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Biden likely to take majority of Washington delegates after more votes counted
Bernie Sanders took a 400-plus vote lead after ballots were counted Wednesday, but Biden leapfrogged the Vermont senator Thursday.
Effort to identify, slow COVID-19’s spread in Washington hampered by testing lags
The number of novel coronavirus cases in Washington jumped by nearly another 100 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 457 cases in 14 counties. But health officials believe this number is much lower than the actual number of cases of COVID-19 in the community.
‘It is here’: COVID-19 is in Spokane, just undetected, officials say; protective equipment in short supply
While no cases have been confirmed, COVID-19 is in Spokane, health officials say – they just don’t know where or how widespread it is.
Transportation budget passes, could end ‘pause’ on major highway projects
A $10.3 billion budget designed to resume work on transportation projects on “pause” because of last year’s initiative to reduce fees and taxes for vehicle license tabs passed the Legislature Wednesday with overwhelming majorities by both chambers.
With a day left before session ends, Washington legislators cut nearly $1 billion from proposed spending plan to prepare for possible downturn
Facing uncertainty over a possible economic downturn from the novel coronavirus outbreak and the need to fight the outbreak that has claimed more than two dozen lives, lawmakers said they significantly rewrote the budget plan they expect to pass quickly by Thursday evening.
Inslee bans large gatherings in 3 West Side counties as coronavirus cases continue to rise
Gatherings of more than 250 people in the state’s three most populous counties will be canceled or postponed under an emergency order issued Wednesday morning by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Inslee announces strict visitation rules for nursing homes as COVID is found at nearly a dozen facilities
Washington has 267 confirmed COVID-19 cases in nine counties, including deaths tied to three long-term care facilities in the Seattle area.
AP source: Inslee to ban large gatherings in Seattle area
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to announce new policies to support workers and businesses impacted by the new coronavirus.
Netanyahu rivals to cooperate on forming new government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival said Monday that he has agreed with a smaller party to work together to form a new government following national elections last week.
Hundreds in D.C. asked to quarantine after exposure in church
Several hundred people are being asked to self-quarantine after potential exposure to the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Washington DC, identified as the rector of prominent Episcopal church.
Questions, answers about Tuesday’s presidential primary ballot
Presidential primary voters have three days left to mark and return ballots.
Plastic bag ban passes House
Plastic grocery bags would be banned in Washington to encourage reusable bags, and stores would be required to charge 8 cents for paper bags, under a bill that passed the House Saturday.
First COVID-19 cases confirmed in Clark, Kittitas, Pierce counties; death toll rises to 16
Public health officials in Clark, Pierce and Kittitas counties in Western Washington announced their first confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Grant County health officials release potential contact locations for confirmed COVID-19 case
Grant County officials released a list of public places and gatherings the Quincy resident who tested positive for COVID-19 attended in February, alerting those who also attended to monitor their symptoms. The person who tested positive is at Central Hospital in Washington in critical condition.
Report: Vancouver Public Schools keeps Black kids out of class longer than whites
Black students in Vancouver Public Schools are kept out of class longer than their white classmates, particularly for minor infractions such as disrupting class.
University of Washington moves classes online over virus fears; EWU moves finals online, up
Despite the University of Washington’s announcement Friday to move all classes online, Washington State University, the University of Idaho and other area colleges will continue holding classes while monitoring developments with the coronavirus outbreak, officials said. The UW said it will stop classes for nearly 60,000 students at its three campuses. The change will take effect Monday and run through the end of winter quarter on March 13.
Pence offers praise, supplies, assurances to Inslee at ‘front lines’ of coronavirus fight
Vice President Mike Pence brought praise Thursday for the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, assurances of federal help and much needed supplies to aid in that effort.
Legislature approves law to create office focused on reducing gun violence
OLYMPIA – Washington likely will be the first state to create an office focused on reducing firearm violence through data analysis and a grant program to help communities and Indian tribes. “We don’t need to wait until shots have been fired,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, in a statement. “We need to intervene to prevent violence before it happens.”
‘Panic defense’ can’t be used to justify violence against LGBT community under new law
A bill signed into law Thursday means defendants cannot claim a “panic defense” in court to justify violence against a member of the LGBTQ community.
Grant County resident tests positive for COVID-19; Washington waives testing charges as cases jump to 70
A Grant County resident hospitalized at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee has tested positive for COVID-19, the Grant County Health District announced Wednesday night.