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Thursday, May 21

All 50 States Are Now Reopening. But at What Cost?
The United States has crossed an uneasy threshold with all 50 states beginning to reopen in some way, two months after the coronavirus thrust the country into lockdown. But there are vast variations in how states are deciding to open up, with some forging far ahead of others. Continue reading at The New York Times. (Jessica Hill)

How an army of Washington contact tracers is fighting coronavirus
In a cubicle farm on the fourth floor of a state office building lie the seeds of Washington’s next effort to slow and eventually halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. This is Task Force Kokanee, named for the landlocked salmon, part of the state’s effort to expand tracking and tracing of the virus, and hopefully hem it in, like the salmon. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Mark Nowlin)

Washington sees record unemployment rate of 15.4% in April
Washington’s unemployment rate shot up to a record 15.4% in April and the state’s economy lost 527,000 jobs last month as a result of the economic downturn from the coronavirus pandemic. That’s the highest jobless rate the state has seen since it started keeping comparable records in the 1970s. Continue reading at The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. (Elaine Thompson)

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Associated Press
Washington contract tracers making calls to help fight virus
US: Weasel-like mammal endangered in southern Sierra Nevada
Colleges plan fall opening, but campuses won’t look the same
‘Invisible demon’: Virus hits even top-rated nursing homes
Unemployment rate in Washington reaches record high in April
Annual Seafair festival in Seattle canceled
EPA says federal dams raise water temperature in Snake River
Wolves attack 2 more calves, state considering response
Washington sees record unemployment rate of 15.4% in April
EPA says federal dams raise water temperature in Snake River
State Patrol urges caution for motorcycle riders
Amazon starts hiring 2,000 workers in Spokane suburb
Oregon faces 11% drop in revenue; GOP leader blames Brown

Aberdeen Daily World
Splash Festival, County Fair canceled
Razor clam digs officially over for the season
Local small businesses get emergency grants to survive COVID-19 closures
Commentary: Free market ideology won’t help us during the COVID-19 crisis. Here’s what would

Auburn Reporter
Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn to reopen May 26

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Whatcom County reports three new coronavirus cases Wednesday, but no deaths
SeaFeast and Farmers Day parade join coronavirus cancellations. Seattle’s Seafair, too
Gov. Jay Inslee schedules 11:30 a.m. Thursday press conference to discuss restarting faith-based services
Washington state reports 160 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths Wednesday
Fifth gray whale washes ashore in Washington this year. What’s going on?
Coronavirus updates: Inslee issues guidance for real estate, fitness in Phase 2
‘It’s all your fault.’ Man shoves and spits on Asian couple in video, Washington cops say

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Everett sheds more than 160 employees as part of budget cuts
Snohomish County settles lawsuit over 2016 park rape for $1.95 million
COVID-19 and contact tracing
WaPo: Commentary: CDC is a national treasure; it must be reformed
Letter: Don’t trade my safety for a hair cut
Letter: Don’t discount the economic impacts of stay-home orders
Letter: Let boomers make own decision on when it’s safe to go out

Federal Way Mirror
Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn to reopen May 26

The Inlander
How Gov. Inslee’s stay-home order has inflamed tensions between competing and feuding businesses

Islands’ Weekly
An infodemic

Issaquah Reporter
Motorcycle fatality increase a cause for concern | Washington State Patrol

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Contractor encourages businesses to donate to local nonprofits
Comprehensive Plan update drafts available for review

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Gray whale carcass to be towed off Bainbridge beach for study
Active shooter ‘neutralized,’ one injured near Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi officials say

News Tribune (subscription required)
Retired general to get $20K monthly to advise Pierce County exec on COVID-19 recovery
Pierce County sees 10 new COVID-19 cases, one new death; cases at care facilities rise
T-shirts for a cause: #TacomaStrong campaign raises $30,000 for local businesses

New York Times
Coronavirus Cases Near 5 Million Across the Globe: Live Coverage
Many Jobs May Vanish Forever as Layoffs Mount
Trump Will Withdraw From ‘Open Skies’ Arms Control Treaty
All 50 States Are Now Reopening. But at What Cost?

Olympian (subscription required)
Washington state reports 160 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths Wednesday
Intercity Transit expects reduced level of service due to shortage of bus drivers
No ‘Music in the Park’ free concert series this year, Olympia Downtown Alliance says
Thurston County woman shot to death, husband booked on suspicion of murder
Coronavirus updates: State reaches 18,971 cases; contact tracing capacity expands
Gambling looks different as casinos reopen from coronavirus lockdowns. What changed?

Peninsula Daily News
City of Port Townsend approves utility relief fund
Phased reopening of Olympic Peninsula in the works
Clallam now on short list for Phase 2
Jefferson County elected officials in favor of applying for variance

Puget Sound Business Journal
Coronavirus shut down the ‘experience economy.’ Can it come back?
US jobless claims keep climbing to hit 38.6m since lockdowns
After coronavirus, office workers might face unexpected health threats
Seafair cancels 2020 events, including 4th of July fireworks, Torchlight parade, Blue Angels
Seattle hotel issues permanent layoff notices as state jobless rate tops 15%
Health care systems embark on a new frontier, and it’s all about economics
SBA’s PPP loan forgiveness application leaves unanswered questions
Commentary: Seattle public schools have taken a left turn

Renton Reporter
Op-ed: Motorcycle fatality increase a cause for concern | Washington State Patrol

Seattle Times (subscription required)
School ‘as usual’ is unlikely as Washington officials weigh options for next fall amid coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus brings ‘a whole other layer of trauma’ for workers who serve homeless people
How an army of Washington contact tracers is fighting coronavirus
Washington state adds more than 145,000 weekly jobless claims as coronavirus crisis lingers
Microsoft president urges Congress to fund rural broadband internet connectivity in wake of coronavirus

Skagit Valley Herald
Hospitals begin reopening non-emergency services
Virus cases dropping, but county not yet qualified for next phase
New report could guide regional steelhead recovery

Spokesman Review
Spokane County health officer makes masks mandatory in public – but rule won’t be enforced
Spokane County restaurants, retailers and salons gear up to reopen next week
Washington lost a half-million jobs in April; unemployment reaches 15%
Study shows most parents in Washington are worried their kids are falling behind in school

Tri-City Herald
This Tri-Cities store sold books for 46 years. It’s closing because of the coronavirus
2 more Tri-Cities coronavirus deaths. Known cases top 1,400
Molestation, abuse and ‘riot’ being investigated at Christian boarding school near Tri-Cities
Editorial: Division won’t help us reopen the economy. We need unity over COVID-19

USA Today
House plans to vote on changes to small business loan program to offer more flexibility

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Editorial: Oregon ruling on gubernatorial power could be first of many

Washington Post
Coronavirus hot spots erupt across the country; experts warn of second wave in South
NOAA predicts Atlantic hurricane season will be unusually active

Yakima Herald Republic
Yakima County infection rates still high; officials say COVID much worse than flu
Memorial Day traditions adjusted due to coronavirus pandemic

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Real-time updates: Washington State Fair still scheduled for September
Washington retailers worry about restrictions as they prepare to reopen
2019 Seattle radiation leak a ‘near miss’ to disaster, federal report finds
High COVID-19 infection rate in nursing homes could delay larger Washington counties from reopening
Kent cuts staff after facing $15 million budget shortfall

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Cantwell pushing for federal airline distancing guidelines
State rapidly training personnel to help with contact tracing
Seafair cancels all summer 2020 events
Police release body camera video of officer-involved shooting in Lower Queen Anne
Mayor responds to bias attacks
2.4 million more Americans file for unemployment
Can you ID this man who attacked an Asian couple and said ‘It’s all your fault’?
Washington sees record unemployment rate of 15.4% in April
Man released from prison suspected in assault on North Sound trail
COVID-19 contact tracers may lose critical help

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Snohomish barber shop defying stay-home order given ‘final warning’ to close
‘We’ve taken all the precautions’: Dental offices reopen around state amid COVID-19 danger
Governor, health officials warn against large gatherings this Memorial Day weekend
Secret Service looks into Nigerian crime ring as fake unemployment benefit claims spike

KNKX FM
EPA releases plan to keep water in Columbia, Snake rivers cool enough for salmon

KUOW FM
‘SNITCH LIST:’ TROLLS HARASS THOSE WHO REPORTED COVID-19 BUSINESS VIOLATIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE
38.6 Million Have Filed For Unemployment Since March
Summer school in Seattle goes ahead, on a short schedule
What these nurses see on the Covid ICU in Seattle
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Washington state
‘Between Life And Death’: McDonald’s Worker Says Pandemic Puts Safety In Focus
A special session of the Washington Legislature in June? Don’t bet on it, but don’t rule it out
As States Locked Down In March, Motor Vehicle Fatality Rate Spiked By 14%
Why The Race For A Coronavirus Vaccine Will Depend On Global Cooperation
Poll: Two-Thirds Expect Return To ‘Normal’ Will Take 6 Months Or More
A Double-Barreled Approach To Antibody Testing Could Improve Accuracy
A new $1.6B proposal to house thousands experiencing homelessness in King County
Amid High Stakes, China Is Fast-Tracking COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts
About Half Of U.S. Homes Lost Wages During Pandemic, Census Bureau Finds
Trump Repeats Unfounded Claims About Mail-In Voting, Threatens Funding To 2 States

Q13 TV (Fox)
Another rally planned in Olympia to protest stay-home order
Beekeeper says Asian Giant Hornets wiped out one of his hives, ‘decapitating every honeybee’
Even on private property, some Seattle City Council members trying to limit removals of unauthorized homeless encampments
School districts across Washington work to finalize summer school plans amid COVID-19
Boeing supplier pivots portion of work to construct face shields

Web

Crosscut
Seattle’s anti-vaccine history stretches back to the Spanish flu
Public health workers threatened, harassed while fighting COVID-19
What to know about the surge of unemployment fraud in WA

Slog
Seattle’s Fight for “Internet for All” Is Reignited, Sorta

Wednesday, May 20

Inslee: More counties can expedite reopening process
Ten additional counties in Washington can apply to move to the second stage of the state’s economic reopening plan, based on new guidelines announced Tuesday by Gov. Jay Inslee that allows larger counties with fewer new coronavirus cases to open some of their businesses sooner. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Elaine Thompson)

Washington sees ‘dramatic rise’ in unemployment fraud claims during COVID-19 pandemic
The Washington State Employment Security Department said in a news release Monday, May 18, that it has seen a “dramatic rise” in unemployment imposter fraud through the first half of May as it continues to deal with the strains of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading at The Olympian. (ESD)

Could the coronavirus reset society? Questions we should be asking about post-pandemic life
Hotel rooms for the homeless. Food-chain and sanitation workers hailed as national heroes. A Republican-led federal government flooding the country with easy money. Governors putting the brakes on evictions. A new national obsession with hand-washing and the finer points of epidemiology. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Jennifer Luxton)

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Associated Press
Inslee: More counties can expedite reopening process
Washington state sues gyms for remaining open despite order
Trump allies lining up doctors to prescribe rapid reopening
Oregon high court keeps state virus restrictions in place
Gray whale washes ashore west of Seattle
State: Aspergillus mold found again at Seattle hospital
Lawmakers: FAA certification of new planes needs an overhaul
Gray whale washes ashore west of Seattle
Fisher denied endangered species protection in Oregon
Police shoot, kill man in Seattle
Judge in southwestern Washington charged with DUI
Google says it won’t build AI tools for oil and gas drillers

Aberdeen Daily World
Between science and curiosity, dead whale draws a crowd
Grays Harbor County’s Phase 2 variance application heading out for state consideration
Pacific County beaches open, clamming may be soon
Millions of U.S. workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19 every week, UW study concludes
Op-ed: Facing deficit, state should cancel state workers’ 3 percent July raise
Commentary: Coronavirus debt isn’t as scary as government bungling

Auburn Reporter
Don’t avoid the emergency department in a crisis

Bainbridge Island Review
State rules enable dental and medical practices to resume

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Whatcom health department reports 1 new coronavirus case and no deaths Tuesday
Not everyone who gets a stimulus check can spend it. IRS sends payments to the dead.
Thurston County among 10 that can apply now to move to Phase 2 of reopening economy
Washington state reports 200 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths
Coronavirus updates: County variance criteria expanded; lawsuits filed against gyms
Whatcom Unified Command plans to relocate Drop-In Center after it leaves high school
Whatcom will consider another temporary limit on fuel shipments from Cherry Point
Despite border restrictions, Allegiant bringing back Bellingham flights in early June
‘I miss them so much,’ but Bellingham elementary teachers coping with online teaching
Washington sees ‘dramatic rise’ in unemployment fraud claims during COVID-19 pandemic
State files for injunction against Puyallup gym hosting protest against stay-home orders
Watch: Gov. Jay Inslee speaking on reopening more Washington state counties faster
Gray whale washes ashore west of Seattle
Pompeo’s treatment of closest aide from Kansas was a subject of fired IG’s inquiry
What you need to know today about the virus outbreak

Bothell Reporter
Sound Transit to get $166.3 million federal grant for COVID-19 response

Capital Press
Washington wolf pack attacks 2 more calves
Canadian government sues Washington farms over cherry patent infringement
Lighter cherry crops forecast in West
Oregon, Washington can sue Trump over ESA
Farm aid applications to open after Memorial Day
Farmworker housing rules spark mixed reactions
Farm in a box: USDA’s $3 billion hunger relief program begins
WDFW moves regional director to wolf duty for summer

Columbian
In Our View: Mount St. Helens provides lessons for pandemic

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Fraudsters using local identities for phony jobless claims
FAA says it will let Boeing employees vouch for plane safety
Somers announces $14 million in relief for small businesses
State sues Arlington gym for violating stay-home order
Bloomberg Commentary: Flocking back to the office may not be right move
Bloomberg Comment: Now’s the time to build skills for this or next job
Harrop: Pandemic has complicated end-of-life care

The Inlander
Inslee says 10 larger counties including Spokane can move to Phase 2 under new guidelines

Islands’ Weekly
San Juan County COVID update

Journal of the San Juan Islands
COVID crisis brings islanders together

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Reopen Kitsap? Community tensions arise over phase-in approach to COVID recovery
Kitsap can now apply to reopen early. But a new COVID-19 case could delay the green-light
Retsil veterans home employee diagnosed with coronavirus
New digs, same brick facade at remodeled Puget Sound Naval Shipyard fire station, building

News Tribune (subscription required)
Puyallup schools to start later next year to ease transportation crunch
Washington state reports 200 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths
Is it safe to go back to the dentist? Tacoma practitioners say yes, even as fears remain
Pierce County adds 20 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, two more deaths
Tacoma school year extended due to COVID-19 impacts
A 79-year-old found with maggots in her wound at a care facility later died, lawsuit alleges
Gig Harbor mayor wants Gov. Inslee to return his calls. Is that asking too much?

New York Times
Coronavirus Live Updates: C.D.C. Releases More Guidelines for Reopening Schools and Businesses
10 Years Old, Tearful and Confused After a Sudden Deportation
Trump Steps Up Attacks on Mail Vote, Making False Claims About Fraud
As Reopening Starts, Americans Expect Recovery to Take Years
Poor Americans Face Hurdles in Getting Promised Internet

Olympian (subscription required)
Thurston County among 10 that can apply now to move to Phase 2 of reopening economy
Coronavirus updates: County variance criteria expanded; lawsuits filed against gyms
State files for injunction against Puyallup gym hosting protest against stay-home orders
Washington sees ‘dramatic rise’ in unemployment fraud claims during COVID-19 pandemic

Peninsula Daily News
Clallam now on short list for Phase 2 (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Jefferson County elected officials in favor of applying for variance
Study: Carbon pollution falls during pandemic
Calling to reopen
Free potatoes, onions to be distributed in Port Angeles, Forks
Inslee eases guidelines to allow Clallam, other counties to expedite reopening process

Puget Sound Business Journal
‘Way too late’: Inside Amazon’s biggest outbreak
College calendars in the pandemic: No fall break and home by Thanksgiving
Report: It will take years for Seattle hotel market to recover from pandemic
Coronavirus poses new math for Seattle restaurants that bet big before pandemic
Seattle U fall session could be a virtual experiment — and a sign of things to come
Dentists are opening this week, but don’t expect to read a magazine in the waiting room

Renton Reporter
Local behavioral health facility gets $2 million grant to serve youth

Seattle Times (subscription required)
How to help your teenagers, if they’re having a tough time during the pandemic
Westneat: No, we’re not all in this together — look at what’s happening with coronavirus in Yakima
Here’s how UW and WSU are preparing for the possibility of college football returning in the fall
Inslee announces guidelines that could allow 10 more counties to reopen under coronavirus recovery plan
Seattle schools to offer summer school to all students starting in July, continuing coronavirus online classes
Gray whale washes ashore on Bainbridge Island, fifth on Washington coast this year
Man shot, killed by police in Seattle
King County workers voluntarily leave their main jobs to find recipients for coronavirus donations
Could the coronavirus reset society? Questions we should be asking about post-pandemic life
Weekly home sales rebounding to last year’s level
2 gyms that had defied coronavirus stay-home order close their doors after state attorney general sues
Bloomberg: China’s new outbreak shows signs the virus could be changing
Judge in southwestern Washington charged with DUI
Bloomberg: Reopening U.S. economy will mean creating all kinds of new jobs
Editorial: Protect health workers from civil liability

Skagit Valley Herald
Surplus potatoes handed out at Cascade Mall
Skagit County cold case subject of TV show Burlington mayor questions Inslee’s motives on COVID-19

Spokesman Review
Spokane County aims to ease limits by Memorial Day under new rules announced Tuesday
Inslee decries Spokane businesses violating order
STA gets $23.4 million to keep buses running as it braces for likely shortfalls, cuts
Gregoire: Business leaders shifted focus to fight COVID-19 as the outbreak began to take hold

Tri-City Herald
Here’s the Tri-Cities town with the highest coronavirus case rate this week
Death toll from COVID-19 reaches 75 in Tri-Cities area. Plus more cases in health workers
Commissioner threatens hiring freeze for Tri-Cities health district amid coronavirus pandemic
Tri-Cities sees rise in unemployment fraud claims during pandemic. What you can do to stop it

USA Today
Trump threatens to permanently cut WHO funding and withdraw US membership
Coronavirus lockdowns have caused a whopping 17% drop in global carbon emissions

Vancouver Business Journal
City seeks organizations to implement new small business assistance programs

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Worker strikes continue at 6 Yakima Valley packing houses; Apple shipments not affected overall
Editorial: Federal guidelines on air travel are needed

Washington Post
Taxpayers face delays as IRS struggles with backlog
Trump threatens to hold funding for Michigan, Nevada over plans for absentee, mail-in voting
Op-Ed: Trump just said the corrupt part out loud
Op-Ed: ‘Jane Roe,’ from Roe v. Wade, made a stunning deathbed confession. Now what?
The pandemic may forever change the world’s cities
U.S. roadways more lethal during pandemic, safety group says
Misinformation about covid-19 finds new avenues on unexpected sites

Whidbey News-Times
Celebrating 2020 grads
Local Memorial Day celebrations adapt to COVID-19
Langley retailers get green light to move outdoors

Yakima Herald Republic
Two Allan Bros. workers begin hunger strike as walkouts continue at Yakima Valley fruit companies
Teaching remotely: Long days for teachers as they work to connect with students
Yakima City Council to discuss lifting limits on cruising
Editorial: Enjoy our wonderful trails, but please leave no trace

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Report: National Guard coronavirus deployments set to end just before benefits kick in
Arlington, Puyallup gyms close after facing lawsuit for defying Washington’s stay-home orders
50-day strict lockdown, 30-day relaxing could solve pandemic, study suggests
More mold detected at Seattle Children’s Hospital
State says pandemic’s impact could make bad fire season worse
10 more counties in Washington can apply for Phase 2 of COVID-19 reopening

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Impostors wreak havoc on Washington state unemployment system
State using call centers for contact tracing and considering apps
10 more counties eligible to apply to move to phase 2 of reopening plan
State sues 2 gyms for remaining open during stay-home order
Signs Washington’s economy is restarting
Seattle City Council considers freezing encampment sweeps during pandemic

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Larger counties face uphill battle in reaching Phase 2 of re-opening plan
‘Gig Economy’ workers struggle in COVID-19 world amid scant access to benefits
COVID-19: Inslee unveils plan to allow counties to reopen faster
10 new counties qualify for Phase 2, but new COVID-19 cases could stall reopening
Statewide COVID-19 death toll rises as more counties slowly re-open
Can Washington hotel industry recover after COVID-19?
Local trials under way for anti-malaria drug at center of Trump COVID-19 debate
Air samples find Aspergillus mold once again at Seattle Children’s Hospital
Sound Transit will receive $166M in federal funds

KNKX FM
LISTEN: What’s driving the high rate of COVID-19 infections in Yakima County
Washington said to be on track to meet COVID-19 testing and tracing goals
Coronavirus relief bill stalls in Senate, but Kilmer hopes provisions survive
Pandemic takes toll on British Columbia’s tourism, as border closure extends to June 21

KUOW FM
10 MORE WASHINGTON COUNTIES IDENTIFIED FOR EARLY REOPENING ELIGIBILITY
After briefly catching up, Washington’s renters fall behind again
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Washington state
Businesses Try To Navigate The World’s Coronavirus Cargo Pileup
Monroe corrections officer dies of Covid-19, number of infections continues to climb
One woman’s experience recovering from Covid-19
Amid uncertainty, UW plans to bring students back next fall
WH Coronavirus Coordinator Encouraged By Decline In New Cases In Most Of U.S.
May 19th | Amazon warehouse workers have famously faced on-the-job hazards. One new one? COVID-19.
I had Covid-19. My body shook, “discharging the collective terror” of us all
Not all closed Seattle streets will stay closed after the pandemic
U.S., Canada Agree To Keep Border Partly Closed For Another 30 Days
Senators Clash Over How Soon To Reopen The Economy
Democrats Bet Health Care Will Deliver 2020 Victories
For Cancer Patients, Anguish Grows Over Deferred Surgery As Risk Rises

Q13 TV (Fox)
10 more counties – including Thurston, Kitsap and Clallam – can apply for Phase 2 reopening
Inmate released early due to COVID-19 arrested for attacking woman on hiking trail
Washington, Oregon expected to have worst fire season in the country
Update: Gyms close after AG’s office sues them for defying stay-home order
How to protect yourself if you’ve been a victim of unemployment fraud
Ocean Shores hotels reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend
Aspergillus mold found again at Seattle Children’s Hospital, state says

Web

Crosscut
Untangling coronavirus’ uneven impact in the West
For Puget Sound Muslims, Ramadan during crisis is an opportunity to help
Opinion: The flicker of climate hope in our pandemic dread

Queen Anne & Magnolia News
Property taxes due for most taxpayers June 1

Slog
China’s Manipulation of Post-Pandemic Economic Data Is Coming to the US
How Would You Like to Hang Out on Top of a Freeway?
Phase 2 Is Coming to a County Near You, Inslee Announces
Fremont Finally Finds a Home for 29 Million Gallons of Locally Sourced Poop

West Seattle Blog
Coronavirus: Tuesday 5/19 Roundup

Tuesday, May 19

Elective surgeries, dental services can resume, Inslee announces
Elective surgeries and dental services can resume as long as providers comply with health and safety protocols to guard against COVID-19, Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Monday. The governor called the move an important step in helping Washington residents maintain their health as the state gradually reopens. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (AP file photo)

Secretary of Health John Wiesman, a leader in Washington’s coronavirus response, to take job in North Carolina
Washington Secretary of Health John Wiesman, one of the state’s leaders during the coronavirus pandemic, has taken a position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Wiesman made the decision in early March, according to Tara Lee, spokeswoman for Gov. Jay Inslee. He will remain secretary of health, which oversees the Department of Health (DOH), through Inslee’s current term, which ends in January 2021. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)

Study: World carbon pollution falls 17% during pandemic peak
The world cut its daily carbon dioxide emissions by 17% at the peak of the pandemic shutdown last month, a new study found. But with life and heat-trapping gas levels inching back toward normal, the brief pollution break will likely be “a drop in the ocean” when it comes to climate change, scientists said. Continue reading at The Skagit Valley Herald. (Mark J. Terrill)

Print

Associated Press
Washington corrections officer dies from COVID-19
Washington dentists, doctors can expand access to patients
Spokane group rebuilds vandalized pandemic memorial
Canada, US extend border closure to non-essential travel
Virus interrupts St. Helens eruption anniversary plans
Mnuchin to face grilling about small-business lending effort
Rubio steps in to lead Senate Intelligence Committee
Despite risks, Trump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine
What you need to know today about the virus outbreak
Outbreak on edge of Navajo Nation overwhelms rural hospital
Annie Glenn, widow of U.S. Sen. John Glenn, dies at 100
Experts: Trump’s threats to WHO could undercut global health
COVID-19 data sharing with law enforcement sparks concern
UW Medicine furloughs 1,500 staffers, with more possible
Study: World carbon pollution falls 17% during pandemic peak
Oregon Supreme Court halts order nixing virus restrictions
Officials take precautions as Oregon votes during pandemic
Washington sues 2 gyms for remaining open despite order

Aberdeen Daily World
County Commission likely to pass resolution to send to Governor asking for Phase 2 variance Tuesday
Little Creek, Red Wind casinos reopen to guests
Letter: Car tabs and dictators
Commentary: With our government failing us, crowdsourcing is America’s social safety net now
Commentary: Music is part of a basic education (Takko, Blake)

Auburn Reporter
State issues guidance on dental care, medical appointments
Sound Transit to reintroduce light rail, Sounder fares starting June 1
King County directive to wear face coverings in effect May 18

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Elective surgeries, dental services can resume, Inslee announces
Whatcom County Health Department reports seven new cases of COVID-19 Monday
Whatcom residents strongly urged to wear masks when out in public, starting Friday
Whatcom’s drug, mental health court participants struggle due to coronavirus pandemic
New health department data shows where coronavirus rate is highest in Whatcom County
Coronavirus updates: Lawsuits filed against gyms violating Inslee’s stay-home order
Gov. Jay Inslee schedules 11 a.m. Tuesday briefing on reopening more counties faster
Veteran Monroe prison guard dies of COVID-19
Watch live: Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at 2:30 p.m. Monday on health care system reopening
Here’s how to continue homeschooling your children during the coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus updates: Asotin County moves to Phase 2; Sounders FC to begin individual workouts
Washington state reports 178 new COVID-19 cases and 1 death Monday
Expect stronger, deadlier, more frequent hurricanes in the years to come, NOAA says
Many people use Google to research illness symptoms, but here’s why that’s a bad idea

Capital Press
Oregon Supreme Court to hear arguments on stay-at-home orders
Oregon winery tasting rooms gear up for gradual reopening

Columbian
Judge tosses out Oregon’s coronavirus restrictions

Everett Herald (subscription required)
A Monroe corrections officer has died from COVID-19
Awaiting a vaccine, doctors search for COVID-19 treatments
State rules enable dental and medical practices to resume
Mukilteo man breaks Bellingham windows so he could go to jail
Bloomberg: Commentary: It won’t be enough to throw the doors open
WaPo: Commentary: What if cities became newspaper publishers?
Editorial: State gains keener watch of dams to protect salmon

Federal Way Mirror
Sound Transit to reintroduce light rail, Sounder fares starting June 1

The Inlander
Some Spokane sex shops, claiming they’re ‘essential businesses,’ never shut down

Island’s Weekly
New San Juan County Health Officer Order on Face Coverings

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Distancing measures remain critical as COVID-19 transmission persists
New San Juan County Health Officer Order on Face Coverings

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort reopens after weeks of COVID-19 closure
Admiral Kirk takes command of Nimitz strike group as flotilla rehearses for deployment
Trump threatens to permanently cut WHO funding and withdraw U.S. membership

News Tribune
Tacoma school year extended due to COVID-19 impacts
Tacoma deputy mayor champions initiative to decriminalize personal drug use
Some NFL team facilities slowly reopening. Why Seahawks’ will stay closed and for how long

Olympian (subscription required)
Washington state ordered $227.5 million in coronavirus supplies from a Chinese firm, but deliveries have trickled in
Coronavirus updates: Lawsuits filed against gyms violating Inslee’s stay-home order
Veteran Monroe prison guard dies of COVID-19
Casinos reopen doors and welcome throngs of eager patrons
Elective surgeries, dental services can resume, Inslee announces

Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County preparing waiver for Phase 2
Pet adoptions climb as stay-home order continues

Puget Sound Business Journal
Attention PPP borrowers: Before forgiveness, your loan could soon be sold to someone you don’t know
Few minority-owned businesses got relief loans they asked for
Here’s why a Covid-19 vaccine isn’t possible yet
#WFH Chronicles: Prepping for a new normal
Gov. Jay Inslee restores non-urgent medical and dental care
Sound Transit is slowly restarting fare collection. Here’s what that looks like.
Boeing appoints team leader to restore confidence in safety of air travel
Wall St rallies on hopes for vaccine and economy
Seattle, Tacoma marine cargo volumes plunge for second month in a row

Renton Reporter
State issues guidance on dental care, medical appointments
Sound Transit to reintroduce light rail, Sounder fares starting June 1
King County directive to wear face coverings in effect May 18

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Is now the time to switch to a yearlong school calendar? Districts consider coronavirus reset
Inslee announces dentists, doctors can reopen offices using guidance to prevent spread of coronavirus
See the traffic patterns before and during Washington’s coronavirus stay-home order
State says Aspergillus mold discovered again at Seattle Children’s hospital
Local transit systems make slow return to charging fares as coronavirus restrictions ease
Washington state attorney general sues 2 gyms that remain open despite coronavirus stay-home order
UW Medicine furloughs 1,500 staffers, with more on the table; could $500 million shortfall hamper coronavirus response?
Secretary of Health John Wiesman, a leader in Washington’s coronavirus response, to take job in North Carolina
Workers at 6 Yakima-area fruit-packing plants strike over coronavirus concerns
Whiplash in Oregon: Governor’s coronavirus restrictions stand — for now, high court rules
‘Way too late’: Inside Amazon’s biggest coronavirus outbreak
Puget Sound cargo shipping drops sharply as coronavirus pandemic stalls trade
Editorial: Prepare now for the summer’s likely wildfires
Op-Ed: Pull back curtains and broadcast Supreme Court proceedings

Skagit Valley Herald
Commissioners discuss meeting options, funding needs

Snoqualmie Valley Record
State issues guidance on dental care, medical appointments
King County directive to wear face coverings in effect May 18

Spokesman Review
Spokane planning looser rules so restaurants can expand seating into streets, sidewalks
Group claims responsibility for taking down COVID-19 crosses at City Hall
Confusion causing some Spokane businesses to give back relief funds
Spokane County Jail aims to protect against COVID-19
Three Spokane Valley businesses reopening despite statewide stay-at-home order
Opinion: Kim Wyman and Jim Condos: Our democracy depends on a reliable postal service

Tri-City Herald
2 more Tri-Cities COVID-19 deaths for 74 total. Positive cases increase 1%
Liquor board to warn Tri-Cities restaurant about ‘parking lot parties.’ Church also held services
$7 billion stimulus plan for Hanford and others could add jobs and kick-start national economy
Guest Opinion: COVID leadership requires clarity and authenticity
Guest Opinion: Child care industry needs saving

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Dentists, doctors can reopen offices using guidelines to prevent spread of coronavirus
DOC announces first COVID-19 death
Op-ed: In this moment of multiple crises, we need strong local journalism
Editorial: Don’t let COVID-19 concerns keep you from seeking medical help

Washington Post
The need to go is a big barrier to going out. Why public bathrooms are a stumbling block for reopening.
Mnuchin, Powell try to defend efforts to revive economy as senators press for answers
Trump threatens to permanently cut WHO funding, leave body if changes aren’t made within 30 days
Class of 2020: Graduating into a pandemic
By order of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp: The day after Thursday is now Sunday
Editorial: Did Sweden make the right call on limiting its lockdown?
Trump’s pick for top intelligence post clears divided Senate panel
In the world’s fifth most populous country, distance learning is a single television channel
The most dangerous hurricanes are now far more likely because of climate change, study shows

Washington State Wire
Q&A: Sen. Rebecca Saldaña lays out the economic recovery she wants to see in Washington State

Yakima Herald Republic
Washington dentists, doctors can expand access to patients
Worker strikes continue at 6 Yakima Valley packing houses; Apple shipments not affected overall
Yakima County COVID-19 cases continue to climb, causing another death, more hospitalizations
Virginia Mason Memorial patient commits suicide Monday morning
Three Yakima organizations receive $121,000 for census outreach
Teaching remotely: Yakima Valley teachers find challenges, opportunities working from home
Editorial: Put special session on the calendar now

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
All Washington health care services can resume with safety plan in place
Real-time updates: Arlington gym owner defying state’s orders faces lawsuit, fine
Mukilteo contractor’s pivot to making hand-washing stations is saving jobs
Overseas scammers target Washington’s unemployment department
Mount St. Helens isn’t Washington state’s only volcanic threat
Casinos in western Washington reopen to big crowds
Non-urgent dental care resumes in Washington state

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Department of Corrections officer dies from COVID-19
Seattle-based COVID-19 vaccine trial shows promise
Preparing for the next wave of COVID: Harborview’s lessons learned
New Whatcom County directive asks people to wear face masks in public
Inslee says medical, dental offices can reopen as long as safety guidelines are followed
SARS antibody could be a breakthrough in fighting COVID-19
Gov. Inslee helps restaurant industry, patients who need elective surgery and dental work

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Inslee lashes out at President Trump over importance of COVID-19 testing
COVID-19: Inslee issues order to restart state’s health care system
Three more tribal casinos re-open Monday despite Inslee’s wishes
On first day of face mask directive in King County, compliance seems spotty
Hospital machine touted as ‘last best option’ to treat COVID-19 patients
UW Medicine furloughs 1,500 staffers, with more possible

KNKX FM
King County’s face covering rules now in effect
Makah Tribe’s early shelter in place order may seem extreme, but it’s working
Some bar and restaurant owners are uncertain about their phase designation
After abruptly halting procedures and treatments, fertility clinics begin to reopen

KUOW FM
I AM THE NURSE MANAGER ON THE COVID ICU. WE HAVE THE SAD STORIES, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEATEN THIS
Trump Says Cuts To WHO Funding Will Be Final If It Doesn’t Commit To ‘Major’ Changes
Seattle Now: Vashon takes on Covid
Are There Zombie Viruses — Like The 1918 Flu — Thawing In The Permafrost?
Updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Washington state
Community Health Centers Struggling As Fewer People Seek Care During Pandemic
No More Watercooler Talk And Other Ways Offices Will Adapt To The Pandemic
Despite FDA Caution, Trump Says He Is Taking Hydroxychloroquine As A Preventative
Doctors In Training Learn Hard Lessons During The Pandemic
Non-urgent health and dental procedures cleared to resume in Washington state
Antibodies from the 2003 SARS outbreak might help protect against Covid-19
Azar Accuses WHO Of Failure That ‘Cost Many Lives’ In COVID-19 Pandemic
A snapshot as Washington edges over an economic cliff
Face masks now mandatory at Sea-Tac Airport
Businesses Are Reopening, But Customers May Not Be Ready To Go Back
A Seattle firefighter on bringing mobile coronavirus testing to local nursing homes
New Coronavirus Vaccine Candidate Shows Promise In Early, Limited Trial
Covetiquette: What to do with children during the Covid-19 pandemic
Fed’s Powell Says Sharp Downturn Won’t Last

Q13 TV (Fox)
Some dental offices prepare to reopen with updated COVID-19 safety measures
UW Medicine furloughs 1,500 staffers, with more possible
Two recall petitions filed against Snohomish County sheriff over coronavirus response
Four more western Washington casinos reopen Monday

Web

Slog
Will Someone Check on the City of Kent?
Thursday’s Tax Amazon Meeting Will Be Spicy
On Race and Masculinity in the Age of Face Masks
Now YOU Can Get Your Teeth Cleaned

Monday, May 18

Mountain of change: 40 years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the volcano’s story is still being told
The black-and-white images of the 16-mile high stanchion of ash give a false impression. The photos of Mount St. Helens’ eruption taken on May 18, 1980, suggest a cataclysm that remains in the past, safely ensconced in history and available for warm recollection of when the world exploded and we survived. But that’s wrong. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Craig Goodwin)

For the first time, Washington will regulate Columbia-Snake River dams if they violate federal pollution rules
Environmental groups lauded Washington state for issuing conditions under the Clean Water Act for the first time last week that will ensure pollution is reduced from eight dams along the lower Snake and Columbia rivers. In addition to sometimes increasing the temperature of the rivers to levels that can be dangerous for fish, these dams have had numerous oil spills over the years from the lubricants used in turbines and other moving parts. Continue reading at The Inlander. (Columbia Basin Federal Caucus)

‘Us Vs. Them’ In A Pandemic: Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous
As the pandemic moves from public health crisis to partisan flashpoint, the debate over the coronavirus response in the U.S. is becoming increasingly nasty – and, in some cases, violent. It’s not just the clusters of gun-toting protesters at state capitols. In sporadic incidents across the country, disputes over emergency measures have turned into shootings, fistfights and beatings. Stories abound of intimidation over masking. And armed right-wing groups have threatened contract tracers and people who “snitch” on neighbors and businesses violating health orders. Continue reading at KUOW. (AP)

Print

Associated Press
Paine Field airport to halt passenger service for 10 weeks
Coronavirus deaths reach 1,000 in Washington
World stock markets rebound on economic recovery hopes
‘COVID toes,’ other rashes latest possible rare virus signs
Virus interrupts St. Helens eruption anniversary plans
Agriculture workers strike in Yakima County over coronavirus

Aberdeen Daily World
No more positive COVID tests at Pacific Care Center
Basich Boulevard repairs on track for late summer completion
Letter: Aberdeen school cuts too heavy handed

Auburn Reporter
Inslee changes course, says diners won’t have to sign in

Bainbridge Island Review
State to deploy brigade of contact tracers to box in virus (Hobbs)
Bainbridge parks officials to get virus update
Kilmer discusses CARES Act 2.0 during telephone town hall

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here’s what to do if people in Whatcom County aren’t following COVID-19 safety rules
Whatcom County reports no new positive tests or deaths related to coronavirus Sunday
Federal grant helps expand COVID-19 testing for low-income Whatcom County residents
Since pandemic began, 56 Whatcom healthcare workers have tested positive for coronavirus
Whatcom employers worry about health as COVID-19 lockdown eases. Help is on the way
Not ready to eat at a restaurant? WSU coronavirus survey says you’re not alone
The coronavirus is most infectious before people even know they have it, UW virologist says
Washington’s Slow Down Move Over law, as simple as it sounds, saves responders’ lives
40th anniversary of Mount St. Helens eruption to take place virtually amid COVID-19
Coronavirus updates: Statewide report shows transmission persisting in western Washington
Do you wear a mask to fight the pandemic? Here’s what your Whatcom neighbors are doing
Whatcom’s negative coronavirus test results continue to grow with 56 more Saturday
Washington state reports 1,000th COVID-19 death
Coronavirus updates: Washington reports 1,000th death; Pierce County has distributed $21 million
Washington state reports 145 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths
Washington state braces for wildfire season as firefighter tests positive for COVID-19
Some nursing homes taking coronavirus stimulus checks from patients. Can they do that?
Want to see a newly discovered comet? You may be able to see SWAN streak across sky

Capital Press
Inslee to add to general-safety rules for farms
Virus infects 18% of workers at beef plant in Washington
Cattle groups divided over proposed packer mandate
Rules upcoming for transporting farmworkers in Washington

Columbian
In Our View: Persuasion more effective than intimidation
Lawmakers, Clark County businesses discuss impact of coronavirus (Cleveland, Wylie, Stonier)

Everett Herald (subscription required)
No government aid for Everett’s undocumented amid pandemic
Articulated buses with few riders? Better social distancing
Marysville-Lake Stevens roundabout work to cause congestion
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Test results released for 13 long-term care facilities
Bloomberg: Commentary: True freedom-lovers wear face masks
Yakima-area fruit workers in talks with employers
Editorial: More than buyer must beware in opening too soon
Paine Field terminal to close for 71 days of ramp repairs
Was coronavirus here in December? Health officer has doubts
University of Washington staff rally for better protections
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Mount St. Helens ‘changed my life,’ says Camano filmmaker
200 Snohomish County protestors rally against COVID order
Somers announces $14 million in relief for small businesses

Federal Way Mirror
I-5 closures set in Kent for Federal Way Link construction
City-led coronavirus response task forces work to establish support network

The Inlander
For the first time, Washington will regulate Columbia-Snake River dams if they violate federal pollution rules

Islands Weekly
Inslee announces contact tracing initiative
CDC video: ‘How COVID-19 can spread in a community’
Back to the wild – it’s a whole new outdoor recreation world

Issaquah Reporter
Tenants demand more relief from Eastside low-income housing provider
Bellevue teacher arrested on child rape charges

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Face coverings to be required in public in San Juan County

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Drive-ins and FM radio: How Kitsap churches are worshipping together again
Construction delays could push back fast ferry service from Southworth
Belfair man, a Navy vet and nuclear engineer, succumbs to coronavirus
Highly touted antibody testing arrives in Kitsap. But the tests have limits
When a coronavirus vaccine is developed, who will be first in line to get it? A CDC panel usually decides
A spike in ferry riders for Mother’s Day weekend as highway traffic begins to trend upward

News Tribune
Tacoma Dome to host free COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday
Coronavirus updates: Statewide report shows transmission persisting in western Washington
King County just made masks mandatory. In COVID crisis, Pierce County should do same
Washington state has big budget mess. Don’t surrender open government as we dig out

New York Times
Coronavirus Live Updates: Vaccine Tests Show Early Promise, Drugmaker Says, Rallying Wall Street
Employers can let workers change health plans and dependent-care accounts without waiting
Fed chairman says recovery may ‘stretch’ through end of 2021

Olympian (subscription required)
Olympia allocates $1.1 million in federal funds to aid local COVID-19 response
Washington state reports 145 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths
Thurston County ends week with 4 COVID-19 cases, fewest since early March
The coronavirus is most infectious before people even know they have it, UW virologist says
Olympia car dealerships embrace a COVID-19 future, as showroom sales resume
Little Creek, Red Wind casinos plan to reopen Monday
Washington state braces for wildfire season as firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

Peninsula Daily News
COVID-19 Relief Fund nears $250,000
Drug overdoses on the rise on Peninsula
In-house, by-patient testing systems in place on Peninsula
Governor’s rules for golf courses modified
Inslee retracts restaurant contact requirement
Jefferson Board of Health supports, but does not approve, pursuing variance
Jefferson works on application

Puget Sound Business Journal
What’s next for J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus?
‘V-shaped’ economic rebound unlikely, bankers say
Disrupted dreams — The pandemic view from a bank that serves half the country’s startups
Seattle’s mega convention center project in ‘crisis,’ seeks federal help
King County face mask directive goes into effect Monday
Specialty’s closure is the latest sign of trouble for Seattle-area retail
Developers pin their hopes on multifamily projects in Seattle

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Times Watchdog: Washington state relied heavily on Chinese firm for coronavirus supplies; they’re weeks behind schedule
‘Clear, uniform, national’ coronavirus guidelines needed for U.S. air travel, Sen. Cantwell says
Ishisaka: Caught between coronavirus and racial profiling, some Seattle residents use masks warily
West Seattle Bridge report explains how a partial collapse would lead to demolition
Mount St. Helens’ mysteries still astound scientists, 40 years after eruption
Man says officer shrugged off racist incident at Home Depot, Seattle police say they’re investigating
Massive distribution of food boxes to begin with challenging timelines for delivery
Losing jobs, finding resilience: How Seattle workers are battling through coronavirus unemployment
Two months into the coronavirus dining room shutdown, how well is delivery working for Seattle-area restaurants?
King County’s directive on face coverings goes into effect today. Here’s how to properly wear a face mask.
Vashon Island: remote and ready to fight coronavirus’ next wave
Rant and Rave: Biking scavenger hunts keep reader happy and healthy
Snohomish County deputies reinstated by new sheriff to stay on prosecutor’s list of officers with credibility problems
What to do if your name is used in attempted unemployment fraud
Op-Ed: Mount St. Helens’ ominous lessons for the age of coronavirus
Editorial: Mask directive necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19
Editorial: Washington needs COVID-19 testing plan
Op-Ed: Get kids up and moving — walking, biking, dancing! — for better learning at home
Op-Ed: The pandemic of loneliness

Skagit Valley Herald
During pandemic, weddings get changed — or don’t happen
Mount Vernon Farmers Market kicks off with limited vendors

Spokesman Review
Mountain of change: 40 years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the volcano’s story is still being told
Hospital officials urge residents to seek urgent care if needed, new guidelines coming Monday
Spokane health board member who spread misinformation at May Day stay-home rally draws criticism from colleagues
Washington governor retracts restaurant contact requirement
$3 trillion stimulus bill passes House; McMorris Rodgers pans it as Democratic ‘wish list’
Spokane schools to continue feeding hungry kids after USDA extends federal waiver
Opinion: Teddy Benson: State needs to spend more to help struggling businesses

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities YMCA switches gears during coronavirus to provide emergency child care
Roadside memorial honors 3 Tri-Cities Tyson plant workers who died of COVID-19
Tri-Cities child care may be harder to find after coronavirus. New grants may help
Half of workers positive for COVID-19 at Tyson plant near Tri-Cities had no symptoms
Another COVID-19 death in Tri-Cities area. Known cases top 1,300
Editorial: Cut restaurants some slack when they reopen. They’ve got new rules to follow

USA Today
When a coronavirus vaccine is developed, who will be first in line to get it? A CDC panel usually decides
Aftershock: If coronavirus swells in a second wave later this year, will the nation be ready?

Vancouver Business Journal
Clark County state lawmakers review 2020 session and economic recovery steps at Chamber webinar (Wylie)
Clark County prepares for financial impacts of pandemic

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Neighborcare won’t renew clinic lease

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Seattle Times: Fed shipment of Q-tip-style coronavirus swabs puzzles Washington State officials — latest wrinkle in supply woes
Seattle Times: Foursomes of non-related golfers are now allowed to play together at Washington courses
Walla Walla County to apply for early reopening
Editorial: Legislation aimed at helping farmers, good banks makes sense
Editorial: Giving personal information to dine is tough to accept, but it makes sense

Washington Post
$500 billion Treasury relief fund has lent barely any money so far, oversight commission finds
Moderna vaccine shows promising early results
China’s Xi backs WHO-led probe of pandemic origins
Trump responds to whistleblower who criticized government’s pandemic response
Bars and barre return, but date night and workouts aren’t the same: A glimpse into the new normal
Op-Ed: The key tool to a safe opening is not social distancing
Barr doesn’t expect Obama or Biden will be investigated in review of 2016 Russia probe
A highly contagious and fatal virus is spreading in several states. Its victims are rabbits.
Uber lays off 3,000 more staffers, shutters dozens of offices
Big Tech was first to send workers home. Now it’s in no rush to bring them back.
Op-Ed: There’s no hope for America unless we can pity ourselves

West Seattle Blog
Coronavirus: 5/17 Sunday Round-up

West Seattle Herald
Protecting rights of people with disabilities as face-covering directive goes in effect

Whidbey News-Times
Hospital resuming elective surgeries

Yakima Herald Republic
Sunday update: 94 new COVID-19 cases reported, marking fifth day in May with 90-plus
40 years after Mount St. Helens: Readers share stories of cleanup, choir concert and camping
Gordon Kelly took the back roads when the mountain blew
It Happened Here: Yakima church group experienced Mount St. Helens eruption from 30 miles away
Yakima Council to discuss COVID-19 response and options for struggling residents
40 years on: Yakima Valley reels from ash fall
Cascades Volcano Observatory is keeping an eye on Northwest volcanoes
Community health centers face budget shortfalls because of COVID-19 pandemic
Former Yakima City Manager: Mount St. Helens response city’s ‘finest hour’
40 years later: Yakima Herald-Republic readers share their memories of Mount St. Helens
Fire battalion chief remembers Mount St. Helens eruption as “black cloud” over Yakima
Saturday update: Strike continues at Selah fruit plant; 41 new coronavirus cases; Sunnyside pool
Yakima County jail reports inmate tests positive for coronavirus

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Real-time updates: Casinos in western Washington reopening today with limits
Sea-Tac Airport wants TSA to check passengers’ temperatures
Emerald Queen Casino in Fife preparing to reopen Monday with certain safety measures
Sea-Tac Airport to require face coverings starting Monday

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
King County’s directive to wear face coverings starts Monday
Community supports mask exchange and food donation in Greenwood
US cases near 1.5M, deaths top 89K
Need for food growing during COVID-19 pandemic
Petition to recall Snohomish County sheriff gets OK
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will require all to wear masks
WA state the primary target for unemployment fraudsters
Washington state braces for wildfire season as firefighter tests positive for COVID-19
Fred Meyer, QFC employees protest to keep hazard pay and for safer conditions

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
New face mask rules, guidelines take effect Monday in W. Wash.
Monroe fridge magnet maker now producing PPE

KNKX FM
At age 6, he and his classmates fled Mount St. Helens. 40 years later this reporter recalls that day

KUOW FM
WE’VE REACHED 1,000 LIVES LOST TO CORONAVIRUS IN WASHINGTON STATE. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR STORIES
Live updates: Coronavirus pandemic in Washington state
Changes In Opioid Supply Create New Risks As Stay-At-Home Rules Ease
This is why you might not be getting a haircut as soon as you want
‘Unprecedented’ World Health Assembly Convenes Online As Pandemic Rages
40 Years After Mount St. Helens, Sounds Of Past Government Response Echo Today
Bike Sales Gear Up As The Homebound Try Socially Distant Exercise
As Nursing Homes Report More COVID-19 Deaths, More Governors Order Universal Testing
King County reported no Covid-19 deaths on Thursday, the first time since the pandemic started
Here’s how the pandemic — and your grocery store habits — are affecting Washington farmers
Parents: You may qualify for three months of paid leave during the pandemic
With Historic Vote, House Will Allow Proxy Voting, Remote Hearings During Pandemic
‘Us Vs. Them’ In A Pandemic: Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous
San Juan becomes first county in Pacific Northwest to mandate face masks in public
Bunk beds and farm workers: Washington’s new housing rules
Trump, Unveiling Space Force Flag, Touts What He Calls New ‘Super Duper Missile’
Coronavirus FAQs: How Risky Is It To Fly? Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks?
Trump Touts ‘Operation Warp Speed’ Coronavirus Vaccine Effort
Are you a loud talker? You might be a superspreader
Congress Has Approved $3 Trillion For Coronavirus Relief So Far. Here’s A Breakdown
New Evidence Suggests COVID-19 Patients On Ventilators Usually Survive

Q13 TV (Fox)
Governor Inslee retracts restaurant contact requirement in Washington
Brandi Kruse: It’s OK to question the governor’s logic, but do you really question his motives?
‘Fact or Fake?’: Can the government force you into quarantine?
Poll shows 1/3 of Seattle residents plan on working remotely for at least a year
Tents cause tension in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood

Web

Crosscut
The New Normal: When checkout lines become the front lines
You could be the citizen scientist the world needs right now
Washington’s $1.8B convention center expansion is in danger
Opinion: GoFundWho? More equitable ways to crowdfund in a crisis
Opinion: $100B a month would be a small price to pay to save the economy
The pandemic politics of Washington’s stay-at-home protesters

Slog
Can Kshama Sawant’s New Tax Amazon Meeting Even Happen?
Seattle’s Twenty Miles of Stay Healthy Streets Is Just the Beginning
Opinion: The Post-Pandemic Workweek Should Be Reduced by 10 Hours
Local Sleuths Track Down Source of Mysterious Radio Songs

Friday, May 15

Washington halts unemployment payments for 2 days after finding $1.6 million in fraudulent claims amid coronavirus pandemic
Washington state officials said Thursday they’re stopping unemployment payments for two days while they attempt to block a gush of fraudulent claims aimed at stealing some of the billions of dollars that Congress directed to workers left jobless amid the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Ringman)

House Democrats’ plan would give billions to Washington state. How would money be spent?
Washington’s state and local governments’ ailing budgets would get billions of dollars in aid under a massive coronavirus relief package due for a U.S. House vote Friday. The plan fashioned by House Democrats would provide an estimated $10.8 billion to the state government, roughly half within 30 days of enactment and the rest within the next 12 months. Continue reading at The Olympian.

Thursday sees 7th strike by Yakima Valley farmworkers protesting conditions during COVID-19 pandemic
Workers at Columbia Reach Pack and Hansen Fruit and Cold Storage Co. in Yakima walked out Thursday morning to protest their working conditions. They held signs asking employers for better COVID-19 safety measures, 6 feet of social distancing in the workplace, and protection from retaliation for protesting. They also want Columbia Reach to provide a hazard pay increase of $2 an hour. Continue reading at The Yakima Herald. (Evan Abell)