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Tuesday, September 5

A road map for lowering insulin costs in Washington
Washington should make insulin more widely available at cheaper prices and offer a free 30-day supply at least once a year for people who are short on the drug and can’t afford it. That’s the message delivered to state lawmakers from a workgroup assigned to chart a course to increase insulin access and affordability. Hundreds of thousands of Washington residents with diabetes depend on insulin every day. To lower costs, members recommend a long-term strategy for the state to expand a drug rebate program and contract directly with manufacturers to sell insulin at lower prices. In the short term, they want Washington to follow other states and require manufacturers to cover the cost of a 30-day supply of insulin for people who need it urgently. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)

State’s ban on assault weapons will remain in place for now, Thurston County judge rules
A Thurston County judge ruled Friday that a ban on the sale of assault weapons in Washington state should remain in place as a lawsuit challenging the ban works its way through the court system. “My legal team remains undefeated against the gun lobby in court,” Ferguson said in the press statement. “This common-sense gun reform will save lives by restricting access to the preferred weapon of mass shooters.” Ferguson and Gov. Jay Inslee requested legislation to ban assault weapons during the 2023 legislative session. The law immediately went into effect when Inslee signed the bill on April 25, making Washington the 10th state to have bans on assault weapons in place. Continue reading at Olympian.

Sen. Lovick: Living up to King’s ‘Dream’ requires an honest history
This week we recognized the anniversary of one of the most pivotal points of the civil rights era. On Aug. 28, 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place. As is the case with all major moments in history, it is so critical for us to understand the context of an event to truly know its complexity and importance. I’ve watched in sadness as other states have stopped teaching our shared history. In our state we’ve gone the other direction. We’ve passed laws in our Legislature to ensure Washington educators have the tools needed to best teach ethnic studies in their coursework. We must face our past. The good and the bad. We must tell the whole story so that we can learn and not repeat the mistakes and violence that came before. Continue reading at Everett Herald.

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Associated Press
Congress returns to avoid government shutdown while Republicans weigh an impeachment inquiry

Capital Press
Washington Ecology not flooded by applications for drought-relief grants

Columbian
Clark Asks: Where are the affordable housing projects for Clark County?
Fighting fire with Firewise: Columbia River Gorge towns push for more wildfire safety practices
Vancouver’s Fortside Brewing, other Washington breweries prevail in lawsuit against Oregon

Everett Herald
Ambitious high-speed rail project could have stop in Everett (Liias)
So far, where has Snohomish County’s ARPA money gone?
Road to Boardman Lake to reopen after $500K repair project
Mobile opioid treatment among Snohomish County goals to fight epidemic
State awards $10 million to Snohomish County for floodplain projects
Sen. Lovick: Living up to King’s ‘Dream’ requires an honest history
Editorial: Honoring the memory of the last captive orca

News Tribune
State agency that manages forest lands wants to auction off parcels in Pierce County

Olympian
Election security costs may put Thurston County in a financial bind. Here’s why
Washington is losing its volunteer firefighting force. The consequences could be devastating
State’s ban on assault weapons will remain in place for now, Thurston County judge rules
Eastern WA chemical company fined $480K after worker exposed to toxic gas falls 12 feet
Opinion: Labor Day celebrates American workers’ victories. WA unions are fighting for more

Peninsula Daily News
Tribes consider how to combat climate change
Ridge fire 75 percent contained, park says

Seattle Times
King County oversight chief wants radical reforms in American policing
Why King County mental health facilities reject 1 in 4 patients
How new federal staffing requirements affect WA nursing homes
Fall is on its way: What to know about back-to-school vaccines in WA
Emergency cash available for WA residents affected by wildfires
Video appears to show jet skis close to orcas; here are the WA rules
Editorial: A step closer to tech equity through broadband expansion
Editorial: While Seattle fumbles, other King County cities take decisive action on drug legislation
Opinion: Don’t leave women out of workforce investments
Opinion: Why moms and babies do better in a refugee camp than in the PNW

Skagit Valley Herald
State gives update on 2023 climate resilience plan

Spokesman Review
Will they be made whole? Fire cleanup full of complications as federal aid remains far off
A french-fry boomtown emerges as a climate winner – as long as it has water

Vancouver Business Journal
Opinion: Employers crave stability and predictability

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla program to reduce snow berms for residents with disabilities

Washington Post
A new era of climate-linked disease threatens humanity
Child care is about to get more expensive, as federal funds dry up

WA State Standard
A road map for lowering insulin costs in Washington (Keiser)
Union sues to stop state purchase of psychiatric hospital until labor dispute is resolved
One of the educators on strike in southwest Washington is a state lawmaker (Stonier)

Yakima Herald-Republic
One-of-a-kind helix fish passage nears completion at Cle Elum Dam

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington truckers taking Dept. of Ecology to court over fuel surcharges
Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry route closed to cars between Sept. 7-13
26 DUI arrests, 114 collisions reported over Labor Day weekend in King County alone

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Labor Day travel chaos: Record breaking crowds at Sea-Tac, ferry delays, and I-5 shutdowns in western Washington
Removal orders posted after 80% of people at Myers Way encampment accept housing

KUOW Public Radio
Bremerton’s praying coach returns to the sidelines, for now
Rocketing boulders, dwindling streams: signs of WA’s shriveling glaciers
Washington may upgrade Western gray squirrel to ‘endangered’ status
WA farmworkers fight for union recognition at mushroom farm that was sued over discrimination, retaliation

KXLY (ABC)
Labor Day looking different for Medical Lake community following Gray Fire

Q13 TV (FOX)
Snohomish County to use $10M in funds to mitigate flooding in Sultan, Monroe

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Lake Whatcom Fire 90% contained; outside resources to step away
Recent Wobbly protests and union efforts in Whatcom, Skagit Counties
PeaceHealth to restore palliative care in early 2024

Crosscut
Readers sound off on Washington’s high gas prices
The Lummi Nation sees ‘parallels’ with orca Tokitae’s story

MyNorthwest
Seattle-Bainbridge ferry route closed to vehicles for bridge construction
King and Snohomish Counties struggle as opioid deaths increase
Another judge sides with AG Ferguson Wash. ban of assault weapon sales
WA Supreme Court: Unions can no longer block release of state workers’ contact info

Friday, September 1

Indigenous nations say their forests are federally underfunded
Forests managed by Indigenous nations are severely underfunded. To reach per-acre parity with forests managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, the federal government would need to increase funding by nearly $96 million every year. The lack of funding has created limited staffing and issues around workforce capacity that have impacted tribal forest management. Climate change, wildfires and catastrophic natural events are causing unprecedented destruction at a massive scale, making the need for forest protection and conservation even more dire. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Lindsey Wasson)

Wildfires And Their Impact On Recreation In Washington State
The state has been grappling with an escalating wildfire crisis that has had far-reaching consequences, particularly on outdoor recreational activities. The tourism industry, a significant contributor to Washington’s economy, relies heavily on outdoor recreational activities. When wildfires disrupt these activities, tourism revenue takes a hit, affecting local businesses, guides, and outfitters that rely on outdoor enthusiasts for business. Continue reading at Seattle Medium.

Washington on track for ‘historically deadly year’ with traffic crashes
Last year was the deadliest on Washington roadways in over three decades. Figures released this week show this year could be worse. Crashes claimed the lives of 417 people through July 31, according to initial data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. During the same time frame last year, 413 people died in vehicle collisions. The agencies point to four factors that they say contribute to a significant number of deadly crashes: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distraction, speeding and not wearing seatbelts. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Bill Lucia)

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Associated Press
Trump-era rule change allowing the logging of old-growth forests violates laws, judge says

Capital Press
Washington wildlife commission to mull new plea for wolf rule
Washington plant will convert food waste into renewable natural gas

Everett Herald
Evergreen State Fair aims for zero waste, with mixed results
To solve $17.5M shortfall, Marysville schools could borrow millions
They lost their sons to overdoses. Now, a yearly vigil honors their memory.
New Snohomish police chief will patrol his hometown
State attorney general asks feds to add Everett to Operation Overdrive

News Tribune
Tacoma needs more trees, but efforts to plant them lag. How can T-town get greener?
A welfare check turned deadly. Was a Pierce deputy justified in using lethal force?

Olympian
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office civilian employee fired for sexual harassment
Lightning ignites two small fires near Hurricane Ridge, prompting road closures
Olympia mayor names new Municipal Court Judge to fill role through 2025

Puget Sound Business Journal
A look at Seattle’s jobs recovery by industry

Seattle Medium
March On Washington: Rev. Peter Johnson Remembers
Wildfires And Their Impact On Recreation In Washington State

Seattle Times
Fall is on its way: What to know about back-to-school vaccines in WA
Dam removal still on table as settlement talks over Lower Snake River operations continue
Seattle remains a top town for tech talent, but there’s a catch
Editorial: King County Sheriff’s Office must heed oversight report

Spokesman Review
Biden weighs in on Spokane’s lowest unemployment on record
City agrees to pay another $3.5 million for operator of Spokane’s largest homeless shelter
Federal government, salmon advocates agree to continue talks that could lead to breaching Snake River dams

WA State Standard
New federal water pollution rule draws mixed reaction
Washington on track for ‘historically deadly year’ with traffic crashes

Washington Post
Nursing homes face minimum staff rule for first time
Employers added 187,000 jobs in August, showing resilience but slowed growth

Yakima Herald-Republic
Sunnyside names new fire chief and assistant chief
Health district tracking Shigella outbreak in Yakima County
Mabton residents continue to raise concerns about water at City Hall
Editorial: Federal help with fentanyl issue is welcome

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Praying coach makes long-awaited return to Bremerton football sideline Friday night
Working and homeless: Bellingham family shares struggle of preparing for new school year

KUOW Public Radio
Asian American community on edge after targeted home invasions in South Seattle
New study: 1 in 5 Washington cannabis users show signs of addiction
Teacher strikes delay first day of school for 30k students in southwest WA
Ingraham High School gets federal funds to cope with repercussions of school shooting

NW Public Radio
Fries of the future could use less pesticides, water and be more resilient to climate change

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Inclusive playground opens at Silver Beach Elementary

Crosscut
Inside the tumultuous debate behind Seattle’s tree ordinance
Indigenous nations say their forests are federally underfunded

Thursday, August 31

Millions more in revenue expected as Washington conducts third pollution allowance sale
Washington held its third quarterly cap-and-trade auction Wednesday, with 8,585,000 pollution allowances available for purchase. An allowance is equal to one metric ton of carbon dioxide. Companies that produce air pollution have to buy allowances to cover their emissions. On Sept. 6, Ecology will confirm the amount raised in the special auction and details from Wednesday’s quarterly sale. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Jules Frazier)

E-bike rebates, borrowing program on the horizon for WA riders
Washington will unlock millions of dollars for people looking to buy — or borrow — electric bikes through a statewide program set into the state’s transportation budget. Vouchers worth up to $1,200 for e-bike buyers will be available next year, and a series of lending libraries across the state will follow, said Barb Chamberlain of the Washington Department of Transportation. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Seth Wenig)

White House plan to cut drug prices could lower costs for over 100K WA seniors
The Biden White House has announced plans to negotiate for lower prices on 10 drugs, which could save seniors in Washington state a lot of cash. The move to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies was made possible thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law last year. Continue reading at KUOW. (Northwest News Network)

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Associated Press
Microsoft to stop packaging Teams and Office software to head off EU antitrust action

Aberdeen Daily World
Awareness event comes amid rampant county opioid deaths

Axios
Seattle’s summer may be over though wildfire and smoke risks remain
Washington among top states for workers, report finds

Columbian
Evergreen teachers the second to strike this year in Clark County; Camas still on picket lines
Clark Asks: How can you help someone who’s experiencing homelessness in Clark County?
Fires in Gifford Pinchot now known as Cowlitz Complex burn at least 700 acres
Editorial: Focus on supply, demand to fix fentanyl crisis

The Inlander
Voters overwhelmingly passed a $495 million school construction bond in 2018 — how’d it work out?

News Tribune
Too injured to work? The state caught him installing roofs and made him pay back thousands

Puget Sound Business Journal
New overtime pay rule would expand access to millions

Seattle Times
WA will soon help riders buy or borrow electric bikes (Shewmake)
WA asks feds for fentanyl-related law enforcement help in 3 cities
Why WA is slow to adopt reading science, according to dyslexia expert
Opinion: Farming native fish in the Salish Sea can be done safely, responsibly

Skagit Valley Herald
Grants available for projects that would benefit Southern Resident orca whales

Spokesman Review
Do property owners have to pay taxes if a wildfire destroys their home?

Washington Post
In a crisis, schools are 100,000 mental health staff short

WA State Standard
Classes delayed for 30,000 students as more teachers strike in southwest Washington
Labor leader Shuler touts union support as possible auto strikes loom
Millions more in revenue expected as Washington conducts third pollution allowance sale

Yakima Herald-Republic
Attorney general wants Yakima included in federal fentanyl reduction initiative

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Traffic-related deaths are on the rise in Washington. Here’s why.
AAPI community members in Beacon Hill share concerns over recent robberies
Museum director, state senator change Washington state gun law

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Ingraham High School gets nearly $500K to help struggling students, staff in wake of shooting

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Labor Day weekend set to be busiest for Washington State Ferries in 4 years
Understanding the rules: The costly price of ignoring school bus signals in Washington

KUOW Public Radio
White House plan to cut drug prices could lower costs for over 100K WA seniors

KXLY (ABC)
Medical Lake residents concerned over smoke damage from Gray Fire
Disaster Assistance Center for Spokane County wildfires closing September 1

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Ground crews greatest asset for battling Lake Whatcom Fire, officials say

MyNorthwest
City of Carnation declares state of emergency after latest false evacuation alarm

Wednesday, August 30

Washington receives $23M million from feds to strengthen electrical grid against disasters
Washington state will receive $23.4 million in federal funding to improve power grid resilience against wildfires and other natural disasters, Washington Sen. Patty Murray’s office announced Tuesday. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program and is part of the bipartisan 2021 infrastructure law, a signature part of the Biden administration’s agenda. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)

Native nations on front lines of climate change meet in Port Angeles to share knowledge
Tribes suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change in the U.S. but often have the fewest resources to respond, which makes the intensive camps on combatting the impact of climate change a vital training ground and community-building space. People from at least 28 tribes and intertribal organizations attended this year’s camp in Port Angeles, Washington, and more than 70 tribes have taken part in similar camps organized by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians at other sites across the U.S. since 2016. Continue reading at Associated Press. (Lindsey Wasson)

Editorial: Looming retirement crisis calls for thoughtful answers now
Washingtonians aren’t saving enough money for retirement. Two out of three people in their 30s and 40s have no retirement savings at all. Perhaps even more alarming, a recent Schwartz Center for Economic Policy study found 83% of workers ages 55-64 have saved little or nothing toward retirement. Continue reading at Yakima Herald.

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Associated Press
Native nations on front lines of climate change meet in Port Angeles to share knowledge
2 dead in Eastern WA wildfires identified; more than 350 homes confirmed destroyed
Teachers go on strike in southwest Washington state over class sizes

Aberdeen Daily World
Second standoff of Monday ends in death

Axios
“Pack your patience” for Labor Day travel in Washington state

Bellingham Herald
Level II evacuation notice issued after wildfire breaks out near south side of Lake Whatcom

Capital Press
Washington expects huge increase for apple harvest
Judge dismisses Easterday’s antitrust suit against Tyson
Washington plant will convert food waste into renewable natural gas

Columbian
East Vancouver gains more affordable housing with opening of Columbia Gardens (Wylie)
Evergreen Public Schools teachers will strike Wednesday; Battle Ground schools will be open
Vancouver Fire Department reports increase in calls, fills ranks
Gifford Pinchot’s Snagtooth Fire more than triples in size
Editorial: Consider updated COVID booster vaccinations

The Daily News
Longview school board OKs $112M budget

Seattle Medium
HUD And FCC Partner To Promote Affordable Internet Access For Low-Income Communities
KD Foundation And The American Red Cross Hold Blood Drive To Help Combat Sickle Cell

Seattle Times
Seattle’s Little Saigon has already been forgotten
King County homelessness authority interim CEO wants to focus on basics: Q&A
Opinion: How can farm work be more efficient? Ask a farmworker

Skagit Valley Herald
North Cascades Institute cancels 2023 Learning Center programs due to Sourdough Fire

The Skanner
Many US Cities Now Answer Mental Health Crisis Calls with Civilian Teams – not Police

Spokesman Review
Cost to park in downtown Spokane to increase starting in September

Washington Post
Generations of American Indian children were forced into abusive schools. More schools are revealed.
Opinion: Colleges hide the truth about tuition

WA State Standard
Prison closure plan stokes wildfire response worries in southwest Washington
Biden administration chooses first 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiations
It may have just gotten harder to protect minority communities from pollution
Washington receives $23M million from feds to strengthen electrical grid against disasters

Yakima Herald-Republic
First responders say more help needed to combat fentanyl in Yakima County
Editorial: Looming retirement crisis calls for thoughtful answers now

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington schools grapple with fentanyl crisis as students head back to class
Many motor vehicle theft suspects are teens, Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says
‘All they do is shuffle people from place to another’: City posts another 48-hour notice to vacate north Seattle encampment

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Snohomish County bat tests positive for rabies, marking fifth case in Washington this year
Time to vaccinate students for back-to-school. Will new COVID shot offer sufficient protection?
Seattle police recruits engage with community, build relationships before law enforcement training begins

KUOW Public Radio
Cannabis: You can buy it, so why can’t you grow it?
More Washington kids get the measles vaccine, thanks to a rule change

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Valley Fire Captain loses home to Gray Fire while fighting flames

NW Public Radio
Residents near Lake Whatcom issued Level 2 Evacuation Notice

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Lummi Nation, Tokitae supporters honor orca
Ferndale teachers, staff rally for new school year

Crosscut
WA mobile home communities organize against ‘economic eviction’ (Frame, Van de Wege)
MacKenzie Scott gives $10M for affordable homeownership in Seattle

MyNorthwest
Sound Transit approves $122.5M contract change, delays construction
Clipper workers could strike over Labor Day weekend over contract dispute
Gas bill rates to increase for Puget Sound customers

The Stranger
South Seattle Violence Intervention Group Relaunches Friday Meetings After Mass Shooting

Tuesday, August 29

Washington office weighs which police deadly force cases to reopen
A new Washington state office to scrutinize police uses of force is still not fully up and running, but it’s taking suggestions from the public for past police killings that should be reinvestigated. The Legislature voted in 2021 to create the Office of Independent Investigations to help hold police accountable when they kill someone on the job. The idea was to ensure officers aren’t investigated solely by other officers. The office announced last month that it is accepting requests to review past investigations of deadly force cases. Continue reading at Axios. (Maura Losch)

‘Blindsided’ by a Washington prison closure
When the state Department of Corrections said in June it would close Larch Corrections Center by October, workers, prisoners, and lawmakers were all among those caught off guard. Corrections says changes to drug possession laws earlier this year mean the state needs less minimum security prison space. Larch’s remote location and the cost for needed upgrades also made it a good candidate for closure, according to the department. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (WA Dept. of Corrections)

Editorial: State, county overdose rates call for all-out effort
The most recent data from national drug overdose death counts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that overdose deaths in Washington state were growing at the highest percentage for all 50 states. Key to slowing, then reversing the current rate of overdoses and deaths — and returning lives to health and happiness and communities to safety and productivity — will be harm reduction in the short-term and treatment for the long-term. More opportunities for programs and facilities will follow, often backed with the funding and experience necessary for success, but they will require the support and participation of communities and local officials. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Bebeto Matthews)