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Senate passes immigration law restricting federal arrests
Federal officials could not arrest people for civil violations such as some immigration offenses in or around local courthouses in most circumstances without a judge’s order, under a bill that received final legislative approval Wednesday.
Company seeks looser cleanup standards at uranium-processing site near Spokane reservation
Dawn Mining Co. is asking the state of Washington to relax substantially the clean-up standards for groundwater at its long-shuttered uranium-processing mill in Ford, where about 58 million cubic feet of ore was processed and 13 million pounds of “yellowcake” was produced.
‘Way behind the 8-ball’: Sen. Murray decries COVID-19 testing lag time, shortage as virus spreads
With the backup on testing production, members of Congress, including Sen. Patty Murray, decry the vague and slow response to COVID-19
House OKs $100 million to fight coronavirus in Washington
The House moved swiftly and unanimously Tuesday to approve $100 million from the state’s reserves to fight the coronavirus outbreak in Washington that has claimed nine lives.
Bill passes that would prohibit discrimination against immigrants due to their citizenship status
Discriminating against immigrants in Washington because of their citizenship status would be illegal under a bill that received final passage Tuesday from the Legislature.
Nine COVID-19 deaths now reported in Washington state
King County health officials announced three additional deaths due to the novel coronavirus on Tuesday.
Alaska Airlines drops sponsorship of Iditarod sled dog race
Alaska Airlines confirmed Monday it will drop its sponsorship of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska’s most famous sporting event.
2 at Bellevue College out after incarceration mural altered
SEATTLE – The president and one vice president of Bellevue College will leavetheir jobs, the school announced Monday, after the vice president’s decision to alter a campus mural of two Japanese American children in a World War II incarceration camp by removing a reference to anti-Japanese agitation by Eastside businessmen. President Jerry Weber and Gayle Colston Barge, vice president of institutional advancement, are departing, though it wasn’t made clear by the public college if the two were being fired or if they resigned, the Seattle Times reported. Provost Kristen Jones will serve as acting president, Board Chair Rich Fukutaki announced.
Coronavirus was probably spreading for six weeks in Washington state, study says
Genetic testing of the virus in a newly diagnosed patient matches that seen in the first patient in the United States, leading researchers to believe it’s been spreading undetected since January.
Spokane airport travelers express little concern over risk of contracting coronavirus
As two new cases of the COVID-19 disease were reported Sunday in Washington, , travelers through Spokane International Airport said they weren’t too concerned about contracting the disease. Most were choosing not to don masks, heeding local health officials’ advice that masks aren’t necessary, but did say they believed fellow travelers needed to wash their hands more frequently and cover their sneezes.
Second coronavirus patient dies Saturday in King County; officials await test results in Spokane
The patient was a man in his 70s who had underlying health issues. The total number of confirmed cases in King County reached 10 on Sunday, with four new cases coming from an elderly care facility in Kirkland. Another case was also reported in Snohomish County.
Governor declares state of emergency, as COVID-19 cases increase, including one death
State and local health officials confirmed additional cases of COVID-19 in Washington state on Saturday, including one man who has died.
Washington governor declares state of emergency over virus
The governor of Washington state declared a state of emergency Saturday after a man died there of COVID-19, the first such reported death in the United States.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s blunt advice to Pence on coronavirus: Stick to the science
The governor of Washington said the vice president called to thank his state for their efforts against the novel coronavirus – and got a blunt message back.
House gives transportation budget strong support
A near unanimous House passed an update to the state’s transportation budget which would restart major projects without tax increases.
Federal report advises against breaching of four Snake River dams
The draft environmental statement released Friday suggests changes to the spill rates at area dams in an effort to ensure survival of migrating fish populations. But conservation groups called the report rushed by the Trump administration and argued it didn’t go far enough to protect the interests of tribes, whose lands were inundated by the construction of the dams, and other groups dependent on fish.
Washington state will begin testing for COVID-19, lawmakers allocate $10 million to virus preparations
Testing for the novel coronavirus is now available at the state public health lab, shortening turnaround time for results.
Bothell High School closed over new virus concerns
BOTHELL – A suburban Seattle high school was closed Thursday after a staffer’s family member was placed in quarantine for showing symptoms of possibly contracting the new virus that started in China. Bothell High School was cleaned and disinfected Thursday while students stayed home, Northshore School District superintendent Michelle Reid announced in an email to families Wednesday night.
Sanders has edge, but many undecided in Crosscut/Elway poll of likely Democratic voters in Washington
Bernie Sanders polled at 21% of respondents to a Feb. 15-18 telephone poll conducted largely in Western Washington, but 22% of respondents said they were still undecided about whom they would support in the March 10 primary.
China agrees to import Washington, Idaho potatoes
Federal agriculture officials announced Tuesday that they have reached an agreement to export U.S. potatoes to China for processing. The deal, which includes crops grown in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, is expected add about $20 million worth of exports a year.