Tracking COVID-19 and the pandemic in Tri-Cities, Washington, and beyond.
COVID-19
University of Washington Developing New COVID-19 Vaccine
(Seattle, WA) -- A new COVID vaccine is now in the late stages of testing here in Seattle. Researchers at the University of Washington used tiny protein particles to help develop GPB510 at the UW School of Medicine along with SK Bioscience
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Romance Novelist Charged with Murdering Husband
(Portland, OR) -- Court proceedings continued Tuesday in the murder trial of a romance novelist accused of murdering her longtime husband. Nancy Crampton-Brophy is accused of shooting and killing her 63-year-old husband Daniel Brophy in June of 2018
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Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Sees New Spike in Coronavirus Infections
(Connell, WA) -- The Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell is dealing with an apparent spike in COVID-19. According to the state Department of Corrections, the facility currently has 186 active cases of covid. That makes up almost all of the total 199 active cases in prisons statewide
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Canada to End COVID Testing Requirement for U.S. Visitors
(Blaine, WA) -- Washingtonians who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can soon travel into Canada without having to show a negative test result. The Canadian health minister announced Thursday that the nation will stop requiring COVID-19 tests from fully vaccinated travelers starting April 1st
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WA Indoor Mask Requirement Continues Despite New CDC Guidance
(Olympia, WA) -- The CDC says COVID-19 levels are low enough that most of the country can stop wearing masks. Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the State Department of Health is reviewing the updated guidance from the CDC. He says March 21st remains the current date for ending Washington's indoor mask requirements
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Parents Protest Mask Mandates as Richland Schools Emergency Closure Continues
(Richland, WA) -- The Richland School District Board recently voted in favor of defying Washington state's indoor mask mandate. There's been a great deal of controversy and confusion since then--prompting two emergency closures, and a rally at Richland's John Dam Plaza
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T-Mobile to Require COVID-19 Vaccine for Employees
(Bellevue, WA) -- Washington-based mobile carrier T-Mobile is planning to fire employees who aren't fully vaccinated by April. According to an internal email seen by Bloomberg, the company's head of human resources says unvaccinated employees will be fired by April 2nd
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Recently Retired WSP Trooper Reportedly Dies of Covid-19 Complications
(Yakima, WA) -- A Yakima-based Washington State Patrol Trooper was one of many law enforcement officers who retired in light of Governor Jay Inslee's COVID-19 vaccine requirement for state employees. Robert LaMay made headlines when he announced his departure over police radio--stressing his decision was due to the mandate
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Bill to Curb Governor’s Emergency Powers Set for Hearing
LINK** (here is the link to sign up and provide remote testimony).
(Olympia, WA) -- A bill that would, if passed, curb the emergency powers of Washington's Governor is set for a public hearing this Friday. Senate Bill 5909 is sponsored by Senate Democratic Majority Whip Emily Randall of Bremerton
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King County Corrections Worker Union Leader Calls For Two-Week Jail Quarantine
(King County, WA) -- The leader of the union representing King County corrections workers is calling for a two-week quarantined shutdown of the county's jails due to surging COVID-19 case numbers. Guild president Dennis Folk issued a letter to the Department for Adult and Juvenile Detention Thursday urging them to shut down jail operations for two weeks--stressing that the county has a fundamenta