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Asian giant hornet found this week in Northwest Washington
Washington agriculture officials announced Friday that the state has its first confirmed sighting of the Asian giant hornet this year.
Court considers request to end Inslee’s COVID-19 emergency orders
The state emergency orders over COVID-19 should be ended and local health districts allowed to decide what steps their communities should take in response to the virus, an attorney for some Chelan County residents argued Thursday in a court in Wenatchee.
Half of newly diagnosed coronavirus cases in Washington are in people under 40
Half of new coronavirus infections in Washington are now occurring in people under the age of 40, a marked shift from earlier in the epidemic when more than two-thirds of those testing positive were in older age groups.
Washington state officials report drop in childhood vaccinations
The Washington State Department of Health has observed a significant drop in the number of children being vaccinated over the past two months.
Nation’s capital set to begin a gradual reopening on Friday
Mayor Muriel Bowser says the nation’s capital will begin a gradual reopening Friday, even as she warns that it probably will result in more coronavirus infections.
Loved ones reunite at an oasis on closed U.S.-Canada border
The closure of the U.S.-Canada border has cut off many families from loved ones on the other side, but a park between Washington state and British Columbia has provided some with a rare chance for in-person visits.
Cherry growers face their own epidemic as harvest nears
In the midst of COVID-19, cherry growers around the Wenatchee Valley are battling another epidemic: little cherry disease.
Washington state aims to regulate water temperature at federal dams, wading into controversy
Today, Columbia and Snake River salmon, and orcas that depend on them, are at risk of extinction. And Washington state regulators are taking a new regulatory role to chill fish-killing hot water at four dams on the lower Columbia, and four on the lower Snake.
State health department issues new safety measures for agricultural workers after strikes, CDC visit
In response to workers’ increasing concerns over the lack of proper safety measures in agricultural settings and food-processing plants, the state Department of Health will release new guidelines to protect the health and safety of essential workers in the agriculture sector during the pandemic. The decision to issue new protocols comes after fruit-packing warehouse workers began to strike for better safety precautions on May 7 and after officials from the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveled to Yakima on May 11 at the request of the Yakima Health District.
12 inmates, 4 employees at Coyote Ridge prison test positive for COVID-19
In response, the Department of Corrections is shutting down the food factory at Coyote Ridge, where inmates produce meals for the entire prison system and dozens of external customers. All of the prison’s inmates will be quarantined in their units for 10 days starting Tuesday. All classes and other programming will be suspended.
Steep drop in children’s vaccinations worries Washington health officials
The Washington State Department of Health has noticed a significant drop in the number of children being vaccinated over the past two months.
Pastor sentenced for stealing Oso slide donations
A pastor who stole Oso slide donations was sentenced last week.
Some recreational fishing set to reopen in Washington
Washington state officials say after two months of closures because of concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the state’s coastal waters are set to reopen for fishing on Tuesday
Baby gorilla badly injured in family skirmish at Seattle zoo
Zookeepers at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle say a baby gorilla was badly injured Saturday when he was caught in a skirmish between his family group members.
WSU researchers identify protein that may help crops survive climate change
Researchers at Washington State University have pulled back the curtains on a mysterious plant protein that could change agriculture in a world overheated by climate change.
With three dozen running in primary, Washington governor’s race sets statewide record
Washington voters are unlikely to complain about their lack of choices for governor this year. They can choose among 36 people who want the job, a record for a statewide race.
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Pam Haley won’t appear on state House ballot despite computer troubles, judge rules
Haley said the Secretary of State’s website crashed as she was trying to file for a state House of Representatives seat last week, but there were other methods available to file her candidacy, a Spokane Superior Court judge ruled Friday in denying her request to appear on the August ballot.
Agricultural workers in Central Washington strike to push for greater virus protections
Workers in Central Washington’s fruit-packing industry have staged strikes and walkouts over the past few weeks in an effort to enhance safety protections against COVID-19 and to receive hazard pay.
‘Sophisticated’ unemployment scam costs Washington state hundreds of millions of dollars
A Nigerian crime ring is blamed for filing bogus unemployment claims that have cost Washington state hundreds of millions of dollars. The problem has led to delayed payments for state residents who have lost their jobs.
Washington state sues Trump administration over which college students should get coronavirus aid
Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office filed a lawsuit in federal court this week, alleging the Education Department is ignoring the will of Congress in limiting which college and university students should receive money set aside in a $2 trillion assistance package. The Department says it’s ensuring eligible students receive help.