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Folks flock to Ritzville to pick up potatoes farmers can’t sell
There are rarely traffic jams in the small Adams County farming town of Ritzville, but there was one Wednesday morning as people turned out in droves for 20 tons of free potatoes.
52 who worked or voted in Wisconsin election have COVID-19
There are no plans to postpone or otherwise alter a special congressional election in Wisconsin that is less than two weeks away, even though more than 50 people who voted in person or worked the polls during the state’s presidential primary this month have tested positive for COVID-19.
Washington psychiatric hospital staffers say virus tests unsafe
Workers who had been exposed to the coronavirus at Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital were herded into a small building to be tested. Inside, few wore masks. They were given test kits by people without gloves and told to swirl a swab inside their noses. The method was designed only for people showing symptoms, but the staffers said none of them did. Many told the Associated Press that the flawed testing process this month likely produced inaccurate results and exposed them to the virus again.
Footage of fatal Ritzville police shooting released
The Columbia Basin Investigative Team released a partial video of an April 11 incident in Ritzville where a man armed with a machete experiencing mental health distress was shot and killed after advancing on police officers.
Rick Steves finds unexpected joy amid travel standstill, vows to keep staff working
Rick Steves is an explorer at heart, so it should come as little surprise that he is finding unexpected joy in the midst of an awful situation.
Tests of workers at Central Washington orchard finds dozens of COVID-19 cases without symptoms
Testing at a central Washington orchard found dozens of farm workers who tested positive for COVID-19 though they weren’t experiencing symptoms.
Rural northeast Washington counties ask Inslee for special consideration on reopening come May 4
While Franklin County voted to reopen its economy early this week – and quickly learned that wouldn’t fly with Gov. Jay Inslee’s office – officials in Washington’s three rural northeast found consensus on a different, more measured approach.
In response to West Seattle Bridge closure, city to audit maintenance and spending on its aging bridges
Last month’s emergency shutdown of the West Seattle Bridge has prompted Seattle City Council member Alex Pedersen to request an audit of the city’s 124 bridges, he said Thursday.
After 100 virus cases and 1 death, Tyson plant in southeastern Washington closes
After more than 100 workers contracted COVID-19 and one worker died, Tyson announced that its Wallula plant would temporarily close, so all 1,400 employees can be tested.
Washington unemployment claims drop to 82,400 in week of ‘calm before the storm’
Washington residents continued filing unemployment claims last week by the tens of thousands as the state’s employers moved to reduce their payrolls to meet the economic realities created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Supreme Court refuses to order release of prisoners to ease crowding during epidemic
Washington Supreme Court wrestles with question of whether crowded prisons are unconstitutional during the COVID-19 epidemic
DC’s high school ‘makers’ fire up 3D printers to create PPE
A private school student in the nation’s capital wanted to find a way to pitch in and help address the suffering created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus cases at Wallula beef plant reach 100
All employees of a Tyson Fresh Meats beef plant near the Tri-Cities will eventually be tested for COVID-19 and then sent home to self-isolate until test results come back
Facebook to label national origin of some political posts
Facebook said it will label some election-related posts with their geographic origin in an attempt to curb political misinformation by foreign-based pages that mimic legitimate groups and political parties.
Senate approves $483B virus aid deal, sends it to House
The Senate has approved a $483 billion coronavirus aid package after Congress and the White House reached a deal.
4 GOP lawmakers call for a special session to deal with pandemic’s effects
Four Republican legislators made a pitch Tuesday for a special session in the near future to help bring the state back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that lawmakers should call themselves back to the Capitol if Gov. Jay Inslee won’t.
Inslee calls for gradual relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions; construction may begin ‘very soon’
Gov. Jay Inslee lays out plans for relaxing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More testing, contact tracing, supplies needed before state dials back social distancing
Following data and health officials’ guidance, Gov. Jay Inslee explained what he needs to see happen before easing some of the state’s mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Postponed events, virtual outreach: Coronavirus disrupts campaign for region’s congressional seat
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers postponed her traditional campaign kickoff in the district last month, while Democratic challenger Chris Armitage has shifted to online outreach in his upset bid in the November election. Rob Chase, the latest entry into the contest, said he hopes to resume normal campaigning this summer.
Puyallup River one of most endangered in nation, environmental group says
PUYALLUP, Wash. – A conservation group has named the Puyallup River one of the country’s most endangered rivers. An environmental nonprofit, American Rivers, placed the Puyallup River at No. 4 in its endangered river list. The group said a dam on the river is hurting fish.