Northwest

Washington State Supreme Court Justices (back row, L-R) Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Mary I. Yu, G. Helen Whitener, (front row, L-R) Susan Owens, Charles W. Johnson, Steven C. Gonzalez, Barbara A. Madsen and Debra L. Stephens.

Justices strike down Washington state drug possession law

Police must stop arresting people for simple possession.

Washington State Supreme Court Justices (back row, L-R) Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Mary I. Yu, G. Helen Whitener, (front row, L-R) Susan Owens, Charles W. Johnson, Steven C. Gonzalez, Barbara A. Madsen and Debra L. Stephens.
In a zipper merge, cars continue in their lanes and then take turns at the point where the lanes meet. (Koenb via Wikimedia Commons)

Do Washington drivers need to learn the zipper merge?

Legislators propose requiring zipper merge instruction in drivers education and in license test.

In a zipper merge, cars continue in their lanes and then take turns at the point where the lanes meet. (Koenb via Wikimedia Commons)
In Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, which was announced Jan. 28, restaurants can reopen at a maximum 25% capacity and a limit of six people per table. Inslee recently announced all counties will be staying in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan for the next several weeks. Pictured: People enjoy outdoor dining last summer in downtown Kent. Courtesy photo

Inslee: All of Washington to stay in Phase 2 for a few weeks

The governor issued a weekslong pause on regions moving backward, but has yet to outline a Phase 3.

In Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, which was announced Jan. 28, restaurants can reopen at a maximum 25% capacity and a limit of six people per table. Inslee recently announced all counties will be staying in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan for the next several weeks. Pictured: People enjoy outdoor dining last summer in downtown Kent. Courtesy photo
Entrance to the Tukwila Library branch of the King County Library System. File photo

King County libraries will reopen in some cities for in-person services

Fall City, Kent libraries among six selected for partial reopening.

Entrance to the Tukwila Library branch of the King County Library System. File photo
Lynda Wilson

Republican state senators make bid to get children back into classrooms

Wilson, Braun among sponsors of Senate bill

Lynda Wilson
Stock photo

New state modeling report explores options for safer return to in-person learning

Explores how to minimize COVID-19 introductions in schools

  • Feb 24, 2021
Stock photo
A South King Fire & Rescue firefighter places a used test swab into a secure COVID test vial on Nov. 18, 2020, at a Federal Way testing site. (Sound Publishing file photo)

Masks are still king in combating new COVID strains

A top UW doctor talks new strains, masks and when normal could return.

A South King Fire & Rescue firefighter places a used test swab into a secure COVID test vial on Nov. 18, 2020, at a Federal Way testing site. (Sound Publishing file photo)
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo

Democrats look to allow noncitizens to serve on school boards

A Senate bill takes aim at a state law requiring anyone seeking elected office to be a citizen.

  • Feb 22, 2021
  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
A CVS pharmacist prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at Village Green Retirement Campus in Federal Way on Jan. 26. Olivia Sullivan/Sound Publishing

State health leader: We have a plan, we don’t have the supply

Two months after the COVID vaccine landed in Washington, many still struggle to secure their shots.

A CVS pharmacist prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at Village Green Retirement Campus in Federal Way on Jan. 26. Olivia Sullivan/Sound Publishing
File photo

How the pandemic and coronavirus variants can show us evolution in real time

Scientists say viruses reproduce and mutate at higher rates, creating viral variants.

File photo
Gov. Jay Inslee talks about schools reopening during a Tuesday news conference. (TVW)

Inslee signs $2.2 billion COVID relief package

The federal funds will go to fight COVID, aid renters and reopen shuttered schools and businesses.

  • Feb 20, 2021
  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
  • Coronavirus
Gov. Jay Inslee talks about schools reopening during a Tuesday news conference. (TVW)
Karen Johnson. Courtesy Photo

Inslee names Karen A. Johnson director of new state Office of Equity

She is currently the equity and inclusion administrator for the state Department of Corrections

  • Feb 18, 2021
Karen Johnson. Courtesy Photo
Mike Kreidler

Kreidler says insurance industry guts proposed ban on use of credit scores

Claims Senate Bill 5010 watered down to protect insurers, not consumers

  • Feb 18, 2021
Mike Kreidler
Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, an ob-gyn with the University of Washington School of Medicine and senior author of the report (Photo Credit: University of Washington School of Medicine)

UW study shows high COVID infection rates among pregnant women

Study shows infection rates to be two to four times higher than expected among minority groups.

Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, an ob-gyn with the University of Washington School of Medicine and senior author of the report (Photo Credit: University of Washington School of Medicine)
Gov. Jay Inslee talks about schools reopening during a Tuesday news conference. (TVW)

Inslee offers school districts state-funded COVID testing

The ‘Learn to Return’ plan is intended to speed school reopenings with an added layer of confidence.

Gov. Jay Inslee talks about schools reopening during a Tuesday news conference. (TVW)
COURTESY PHOTO, Treehouse

Treehouse awarded $1.3 million in CARES Act to help fund foster care tutoring

Chance to better engage youth education during pandemic

  • Feb 16, 2021
COURTESY PHOTO, Treehouse
File photo

Everett online heroin and meth dealer sentenced for mailing drugs nationwide

Todd Peterman-Dishion of Everett, let go by Boeing and addicted, turned to dark internet commerce.

File photo
Of the 84 schools that had COVID-19 outbreaks across the state, 69% were public schools and the remaining were private schools, according to a new report. Courtesy photo

State releases data on COVID outbreaks in schools

A new statewide report outlines how COVID-19 outbreaks have moved through Washington schools. The report, released on Feb. 11, lists outbreaks in King County and… Continue reading

Of the 84 schools that had COVID-19 outbreaks across the state, 69% were public schools and the remaining were private schools, according to a new report. Courtesy photo
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Federal Way woman killed in Seattle shooting

Investigation shows no connection between woman and suspect, who was fatally shot by Seattle officers.

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Tim Eyman. FILE PHOTO

Judge fines Tim Eyman $2.6 million for campaign law violations

The serial anti-tax initiative sponsor said he will abide the court’s order but denied he violated ‘any law.’

  • Feb 11, 2021
  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
  • video
Tim Eyman. FILE PHOTO