Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 18
State to monitor 16 people who contacted man with ‘novel’ coronavirus
Health officials said Wednesday they are actively monitoring 16 people who came into close contact with the traveler to China who became the first U.S. resident with a new and potentially deadly virus.
Washington unemployment rate for December was 4.3 %
OLYMPIA – Washington state’s December unemployment rate dipped to 4.3 %. According to numbers released Wednesday by the Employment Security Department, December’s rate was down from November’s rate of 4.4 %. The state also saw a gain of 10,900 jobs during the month. The largest private job growth occurred in retail trade and professional and business services, while the biggest losses were seen in wholesale trade and financial activities.
Washington state novel coronavirus case first in U.S., patient being monitored but in good condition
Health officials confirmed the first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China, to come to the U.S. in a Snohomish County man.
Citizens academy at Homeland Security Investigation unit seeks to build public trust
The Homeland Security Investigations field office in Seattle is responsible for investigations in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. Major satellite offices are located in Spokane, Portland and Blaine, with smaller ones in other cities.
Pierce County home prices and million-dollar property sales up in 2019
TACOMA – A review of 2019’s housing market for Western Washington shows buyers priced out of King County continuing to drive up prices in the surrounding counties, including Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston. As Seattle saw the highest price ever achieved for a home sale in Western Washington ($37.5 million), Pierce County saw an uptick in not only median home prices but the number of high-end homes sold compared with 2018.
T. rex relative could become Washington’s official state dinosaur
Regardless of whether the Legislature sees fit to bestow that official designation, Suciasaurus is the state’s only dinosaur – at least in terms of having some fossilized part of an extinct reptile found within the boundaries of Washington.
National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe investigating site desecration
The National Park Service is investigating the desecration of an archaeological site in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe is hoping to bring those responsible to justice.
Cantwell lauds new North American trade pact
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell praised the new trade deal with Canada and Mexico approved by the Senate on Thursday, saying it would help strengthen the country’s trade partners and open up new sales for Washington-produced wine north of the border.
Microsoft: $250M more for affordable housing in Seattle area
One year after Microsoft announced it was committing $500 million toward affordable housing in the Seattle area, it’s upping that by half.
How do resorts try to prevent avalanches like the one that took three lives in Idaho this week? It’s complicated
Every morning in ski resorts across the world, patrollers do what they can to mitigate the inherent dangers of a mountain environment.
Know before you go: Avalanche education vital for all winter recreationists
All the high-tech gear in the world might not save your life in an avalanche.
Watchdog: Officer’s ruse contributed to suspect’s suicide
The Seattle Police Department’s civilian watchdog has found that an officer’s ruse in a 2018 hit-and-run case contributed to the driver’s suicide.
Calls for Shea resignation continue but House leaders don’t have backup plan
Legislative leaders and Gov. Jay Inslee repeated calls for Rep. Matt Shea to resign. But since he has said he won’t, their next step remains unclear.
Night 2 of ‘Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time’ tips hat to Washington state
For those paying close attention, there were some Washington state names dropped.
Former Grant County judge, Moses Lake businessman face heavy fines for campaign violations
A former Grant County judge and a Moses Lake businessman broke campaign finance laws in 2014 with an unsuccessful effort to defeat a candidate for county prosecutor.
Groups demand answers after Iranians say they were detained
Civil rights groups and lawmakers demanded information from federal officials Monday following reports that dozens of Iranian-Americans were held up and questioned at the border as they returned to the United States from Canada over the weekend.
Then and Now: Greenacres, Washington
The planned settlement 10 miles east of Spokane was envisioned as a fruit-growing paradise. Irrigation canals were dug to draw water from Liberty Lake, but after several decades, the number of apple orchards in Greenacres dwindled.
Wild first day: Palouse’s first 2020 baby born in Pullman, flown to Rosalia, driven to Spokane
August was the first baby of the year at a Palouse-area hospital, born to Randi and her husband, Justin.
Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal Jan. 15
Former Gonzaga Prep and Washington State University football star Steve Gleason, who become a leading advocate for people struggling with Lou Gehrig’s disease after he was diagnosed with the paralyzing condition, will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Jan. 15.
Proposed Washington state bill to cap insulin at $100
A Washington state lawmaker has announced plans to introduce legislation that would cap insulin costs at $100 a month.