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Tuesday, September 22

New tool shows economic impact of COVID-19 across Washington state
“The economic impact of COVID-19 on individuals, families and businesses is like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” Commerce Director Lisa Brown said in a press release. “The depth and complexity of the challenge we’re dealing with demands that we use data in new ways to help every family, every community and every industry get back on their feet, stronger and more resilient than before.” Continue reading at The Olympian. (Drew Perine)

New momentum to retire Native-themed mascots at Washington state schools
The first Native American woman elected to the Washington State House of Representatives says she is drafting legislation to retire Native-themed mascots and team names at public schools. This has been a goal of Native American leaders for a while, but has new-found momentum in the wake of the Washington, DC, NFL football team’s name change. Continue reading at KNKX. (Molly Solomon)

Don’t miss out on up to $1,800 in unemployment back pay
You have until Sunday to certify your eligibility for up to $1,800 in unemployment back pay from the Lost Wages Assistance program. Tens of thousands of Washingtonians sidelined by the pandemic qualify for the federal program, which provides an extra $300 per week for six weeks between late July and early September. Payments will start going out next week. Continue reading at The Everett Herald.

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Associated Press
New push to retire Native team names headed to Legislature (Lekanoff)
‘Unfathomable’: US death toll from coronavirus hits 200,000
Romney OKs voting on court nominee, all but assures approval
Soaring wealth during pandemic highlights rising inequality
Wildfire death toll in Oregon increases to nine
Seattle police drop effort to get protest images from media
Oregon grieves for natural places wiped out by wildfires
Oregon businesses threaten lawsuit over virus restrictions
Seattle Council to vote on policing change budget vetoes
2 schools in southwest Washington close due to virus
Feds threaten funds to NYC, Seattle and Portland over unrest

Aberdeen Daily World
Blue Slough Road project on track for October completion
36 more COVID-19 cases reported over the weekend
Deadline for county CARES Act grants extended

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
New tool shows economic impact of COVID-19 across Washington state
‘Anarchist’ Seattle, Portland and New York allowed violence during protests, feds say
Only 2 Whatcom regions see COVID infection rates decrease, while state rolls back data
Here’s what experts say could be key in getting the U.S.-Canadian border reopened
Washington state reports 300 new COVID-19 cases Monday and 18 deaths
Is it safe to trick-or-treat this year? What the CDC says about Halloween and COVID-19

Capital Press
Inslee opens more counties to agritourists
Wildfire danger lingers despite cooler, wetter weather
Diamond M ranch strikes back in lawsuit over wolf management

Columbian
Clark County reports 95 new COVID-19 cases, one new death since Friday
Air quality dips in Clark County as Oregon wildfire smoke re-enters area

The Daily News
COVID cases up; health officials recommend continued remote learning
Longview Presbyterian donates land for affordable housing project
Gillnetters approve, anglers reel at Columbia River salmon policy change
Health official: COVID cases at senior facilities show ongoing virus risk

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Paine Field gets $5M grant to remedy a CARES Act oversight
Edmonds School District changes how cops cover its campuses
Don’t miss out on up to $1,800 in unemployment back pay
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Economic Alliance and Lynnwood offer new business grants
Bloomberg Comment: Climate change coming at us with unforeseen threats

Highline Times
Thousands enrolled in Utility Discount Program to reduce utility bill burden during pandemic

Issaquah Reporter
Satterberg responds to ‘anarchist jurisdictions’ label by DOJ

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Amazon delivery center in Bremerton slated for late September opening
Man involved in group that set 2018 Maple Fire sentenced to 30 months
Republicans likely have enough support for a vote on Trump’s Supreme Court nominee after Romney backs push to fill vacancy
Shipyard shakeup: PSNS’s commander headed to Norfolk following captain’s ousting

News Tribune (subscription required)
COVID trauma won’t stop when kids return to school, say two women called to serve them
Fall is here, and it’s bringing the first heavy rain of the season
A local Safeway was charging 16-20 percent sales tax. Here’s how to get your money back.
Puyallup School District announces reopening plans, younger students first to return
County starts week with 51 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death, outbreak at care facility

New York Times
What We Know About Coronavirus Cases in K-12 Schools So Far
As Schools Go Remote, Finding ‘Lost’ Students Gets Harder
If the Supreme Court Ends Obamacare, Here’s What It Would Mean
Trump Could Be Investigated for Tax Fraud, D.A. Says for First Time

Olympian (subscription required)
Tenino Police Chief Robert Swain has died, department announces
Thurston County adds six new COVID-19 cases; now 1,140 total
Washington state reports 300 new COVID-19 cases Monday and 18 deaths
‘Anarchist’ Seattle, Portland and New York allowed violence during protests, feds say
New tool shows economic impact of COVID-19 across Washington state

Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County office closes after COVID-19 exposure
Jefferson County commissioners rank CARES act proposals

Puget Sound Business Journal
Study: Cascadia region needs to develop hubs to absorb growth
Facebook vows to restrict users if US election descends into chaos
As school begins, mothers working retail jobs feel extra burden
Jay Powell says US small businesses may need ‘direct fiscal support’
Seattle Pacific University will cut tuition 25% in fall 2021
Seattle City Council will examine all new legislation through a climate crisis lens
Snohomish County International Airport gets $5.5M grant
Travel leaders test Covid-19 safety measures at Canadian border

Seattle Times (subscription required)
‘Unfathomable’: US death toll from coronavirus hits 200,000
As wildfire smoke clears, King County’s airport communities continue fight for clean air
State launches data dashboard to track COVID-19’s impact on Washington economy
Seattle City Council to vote Tuesday on Mayor Durkan’s budget vetoes; potential deal would undo policing changes
Seattle police end effort to get unpublished media photos and videos from protests

Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley School District to move to hybrid model
Burn bans loosened as air quality improves

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Satterberg responds to ‘anarchist jurisdictions’ label by DOJ

Spokesman Review
Elections officials say they have confidence in Washington’s mail voting system
Washington lawmakers hail passage of bills addressing missing and murdered Native women
Opinion: Peg Richards: Eviction moratorium provides short-term protections, but renters still face long-term challenges

Tri-City Herald
WSU Tri-Cities plans community virtual sessions on race and equity
Fewer weekend COVID cases in Tri-Cities. Drive-thru testing hours cutting back
Federal audit finds Hanford workers put at risk by inadequate respirator maintenance

USA Today
US reaches 200K coronavirus deaths as Trump praises administration for doing ‘phenomenal job’ with pandemic
Opinion: 200,000 dead: COVID-19 is creating ruinous economic damage that will take years to repair
Health care law faces another Supreme Court showdown, this time without Justice Ginsburg’s vote
Republicans likely have enough support for a vote on Trump’s Supreme Court nominee after Romney backs push to fill vacancy
President Donald Trump to announce Supreme Court nominee to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on Saturday

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Dixie school’s enrollment doubles with in-person opening
Committee suggests suspending plastic recycling
City leaders decide against changes to tattoo policy
COVID-19 numbers plateau in Eastern Washington
Seven new cases of COVID-19 identified in local long-term care facilities
County leaders make plans to mitigate local disasters
Highway 12 reopens amid firefighting effort
Cold Creek Fire 28% contained as of Saturday night, with more progress expected
Editorial: Local schools wisely work to get kids back in classroom
Yakima Herald-Republic: Review of Sheriff’s Office use of force logs shows Native Americans involved at a higher level
WaPo: Justice Department targets New York, Seattle, and Portland over protests

Washington Post
Romney backs voting this year on Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg
A new conservative Supreme Court justice could boost religious rights at the cost of LGBTQ protections
Romney becomes the latest Republican to offer a dubious historic rationale to side with Trump
Pentagon used taxpayer money meant for masks and swabs to make jet engine parts and body armor
‘A state of emergency’: Louisville braces for grand jury decision in Breonna Taylor case
DeVos appears to be under investigation for violating Hatch Act
A Google employee is suing for discrimination. He wants to know if Google can use his data against him.
White House recommends Ryan Maue, meteorologist and critic of dire climate predictions, for NOAA chief scientist
Key GOP senators introduce bill to give airlines $28 billion more in payroll aid
Stocks keep sliding as investors realize Washington won’t agree on new stimulus

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima Health District could announce approval of students’ return to campus – gradually
Pumpkin patches and corn mazes now OK in Yakima County
Two pieces of legislation addressing MMIW crisis on their way to the White House

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Seattle City Council will vote Tuesday over Mayor Durkan’s budget vetoes
Report: Boeing could move 787 operations from Everett to South Carolina
CDC issues Halloween guidance, discourages traditional trick-or-treating
Neighbors wonder what’s in the air near Kenmore asphalt plant

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
City Council to decide whether to override Mayor Durkan’s veto of police budget cut
Police advisory committee recommends changes to proposed Tacoma body camera policies
Students see big changes on UW move-in day
City announces free Stay Healthy permits that allow people to temporarily block off streets
DOJ officially names Seattle as 1 of 3 cities permitting violence, destruction
UPS to hire 1,800 seasonal employees in Seattle area for holiday season
Commerce department launches interactive dashboard to track economic recovery across state
Wildfires leave migrant workers homeless, jobless in Eastern Washington
Some King County cities reopening parks, playgrounds as people practice responsible social distancing

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Seattle Police drop subpoena requesting media’s footage of downtown riots May 30
Thousands of UW students set to move into resident halls for fall semester
Mayors of Portland, Seattle, NYC say Trump playing political games with federal funds
Gresham firefighter recalls horror of battling Almeda Fire in southern Oregon
Boeing nears decision on closing down 787 Dreamliner assembly in Everett
Seattle City Council mulls compromise that would undo proposed SPD cuts
Declining COVID-19 cases spurs questions about reopening the state
KOMO News, Strategies 360 release exclusive voter poll on major state races and issues

KNKX FM
Economic recovery will be long and slow in Washington, state commerce officials say
New momentum to retire Native-themed mascots at Washington state schools (Lekanoff)
Experts: We’re entering ‘disillusionment’ phase of the pandemic; mental health may decline

KUOW FM
Return to school in October: Seattle-area schools plan for hybrid model
Blog: Pandemic updates in Washington state
As U.S. Nears 200,000 Dead, Hospital Staff Reflect On Those Lost

Q13 TV (Fox)
Seattle City Council set to vote on whether to override Durkan’s veto of SPD budget cuts
Boeing 787 consolidation could mean 10,000+ jobs
Pumpkin patches, corn mazes can open in more counties under new guidelines
Oversight committee among recommendations for police body cameras in Tacoma

Web

Crosscut
How British Columbia protects its people from wildfire smoke
Opinion: Ruth Bader Ginsburg taught me not to panic

MyNorthwest.com
AG labeling Seattle an ‘anarchist’ city is ‘abhorrent,’ ‘blatantly unlawful’ say city leaders
SDOT, artists to recreate Black Lives Matter mural after botched preservation
COVID-19 updates: Seattle now issuing ‘Stay Healthy Block Permits’
Closure of two Seattle piers hurting waterfront businesses
Seattle University law prof: For civility, we should restore filibuster and not pack the court

Slog
The Press Must Tell It Like It Is: Mitch McConnell Is Not a Hypocrite, He Is a Liar
Not ALL of the Waterfront Is Collapsing—There’s Nice New Stuff Opening Too

Monday, September 21

Ruth Bader Gingsburg was the ‘just right’ justice
This slow talker, ruthless editor and die-hard romantic wanted to make sure that every woman could find her best place, whether in a military-academy classroom, on the floor of a factory or behind the wheel of a minivan. She wanted the women who came after her to have the chance to get things — for themselves, as she did so often for herself — just right. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Alex Brandon)

Small slip of paper stands between Pacific Islanders in Washington and unemployment benefits
While people from these Pacific Island nations can freely live and work in the United States, they are ineligible for many federal programs available to immigrants. “Now we’re coming to the U.S., but we really don’t have any help from you,” [Cecilia Takiah] Heine said. “When you needed our help, we gave it to you so you could win your Cold War.” Continue reading at KUOW.

Wildfire smoke’s health impacts have only just begun
Hazy, orange skies can cause anxiety that lasts years after a smoke event, and may even harm unborn children. And with climate change, more wildfire smoke is coming. But what we’re doing to prepare is inadequate, with poor communities, people of color, and outdoor laborers most vulnerable to dangerous exposure. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Climate Central)

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Associated Press
Cities creating racial ‘healing’ committees to confront past
Underwater and on fire: US climate change magnifies extremes
The Latest: Ginsburg’s body to lie in repose at court
US household wealth hits record even as economy struggles
Push is underway to test COVID-19 vaccines in diverse groups
Tree on power line apparent start for one Washington fire
Sorry, boomers: millennials and younger are new US majority
Software flaw hid signs of $576 million state unemployment fraud, officials say
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87
Vandalism, no arrests, as protests continue in Portland
Washington State deputy fatally shoots man, placed on leave
Wildfires and hurricanes disrupt final weeks of 2020 census
Court to decide if electronic signatures OK for initiatives
COVID-19 testing decrease due wildfires and poor air quality
Police fatally shoot woman in Redmond, Washington
NY judge: Postal service must timely process election mail
Seattle closes another pier after collapse of Pier 58
After wildfire smoke clears, protests resume in Portland
Washington state gov., others react to Ginsburg’s death
Watchdog: Seattle officer’s pepper-spraying kid unintended
Wildfire smoke leaves lung damage long after air clears
Firefighters battle exhaustion along with wildfire flames

Aberdeen Daily World
Coronavirus cases continue climb in county
Home COVID-19 test kits available free for qualified individuals
Op-ed: Claims of a rigged election? Here’s how Congress could save our democracy from vote-count chaos
Op-ed: Jobs vs. environment is a false choice — set the bar higher

Auburn Reporter
Should state cover school bus costs if there are no riders?
Auburn strips misdemeanor penalty from overnight camping law

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Bellingham City Council takes this step to create a mental-health crisis response team
Coronavirus updates: State passes 82k cases
Bellingham’s ‘overwhelmingly white’ demographics reflected in city hiring
Here’s a second, real-world look at Washington’s new stop-as-yield law for cyclists

Capital Press
Final push on for Northwest pear harvest
Environmentalists seek grazing injunction in national forest
Firefighters battle exhaustion along with wildfire flames
Marketing association optimistic about hard-hit sheep industry

Columbian
Clark County health officials see COVID-19 ramifications from air pollution

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Suicide Prevention Month a reminder that help is available
New U.S. 2 roundabout sought by state, Sultan at Main Street
Yes, you could get the flu and COVID-19, so get a flu shot
Should state cover school bus costs if there are no riders?
Snohomish chooses interim police chief to fill position
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
WaPo Commentary: Ruth Bader Gingsburg was the ‘just right’ justice
WaPo Commentary: Conservative media torturing logic on new justice
Editorial: Let’s clear the air on wildfires, climate change

Highline Times
HERBOLD: Updates from SDOT on Reconnect West Seattle

The Inlander
Hazardous air quality sets Inland Northwest record, expected to continue this week

Islands’ Weekly
New Jpod calf

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Northwest’s new wildfire danger: ‘It could happen anywhere in Kitsap’
Voting information postcards are being sent by USPS but confusing some Washington voters
KEDA picks Port Orchard resident as new executive director
Good news: Smoke not likely to return. Bad news: Neither is the summer weather
Favorite local hiking spot Green Mountain’s in for some changes
Nimitz sails through Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf
There’s more than $4 million for housing assistance in Kitsap. Local officials want to make sure it gets spent.

News Tribune (subscription required)
Pierce County’s newest transportation system has a name we can all get behind
Pierce County reports 36 new COVID-19 cases
Coronavirus updates: State passes 82k cases
‘No more wind.’ WA state utility questions efficacy of wind farms for power generation
Lab coats and fighting fires while social distancing are now norm for these firefighters
Jim Walton, Tacoma icon of Civil Rights Era, joins News Tribune Editorial Board
Tacoma must confront white moderate fear of protesters. That’s what MLK would want

New York Times
To Conservatives, Barrett Has ‘Perfect Combination’ of Attributes for Supreme Court
Denial and Defiance: Trump and His Base Downplay the Virus Ahead of the Election
Stocks Tumble as Surge in Virus Cases Imperils Recovery: Live Updates
Some Protests Against Police Brutality Take a More Confrontational Approach
Many Hospitals Charge More Than Twice What Medicare Pays for the Same Care
‘We May Be Surprised Again’: An Unpredictable Pandemic Takes a Terrible Toll

Olympian (subscription required)
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies of cancer at age 87
Washington state reports 349 new COVID-19 cases
Thurston County ends week with 41 COVID-19 cases, lowest weekly total since late June
Thurston commissioner asked for candidate’s private information from county HR department
Proposed residential zoning code changes will be heard Wednesday. Here’s what they mean
Judge agrees to delay US government restrictions on WeChat
‘Give the president space.’ Trump aides ask conservatives for trust on Supreme Court

Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County scrambling to make most of CARES Act money
Two virus cases reported in Clallam County
Breathe deep: Air quality good on Peninsula
COVID-19 cases staying down on Peninsula

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing offers $700,000 to help wildfire victims along the West Coast
U.S. judge temporarily halts Trump’s WeChat ban

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Coronavirus in Washington: Positivity rates, cases, deaths all trending downward
CDC quietly issues new guidance on how coronavirus spreads
Investigation into Manuel Ellis’ killing by Tacoma police flawed from the start
Why Washington state’s guidelines to open schools are more cautious than others
Pandemic scrambles the local job market: Despite deep unemployment, some employers still can’t hire fast enough
‘Once school starts, I am not going to be OK’: Remote learning during COVID-19 has Seattle-area parents learning their own limits
How an unprecedented, indefinite crisis forced education leaders to change the ways school districts operate
Air quality returns to normal in nearly every corner of Washington state
Auburn man killed by King County deputy was unarmed but police were told he had a gun, sister says
Redmond police fatally shoot woman at apartment building

Skagit Valley Herald
Pressures build on parents juggling jobs, virtual learning
State: Protect your mental health through ‘rough times’
Organizations team up on child care initiative

Snoqualmie Valley Record
Should state cover school bus costs if there are no riders?
Opinion: It’s time to revisit how we manage forests | Brunell

Spokesman Review
‘Excitingness’: Drive-in movie shows promising sign for a cultural shift, viewers say
‘Titan,’ ‘folk hero’ and ‘American patriot’: The Northwest remembers Ginsburg
How to prevent another 2020 fire season? Northwest lawmakers call for more resources
Providers, public health officials stress the importance of getting a flu shot, especially in the midst of a pandemic
Shawn Vestal: Author explores the web of history and race tied to 2013 Spokane killing
Spokane judge weighs arguments in Planned Parenthood legal battle
Washington farmworkers push through hazardous smoke to feed America with little choice
With temporary restraining order, judge signals Stevens County commissioners ejected from office
Opinion: Larry Haskell: Euality v. equity: Not just semantics

Tri-City Herald
CBC enrollment drops by hundreds. Other colleges are hurting more
COVID pandemic pushes changes for Yakima Valley hop growers
Tri-Cities crowd mourns late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
31 small COVID outbreaks in Tri-Cities schools, child care centers, restaurants and more
Wildfire smoke blankets harvest season with no clear rules to protect farm workers
CBC digs in on new $30 million student recreation center
Fewer than 20 new COVID cases in Tri-Cities. Heart problems being reported
CBC student ambassadors pivotal during pandemic
Editorial: Tri-City schools can open soon, but what happens when a student gets COVID?
Op-Ed: Forestry, not climate policy, needed to prevent wildfires

USA Today
DOJ names New York City, Portland, Seattle ‘anarchist jurisdictions’ that could lose federal funding
Donald Trump: I’ll probably announce Supreme Court pick on Friday or Saturday
A fall ‘twindemic’? As US nears 200,000 coronavirus deaths, experts fear COVID-19, flu may be a deadly combo

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Investigation: As wildfire smoke permeates even indoors, is government doing enough?
Smaller school districts prepare to reopen in the Valley
Walla Walla County reports dropping rates of COVID-19
Community vigil honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg
As smoke lifts, the Valley breathes easy again
More grant funds available to assist small businesses through pandemic
Oregonians quarantining because of COVID-19 now eligible for state leave payments
Walla Walla School District considers transition to classes for pre-K-second grades

Washington Post
Ginsburg to lie in repose before Trump nominates replacement
CDC reverses itself and says guidelines it posted on coronavirus airborne transmission were wrong
The N95 shortage America can’t seem to fix
How the GOP is trying to justify its Supreme Court reversal
Justice Dept. targets Portland, New York and Seattle over protests
White bar owner charged in fatal shooting of Black protester dies by suicide, attorneys say
A police shooting ignited unrest in Kenosha. Current and former officers say the department’s problems with race go much deeper.
TikTok tussle shows the uneven economic ‘decoupling’ that has accelerated between U.S. and China

West Seattle Herald
Herbold: Updates from SDOT on Reconnect West Seattle

Yakima Herald Republic
Cold Creek Fire 28% contained as of Saturday night, with more progress expected
Yakima police doing away with chokeholds for all-but-lethal encounters
Blue sky a welcome sight after a week of smoke
An all-out effort to get pandemic grants to businesses in need in Yakima County
Health district: 31 new coronavirus cases reported Saturday
Opinion: Transparency is welcome as we try to learn from tragic case of Tiffany Eubanks

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Dept. of Justice says Seattle is ‘permitting violence and destruction of property’
$300 boost for Washington’s unemployed becomes available Sept. 21
Northwest Response: Help Washington and Oregon residents affected by wildfires
CDC acknowledges coronavirus often spreads through aerosols
University of Washington provides inside look on admissions process to be ‘transparent’

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Woman fatally shot by Redmond police
Wildfires leave migrant workers homeless, jobless in Eastern Washington
Tree falling on power line apparently caused wildfire in Malden, utility company says
1 shot near Pioneer Square
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87
Western Washington finally getting some healthy air
City of Seattle closes Pier 57 for public safety
Beloved family-owned hardware store closing its doors after almost 90 years in business
Sergeant did not intentionally target boy with pepper spray at protest
Small business owners say WeChat ban will hurt Seattle, Eastside companies

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
DOJ identifies Seattle as city ‘permitting violence and destruction of property’
Washington ranks as No. 1 best state for teachers, study finds

KNKX FM
Experts: We’re entering ‘disillusionment’ phase of the pandemic; mental health may decline
State geologists warn of increased landslide risk following Western Washington wildfires

KUOW FM
Small slip of paper stands between Pacific Islanders in Washington and unemployment benefits
Trump Says He Plans To Announce Supreme Court Pick Friday Or Saturday

Q13 TV (Fox)
Feds deem Seattle, Portland, New York City as ‘anarchist jurisdiction’
Report says Boeing moving 787 production out of Everett
The Divide: New Seattle police chief bends city council’s ear on defund efforts
Commentary: Pointing fingers won’t prevent wildfires

Web

Crosscut
Wildfire smoke’s health impacts have only just begun
New Seattle pantries fight food insecurity one fridge at a time
What’s stopping King County from opening more homeless shelters?

Slog
Washington May Have Saved the U.S. Postal Service
Fact Check: No, the Sex Ed Bill Does Not Force Schools to Teach 4th Graders Sexual Positions

Friday, September 18

As we near 6 months in Washington’s stay-home order, mental health experts warn that things may get worse
You’ve been self-isolating, working in your pajamas and ordering everything online. Every trip to the grocery store is a white-knuckle adventure through a claustrophobic hellscape, recently under “Blade Runner” skies, and it’s hard to carry on normal, everyday conversations with … anybody. You think it can’t get any worse as we approach and pass 200,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. Well, we’re here with some bad news: just wait. We’re about to hit rock bottom. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kira Mauseth)

Washington’s prison system backs reform
The state’s prison system now appears ready to lead the type of changes supported for years by activists and some legislators to counter increasingly long sentences, startling racial disproportionality and what is often termed mass incarceration. While the state’s incarceration rate has dipped roughly 9% over the last decade, and is lower than the national average, it is still more than double what it was in 1980. Continue reading at The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. (Mike Siegel)

Incoming storm may aid smoky skies
Thanks to a storm front sweeping in from off the coast, forecasters say people in Western Washington will be breathing easier this weekend as marine air and widespread rain clear out most of the region’s lingering wildfire smoke. Coastal communities and other low-lying parts of the North Olympic Peninsula got a brief taste Thursday morning of the cleaner air to come after receiving some overnight rainfall. Continue reading at Peninsula Daily News. (Nicholas Johnson)

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Associated Press
Lightning storm, easterly wind: How the wildfires got so bad
U.S. judge in Yakima blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail
Justice Dept.: Sedition charge may apply to protest violence
Oregon man charged with setting arson fire
Fed sees rates near zero through 2023, perhaps longer
Man sentenced to repay millions in marijuana lab explosion
Storms in Oregon’s forecast could suppress or spread fires
Coronavirus cases in Oregon top 30,000
Downed power lines sparked 13 Oregon fires
US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail
2 test positive for COVID-19 after clean-air shelter stay
County exec pitches diversion program, sheriff’s office cuts
Fish in Oregon hatcheries die, released early as fires rage
A U.S. judge has blocked Postal Service changes that slowed mail and prompted concerns about absentee voting
Court: Public employees who leave union can’t recover dues

Auburn Reporter
Kent Hay prods homeless from sleeping in Auburn parks

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Inslee talks about mental health resources for Washingtonians during disasters
Federal judge in WA state issues injunction halting changes that could lead to mail delays
Watch: Gov. Jay Inslee spoke Thursday on COVID-19, wildfires in Washington state
Anti-mask pastor hosts church gathering of hundreds in Washington, officials say
When will the wildfire smoke finally clear out and Whatcom’s skies begin to clear?
Amid ‘COVID fatigue,’ Western launches student-to-student safety campaign
Whatcom County sees six more COVID-19 cases, state reports Thursday
After nearly 2 weeks, Bellingham hospital fixes water issue and is open for surgeries
No more free parking in downtown Bellingham as the coronavirus waiver ends. Here’s when

Capital Press
Smoke, wildfires challenge West Coast wine industry
$3 million gift establishes plant pathology endowment at WSU
Inslee: Rule coming on masks for farmworkers
La Nina expected to stay through winter in Northwest
WDFW ends bid to kill Leadpoint pack wolves
Apple maggots linked to Washington governor’s fruit

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Elementary students are preparing to return to classrooms
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Bloomberg Comment: Homebuilders need help to meet housing demand

Islands’ Weekly
Yes, you could get the flu and COVID-19, so get a flu shot

Issaquah Reporter
Two patients contracted COVID-19 while at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Shooter at Poulsbo crash: ‘It was not something that I wanted to do at all’
Track coach, Navy veteran Earl Sincere dies from COVID-19
St. Michael outbreak could be declared over by health officials next week
Bainbridge schools may reopen to youngest students in mid-October
Bainbridge Island Land Trust eyes large new forest preserve, end of capital campaign
Kitsap’s indoor sports centers join state alliance

News Tribune (subscription required)
Washington state reports 386 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and 11 deaths
Pierce County holding on to lower COVID-19 case totals but not yet ready for Phase 3
Editorial: Claims of Amazon pandemic price gouging cry out for Washington state AG investigation
Tacoma homeless shelter has new role in COVID-19 pandemic: Helping to educate kids
Anti-mask pastor hosts church gathering of hundreds in Washington, officials say

New York Times
Trump Administration to Ban TikTok and WeChat From U.S. App Stores
Housekeepers Face a Disaster Generations in the Making
What Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks Mean for Global Warming
Hurricane Sally’s Fierce Rain Shows How Climate Change Raises Storm Risks
As Wildfires Rage, California Presses Insurers to Cut Rates

Olympian (subscription required)
Coronavirus updates: Inslee discusses mental health resources for Washingtonians; Tacoma shelters face new challenges
Thurston County announces 16th COVID-19 death, plus 5 more cases
Portland shooting suspect Michael Reinoehl pointed gun at officers, investigators say

Peninsula Daily News
Incoming storm may aid smoky skies
Clallam board of health hears good news
Cooke, tribe still plan fish farm in Port Angeles Harbor
Delays planned at La Poel Creek for culvert installation
Nearly 2,000 get CARES Act help in Port Angeles
One new COVID-19 case in Clallam County

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle businesses urge councilmembers to sign Small Business Pledge, but no one has so far
TikTok to be banned from US app stores from Sunday
Unable to pay rent, small businesses hope for a deal with their landlord
Private tutors, pop-up schools or nothing at all: How employers are helping parents
Small tech stocks soar as the future arrives early

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Washington prison system may lead effort to cut inmate population, amid COVID-19 and protests over racial injustice (Goodman, Darneille, Dhingra)
Smoke expected to drift away from Seattle area, but weather drama isn’t over
Coronavirus daily news updates, September 18: What to know today about COVID-19 in the Seattle area, Washington state and the world
How wildfire smoke driving people inside lately could affect the spread of the new coronavirus
Another landlord group sues Seattle over eviction moratoriums
After prostitution arrest, Seattle police captain got preferential treatment from fellow officers
As we near 6 months in Washington’s stay-home order, mental health experts warn that things may get worse
DeVos vows to withhold desegregation aid to schools over transgender athletes
Hiring plummets in Washington state as employers look to an uncertain autumn and a long recovery
Federal judge orders Postal Service to halt changes that could slow election mail, ruling in favor of Washington Attorney General Ferguson

Skagit Valley Herald
Air quality expected to improve
County fish projects land grant money

Tri-City Herald
Franklin COVID case drop stalls without meeting rate needed for school reopening
When exactly will the smoke clear in Tri-Cities? And will storms cause more fires

USA Today
Coronavirus updates: USPS scrapped plan to send 650M masks to Americans; public still split on COVID-19 vaccine; Las Vegas bars to reopen
Alleged unwanted hysterectomies and other abuses at ICE facility prompts investigation
‘This is going to bankrupt me’: Americans rack up $45B worth of medical debt in collections

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Putting their lives on the fire line
Local farmers markets socked by air quality
Oregon and Washington roll out changes to pandemic response
Seattle Times: Washington’s prison system backs reform

Washington Post
Trump administration bans WeChat, TikTok from app stores beginning on Sunday
Dwindling ranks and declining public trust plague police agencies amid summer of protests
Trump contradicts health advisers on coronavirus vaccine timetable as death toll mounts
U.S.-Mexico border closure extended days after State Dept. lifts ‘do not travel’ advisory
Judges in D.C. threatened, harassed after high-profile, political legal battles
Trump alleges ‘left-wing indoctrination’ in schools, says he will create national commission to push more ‘pro-American’ history

Yakima Herald Republic
Fair Food Fest officially underway — and it’s something
A welcome break from smoke expected Saturday in Yakima area
Cold Creek Fire at White Pass reaches 400 acres
25 new COVID-19 cases, one more death reported Thursday in Yakima County

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
“I knew what I was getting into” Seattle’s new top cop intends to improve morale, 911 response
Air quality improving with thunder possible; more relief on the way
Health officials worry about mental health due to COVID-19, now smoke
COVID-19 restrictions wreak wedding chaos for Washington couples
Hacker breaks into remote-learning class; posts messages using the ‘n-word’

KNKX FM
State geologists warn of increased landslide risk following Western Washington wildfires
Beware of scams when buying individual health plans in Washington
Take the Mic: An entire family weighs in on the pros and cons of online learning
LISTEN: Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan discusses the many challenges facing her city

KUOW FM
U.S. To Bar Downloads Of TikTok, WeChat
The presence of wildfire smoke could have you feeling bad — and not for the reason you think
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in the NW
Nursing Homes Given Federal Go-Ahead To Allow More Visitors
We Do Belong Here’: Father Teaches Daughter To Have Black Pride
What these Seattle-area kids have to say about online school

Web

Crosscut
When White Salmon, WA, had the world’s worst air quality
Opinion: Joining the fight for racial justice? Learn to find accountable leaders
QAnon conspiracy theories have seeped into Northwest politics
Why the West Seattle Bridge should be named for Jimi Hendrix
Opinion: Inmate fire crews, essential to WA fire fighting, deserve better
PNW wildfire smoke has outdoor workers worried — and sick

Slog
How Wildfire Smoke Is Wrecking the Chemical Composition of American Wine

Thursday, September 17

Thousands of acres still burning in Washington, though fires are nearing containment
Crews fighting large fires in Eastern Washington are nearing full containment, while North Idaho fires will likely take weeks to get there, according to incident overviews Wednesday. Here’s a rundown of the latest from the fire lines. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Thomas Clouse)

UW student sues for refund after virus sends classes online
graduate student at the University of Washington filed a lawsuit demanding tuition reimbursement after the school shifted most of its classes online for the remainder of the year. Alexander Barry wrote in the complaint filed Wednesday in King County Superior Court that he paid the university for “opportunities and services that he did not receive, including on-campus education, facilities, services, and activities.” Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Elaine Thompson)

WA teacher of the year is from Parkland. She’s not afraid to tackle issues like racism
There’s a quote by Black writer and activist Alice Walker on the wall of Brooke Brown’s 12th grade classroom at Washington High School in Parkland, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Brown, a teacher in the Franklin Pierce School District for 14 years, said it’s a quote she refers to a lot. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Drew Perine)

Print

Associated Press
Fed sees rates near zero through 2023, perhaps longer
Inslee broke law by bringing apples to fire-ravaged areas
UW student sues for refund after virus sends classes online
In Brief: Downed power lines sparked 13 Oregon fires
Oregon reduces number of confirmed wildfire fatalities
US-Canadian border closure could extend through at least Thanksgiving
Alaska Airlines resumes flights with new smoke protocols
Feds explored possibly charging Portland officials in unrest
300 chiropractic office visitors urged to quarantine
Wildfire smoke brings haze, vivid sunsets to East Coast
Endangered wildlife, habitat burned in Washington’s wildfires
University of Washington student sues for tuition refund
Western wildfire smoke causes East Coast haze, vivid sunsets
300 and counting: Push by feds to arrest in US protests
The Latest: Downed power lines sparked 13 Oregon fires
Seattle to be investigated after the collapse of a city pier
Seattle police arrest 11 during anti-police rally
Seeping under doors, bad air from West’s fires won’t ease up

Capital Press
Washington falls short in meeting goals for thinning forests

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Auditor: $300,000 unaccounted for from Monte Cristo cleanup
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
COVID-19 updates about returning to school
Bloomberg Commentary: The 737 Max debacle won’t be the end of Boeing

Highline Times
2021 King County budget proposal highlights re-direction of funds, and rethinking of law enforcement

Island’s Weekly
Registered voters do not need to request a mail-in ballot
Ecology is accepting comments on draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture
A very COVID Great Islands Clean Up

Issaquah Reporter
Virtual town halls coming up for unincorporated King County
Constantine highlights anti-racism, criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
COVID-19 outbreak at Port Orchard nursing home linked to 16 cases
Fire crews snuff East Bremerton brush fire
Pac-12 football plans remain in holding pattern

News Tribune (subscription required)
Pierce County faces reckoning as report shows Black people arrested disproportionately
Washington state reports 347 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday and 5 deaths
WA teacher of the year is from Parkland. She’s not afraid to tackle issues like racism
Many homeless people in Tacoma say they want to live outside. Why not let them?
Probe continues in Gig Harbor hospital COVID-19 outbreak; 4 workers in quarantine
‘This is the dirtiest air we’ve had to breathe as a state;’ Smoke to get worse Wednesday

Olympian (subscription required)
Washington state COVID-19 guidance for weddings and funerals has been updated
Beware of scammers if you find yourself shopping for low-cost insurance in Washington
Governor delivers maggot-infested apples to areas devastated by fires, WA officials say
Thurston County COVID-19 cases rise by 10 to 1,107
Big Ten football is back. What will it take for the Pac-12 to return?
Rain showers Thursday evening could calm smoky skies
Pregnant women in prison could see health care improve under House legislation
Olympia City Council approves resolution to be more inclusive
Court orders ‘arrest’ of ferry docked at Port of Olympia marine terminal

Peninsula Daily News
No action taken against Sequim mayor over QAnon comments
Storm raises hopes about clearing smoky air
Two new COVID-19 cases added in Clallam County

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington unemployment rate falls to 8.5%
Why unemployment claims may be overcounted by millions
Fed pledges low rates for years, and until inflation picks up

Skagit Valley Herald
Farms receive respiratory masks to protect workers from smoke
Group begins culvert replacement project
Emergency declared ahead of annual Clear Lake flooding

Spokesman Review
Thousands of acres still burning in Washington, though fires are nearing containment
Facebook to buy REI’s new headquarters near Seattle
Inslee brings infected apples on visits to fire areas

Tri-City Herald
Washington state tops 80,000 cases and 2,000 deaths. Tri-Cities improving
Dirtiest in a decade. Smoky Tri-Cities air better but still very unhealthy
Tri-Cities schools look to reopen soon with ‘hybrid’ learning. What that means

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Air filters flying off local store shelves
Lower number of new COVID-19 case counts reported in area
Wildfire at White Pass at 100 acres; U.S. Highway 12 closed

Washington Post
Newly revealed USPS documents show an agency struggling to manage Trump, Amazon and the pandemic
Federal officials stockpiled munitions, sought ‘heat ray’ device before clearing Lafayette Square, whistleblower says
Is the coronavirus spreading silently among kids? Testing limits make it hard to tell.
The Energy 202: California’s fires are putting a huge amount of carbon dioxide into the air
Six months, and a grim milestone: 26th-straight week of record-level unemployment claims
Trump’s plan for managing forests won’t save us in a more flammable world, experts say
Pandemic isolation has killed thousands of Alzheimer’s patients while families watch from afar

Yakima Herald Republic
Fire near White Pass grows to 252 acres, 5% containment
Labor Day winds blow down apple harvest forecast
Yakima County COVID-19 count hits 12,000 with 32 new cases Wednesday
State funding will allow Yakima to expand educational program aimed at gangs

Broadcast

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
’Anti-mask’ pastor with nationwide following packs Snohomish church
AG Barr asked federal prosecutors to explore criminal charges against Seattle Mayor Durkan over CHOP, report says
Smoky haze continues but improvement expected this weekend
Pierce County faces reckoning as report shows Black people arrested disproportionately
Washington struggles with contact tracing
‘It’s historically bad’: Department of Ecology calls stretch of hazardous air in state unprecedented
UW student files lawsuit against school, seeks repayment for tuition, fees amid COVID-19
Pandemic
King County executive proposes new budget that includes cuts to the sheriff’s office
Food insecurity spikes sharply among Black and Hispanic families

Web

MyNorthwest.com
Report: AG Barr ‘exploring’ criminal charges for Mayor Durkan over CHOP
UW grad student seeks repayment for tuition, fees paid during COVID closure
Senator urges stiff penalties for Gov. Inslee after apple maggot mistake
Puget Sound air quality ‘a little better’ as smoke slowly begins to improve
COVID-19 updates: Gov. Inslee updates guidance for weddings, funerals

Slog
The Old Fear of a Black Planet Will Cause Many White Women to Vote for Trump
Coming Soon to Seattle: Weird-Looking Semi-Flying Boats
Rep. Jayapal Leads Call for DHS to Investigate “Uterus Collector” Complaint

Wednesday, September 16

Seattle could pave the way to a national UBI
In January of this year, state Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-West Seattle, introduced legislation for a pilot that would grant 500 adults $500 a month for 18 months. Nguyen sees a guaranteed income as creating a foundation of economic stability, giving low-income people a little more clout — or freedom — in the labor market. “You shouldn’t have to take any job at any wage, any conditions of work,” he says. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)

Wildfire smoke and COVID-19 can combine into big threat for patients
The levels of particulate matter in the air is decreasing nationally, except in the Pacific Northwest, researchers at the University of Washington have found. Their analysis predicts that most areas in the Northwest, with the exception of the Portland-Seattle corridor, show a positive growth trend in PM2.5 due to wildfires. The realities of climate change will be present for the foreseeable future. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency)

Food insecurity rates have more than doubled since start of COVID-19 pandemic
Since the onset of the pandemic, food insecurity rates have more than doubled in our state. That’s according to researchers at the University of Washington who have just compiled the results from their first round of a statewide survey. It was done this summer in cooperation with Washington State University and Tacoma Community College, as well as partners in local, county and state governments. Continue reading at KNKX. (Parker MIles Blohm)