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Monday, January 4

Washington lawmakers face a tall order, including balancing the budget mid-pandemic
As state lawmakers head back to Olympia virtually for the 2021 legislative session, making sure that everyone’s webcam is working properly will be just one of the many concerns to deal with. The good news is that revenue hasn’t dropped anywhere near as dramatically as predicted this June after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on jobs during a spring shutdown. Continue reading at The Inlander. (Jim Bowen)

New Washington laws going into effect in 2021
The new year brings changes, and more laws at both state and local levels. In Washington, 2021 will bring new wages, a law concerning criminal background checks and new rules to protect orcas. As we reflect on the year that was 2020 in life, news and sports, take a look at what’s to come with these new laws and updated rules. Continue reading at Seattle PI. (Sergio Amiti)

Olympia lawmaking is about to go virtual. Participants see both minefields and silver linings
During the 2021 session, Olympia’s Capitol Campus that comes alive each January will, under current plans, remain largely dormant. Legislative buildings will stay closed to the public, with COVID-19 transmission prevention in mind. Much of the typical activity and conversation will move online. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Tony Overman)

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Associated Press
Boeing Max returns to US skies with first passenger flight
New whale-watching restrictions enacted for resident orcas
Winds and heavy rain could lead to landslides, flooding
Washington state vaccinates high-risk inmates, prison staff
Fast rollout of virus vaccine trials reveals tribal distrust
More GOP lawmakers enlist in Trump effort to undo Biden win
New Washington law sets $100 cap on copayments for insulin (Keiser)
Sound Transit cancels north line train due to mudslide
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has COVID-19 outbreak
Fauci: Vaccinations are increasing in a ‘glimmer of hope’
Quinault Tribe recalls 29 tons of Dungeness crab due to toxin
NCAA to play all 67 March Madness games in Indiana
Iran starts 20% uranium enrichment, seizes South Korean ship
King County seeks to buy up to dozen more hotels to house homeless
Fauci: ‘Glimmer of hope’ as vaccinations increase, but post-holiday coronavirus surge likely

Aberdeen Daily World
County tops 2,100 COVID-19 cases
Corps of Engineers to start Grays Harbor maintenance dredging Jan. 4
County reports three new COVID-related deaths on Wednesday
First reponders get COVID-19 vaccinations at Grays Harbor Community Hospital

Auburn Reporter
US Navy punishes suicidal sailor who sought mental health treatment
Column: A legislative session like no other we’ve seen

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Does that pup on your lap violate the law against distracted driving?
Olympia lawmaking is about to go virtual. Participants see both minefields and silver linings (Jinkins, Liias, Billig)
Whatcom records 171 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over three days, state reports Sunday
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Sunday in Washington state
Bellingham opens this new temporary winter shelter for the homeless
Swift Haven opens as temporary winter shelter in Bellingham
Should an electoral college pick WA’s next governor? This Tri-Cities lawmaker says so
Seventh state prison inmate dies from COVID-19, Department of Corrections announces
‘The deaths are real deaths.’ Fauci rebuts Trump claim COVID numbers are ‘exaggerated’

Capital Press
New York judge blocks Trump pesticide rule
Higher wheat prices likely have ‘staying power,’ market experts say
Animal health officials on alert for bird flu
Only a fraction of vaccine has been used in Washington
Pandemic increases need for Beef Counts aid
WSDA tells legislators to leave beef labels to feds
West Coast states issue stop order for organic soil amendment; company to appeal

Columbian
In Our View: Shake up Employment Security Department
In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: Add diversity, not guns
In Our View: Inslee budget request offers several good ideas
In Our View: Resolve now to ditch single-use plastic bags
Vancouver’s PeaceHealth hit with COVID-19 outbreak among staff, patients
Nurses describe ‘huge emotional toll’ amid high COVID-19 numbers in Clark County

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Fans blow methane away from Everett houses built on landfill
Bus cuts, light rail and road work highlight the year ahead
Amid pandemic, 2020 was an historic year for unemployment
For tribes, climate change fight is about saving culture
2020 was what it was, and here are the top 10 local stories
Coronavirus commerce: The baddest business stories of 2021
Pandemic, protests and ‘murder hornets’ top state stories
Mudslide cancels Sounder commuter train Monday
Concrete barriers coming to stretch of U.S. 2 at Snohomish
Health care workers find silver linings in the year of COVID
Edmonds eases penalties for driving with a suspended license (Salomon)
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Only a fraction of vaccine has been used in Washington
Mom: Pandemic safety restrictions are hitting children hard
Sno-Isle Libraries offers new online service for job seekers
Tenants, landlords are pondering alternatives to eviction
Comment: Environment needs fairer hand in local development
Bloomberg Comment: ‘She-cession’ has hit minority women especially hard
WaPo Comment: Biden can help restaurants survive by lifting tariffs
WaPo Comment: Election showed what we don’t know about Constitution
WaPo Comment: Why has Warp Speed slowed to a trot for vaccines?
Editorial: Changes needed to build more middle-income housing
Editorial: Three resolutions for a safe and prosperous 2021

The Inlander
Washington lawmakers face a tall order, including balancing the budget mid-pandemic (Riccelli, Billig)

International Examiner
Retiring from ICHS, Ron Chew reflects on his career, local history, and looking to what’s in front of us

Island’s Weekly
Public hospital district boards decide against potential purchase agreement for Hospice of the Northwest

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Salmon advocates celebrate Canada removing salmon farms in the Discovery Islands

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
USS Nimitz ordered to stay in the Persian Gulf region following threats
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard begins year with face mask emphasis
Residents at Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard receive coronavirus vaccine
Standing up for families in Kitsap: Why I voted to override the President’s veto
Scientists study impact of Growlers’ growl over Olympic National Park
Kitsap schools could join forces, create own sports plan
Gun range remains shuttered under contempt-of-court ruling, upheld on appeal
Hearing examiner rules against developers of proposed apartment complex in Silverdale

News Tribune (subscription required)
Police, civilian witnesses tell conflicting stories of fight that ended in Ellis’ death
Tacoma puts 5th officer that report says restrained Manuel Ellis on administrative leave
Navy will get funds to continue noise monitoring on Olympic Peninsula
Pierce County reports 189 new COVID-19 cases
As the world waited for a vaccine to end a crippling disease, here’s how Tacoma responded
Editorial: Tacoma woman, thousands more on hook to repay jobless benefits. State, fix your mess
Editorial: Tacomans with disabilities are isolated by COVID, shortchanged by local government
Op-Ed: Pierce County must invest in broadband sooner, not later. Innovation depends on it

New York Times
Trump, in Taped Call, Pressured Georgia Official to ‘Find’ Votes to Overturn Election
Trump Call to Georgia Official Might Violate State and Federal Law
Election Day Voting in 2020 Took Longer in America’s Poorest Neighborhoods
Covid-19 Live Updates: Scientists Debate Holding Back Second Vaccine Dose
Hundreds of Google Employees Unionize, Culminating Years of Activism
As the Virus Spikes, Vaccine Distribution Is One More Hurdle for States

Olympian (subscription required)
Olympia lawmaking is about to go virtual. Participants see both minefields and silver linings (Jinkins, Billig, Liias)
Militia group plans to occupy Legislative Building in Olympia when session begins (Jinkins, Billig)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Sunday in Washington state
Trump demands Georgia elections official overturn his defeat in hourlong call
Thurston County COVID-19 cases grow by 52 on Sunday
Stories that defined the year 2020 in Thurston County
Washington state extends pandemic assistance as Trump stalls federal relief package
Capital Medical Center in Olympia to be acquired by Tacoma-based MultiCare Health System
Washington’s minimum wage hike will show up on paychecks earlier than expected

Peninsula Daily News
School districts plan to go with more in-person teaching
Pandemic changes ceremonies, but not vows
Sequim experiences flooding
Sixteen new cases reported since Thursday night on Peninsula
Former Clallam Bay corrections officer dies from COVID-19 complications
Pastor welcomes ‘community spirit village’
Sequim first responders receive Moderna vaccine
Progressive tax top priority of Port Angeles City Council
Social Distancing Center lease extended

Port Townsend Leader
COVID-19 case count in JeffCo rises to 229

Puget Sound Business Journal
Slack begins 2021 with major outage
Colleges stand to receive billions in new stimulus, but warning signs are flashing
Hundreds of Google employees unionize, culminating years of activism
Gig workers bear the brunt of US labour market slowdown
Once a fringe idea, the $15 minimum wage is making big gains
Year in Review: This is what 2020 looked like through our lens
Microsoft says Russian cyberattack exposed its source code
Inslee extends Washington’s eviction moratorium
US stocks close tumultuous year at record high
The big questions for Big Tech in 2021
Group calls for investigation after longtime leader of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic resigns
Microsoft’s giant campus expansion marches on, even as it embraces remote work
Most Americans are expected to save, not spend, their $600 check
Opinion: When working on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, experts say start with strategy
Inslee extends Covid restrictions on businesses to Jan. 11
9 ways the pandemic will change travel in 2021
The year inequality became less visible, and more visible than ever

Runta News
Bill to Provide Automatic Rental Assistance to Families

Seattle Times (subscription required)
New laws lead some Washington prosecutors to rethink three-strike life sentences (Goodman, Dhingra)
A ‘homelessness authority’ was supposed to get Seattle and its suburbs on the same page; after a slow year, they may be further apart
Hydroponic kits and toys for black bears: Washington science teachers get creative during pandemic learning
Changes ahead for Washington state’s political landscape: Redistricting may bring some drama
Need for free food in Washington state has doubled, many groups report, as COVID-19 rips away jobs and security
Opinion: Legislature’s ‘Four Corners’ square off on state challenges in 2021 (Billig, Jinkins)

Seattle Weekly
US Navy punishes suicidal sailor who sought mental health treatment
New proposal might help Washington get a Republican governor
Gov. Inslee extends ban on indoor dining, other restrictions

Skagit Valley Herald
Relationships were key in Skagit County commissioner’s two decades of service
Study examines privatizing Anacortes-to-Sidney ferry route
Ask the Undersheriff: Taking a look at the crime stats for 2020

South Seattle Emerald
Future Gazing: Honor the Indigenous people of these territories
State health officials cautiously optimistic as COVID-19 rates hold steady and vaccination of health care workers continues
‘The Shadow Beside Me’: Seattle nonprofit debuts poetry from King County juvenile detention
Opinion: What we lost in 2020
Future Gazing: A place where poverty is no longer criminalized
Seattle Public Library offers free printing, job search assistance, and online tutoring during pandemic
Future Gazing: Striving for Black and Brown queer and trans joy

Spokesman Review
These are the Washington laws changing in the new year
More than 200 new COVID-19 cases, one death reported in Spokane County on Sunday
Inslee extends indoor dining ban, other COVID-19 restrictions until Jan. 11
Washington to pay unemployment benefit after delay of federal coronavirus package
Medical director resigns from clinic in protest of racism at Seattle Children’s hospital, prompting demands for change
‘It’s not our job to find votes’: Spokane County auditor reacts to Trump pressuring Georgia secretary of state
Opinion: Ed Taylor and Phil Ballinger: What should count in college admissions: the quality of future leaders we most need
Opinion: Christine Johnson: COVID-19 defined our year. We won’t let it define our decade.
Opinion: Anne Mason, DNP, ARNP: AMA needs to do less trolling, more collaborating

Tri-City Herald
$3.8M tiny house project will give Tri-Cities homeless a place of their own
Tri-Cities new COVID cases hit plateau, but 36 people died in December
Should an electoral college pick WA’s next governor? This Tri-Cities lawmaker says so
3 WA prison COVID deaths this week. The latest in Walla Walla
Tri-Cities bar’s liquor license suspended. It violated state COVID restrictions
Tri-Cities COVID numbers affected by holiday spikes, reporting delays
Editorial: Klippert’s anti-vax bill goes too far, sets us back on COVID and measles

Vancouver Business Journal
Gov. Jay Inslee announces one-week extension of statewide restrictions

Washington Post
‘I just want to find 11,780 votes’: In extraordinary hour-long call, Trump pressures Georgia secretary of state to recalculate the vote in his favor
Months later, more than 1 million Americans are still waiting for unemployment aid
Opinion: It’s impeachable. It’s likely illegal. It’s a coup.

Yakima Herald Republic
As 2021 session approaches, Yakima Valley lawmakers say they want to roll back governor’s emergency powers
Longtime Yakima pediatrician Roy Simms gets vaccinated, encourages others to do the same
Records show who is on ICE flights at Yakima airport; fewer deportations during pandemic
Yakima Heath District reports 358 new coronavirus cases Friday and Saturday
Eviction moratorium has been extended, but debate likely to continue in Olympia
Opinion: Our wish list for 2021
Opinion: Return to classrooms on the horizon

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Union wants Washington grocery store workers vaccinated as soon as possible
Puget Sound-area food banks remain busy as unemployment declines
Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine next to seek emergency use authorization

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Medical workers across Washington to get 2nd dose of Pfizer vaccine
6 arrested at SPD’s East Precinct over weekend
Trump urged Georgia secretary of state to ‘find’ votes during phone call
New Washington law sets $100 cap on copayments for insulin (Keiser)
Cal Anderson campers appear to have moved to new park
State preparing questionnaire for vaccine eligibility
North Sound restaurant also defying COVID-19 restrictions
New law requires faster treatment for addiction (Davis)
New year marks increase of state’s minimum wage, raise for Seattle rideshare drivers
145 employees at Costco near Yakima positive for COVID-19
Fifth officer identified in Tacoma police death of Manuel Ellis put on leave
Woman who was a victim of sex trafficking at age 14 sues Backpage.com and Salesforce
Local distilleries billed thousands for making hand sanitizer, but feds reverse course
2nd Washington corrections officer dies of COVID-19
All residents of long-term care facility will now get vaccine
Four arrested during New Year’s Eve demonstrations in Seattle

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Two Seattle artists document 2020 and the year in face masks

KNKX FM
Teachers’ unions express concerns as some districts prepare for in-person learning
State Rep. John Lovick: Events since George Floyd’s death are ‘a turning point for all of us‘ (Lovick)

KUOW FM
In Seattle, pandemic stress overshadows new minimum wage boost
Trump And The Military: What An Erratic Commander In Chief Leaves Behind
Republican Lawmakers Divided On Election Certification
Pandemic updates for Seattle and the Northwest
COVID-19 Cases Surge In U.S. As Vaccinations Fall Below Government Predictions
More Republicans Announce Plans To Object To Electoral College Results
Judge Rejects Last-Minute Claim That Pence Can Ignore States’ Presidential Electors
New COVID-19 Variant Spreads To Dozens Of Countries
Congress Overturns Trump Veto On Defense Bill After Political Detour
U.S. Surpasses 20 Million Confirmed Coronavirus Cases
President Trump Extends Freeze On Many Worker Visas

NW Public Radio
In Seattle, People Living In Their RVs Get Help From City Waste Pumper
It Wasn’t Just The Pandemic: Oil’s Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Year
Despite What The Logging Industry Says, Cutting Down Trees Isn’t Stopping Catastrophic Wildfires

Q13 TV (Fox)
An Olympia cafe followed all of Inslee’s mandates – the state threatened them anyway
Snoqualmie parents rally for return to in-person learning
The Divide: Should Washington change how it elects governors?
The Divide: Congresswoman Jayapal on fight for COVID-19 relief
Washington creates online system to help determine who can get COVID-19 vaccine
Gold Bar restaurant defies governor’s orders

Web

Crosscut
How Seattle’s new payroll tax complicates efforts to enact one statewide
Opinion: Why the Kalama methanol refinery would hurt the Yakama tribe
WA coronavirus restrictions extended through Jan. 11
Revered doctor steps down, accusing Seattle Children’s Hospital of racism
Black-owned pot shops are rare in WA. Can a task force fix that?
Salmon spawn in the upper Columbia after an 80-year hiatus
Environment officials want input on aging Central Washington dam

Seattle P.I.
New Washington laws going into effect in 2021
University of Washington begins seeking volunteers for Novavax COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
Washington has the third-lowest COVID-19 spread in US

Slog
The War on Cars Enters Its 135th Year
Why So Many Fires in Seattle All of a Sudden?
Herman Cain Ends the Year as the Most Noted Republican Killed by Covid
2020, The Year Death Became a Major Political Party in America

Thursday, December 24

**The Daily E-Clips will be taking a holiday vacation starting today. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. The Daily E-Clips will return January 4th.

Inslee extends eviction moratorium through March 31
Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday extended his executive order banning most evictions until March 31. It was set to expire at the end of December. This is the fifth time Gov. Inslee has extended the moratorium on evictions since he first announced one in March. No specific details were provided but a news release from the governor’s office said more information is forthcoming next week. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tony Overman)

WA youth in the state’s care endure rain, cold for holiday visits
Richelle Madigan had a black suit and tie and a pair of shiny black shoes sent to her son’s psychiatric inpatient facility as a secret surprise for his 13th birthday. It was the day after he had officially become a teenager, but visits were precious at the Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood, so Christian was bubbling with excitement. Madigan and her husband, Jason, had set up a formal dinner for Christian as nicely as they could, considering the conditions: an overcast day with rain, a cold metal picnic table partly covered by an overhead eave, and a propane tower heater that, for safety reasons, sat too far away to be of use. It would also double as their Christmas visit, as the facility limited the number of visitors per day Continue reading at Crosscut. (Richelle Madigan)

Trump vetoes defense bill, setting up possible override vote
President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the annual defense policy bill, following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency. The bill affirms 3% pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes more than $740 billion in military programs and construction. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Evan Vucci/AP)

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Associated Press
Eviction moratorium extended through March in Washington
Train derails after collision in Central Washington
Jobless claims in Washington state drop
Trump vetoes defense bill, setting up possible override vote
Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands
COVID in California: 2 million confirmed cases and counting

Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor Community Hospital begins COVID vaccinations
Grays Harbor COVID cases near 1,700, active cases at 313
Marine toxins shut down recreational crabbing in Willapa Bay
Consultants selected to assess Aberdeen fire, police, jail, court facility upgrades
Breakthrough: UK and EU reach post-Brexit trade agreement

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Derailed oil train catches fire again in Custer
Update: BNSF train derails after hitting semi truck west of Prosser
Whatcom has 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, state says Wednesday
No injuries or damages in Whatcom oil train derailment as cleanup, investigations begin
Focus turns to cleanup, environmental assessment in Whatcom train derailment

Capital Press
California seeks to block Trump pesticide rule
A pause? As White House changes hands, ag-related lawsuits expected to change course

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Everett officer says son was behind controversial tweets
Bust nets 247 pounds of meth, golden gun and blind rapper
County allots $13.2 million to early 2021 pandemic response
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Congressman Rick Larsen tests positive for COVID-19
Editorial: Govenor’s menu of taxes looks appetizing

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
In praise of Douglas-fir — the northwest’s original Christmas tree, and so much more
Fired Bremerton public works employee accused of kidnapping, threatening wife
A ‘precarious plateau’: COVID-19 slows heading into Christmas, but health officials urge caution
Trump pardons former campaign chairman Paul Manafort along with Charles Kushner, other allies
First vaccines plunge into arms of Kitsap’s Navy medical community
Multiple sewage spills prompt no-contact advisory for Dyes Inlet, Port Washington Narrows and Liberty Bay
Heavy rains and leaking pipe cause Brownsville Highway washout

News Tribune (subscription required)
Where will Santa be? NORAD will track him and his reindeer despite COVID-19 challenges
More than 300 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Pierce County
Editorial: Tacomans with disabilities are isolated by COVID, shortchanged by local government
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Wednesday in Washington state

New York Times
Britain and E.U. Reach Landmark Deal on Brexit
Frontline Workers and People Over 74 Should Get Shots Next, C.D.C. Panel Says
Answering Trump, Democrats Try and Fail to Jam $2,000 Payments Through House

Olympian (subscription required)
CenturyLink, WA state regulators at odds over huge fine for 911 outage in 2018
Tyson reports $285M loss. Cattle group says Eastern WA ranch may be to blame
Inslee extends eviction moratorium through March 31
Thurston County adds 55 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday
COVID-19 vaccinations begin next week at long-term care facilities in Washington state
Thurston County unemployment rose to 6.3 percent in November

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle hospitals begin administering Pfizer, Moderna vaccines to staff
Health care advances prompted by the pandemic may stick around, expert says
Boeing accelerates 787 shift to South Carolina; last Everett Dreamliner rolls out in February
Data analysis: Olympia businesses’ PPP loan success was a team effort
Millions of small businesses on deck for simplified PPP loan forgiveness
‘PPP fatigue’ means some lenders will opt out of a second round of loans
There’s a way Biden can raise more from the rich without higher taxes

Seattle Times (subscription required)
During protests, Seattle officers didn’t violate policy by wearing black bands on badges or keeping cameras off, review finds

USA Today
$2,000 stimulus checks in limbo as Congress unable to agree on COVID relief payments
The federal eviction moratorium expires in January. It could leave 40 million Americans homeless.
Operation Warp Speed is living up to its name, but COVID-19 immunizations are going ‘slower’ than expected, officials say

Yakima Herald Republic
Thanksgiving leads to spike in hospitalizations, new COVID-19 cases in Yakima
Train derails after collision with semi-truck near Mabton
Company loans ultra-cold freezers to Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic for COVID vaccine

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Washington expected to get more than 101,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week
Republicans block $2,000 COVID-19 checks despite Trump demand
Washington eviction ban extended again through March 2021
Environmental impact limited following oil spill from derailed train in Whatcom County

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee extends state’s eviction moratorium
New health secretary says state can’t relax in effort to stop COVID-19
City, county government waiting in limbo after Trump doesn’t sign COVID relief bill
First flight from U.K. lands at Sea Tac Airport after reported mutated COVID-19 strain
Seattle expands COVID-19 testing capacity ahead of Christmas
Kitsap jail inmate who died was improperly subdued, investigation finds
Oil train derailed near site of earlier terrorist attempt, officials say

KUOW FM
Photos: remembering the people in Seattle who died in 2020 while experiencing houselessness
‘All Is Not Calm’: Congress Scrambles After Trump Blasts COVID-19 Relief Package
Is carrying crude oil by rail worth the risk? This expert says no
Shock And Dismay After Trump Pardons Blackwater Guards Who Killed 14 Iraqi Civilians
Trump Vetoes Defense Bill, Setting Up Congressional Vote To Potentially Override Him

Q13 TV (Fox)
Eviction moratorium extended through March in Washington
State expects roughly 70,000 fewer COVID-19 vaccines this month
Cause of oil train derailment, fire remains under investigation
Families and businesses affected by pandemic await second round of stimulus checks
Millions of Americans receiving unemployment aid could face surprise tax bill

Web

Crosscut
WA youth in the state’s care endure rain, cold for holiday visits
The top stories readers helped us tell in 2020

Slog
Washington’s COVID-19 Numbers Are About to Drop—But Only If You Don’t Fuck It Up!!
Cal Anderson Re-Opens… with Ping Pong Tables?

Wednesday, December 23

Local, state, federal agencies will investigate oil train derailment in Whatcom County
An oil train fire in Custer was out as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, after seven tank cars derailed Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 22, and nearby residents were evacuated. Local, state and federal agencies were just beginning the investigation and it was too early to discuss a cause, said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

Trump urges $2,000 checks — and Pelosi says ‘Lets do it!’ What about other lawmakers?
President Donald Trump urged Congress to approve $2,000 stimulus checks in the next coronavirus relief deal, calling the legislation just passed by both the U.S. House and Senate a “disgrace.” Now some leading lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, are voicing support for Trump’s push for higher payments. Continue reading at SourceName. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
One former detainee says she was already in a hospital gown this past July waiting to be wheeled into surgery, when she began to suspect something was very wrong. Jaromy Floriano Navarro thought she was getting an operation to remove a cyst on her ovary — until the driver who brought her to the hospital said otherwise. “She was just like, you know you’re having a hysterectomy, right?” Floriano tells NPR in an interview. “And I was in shock, because I knew what that meant.” Continue reading at KUOW. (TK)

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Associated Press
Train cars carrying crude oil derail, burn in Whatcom County
Trump threatens COVID relief; Pelosi urges ‘sign the bill’

Aberdeen Daily World
Six box cars carrying grain derail in Montesano
Hospital conducts test run ahead of vaccine rollout
Schuyler Burkhart named next PUD general manager
Op-ed: Canceling student debt would narrow the racial wealth gap and stimulate our economy
Op-ed: Canceling student debt by presidential decree is wrong on many levels
US layoffs remain elevated as 803,000 seek jobless aid

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Local, state, federal agencies will investigate oil train derailment in Whatcom County
Driver gets a close-up look at Custer train derailment: ‘I knew it was time to leave’
Cause of seven-car oil train derailment under investigation
Whatcom has 11 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, state says Tuesday
As monarch butterflies face extinction, U.S. wildlife officials opt not to protect them
Santa gets his COVID vaccination just in time for Christmas

Capital Press
Christmas tree growers see solid year as demand rises
Tyson: Cattle supplier misappropriated millions
Apple packer wants collective promotions

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Local leaders welcome the $900B pandemic relief package
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Snohomish County launches job search site with local focus
Mudslide between Edmonds and Mukilteo cancels Sounder train
Editorial: Adopt covid relief with pledge for more to come
It was COVID’s deadliest month: 89 dead here in 28 days

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Southworth fast ferry service delayed until 2021
Investigation: Kitsap jail inmate who died improperly subdued in restraint chair
Downtown Bremerton post office renamed for trailblazing Black Navy chief
Port Townsend parks director selected to lead Kitsap County’s parks department
Kitsap County’s emergency responders get COVID-19 vaccine
What business leaders must watch for in 2021

News Tribune (subscription required)
Sales tax will be going up in Pierce County, but so will services for the mentally ill
We should be celebrating passage of mental health tax. Instead, we’re holding our breath
Suspect arrested after officer-involved shooting and car attack in Bonney Lake
Editorial: Spare us anti-vax stunts, Washington legislators. Give us COVID-19 vaccine solidarity

New York Times
Live Updates: Republicans Stuck Between President and Party on the Stimulus
For Millions of Jobless, Christmas Is a Season to Endure, Not Celebrate

Olympian (subscription required)
Washington state reports 1,252 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday
Thurston County COVID-19 cases grow by 22, overall total rises to 4,376
Evacuations ordered as train carrying crude oil derails, burns near Custer
COVID rules change for churches in WA state. For weddings and funerals too
Restaurant breaks COVID rules, slapped with restraining order, Washington officials say
Trump urges $2,000 checks — and Pelosi says ‘Lets do it!’ What about other lawmakers?

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Jefferson County approves housing sales tax
Second shipment of Pfizer’s vaccine arrives on Peninsula

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon pushes for vaccine priority as it closes New Jersey warehouse due to Covid-19 outbreak
Boeing boss: Alaska’s 737 Max order means ‘we’re on the verge of recovery’
Congress just fixed a disaster loan grant problem. Now thousands of small businesses could get cash grants.
Survey finds 67% of companies in Seattle plan to offer year-end bonuses
A new round of PPP for small businesses is coming. Here’s when it could open up for new applications.
Google denies antitrust claims in early response to U.S. lawsuit

Tri-City Herald
Congress approves $2.6B Hanford budget. It’s far more than Trump administration proposal
COVID rules change for churches in WA state. For weddings and funerals too
‘Families … are hurting.” Pasco church gives out 60,000 lbs of food. 2nd event planned
4 Tri-Citians die of COVID for 2nd day in a row. Hospitalizations climb higher
Op-Ed: Use science, even when it contradicts assumptions

Yakima Herald Republic
Company loans ultra-cold freezers to Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic for COVID vaccine
Q & A: What you need to know about Yakima County COVID-19 case investigations, contact tracing and rapid results
Federal pandemic relief bill’s payroll loans provide lifeline to Washington media outlets
Yakima County reports five new deaths as COVID-19 cases surpass 19,000
Ellensburg city government hit by hackers, city data held for ransom

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Cause under investigation after fiery derailment of train hauling crude oil in Whatcom County
Alaska Airlines president: ‘Very confident’ in 737 MAX as airline purchases more from Boeing
Trump demands Congress send bill with $2,000 stimulus checks; Pelosi agrees

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Oil train derails in Whatcom County, sends toxic plume into air
Seattle gets 3 new COVID-19 testing kiosks
Chelan County considers limits on vacation rentals
Could you pay less for insurance, under a proposal to ban using credit scores to calculate premiums?
Trump asks Congress to amend COVID-19 bill
Seattle Indian Health Board first to receive Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Washington state reports another 1,200 COVID-19 cases
More restrictive whale watching rules to take effect in 2021
Glimmers of optimism from state’s COVID-19 case curve but concerns linger
Investigation underway after train derails in Whatcom County, sparking fire, evacuations
‘Isolation, loneliness’ fuel surge in alcohol use amid pandemic, local doctor says
The $900M stimulus package may not offer enough relief for local governments

KNKX FM
Tacoma activists urge swifter city action on housing problems
Housing Connector, a new tool, launches to tackle homelessness — then contends with a pandemic
Teachers, grocery workers, prison guards and oldest Americans may be next in line for COVID vaccine

KUOW FM
‘The best Christmas present.’ Seattle Senior living community gets Covid-19 vaccine
Mask Up! How Public Health Messages Collide With Facebook’s Political Ads Ban
U.S. Reaches Deal With Pfizer For 100 Million More Vaccine Doses
Congress Gets COVID-19 Vaccine, But Members Fight Over Who Should Have Priority
Trump Calls Relief Bill ‘A Disgrace,’ Asks For Changes After Bitter Negotiations
Train carrying crude oil derails, catches fire in Whatcom County
Trump Grants Slew Of Pardons, Including George Papadopoulos And Duncan Hunter
‘As a police officer, I have to be able to say I am sorry’
Climate Action For Christmas? Omnibus Bill Includes Biggest Policy Shift In Years
What the federal stimulus bill means for Sound Transit projects
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
Justice Department Sues Walmart, Alleging It Illegally Dispensed Opioids

Q13 TV (Fox)
Crude oil fire out, investigation continues after train derailment in Whatcom County
Scientists answer key questions about new, highly infectious COVID-19 strain
Pfizer to give US another 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Village of Leavenworth cancels annual holiday festivals to reduce large crowds and COVID-19 exposure

Web

Crosscut
How, where, when: The COVID-19 vaccine in Washington state
2020 year in review: stories of solutions and inspiration

Slog
Will You Get Arrested for Walking Through Cal Anderson Park?
Make Sure You’re Prepared for the Next Big Seattle Snowstorm

Tuesday, December 22

‘A recipe for disaster’: As Olympia becomes the site of political clashes, officials voice concern for the Capitol and the city
The demonstrations have become meaner. The taunts between opposing sides nastier. The number of weapons has multiplied. And the firearms traditionally brought to the Capitol for symbolism are now being pointed and fired to settle scores between political opponents. With triggers pulled this month at two different political clashes — wounding at least one person — Olympia has become one of the latest emblems of America’s frayed social fabric. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times)

Thurston prosecutors decline to charge Bellingham man accused of shooting at protest near Capitol
Thurston County prosecutors have declined to charge a 25-year-old Bellingham man accused of shooting another man during a clash between protesters Dec. 12 near the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Supporters of President Donald Trump and counter-protesters dressed in black, a look commonly associated with anti-fascists, clashed that afternoon. During the fighting, one person suffered a gunshot wound and three people were arrested. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Martin Bilbao/The Olympian)

Protesters clash with police, smash glass doors, disrupt lawmakers on ‘unnerving’ day at Oregon State Capitol in Salem
A special session of the state Legislature was disrupted Monday by protesters opposed to policies designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.Protesters broke glass doors at the largely empty Capitol building, tore tarps from the marble reliefs on the front steps and engaged in a brief standoff with Oregon State Police and Salem Police Department officers. Continue reading at USA Today. (Brian Hayes/Statesman Journal)

Print

Associated Press
Senate investigators fault FAA over Boeing jet, safety
Microsoft announces additional $110M in local COVID relief
Gov. Inslee issues travel restrictions over new virus strain
Judge won’t speed bail hearings at Tacoma immigration lockup
Gov. Inslee delays implementation of plastic bag law
Gov. Jay Inslee announces Western states’ approval of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Farm company fined $2 million after 2 workers die of virus
During crucial holiday season, US consumer confidence slumps
Biden picks Connecticut schools chief as education secretary

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Lowland Whatcom sees a few snowflakes on the first day of winter. Here’s where it’s falling
Power out at about 9,000 Whatcom County homes Tuesday morning
Whatcom has 84 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in two days, state says Monday
Riding the ferry in Washington this holiday season brings risks — and these changes
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
New mutation of coronavirus prompts Inslee to issue travel restrictions
Most Americans will get $600 from new stimulus package. Here’s what we know

Capital Press
Washington farm fined $2 million for virus violations
Spotted wing drosophila’s Asian foe found in Washington
New spending bill has provisions for Western water projects
U.S. potato utilization drops 5.2% as foodservice sags
COVID-19 crinkled NW potato industry

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Bothell area subdivision proposal sparks watershed concerns
How has the pandemic changed life? Look in your garbage
Logan is PUD board president again, but it wasn’t unanimous
No one injured in small mudslide Monday on Whidbey Island
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Comment: What happens when ‘the curve’ can’t be flattened
Audit: Inadequate control enabled state unemployment scam (Sells)
Editorial: State CEOs backing reforms against racial inequity
Editorial: Enough with rabble-rousing allegations of a coup

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Navy shipbuilding plan calls for bolstered fleet; retiring USS Nimitz, USS Ohio
Lawmakers reach ‘bipartisan breakthrough,’ announce $900 billion COVID-19 relief deal, will vote Monday
New COVID-19 cases plummet in Washington state

News Tribune (subscription required)
Pierce council to consider tax increase to fund behavioral health services, revamp Medicaid
‘Broad and systemic’ troubles at City Hall, survey finds; mayor singled out
Donations for Pierce County Toys for Tots are low this year due to COVID-19
Pierce County starts week with more than 100 new COVID-19 cases, three new deaths

New York Times
Live Updates: Stimulus Payments May Start Arriving as Soon as Next Week
Public Schools Face Funding ‘Death Spiral’ as Enrollment Drops
The Antitrust Case Against Big Tech, Shaped by Tech Industry Exiles
How Cities Lost Control of Police Discipline

Olympian (subscription required)
Hohohobos spread Christmas’ cheer — and share its wealth
Coronavirus updates: Washington state total cases pass 225K; Inslee issues travel restrictions
JBLM soldier charged in ‘drifting’ incident that left two women dead at car meetup
More stimulus money is on its way to Washington. Here are the answers to your questions
Thurston prosecutors decline to charge Bellingham man accused of shooting at protest near Capitol
Inslee orders travelers from Great Britain and South Africa to quarantine
New Washington Secretary of Health steps into post as COVID-19 cases remain high

Peninsula Daily News
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Long-term care center in Clallam reports 9 cases

Puget Sound Business Journal
Congress rushes to pass huge coronavirus relief bill
Inslee mandates quarantine for travelers arriving from countries with new Covid strain
Bezos contributes another $25M to statewide Covid relief efforts
Some big-name Seattle real estate companies approved for PPP loans
Seattle school district prepares to bring youngest students back to the classroom by March
Congress nears deal on new PPP loans. Here’s who would qualify, for how much, and what the rules would be.
Regence teams with health tech startup to provide primary care in rural communities
New stimulus deal includes $15B for entertainment venues, museums and zoos
The Covid-19 vaccine is here, but many won’t get it for months

Seattle Times (subscription required)
‘A recipe for disaster’: As Olympia becomes the site of political clashes, officials voice concern for the Capitol and the city (Hunt, Kuderer)
Moderna vaccine arrives in Seattle, with more coming later this week
Washington farm company fined $2 million after 2 workers die of COVID-19
Sound Transit cancels Sounder north line train service after Snohomish County landslide
Gov. Inslee orders quarantine on arrivals from nations with outbreak of the COVID mutation
Solemn vigil for those who died without shelter

Seattle Weekly
Who should foot the bill for pandemic-era power?

Skagit Valley Herald
COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Skagit County
Whale watching rules to take effect in new year
Sheriff’s Office warns of new scam

South Seattle Emerald
A guide to Seattle’s new lobbying rules

Spokesman Review
Difference Makers: Twa-le Abrahamson-Swan is a ‘modern-day warrior’ who has coordinated wildfire, pandemic relief on reservations
Washington’s Lottery opens first retail store in the state in NorthTown Mall
As Congress approves new pandemic relief package, Eastern Washington applauds – but many hope for more (Riccelli)
Inslee announces travel restrictions to South Africa, U.K. as new COVID-19 strain spreads quickly

Tri-City Herald
4 more Tri-Citians die of COVID. December already has almost triple November deaths
WA farm hit with one of largest fines in state history over COVID violations. 2 workers died

USA Today
Congress passes legislation to create Smithsonian museums on Latino and women’s history
More than 3 million people died in 2020 – the deadliest year in US history
Protesters clash with police, smash glass doors, disrupt lawmakers on ‘unnerving’ day at Oregon State Capitol in Salem
Politics updates: Donald Trump expected to sign coronavirus stimulus bill

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Local businesses join to feed families in need in Walla Walla on Tuesday evening
Walla Walla County sees more COVID-19 cases over the weekend
Whitman College and WWU students tutor Walla Walla High School freshmen and seniors
Bail set for David L. Mills of Walla Walla arrested in College Place drug bust
Local groups help keep their public libraries thriving

Washington Post
What will the new stimulus package mean for the nearly 50 million food-insecure Americans?
Are they cutting in line to prove the vaccine is safe — or to save themselves?
Hundreds of thousands of families spend holidays with an empty seat at the table

Yakima Herald Republic
Q & A: What you need to know about Yakima County COVID-19 case investigations, contact tracing and rapid results
Yakima County reports 387 new COVID-19 cases Sunday into Monday; 51 people hospitalized
Lt. governor announces new CWU program counting experience toward bachelor’s degree
‘This is not something I would wish on anybody’: Congressman Dan Newhouse opens up about his bout with COVID-19

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Gov. Inslee issues travel restrictions over new virus strain
Winter arrives in western Washington with a bang
Could you pay less for insurance, under a proposal to ban using credit scores to calculate premiums?
Frontline essential workers to be vaccinated next, including teachers
Former soldier claims rape and retaliation at JBLM
2 Muslim men accuse Alaska Airlines of violating civil rights for texting in Arabic

KNKX FM
Housing Connector, a new tool, launches to tackle homelessness — then contends with a pandemic
Victoria, B.C.’s ‘perfect flush’ won’t be flowing into Northwest waters anymore

KUOW FM
Inslee tightens WA travel restrictions following new coronavirus strain revelations in U.K., South Africa
‘The best Christmas present.’ Seattle Senior living community gets Covid-19 vaccine
Seattle businesses, non-profits hope for some of that federal stimulus money
How the Cal Anderson sweep went down — and why it’s so contentious
Air Force Investigation Finds Black Members Face Racial Disparity In Service
Low Demand For Antibody Drugs Against COVID-19
House Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Ending Months-Long Stalemate
Seattle City Light disconnects software implicated in massive government hack, says it wasn’t compromised

Web

Crosscut
Black clergy call for unity in fight for Seattle police accountability
Survey: What WA issues should Crosscut cover in 2021?
Three writers on the hard lessons of 2020
Opinion: 2020 was the year (almost) none of us were OK
Opinion: 2020 was the year of empathy fatigue

MyNorthwest
Despite Puget Sound draped in clouds, rare ‘Great Conjunction’ was still visible across the globe
New WA program plans to help curb conflict after eviction moratorium
Gov. Inslee announces travel restrictions on arrivals from UK, South Africa
How to see the Christmas star in Seattle (Spoiler: it’s too cloudy)
Bans on open carry at protests, high capacity mags top WA gun safety group’s agenda in 2021
West Seattle group launches campaign for gondolas as alternative to light rail
Gov. Inslee: New COVID relief package ‘can only be considered a down-payment’
COVID-19 updates: New aid bill ‘failed to address many aspects of virus,’ says Mayor Durkan

Slog
Flights from London, the Hotspot for a New COVID-19 Strain, Could Still Arrive at Sea-Tac

Monday, December 21

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill
Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them. The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction. Continue reading at Tacoma News Tribune. (Susan Walsh/AP)

COVID-19 ripped through communities east of the Cascades, killing people at twice the rate of Western Washington
For months, McKay Healthcare & Rehab staff kept its elderly residents safe from COVID-19. But in late October, the virus slipped into the center’s 8-decade-old building. By mid-December, 15 of the 31 residents had died from the disease. In the struggle to fight the virus, some staff members worked 24-hour shifts to cover for co-workers who tested positive and had to stay home. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times)

Riccelli joins Inslee to support funding and restructuring public health systems
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues putting stress on public health, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday a legislative package that boosts funding and support for public health systems statewide. The proposals include creating a new fund to improve public health programs in the long term, as well as restructuring local public health jurisdictions. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Ted S. Warren)