Tracking COVID-19 and the pandemic in Tri-Cities, Washington, and beyond.
COVID-19
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
OR Reports $24M In Pandemic Benefit Fraud
(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Employment Department reports $24 million in fraud during the first year of the pandemic. $3 million was the result of identity theft cases and $21 million went to unemployment insurance fraud. Investigators have been able to get about a million dollars back so far
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WA Senate Majority Leader Tests Positive for COVID-19
(Olympia, WA) -- Washington State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig has COVID-19. The Democrat is fully vaccinated and boosted against the illness. He says says he's not experiencing any symptoms, but did recently test positive.
Billig represents the 3rd Legislative District in Spokane
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Whatcom County Seeking to Fill Late Doug Ericksen’s Seat Before Next Legislative Session
(Whatcom County, WA) -- Officials in Whatcom County are working to fill the late Washington State Senator Doug Ericksen's seat before the start of the 2022 legislative session. Whatcom County Republicans are expected to meet this week to come up with a list of three potential candidates
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City of Edmonds Introduces Fee for Outside “Streateries”
(Edmonds, WA) -- The Edmonds City Council is moving forward with a controversial new rule requiring restaurants to pay 4,000 dollars to continue using makeshift outdoor dining areas. City Council implemented the fee Monday after three councilmembers boycotted a meeting that was called to consider cutting it in half
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