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Can’t get a Washington driver license because of COVID closures? You can still register to vote
Those waiting for an appointment to get a new driver license or Washington ID card can register to vote using their Social Security number.
States try again to block coal sales that Trump revived
A coalition of states on Monday renewed its push to stop the Trump administration from selling coal from public lands after a previous effort to halt the lease sales was dismissed by a federal judge.
Washington State Veterans Cemetery to receive $3.5 Million for expansion
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded nearly $3.5 million in new funding Thursday for the expansion of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.
Incumbent State Auditor McCarthy faces 2 opponents in primary
The two candidates taking on incumbent Democratic State Auditor Pat McCarthy in the Aug. 4 primary argue McCarthy did not show enough leadership once the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
North Macedonia: Ballot boxes carried to quarantined homes
Election officials in North Macedonia carried ballot boxes to the homes of voters suffering from COVID-19 or in quarantine Monday, at the start of three days of voting in a general election that was delayed for months by the pandemic.
Initial jobless claims in Washington down last week, but backlog remains
The number of new people filing for unemployment benefits was down 11% last week as the Employment Security Department continues to resolve about 35,000 backlogged claims.
In tense hearing, lawmakers question use of force to clear path for Trump photo-op
U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops used smoke canisters, chemical irritants, explosives, projectiles, batons and horses to clear protesters from Lafayette Square on June 1.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announces furloughs
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday plans for agency-wide furloughs .
Washington sees slight increase in new jobless claims as backlog is processed
The number of Washington workers filing initial unemployment benefits increased slightly last week as the state Employee Security Department continues to resolve about 71,000 backlogged claims caused by record request issues or fraudulent claims using stolen identity information.
Recreational pot laws may boost traffic deaths, studies say
Laws legalizing recreational marijuana may lead to more traffic deaths, two new studies suggest, although questions remain about how they might influence driving habits.
New jobless claims in Washington drop slightly but unpaid backlog remains
The number of Washington workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits continued to drop last week.
For economic recovery, ‘virus is the boss’
The economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any the country has ever seen, so it’s difficult to say whether normal rules for recessions apply, a former chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers told a state Senate panel Tuesday.
Chief: Seattle protest area is not a police-free zone
Police will return to an area of a Seattle neighborhood being occupied by protesters if there are threats to public safety, the chief of police said after a business owner complained that officers didn’t respond when he called 911 to report a break-in and vandalism.
House to vote to make Washington DC the 51st state
Democrats controlling the House have slated a vote next week to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, an issue that they say has become far more important in the aftermath of protests for racial justice in both Washington and across the nation.
Spin Control: For unknown candidates seeking coverage
The inbox had a candidate request that every political reporter can expect at this point in the election cycle. Different candidate each year, same request: Don’t ignore my campaign.
Weathercatch: Bad weekends – enough already
The ominous bloblike clouds that appeared overhead shouldn’t have come as a surprise. After all, it was a Friday afternoon in the Inland Northwest.
Spokane Valley homeowners clash with developer over plans for land
A group of Spokane Valley homeowners have continued their years long clash with developer Dennis Crapo, arguing before a hearing examiner on Wednesday that the 29,000 cubic yards of construction debris he plans to haul to their area could put their neighborhood at risk.
Seattle City Council members slam mayor, police chief over protests
Seattle City Council members sharply criticized Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best after police used flash-bang devices and pepper spray to disperse protesters a day after Durkan and Best said they were trying to de-escalate tensions.
Medical Lake grad first in family to graduate
Shaianne McConnell is graduating with the Medical Lake Endeavors class of 2020
Mt. Spokane’s McKernan shows leadership: Sledding accident changed her life, but nothing can stop her
Allison McKernan is graduating with the Mt. Spokane High School class of 2020