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Tuesday, October 22

How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
In Washington state, you can track your ballot with a few quick clicks. Go to the VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov and sign in with your first and last name and date of birth, and you can see the status of that electoral baby of yours. You can also text “VOTE” to 868392 to get text updates on your ballot’s status. If you haven’t voted yet, here’s what you should know: Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, or put in a drop box or returned in person to your county elections office by 8 p.m. that day. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free
The Biden administration is proposing a rule that would expand access to contraceptive products, including making over-the-counter birth control and condoms free for the first time for women of reproductive age who have private health insurance. Under the proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor Department, and Treasury Department, which was announced by the administration on Monday, health insurance companies would be required to cover all recommended over-the-counter contraception products, such as condoms, spermicide and emergency contraception, without a prescription and at no cost, according to senior administration officials. Continue reading at KUOW. (Getty Images)

Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses by about 12%
Health insurance costs in Washington for small businesses and their employees will increase an average of 11.9% in 2025, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This marks the highest increase for small employers in the last decade. Nearly 220,000 people will be affected by the new rates starting in January. Ten insurers were approved to sell group plans to small employers, with the largest increase going to Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon at 21.9%, impacting around 6,000 people. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

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Axios
La Niña could bring cold, snowy winter to Seattle
Washington probes first human cases of avian flu
AI is already making it easier to spread election lies

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County identifies location of severe weather shelter for upcoming winter season

Capital Press
Bird flu infects four Washington farmworkers
Farm Bureau: Thousands of farmers at risk of federal fines, jail time over new law
Commentary: Staggering cost of a wind and solar future in the Pacific Northwest

Everett Herald
In Monroe schools, families allege rampant racism left unchecked
North County EMS is underfunded and understaffed, workers say

News Tribune
Opinion: Puyallup council member: Objectification of female elected officials is far too common

Peninsula Daily News
Sequim’s $58M budget largest in history
Public comment open on proposed PNNL aquatic research
Clallam County commissioners to host budget presentations
Planning workshop to cover Port Townsend comprehensive plan
Clallam Transit to hire security agency for downtown Port Angeles location

Puget Sound Business Journal
UW unveils plans to supercharge battery research
Sea-Tac lands federal funding for airport upgrades
Mortgage rates finally fell, but homebuyers still face a big problem

Seattle Times
Can $1.55 billion make Seattle streets safer?
How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
Social Security benefits in 2025: 5 big changes retirees should plan for
WA residents overwhelmingly support taxes on the wealthy, poll shows
A King County deputy shot Tommy Le in the back. Then the case languished

Spokesman Review
A Democrat paid for a billboard attacking Mayor Lisa Brown’s homeless plans. Brown says it’s personal.
Mead School District decries transgender girls’ participation in sports with resolution at busy board meeting
Spokane dermatologist accused in federal indictment of using COVID relief funds on Arizona townhouse, two Porsches
Spokane’s Catholic bishop denounces gender-affirming care in the name of religion, spurring concern from a local hospital
State bar association declines to discipline extremist former lawmaker Matt Shea over Malheur incident, citing ‘constitutional scrutiny’

Tri-City Herald
Proposed $5 billion data center would be transformative for this Eastern WA county
Nuclear contractor to pay $1.1M after charges of COVID loan fraud to pay his credit cards

Washington Post
Global fight against historic inflation surge is nearly over, says IMF
More than 10,500 actors, musicians, authors protest tech’s AI data grab
How good are you at spotting misinfo online? Test yourself with these 8 questions.
Accessibility problems with U.S. currency are holding up Harriet Tubman’s appearance on the $20 bill
Environmentalists long decried the impact of rubber production. This small shrub may offer an alternative.

WA State Standard
Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses by about 12%

Wenatchee World
Wenatchee School District under federal investigation over Columbia Elementary closure

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Man to be sentenced for 2022 shooting of Whatcom County deputies
Washington counties spend millions to make elections more transparent. It might not sway doubters

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle Public Schools Director of Public Safety named
Daughter denied bathroom after getting visible period in class
2 adults, 3 teens killed in Fall City shooting, teenage boy in custody

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Boeing machinists to vote on offer on Wednesday, members claim ‘not a done deal’
Seattle’s Memorial Stadium renovation set for 2025 groundbreaking, 2027 opening
How will the new executive director of public safety tackle violence in Seattle schools?
Washington school district lets staff hide students’ gender identities, sparking outrage

KUOW Public Radio
Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane utility rates to increase in 2025 and 2026
All Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools closed for Snapchat threat
Mead School District passes resolution against transgender athletes

Web

Cascadia Daily News
DNR releases first statewide recreation plan, asks for public input
Western dean who was arrested last week no longer employed at university

Crosscut
‘Beyond failure’: WA teen loses legs at school-based work program
Seventy percent of WA students have access to free school lunches

MyNorthwest
Dozens of Everett city employees may get cut due to new budget
Washington State’s EV Rebate Program runs out of funds ahead of schedule

The Urbanist
Pacific Northwest’s largest highway project ever is in deep denial
Opinion: Seattle Council should double rental assistance, not slash it

Monday, October 21

Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion
The May opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia has led to a sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca so far this year. Both state and federal law require oil transport companies to prepare stringent spill response plans, conduct regular drills to stay in compliance and keep a fleet of response vessels at the ready. But environmental advocates like Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman say the risk in Washington’s inland waters is disproportionate. Although the Lummi, Suquamish, Swinomish and Tulalip tribes, as well as Gov. Jay Inslee, all registered opposition to the pipeline expansion last decade, neither tribal nor Washington state government had jurisdiction over Canada’s decision to export more crude via tanker. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Gregory Scruggs)

Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds
Washington prisoners held in solitary confinement are not receiving basic quality-of-life care, such as frequent showers, health care, visitation, regular meals and enough toilet paper, according to a report from a state watchdog. The state’s independent investigations office for the Department of Corrections also describes “dehumanizing and traumatizing” restraint practices used by the department, including spit hoods, pepper spray, tasers and shock shields. The report is the second in a three-part series the Office of the Corrections Ombuds is releasing at the request of state lawmakers, who are considering ways to reduce or end solitary confinement. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)

WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Four farm workers in Franklin County tested presumptively positive for bird flu, in what WA Department of Health said are the state’s first cases of bird flu detected in humans. Officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies held a press conference on October 20 to provide updates on their investigation into the cases. The cases originated at a farm that was the site of a bird flu outbreak in chickens. Roughly 800,000 birds were euthanized after the outbreak was confirmed by WA Department of Agriculture on October 15. Continue reading at KXLY.

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Axios
Boeing reaches tentative deal to end strike
What to know about Seattle’s revised growth plan
Biden admin floats expanded contraception coverage

Bellingham Herald
State Ecology fines North Whatcom County berry farm for illegal use of water
Indigenous families continue fight against eviction amid Nooksack disenrollment dispute

Everett Herald
Striking Boeing Machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
$25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?

News Tribune
Feds award $657 million contract to get fish past dam in Tacoma Public Utilities watershed

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing reaches tentative deal with union
Puget Sound Energy lands federal funding to improve the power grid

Seattle Times
West Seattle Blog co-founder Patrick Sand dies at 67
Four test positive in WA’s first human bird flu infections
Tux and gown alert: Washington will have an inaugural ball after all
Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County opens survey on climate element of comprehensive plan

Spokesman Review
Section of Centennial Trail to temporarily close
Franklin County egg farm workers contract bird flu
Spokane elder refugee program helps them bust through language barriers, isolation

Tri-City Herald
Power knocked out to thousands in Tri-Cities and Hanford nuclear site. What we know
Egg farm workers sickened with bird flu near Pasco in WA’s 1st suspected human cases
How a small reactor in Eastern WA became the world’s first nuclear plant 80 years ago

Washington Post
What’s behind the sudden surge in young Americans’ wealth?
A young teen gives birth. Idaho’s parental consent law snags her care.
Heat pumps were supposed to save the planet. But they’ve run into a bump.

WA State Standard
Striking Boeing machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
Four farm workers in Washington appear to test positive for bird flu
Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
2 shot at memorial site for woman killed in deadly Capitol Hill shooting the day before
WSP: Washington records more than 200 deadly crashes with dozens caused by impaired drivers

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Amazon executive defends controversial office policy
Boeing offers new strike proposal, union vote to come this week
Franklin County the site of first presumed human infection of avian influenza
Monroe School District sued for allegedly ignoring years of bullying and discrimination

KNKX Public Radio
Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle’s growth plan inches toward more housing, draft by draft
Fewer staff, longer reviews? Seattle Mayor Harrell proposes cuts to city’s construction department

KXLY (ABC)
Paraeducators rally against Mead School District
WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Families come together for tree planting event promoting environmental justice and community health

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom County eyes ‘banked capacity’ to ward off budget woes
What can be done to fix Washington’s under-funded public school system? (Rules, Timmons)

Crosscut
Klickitat sheriff’s growing volunteer posse raises questions (Goodman)

The Urbanist
Opinion: Expanding tree canopy is a climate solution and livability boost

West Seattle Blog
Announcing a death in the WSB family
CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closure next Friday-Sunday, October 25-27

Friday, October 18

Moms hold above-average share of Washington Legislature
Mothers of young children remain vastly underrepresented in state capitols across the country, according to a new report. But Washington does better than most states when it comes to having moms at the table. Among U.S. states, Washington has the 10th-highest percentage of state legislators who are moms of kids under 18, the analysis from the Vote Mama Foundation found. This year, 17 of Washington’s 147 state lawmakers — about 11.6% — are moms of minor children, the report found. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visual)

Voting begins in Washington’s 2024 general election
Ballots for the general election are on their way to the mailboxes of the state’s 4.9 million registered voters. Friday marks the start of Washington’s 18-day voting period, which will end at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.In a few short weeks, voters will know who the next president, governor and hundreds of other elected officials will be. Want to have a say? Make sure to turn in your ballot to a state ballot drop box, county elections center or have it postmarked and in the mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Continue reading at the Washington State Standard. (Lindsey Wasson)

Washington Board of Education wants to overhaul high school graduation requirements
The Washington Board of Education has launched a multi-year initiative to rework the state’s high school graduation requirements, arguing that the current standards fall short of “fully preparing all students for success.” The initiative, “FutureReady,” is part of the Board of Education’s 2025 legislative platform, which was approved by members on Thursday. The board is requesting an additional $273,000 in the upcoming 2025-2027 budget from the Legislature for FutureReady. Continue reading at KNKX. (SDominick)

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Axios
Moms hold above-average share of Washington Legislature

Capital Press
Ecology fines Washington blueberry farm again
Bird flu strikes Eastern Washington chicken farm
Sportsmen group scores win from Washington Supreme Court

Everett Herald
Everett mayor: 55 jobs could be affected by budget cuts
Council to vote on $13M for housing in Everett, Lynnwood and Arlington

News Tribune
Did Tacoma school district know for years that teacher was abusive? A mother says yes

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon releases findings from racial equity audit
How small businesses can prepare for and recover from disasters

Seattle Times
WA drivers can’t put down their phones, new data shows

Spokesman Review
Whooping cough surging in Spokane and statewide as school year begins
Feeding young minds: County libraries use federal program to provide snacks to children and teens
‘Our community deserves resources’: Mujeres in Action releases Spanish-language voter pamphlets, bilingual voter information videos coming next week

Vancouver Business Journal
Local businesses support “Pick It Up, Vancouver”

Washington Post
What to expect for winter weather in the U.S. this year
Regulators open new probe of Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ after crashes
Alone with dementia: Solo adults often slip through caregiving cracks

WA State Standard
Tux and gown alert: Washington will have an inaugural ball after all
Washington Board of Education wants to overhaul high school graduation requirements

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Here’s when are ballots mailed in Washington
What do this year’s earthquakes mean for the Pacific Northwest?

KNKX Public Radio
Voting begins in Washington’s 2024 general election
Boeing faces a new FAA review as a key supplier plans temporary furloughs

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle students want more mental health funding — and say in how it’s spent

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane residents save money through home performance program
Health experts emphasize importance of keeping vaccinations up-to-date amid rising illnesses

Web

Cascadia Daily News
WCC president leaving legacy of growth, mentorship — especially for women of color
Former nonprofit leader under state investigation for alleged ‘inappropriate relationships’ with youth

The Urbanist
Tacoma set to slash ‘Vision Zero’ road safety budget by 90%
Judge demands crowd control reforms before lifting SPD’s consent decree

Thursday, October 17

Amazon accused of violating WA’s ban on noncompete agreements
Washington banned noncompete agreements for workers who make less than $100,000 annually in 2020. The Legislature then passed an amendment this year to strengthen enforcement of its ban and bring the threshold for exemption to a roughly $120,000 annual salary. The lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court this month accuses Amazon of tucking a noncompete agreement into its offer letter for workers in its warehouses and retail stores. In a statement this week, the company disputed the allegations in the case and denied that its policies broke Washington law. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

This normally quiet Cascades volcano has been trembling. Why scientists say you shouldn’t worry.
Seismically, Mount Adams, located in southern Washington state, is relatively calm. So the alert earlier this month by the USGS that there has been a flurry of earthquakes around Adams got some attention from volcano watchers. The recent earthquakes have been small — ranging from magnitudes of 0.9 to 2.0 — but the federal government has only one seismometer in the vicinity of Mount Adams, the second-tallest volcano in Washington state, so it is difficult to get precise information about their locations and depths. The agency is using the recent rumblings as an opportunity to learn more about this sometimes overlooked volcano. Continue reading at the Washington Post. (Sofia Jaramillo)

70% of Washington public school students now have access to free meals
Nearly 800,000 kids are eating free meals in school after the Legislature expanded access — but the state will need to come up with more money if it wants to continue the program. That’s according to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which announced on Tuesday that 70% of Washington’s kids now have access to school meals at no cost to students or families. But the state underestimated how many students would participate — leading Superintendent Chris Reykdal to request an additional $17.6 million in the 2025-2027 budget cycle to continue feeding this many kids. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

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Bellingham Herald
Avian flu is killing chickens at Pasco-area poultry operation. More being euthanized
It’s not just you. Washington reported more spam calls than almost any state, study says
How bad is WA’s whooping cough outbreak? Cases have reached highest levels since 2015

Capital Press
THE YEAR OF THE WILDFIRE: 30,000 firefighters do battle across 7 million acres of the West
Editorial: EPA comes up short, again

Columbian
Vancouver looks at cuts to police, fire, roads and community services to close $43M budget deficit

Everett Herald
Mukilteo council members fire back at mayor’s budget plan

The Inlander
With proper management techniques, cattle herds can help increase plant biodiversity and soil health
Olympia sees heavy metals as a problem for medical marijuana. So why isn’t it the same for the recreational market?

International Examiner
City Council designates Chinatown-ID a drug banishment zone, under controversial ordinance

News Tribune
LGBTQ youth center accused Pierce County AIDS group of stealing $200K. Lawsuit has settled

Peninsula Daily News
Hood Canal bridge to receive $51M for repairs

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing to raise up to $25B to stave off cash crunch
Seattle’s most prominent industry is shrinking fast
Amazon backs nuclear power project near Tri-Cities

Seattle Times
Amazon scores another victory in WA warehouse safety trial
Amazon accused of violating WA’s ban on noncompete agreements

South Seattle Emerald
A Month Into Strike, Boeing Employees Continue to Press for Company Change — and Accountability

Spokesman Review
Westboro Baptist Church protest over transgender athlete forces East Valley to end school early Friday
Opinion: Washington’s supply chain at risk with EV mandates

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities is new home to a Seattle startup’s $30M fusion energy research outpost
Richland schools make cuts, asks teachers to limit supplies as ‘financial hardship’ looms
Amazon’s huge investment in small modular nuclear reactors in Eastern WA and beyond

Washington Post
Senate report: How private equity ‘gutted’ dozens of U.S. hospitals
As hospitals get bigger, medical debt is harder for patients to shake
This normally quiet Cascades volcano has been trembling. Should we worry?

WA State Standard
70% of Washington public school students now have access to free meals (Riccelli)

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
City of Tacoma stops glass recycling because of low demand
Leader of Washington’s child welfare agency won’t seek reappointment

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit police gear up with new bike patrol
Local CenturyLink customers dealing with weeks-long outages
Seattle Children’s opens Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic for struggling kids and teens

KUOW Public Radio
SPD’s on track to exit consent decree despite flawed police contract, federal judge says

KXLY (ABC)
Bird flu outbreak detected at Franklin County farm
More affordable housing could soon come to Spokane Valley
Judge rules 12-year-old Shaw gun suspect must undergo psych evaluation
Kid with loaded gun at Spokane school showed two students, threatened one
Downtown billboard criticizes Spokane Mayor Brown for lack of emergency shelter plan

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Road to Artist Point closed for the winter
Group of women inspire next generation to donate to Whatcom nonprofits

MyNorthwest
Washington restaurants’ profits plummeting, solutions are scarce
TSA at SEA Airport begins using new technology to verify travelers’ identities

The Urbanist
Updated Seattle Growth Plan adds five neighborhood anchors, bigger fourplexes

Washington Observer
Remember the constitutional sheriff of Klickitat County?

West Seattle Blog
Ten ‘neighborhood centers’ proposed for West Seattle, and other changes in newly unveiled zoning maps

Wednesday, October 16

Washington’s cap-and-trade rebate pot for farmers still almost full
Washington farmers and truckers have barely touched a $28.5 million pot of money the state set aside to partially refund them for the cap-and-trade taxes they paid on fuel in 2023. They have claimed $1.86 million, or just 6.5% of the money, the Department of Licensing reported Tuesday. The department started taking applications Aug. 26. It and farm groups expected the money to go quickly. Lawmakers set up a $30 million fund to offer partial refunds ranging from $1,000 to $4,500. The Licensing Department took $1.5 million to run the program and planned to send out the money first-come, first-served. Continue reading at Capital Press. (Don Jenkins)

WA program to clear roadside encampments needs more money to keep going
Washington’s work cleaning up encampments along state highways is helping get unsheltered people into housing. But the state Department of Transportation says expanding the program and maintaining its progress will require more money. In the two years since the right-of-way safety initiative launched, the department has helped close 47 encampment sites in five counties. Two of the 49 originally targeted sites are still active. At the end of August, 1,208 people living in the encampments accepted housing, and 891 are still in housing, according to the department. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Laurel Demkovich)

Washington unveils five-year plan to ease record-high homelessness
More than 200,000 Washington residents – a record number – experienced homelessness or housing instability during July 2023, according to a new report from the state Department of Commerce, which outlines statewide goals for addressing this issue over the next five years. The State of Washington Homeless Housing Strategic Plan lays out a five-year plan for addressing the state’s housing affordability crisis as one way to address the record number of Washington residents who are unhoused or housing-unstable, and also spells out a strategy to provide more emergency housing across the state. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Paul Christian Gordon)