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Monday, August 29

Most Americans believe gun violence is increasing, want stronger gun laws, poll finds
Most U.S. adults think gun violence is increasing nationwide and want to see gun laws made stricter, according to a new poll that finds broad public support for a variety of gun restrictions, including many that are supported by majorities of Republicans and gun owners. Overall, 8 in 10 Americans perceive that gun violence is increasing around the country, and about two-thirds say it’s increasing in their state, though less than half believe it’s increasing in their community, the poll shows. The question of how to prevent such violence has long divided politicians and many voters, making it difficult to change gun laws. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Jae C. Hong)

Greenland ice sheet set to raise sea levels by nearly a foot, study finds
Human-driven climate change has set in motion massive ice losses in Greenland that couldn’t be halted even if the world stopped emitting greenhouse gases today, according to a new study published Monday. The findings in Nature Climate Change project that it is now inevitable that 3.3 percent of the Greenland ice sheet will melt — equal to 110 trillion tons of ice, the researchers said. That will trigger nearly a foot of global sea-level rise. The predictions are more dire than other forecasts, though they use different assumptions. While the study did not specify a time frame for the melting and sea-level rise, the authors suggested much of it can play out between now and the year 2100. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Kerem Yucel)

A parent’s guide to mental health as school starts back up
Back-to-school shopping, last-minute plans… it’s a busy time of year for parents and kids. But there’s one important thing experts say shouldn’t be left behind in the rush: Your child’s mental health. The topic may be daunting, but the conversations don’t need to be. The CDC says about 9.4% of kids ages 3 to 17 had diagnosed anxiety from 2016 to 2019 — about 6 million. About 4.4%, or 2.7 million, had diagnosed depression. Recent events are putting serious pressure on young people: The CDC says in 2021, more than a third of high school students said they experienced poor mental health during the pandemic. Continue reading at KING 5.

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Associated Press
Most Americans believe gun violence is increasing, want stronger gun laws, poll finds
Deal reached to address 2 leaking nuke waste tanks at Hanford (Pollet)

Bellingham Herald
New scientific tools will help predict, warn about Nooksack River flooding
These are the next steps in the contested permit for the north wing dock at BP Cherry Point

Capital Press
California board drives electric car, truck mandate in Washington
Environmental group challenges new gas pipeline, generator

The Daily News
Cowlitz County court case backlog frustrates, tires victims
Cowlitz County schools face continued enrollment drops
Ex-City Hall staffer is demanding info on all Woodland utility customers

Everett Herald
Tulalip Tribes opening methadone clinic ‘to try to prevent death’
Overdoses on the rise in Snohomish County, sheriff’s office warns

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Ticks widespread in islands but diseases rare, study finds

News Tribune
A healthcare crisis was looming: these local colleges made sure that would not happen

Peninsula Daily News
Dam removal topic of gathering

Puget Sound Business Journal
Too good to be true? Aplan to reduce homelessness in downtown Seattle won support of business leaders. But the new program is facing tough questions.
Opinion: New Privacy Bill is Good for Everyone

Seattle Times
Seattle Fire Department staff shortage forces extreme hours, $37.7M of OT
Free COVID tests going away, federal government says
Cities, counties push for new bike and pedestrian money from WA state
Kent teachers strike continues; no classes Monday

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County COVID-19 case numbers take another drop
Food banks strained by rising needs, rising costs
Skagit Valley farmers predict yields to be below average

Spokesman Review
‘Almost a daily constant struggle’: As cyberattacks mount in Washington, EWU professor preaches caution to government agencies

Tri-City Herald
First quarter retail sales are strong. Here’s why Pasco’s jumped by almost $200 million

Washington Post
Greenland ice sheet set to raise sea levels by nearly a foot, study finds
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago documents already examined by FBI, Justice Dept. tells judge
Artemis I launch scrubbed as engine problem defies fast fix
The world is moving on from the pandemic. Not these covid long-haulers.

Yakima Herald-Republic
Long COVID resources are scarce in Yakima County and across the state
Former director of Dispute Resolution Center working with church leaders and others to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Delivery drivers put a stop to surveillance efforts by Seattle company
A parent’s guide to mental health as school starts back up
Kent School District considers lawsuit against teachers union behind the strike

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Teachers’ strike in Kent Public Schools continues as both sides look to reach agreement

KNKX Public Radio
Vancouver considers 2 new ‘Safe Stay’ sites for homeless people after initial successes

KUOW Public Radio
Washington state plans for rollout of new Covid-19 booster
Breaching the four Lower Snake River dams not an option right now, say Murray, Inslee
Why suppressing wildfires may be making the Western fire crisis worse
Early signs suggest monkeypox may be slowing in the U.S.
Monkeypox outbreak spreads in WA

Web

Crosscut
PNW schools scramble to find staff before the start of classes

The Stranger
Black Business Groups, Unions Split Over Cannabis Equity Task Force

Friday, August 26

Inslee, Murray say Snake River dam removal possible, but not yet
Breaching the four Lower Snake River dams is not an option yet, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Thursday in a statement outlining the findings of a joint report on dam removal and salmon recovery. Their announcement comes after the Biden administration weighed in on the issue last month, giving proponents hope that a swift resolution was on the horizon. Washington relies heavily on hydroelectric power generated through dams, but the impacts they have on salmon, orcas and tribal fishing grounds have become impossible to ignore, thanks to drought, heat waves, reduced snowpack and other facets of climate change felt in recent years. But dam removal in any capacity would reduce the state’s portfolio of renewable energy amid ambitious efforts to transition away from fossil fuels by 2050. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Ringman)

EPA finally moves to label some ‘forever chemicals’ as hazardous
The long-awaited move from the Environmental Protection Agency is meant to spark the cleanup of scores of sites defiled by industrial compounds and make the public more aware of their presence. Used to make everyday products such as nonstick cookware, cosmetics, fabrics and food packaging, these types of chemicals pervade drinking water used by millions of Americans — and they’ve been linked to an array of illnesses, including cardiovascular problems and low birth weights. “It’s a very significant step,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a phone interview. The proposed rule “requires the polluter to pay for violating the law.” Still, people living near toxic waste and their advocates say the federal government under multiple administrations has been painfully slow to act, even as the health risks of PFAS become ever clearer. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Washington Post Illustration)

Monkeypox is still a ‘maturing outbreak’ in Washington, health officials say
Monkeypox is spreading in Washington although the risk to the general population remains low, state health officials said Thursday during a media briefing. As of Thursday, there have been 392 cases of monkeypox confirmed in Washington. Of those, 318 cases were reported in King County. While the outbreak is a fraction of COVID-19 cases in the state since that pandemic began, it shouldn’t be ignored, said Dr. Scott Lindquist, a state epidemiologist. “But this outbreak of monkeypox in the midst of COVID is a large outbreak by itself,” Lindquist said. “392 people with a new disease is very disturbing.” As of Wednesday, 12 people have been hospitalized with the disease in the state. Continue reading at The Olympian.

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Associated Press
Report: Benefits of dams must be replaced before breaching
Starbucks shortchanged union workers in Seattle, labor board says
Washington to follow California in phasing out gas vehicles

Bellingham Herald
Study traces where the ‘grab bag’ of trash on Whatcom’s coastal beaches comes from

Capital Press
Inslee-Murray report: Snake River dam breaching not feasible now

Everett Herald
Student loan forgiveness a ‘Band-Aid’ for big wound, say locals in debt

Lewiston Tribune
Snake River dam breaching not yet feasible despite salmon benefits, Washington leaders say

Olympian
Monkeypox is still a ‘maturing outbreak’ in Washington, health officials say
New tsunami evacuation tower offers hope as Washington faces high risk of seismic activity
What is anti-capitalist investing? Trend has social, environmental and political impact
COVID-19 activity trends down in Thurston County. Here’s the latest risk level

Seattle Times
WA will ban new gas-powered cars by 2035, following California’s lead
Inslee, Murray say Snake River dam removal possible, but not yet
WA to receive $6M in federal funding to repair roads, improve fish passage, maintain trails
Monkeypox infecting some women and children in WA as outbreak spreads

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon approves contract for Library Commons construction

Spokesman Review
Murray and Inslee conclude breaching Snake River dams ‘not an option right now,’ while calling status quo unsustainable for salmon
Former Lincoln County sheriff pleads guilty after helping cover up son’s DUI crash

Washington Post
Powell: Fighting inflation will cause ‘some pain’ and ‘very likely’ soften the job market
How President Biden decided to go big on student loan forgiveness
New restrictions from major abortion funder could further limit access
Biden administration to declare toxic ‘forever chemicals’ as hazardous
Inside the investigation of an officer who killed a teen threatening suicide

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Decades-long I-5 construction project in Tacoma wraps up this weekend
Inside the construction on the West Seattle Bridge
Classes canceled for Kent School District for the second day as teacher strike continues
North Thurston teachers picket over workloads, increased pay
Hanford nuclear site: State, feds agree to allow tanks to continue leaking (Pollet)
Parents worry policy changes at Oak Harbor could ‘out’ transgender students

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
New HOV lanes opening in Tacoma as 22-year project wraps up this weekend
‘We are counting down the days’: Projected reopening of West Seattle Bridge less than a month away

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
As crews prep West Seattle Bridge for reopening, here’s a look at the repair work
Seattle residents want more permanent solutions to help RV residents

KNKX Public Radio
Monkeypox: Identifying symptoms, who is most vulnerable and why we failed to control it early on

KUOW Public Radio
What Biden’s student debt relief means for Washington state borrowers

Web

Crosscut
For some, community court reduces jail bookings by 87%

Thursday, August 25

A half-million WA residents could benefit from Biden’s student loan relief
Biden’s student loan relief plan erases the debt of roughly 20 million people across the country. His reforms also target those who struggle the most with student debt: recipients of Pell Grants — federal grants awarded to students who have exceptional financial need — and community college graduates. In Washington state, 47% of all college graduates in 2020 had student loan debt, the average being $23,900, according to The Institute for College Access and Success, a nonprofit. Residents in Washington tend to borrow less to pay for college than those in other states. That’s because of the lower cost to attend its public universities, as well as its generous financial aid, which gives a full ride to thousands of low- to middle-income students. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Washington to phase out new gasoline-powered cars by 2035
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the state will phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by the year 2035. Inslee announced the move in a tweet on Wednesday and said a new rule will be finalized by the end of the year. Under a 2020 state law, Washington is required to adopt California’s rules for zero-emission vehicles, the most stringent in the nation. California’s Air Resources Board is expected to approve that state’s phaseout of fossil fuel car sales on Thursday. The California rules would mandate a steep increase in sales of zero-emission vehicles, either electric or hydrogen-powered, starting in just four years. In 2021, electric vehicles made up 12% of new car sales in California, 8% in Washington, and 4% nationwide. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

Federal judge blocks part of Idaho abortion ban in Department of Justice lawsuit
A federal judge on Wednesday granted the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to temporarily block Idaho from enforcing its abortion ban in emergency situations. The Justice Department this month petitioned the U.S. District Court in Idaho for a preliminary injunction on the state’s near-total ban on abortion, saying it conflicts with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). The Idaho law makes it a felony for physicians to provide an abortion, unless the physician can prove in court that the pregnancy put the pregnant person’s life at risk or was a result of incest or rape. But under the federal emergency treatment law, “emergency medical conditions” include not just life-threatening conditions, but also conditions that seriously jeopardize a patient’s health. The injunction applies to Medicare-funded hospitals. Continue reading at The Olympian.

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Associated Press
Student loan forgiveness could help more than 40 million
Agencies, tribes work to stop growth of invasive crab

Bainbridge Island Review
Disaster preparedness: Map Your Neighborhood

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County is ‘first jurisdiction’ to actively plan for coastal flooding. Here’s how

Columbian
Biden’s student debt-relief plan could help thousands of Southwest Washington students
Editorial: In Our View: The age of electric vehicles around the corner

Everett Herald
County’s priorities for $80M in relief: Mental health, shelters, youth
Providence nurses: Patients, staff suffered as leaders ‘stood in silence’

High Country News
Hotter summer nights affect everything from death rates to crop yields to firefighting

The Inlander
Mead School Board member who proposed bans on critical race theory, gender identity books says he ‘wasn’t expecting that much controversy’

Kent Reporter
No school: Kent teachers’ strike begins Thursday, Aug. 25

News Tribune
U.S. has piled up $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. How big is WA state’s share?

New York Times
What You Need to Know About Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
Judge Halts Part of Idaho’s Abortion Ban, Saying It Violates Health Law

Olympian
Hundreds of North Thurston teachers picket at district headquarters Thursday morning
Federal judge blocks part of Idaho abortion ban in Department of Justice lawsuit
Labor board files complaint against Starbucks over pay offer
All K-8 students could have access to dual language learning under new OSPI proposal
Student loan decision unveiled: What you need to know about extended pause, debt payments

Peninsula Daily News
Youth court kickoff in Port Angeles

Puget Sound Business Journal
WA congressman proposes 100% tax on institutional buyers of single-family homes
Amazon to shut down its Amazon Care telehealth service at end of year
Report: Construction costs may escalate 14.1% this year, but relief expected soon

Seattle Medium
Residents Of Unincorporated Areas Of King County Prioritize Public Funding Through New County Process
Constantine Announces $4.6 Million To Promote Equitable Access To Youth Sports And Outdoor Recreation

Seattle Times
Why some Seattle neighborhoods are hit harder by heat waves
WA ferry that crashed near West Seattle dock is out until next year
How Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan will affect WA
A half-million WA residents could benefit from Biden’s student loan relief
First day of school for Kent students delayed as educators strike

Skagit Valley Herald
Concrete to do work on wastewater system

Spokesman Review
Spokane Public Schools approves $550 million budget, new 3-year contracts for teachers
Federal judge blocks part of Idaho abortion ban in Department of Justice lawsuit

Tri-City Herald
‘Very nasty disease.’ Sen. Murray has plan to save lives of Hanford nuclear workers
50% of WA residents eligible for free or lower hospital bills. What it means in Tri-Cities
Tri-Cities schools ’closest to normal’ since COVID. Find out what’s new when classes open
Senator Patty Murray introduces bill to help ailing Hanford workers

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
‘Probable’ monkeypox case detected in Walla Walla County
Report: Walla Walla County needs mental health leadership, crisis support
Weston food processor fined $100K for 2016 Clean Air Act violations

Washington Post
Who qualifies for Biden’s plan to cancel $10,000 in student debt?
Millions in covid aid went to retrain veterans. Only 397 landed jobs.
Archives asked for records in 2021 after Trump lawyer agreed they should be returned, email says
California moves toward banning new cars running only on gas by 2035
Judge blocks part of Idaho’s abortion law from taking effect

Yakima Herald-Republic
Smiles visible as Yakima kids return to a more normal first day of school
COVID numbers in Yakima County decline as CDC community level drops to ‘low’

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Kent teachers strike delays first day of school
How is Biden able to forgive student loans?
Who qualifies (and who doesn’t) for student loan forgiveness
Student loan debt cancellation to impact hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians
Snohomish County nonprofit gives RVs to people experiencing homelessness

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Estimated 780k borrowers in Washington eligible for student debt relief under new Biden initiative

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Trooper placed on administrative leave after shooting driver during attempted traffic stop
Kent School District delays first day as teachers’ union confirms strike

KNKX Public Radio
Lamprey swim past Oregon dam, after 10 years of waiting

KUOW Public Radio
King County gets another award for its election observer system
Changes in law enforcement may be leading to less guns at home
138K green crabs pulled from Washington waters … so far in 2022
Washington to phase out new gasoline-powered cars by 2035

Q13 TV (FOX)
Homeowners concerned as Whatcom County flood recovery funds run out
OSPI proposes dual-language education programs in all Washington schools by 2040

Web

Crosscut
How Washington gun control laws compare to other states

MyNorthwest
Centene guilty of overcharging state Medicaid program, owes WA $19 million
New SDOT director outlines goals for position, pledges not to drive his personal car this fall
Starbucks transfers north Seattle café ownership to QFC; grocery store union to take over
Community pushes back against commission over Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll plan (Randall)
Health officials investigating after 7 E. coli cases confirmed in King County

West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: Crash-damaged state ferry Cathlamet headed to drydock; plus, terminal-repair update
Your chance to show SDOT’s new director around

Wednesday, August 24

Biden to cancel up to $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers
President Biden said Wednesday he will cancel up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for many borrowers — and double that amount for Pell Grant recipients — a move that could offer some level of forgiveness for up to 43 million people. The forgiveness is expected to apply to Americans earning under $125,000 per year, or $250,000 per year for married couples who file taxes jointly. The White House estimates that nearly 90 percent of relief will go to people earning less than $75,000 and that roughly 20 million borrowers could have their debt completely canceled. The president is also extending a pandemic-era pause on federal student loan payments, first implemented under the Trump administration, through Dec. 31. Continue reading at The Washington Post. (Demetrius Freeman)

Universal free school lunch is ending — but not for all WA students
Free meals for all school kids — a response to pandemic-related economic pressures these past two years — sunset this past June when federal funding for school lunches went back to pre-pandemic levels, despite calls from school lunch advocates. A recent decision by the state legislature will help some students. A new Washington state law has set aside $44 million to more than double the number of schools where all students can continue to get free meals. The new law requires schools and districts to apply to a federal program to offer meals to all students if more than 40% of the students qualify for food assistance or other financial assistance through different federal programs. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

West Coast states band together to fight methane pipeline expansion
California, Oregon, and Washington have joined forces to push back against a methane pipeline along the West Coast. “This project undermines Washington state’s efforts to fight climate change,” said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “This pipeline is bad for the environment and bad for consumers.” On Monday, Ferguson filed a motion opposing an expansion of a pipeline known as the Gas Transmission Northwest. It flows through Washington, Oregon, and California. Ferguson is arguing that the proposal is counter to Washington’s efforts to battle climate change. “This is equivalent to adding 754,000 cars on the road each year until 2052,” the AG’s office states. Continue reading at KUOW. (Elaine Thompson)

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Associated Press
Big student loan forgiveness plan announced by Biden

Bellingham Herald
Monkeypox cases are increasing across Washington, here’s what to know and how to stay safe
Your life expectancy just dropped according to a recent CDC report. See how WA compares
For WA residents, does your childhood smallpox vaccine protect against monkeypox?

Columbian
Editorial: In Our View: Biden must address student loan debt

Everett Herald
Editorial: What’s keeping people away from jury service?

Kitsap Sun
Commission approves lower Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls for all vehicles starting in October

News Tribune
Did you start a degree at Evergreen? The Olympia college is offering cash for you to finish
Biden just forgave millions in student debt. How to find out if your loan is affected

New York Times
California to ban the sale of new gasoline cars

Puget Sound Business Journal
Starbucks closes unionized Seattle store, transferring operations to QFC
iBuyers, short-term rental owners could see divergence as investor activity plateaus in Q2
What’s the real impact of higher wages? US lawmakers came to Seattle looking for answers.

Seattle Times
Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls will get cheaper this fall (Randall, Carlyle, Fey)
Coming in or staying home, Seattle workers agree pre-COVID office is gone
The role WA courts play in mental health care when someone is in crisis
WA ferry delays hit highest mark in past decade
Column: Democracy not dying: WA has 3rd highest voter turnout in nation

Washington Post
Biden to cancel up to $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers and $20,000 for Pell recipients
FBI’s Mar-a-Lago search followed months of resistance, delay by Trump
Five 1,000-year rain events have struck the U.S. in five weeks. Why?
‘Ghost guns’ now must be traceable, as Biden rule takes effect

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Toll reduction believed to be first in Washington state history
Hate crimes against transgender people are spiking, data shows
Student loan announcement: What we know about Biden’s student loan plan
Yes, FCC Affordable Connectivity Program’s $30 discount is real

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Reduced Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll rates to take effect Oct. 1
Health care giant to pay Washington $19M to resolve allegations of Medicaid fraud

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle-area schools scramble to fill bus driver jobs, parents warned about route changes
AG Ferguson: Healthcare giant to pay Washington state $19 million for Medicaid fraud
White supremacist pleads guilty to hate crime assault at Lynnwood bar

KNKX Public Radio
Scientists work to protect indoor air quality from wildfire smoke

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle’s school bus routes uncertain ahead of new school year
West Coast states band together to fight methane pipeline expansion

Web

Crosscut
Universal free school lunch is ending — but not for all WA students (Riccelli)

The Stranger
Seattle Doesn’t Need Therapy, We Need SPD to Drop Its Temper Tantrum

Tuesday, August 23

State’s new Clean Fuel Standard takes aim at climate-changing pollution
A mammoth accounting ledger. A carrot-and-stick rule with a focus on incentives. However you describe it, Washington’s proposed Clean Fuel Standard has a simple goal: reducing vehicle-related carbon pollution, which accounts for almost 45% of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. It is a flagship policy in Washington’s fight against climate change, said Joel Creswell, climate policy section manager for the Department of Ecology’s Air Quality Program. The standard will apply only to fuel producers. Still, residents may want to take advantage of the chance this month to comment on the standard, which will be finalized this fall and goes into effect on Jan. 1. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (WA Dept. of Ecology)

Half of WA residents eligible for free or discounted hospital care
Millions of Washingtonians recently became eligible for free or discounted hospital care after an update to a state law went into effect last month, a significant step toward eliminating residents’ costly medical debts. Up until this year, however, the eligibility requirements were much more narrow, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in an interview. As of July 1, all Washingtonians within 300% of the federal poverty level now qualify for charity care for their full out-of-pocket hospital bill, as long as care is considered “medically necessary.” Those within 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for discounted care, which is up to about $54,360 for a one-person home or $111,000 for a family of four. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)

Work in progress: In tight employment market, unions are gaining popularity and forcing companies to rethink labor relations
Two of Seattle’s most iconic companies are locked in standoffs between management and employees, as organized labor across the country receives a jolt of enthusiasm spurred largely by the Covid-19 pandemic. Employees for Starbucks and Amazon — two vast blue-collar workforces — have begun grassroots campaigns to form or join unions, though the success of those efforts has widely varied. Despite the velocity of the movement from Starbucks baristas, they face a stacked deck when it comes to ratifying a contract, labor advocates say — a hill that’s less steep for warehouse workers. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Jason Redmond)