Laurel Demkovich

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Washington state employee union ratifies deal with Inslee on vaccine mandate

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 10, 2021

The Washington Federation of State Employees, the largest union representing state employees, approved an agreement with Gov. Jay Inslee's office that still requires state employees to get vaccinated by Oct. 18 but gives them some flexibility and guidance on exemptions. 

News >  Pacific NW

Preventing fires from destroying entire towns will take communities learning to live with fire

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 29, 2022

Climate change has made fire season longer and fires burn more quickly in the western U.S., leaving many to wonder how these communities can protect themselves. 

News >  WA Government

As COVID-19 superspreader events become more common, state reinstates mask mandate for large outdoor gatherings

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 9, 2021

Starting Monday, everyone in the state — regardless of vaccination status — will be required to wear a mask at outdoor gatherings of 500 people or more, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.

News

One hundred years after Peace Arch was dedicated, U.S.-Canadian border remains closed, and experts worry about the implications

Mon., Sept. 6, 2021

As the closure drags on, experts and local communities wonder if the relationship between the two countries will ever be the same.

News

The state’s political districts will change this year. Here’s how the redistricting process will work:

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 10, 2021

Every 10 years, the country redraws its congressional and state legislative district boundaries using U.S. Census data.

News

Washington residents with felonies may soon automatically have voting rights restored, but not for 2021 general election

UPDATED: Fri., Sept. 10, 2021

As of this election cycle, those convicted of a felony in Washington can have their voting rights restored upon completing community supervision with the Department of Corrections, but beginning in 2022, those rights will expand even further.

News >  K-12 education

Q&A: What will back-to-school look like in the delta surge?

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 1, 2021

Kids are returning to classrooms at the height of the delta surge in the Inland Northwest.

News

As COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline draws near, unions hurry to reach bargaining deals

Tue., Aug. 31, 2021

The Washington State Federation of State Employees filed a lawsuit last week against Gov. Jay Inslee, asking a court to delay the implementation of the vaccine mandate. 

News >  WA Government

With opt-out deadline looming, Washington’s long-term care benefit and tax draws praise, criticism

Sun., Aug. 29, 2021

Beginning in 2022, Washington workers will see a payroll tax for long-term care, part of a statewide benefit that will be available to residents beginning in 2025. Workers have until this November to opt out.

News >  Idaho

Panhandle Health District reports hundreds of backlogged COVID-19 cases

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 27, 2021

The Panhandle Health District said Friday it is experiencing a backlog of cases for July and August.

News

Inland Northwest politicians call for swift evacuation after attack at Kabul aiport

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 27, 2021

After an attack at Kabul airport left 12 U.S. service members dead, the Inland Northwest's political leaders expressed condolences and pushed for a quick evacuation from Afghanistan. Republicans blamed President Biden's "failed withdrawal." 

News >  WA Government

Former Washington Employment Security Department head Suzi LeVine leaves job in Biden administration

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 24, 2021

LeVine, who took the job in the Biden administration earlier this year, wrote in a LinkedIn post that she is leaving the job to focus more on her family. Her last day was Friday.

News >  Health

Delta surge is leading to some of the highest hospitalizations seen during the pandemic

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 22, 2021

“People who are unvaccinated are creating a risk for everyone else,” said Dr. George Diaz, infectious disease provider at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. 

News >  Health

COVID-19 cases just as prevalent in community now as during winter surge, new report says

Sat., Aug. 21, 2021

Over the last month, case counts have increased sharply in most counties and in all age groups, the report says.

News >  Health

Statewide mask mandate is back for everyone, but there are some exceptions. Here’s where you need to wear a mask in Washington

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 20, 2021

After about four months of freedom from masks for vaccinated people, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday vaccinated people must join those unvaccinated in wearing masks when indoors.

News >  WA Government

Inslee: Teachers and staff must receive COVID-19 vaccine by mid-October

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 18, 2021

Beginning Aug. 23, everyone — regardless of vaccination status — will be required to wear masks in indoor settings. 

News

Masks required indoors again, as local hospitalizations and cases continue to climb

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 19, 2021

It’s time to mask up again, Washington.

News

Those with invalid drug possession convictions can petition Inslee to eliminate remaining supervision, likely paving way for 1,200 commutations

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 17, 2021

A new commutation process could relieve more than 1,200 individuals convicted solely for drug possession of their remaining community supervision and help courts facing a huge backlog of cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Inslee's office.

News

As kids head back for full-time in-person instruction, experts urge masks, vaccines as COVID-19 risk remains high

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 1, 2021

OLYMPIA – A year ago, few students prepared for an in-person first day of school.

News >  Health

Watershed Festival leads to outbreak of more than 160 COVID-19 cases

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 13, 2021

The Grant County Health District reported a multi-county COVID-19 outbreak, including cases in King, Grant, Pierce, Skagit, Kittitas, Okanogan, Whatcom, Kitsap, San Juan, Lincoln and Stevens counties. There was also one case tied to a resident in Oregon.

News >  Spokane

Reykdal: Without vaccine mandate, keeping schools open this year will be challenging

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 13, 2021

Reykdal sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday, urging him to require all employees in public K-12 schools to get vaccinations as condition of employment. 

News >  Health

Here’s what you need to know about Washington’s new vaccine mandate

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 11, 2021

As COVID-19 cases rise from the highly contagious delta variant, Washington joined several other states and local agencies in requiring vaccines for employees. 

News >  WA Government

Inslee announces vaccine mandates for state, health care employees

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

State employees and private health care and long term care employees are required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 18 as a condition of employment.

News >  Local Government

‘Every vote counts’: Spokane County’s primary turnout up slightly as close races show importance of turning in ballot

Sat., Aug. 7, 2021

As of Friday, about 24.7% of registered voters had returned their ballots for the Aug. 3 primary. According to the county, only 10 ballots remained to be counted. 

News >  Washington

With federal eviction moratorium lifted, Washington tenants, landlords relying on state’s ‘bridge’ program

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 26, 2021

But for tenants and landlords alike, the new program remains confusing, and evictions are likely still coming.