorthwest
Federal labor board: Amazon illegally fired pair of Seattle workers over activism
Seattle Sounders to play in front of fans at Lumen Field to kick off 2021 MLS season
With All-Star Game pulled out of Georgia over voting law, Rep. Jayapal suggests Seattle step in
Appeals court upholds firing of SPD officer who punched handcuffed suspect
Construction begins on Seattle’s Westlake Monorail station
Annual clearing of North Cascades Highway begins this week
Infections linked to raw milk consumption in multiple Washington counties
Officials investigating string of fires in Renton, asking public for help
King County opens new film production facility on Harbor Island
COVID updates: Snohomish County opens sixth mass vaccination site
Streets to close for walkers, bikers as Seattle students return to schools
Hate crime charges recommended for Marysville threat against student

Slog
Decriminalizing Drugs Is Popular in Washington
King County Hopes to Woo Hollywood with New Film Production Facility on Harbor Island

West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Food Bank’s history @ Words, Writers, Southwest Stories this Thursday
FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL: Application time for project advisory group

Monday, April 5

WA pushes beyond clearing sexual assault evidence kits
Turned away at the hospital, all but ignored at the police station and her case ultimately dismissed despite internal injuries and evidence of drugs in her system, Seattle resident Leah Griffin felt she had nowhere to turn for justice after being raped in 2014. “When it happened to me, I was so shocked at how bad it was,” Griffin said. “Every single part of the system was broken — nothing worked.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)

Clock ticking as Washington state lawmakers consider new drug-possession law
Like elsewhere in America, debates have percolated at the Washington Capitol over the years about shifting the response to drug use toward treatment and away from criminal punishments. But the state Supreme Court’s decision in February striking down Washington’s drug possession statute — essentially invalidating decades of felony convictions — changed the discussion overnight. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)

While Oregon’s Legislature Feuds, Washington Lawmakers Find A Way To Work Together
Washington and Oregon are both handily controlled by Democrats, contain many of the same persistent concerns over an urban-rural divide, and frequently take up similar legislation. So how is it that one legislature is in a state of perpetual dysfunction, and the other is, by comparison, a model of respectful bipartisanship? Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (Austin Jenkins)