Northwest

State unemployment insurance applications jump 843 percent over previous week

State unemployment insurance applications jump 843 percent over previous week

133,464 new claims due to COVID-19 related layoffs

State unemployment insurance applications jump 843 percent over previous week
COVID-19 gathering restriction delays funerals

COVID-19 gathering restriction delays funerals

For one funeral home owner, the confusion came to a head after a recent service.

  • Mar 25, 2020
COVID-19 gathering restriction delays funerals
Legislators request unemployment assistance for independent contractors

Legislators request unemployment assistance for independent contractors

Federal funds for hairdressers, high tech coders and others

  • Mar 25, 2020
Legislators request unemployment assistance for independent contractors
Activists want rent, mortgage suspensions

Activists want rent, mortgage suspensions

Moratoriums on evictions won’t be enough, say some.

Activists want rent, mortgage suspensions
Governor: Stay at home — and that’s now an order

Governor: Stay at home — and that’s now an order

Jay Inslee on Monday took an aggressive new step to curb social interactions as coronavirus deaths rise.

  • Mar 23, 2020
  • By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
  • Coronavirus
Governor: Stay at home — and that’s now an order
Boeing plants in Puget Sound area to close; infected Everett worker dies

Boeing plants in Puget Sound area to close; infected Everett worker dies

To the relief of anxious employees, the company said it will shut down factory operations for two weeks.

Boeing plants in Puget Sound area to close; infected Everett worker dies
Some medical supplies, including face masks, respirators and gowns provided to Washington by the federal government March 5 in conjunction with a visit from U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to Camp Murray in Pierce County, Washington. Cameron Sheppard/WNPA News Service

President issues virus disaster declaration for Washington state

Governor appoints Navy Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono to oversee COVID-19 response management.

  • Mar 22, 2020
Some medical supplies, including face masks, respirators and gowns provided to Washington by the federal government March 5 in conjunction with a visit from U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to Camp Murray in Pierce County, Washington. Cameron Sheppard/WNPA News Service
Playgrounds, sports courts closed in King County to encourage social distancing

Playgrounds, sports courts closed in King County to encourage social distancing

Seattle mayor says in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the public cannot allow gatherings at Alki, Golden Gardens, Seward, Volunteer Park or Magnuson parks.

Playgrounds, sports courts closed in King County to encourage social distancing
Screenshot of Gov. Jay Inslee’s press conference from March 20, 2020, on TVW.

Inslee: Some folks aren’t taking the virus outbreak seriously

At a news conference, the governor warned businesses and individuals to get with the program.

  • Mar 20, 2020
  • By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
  • Coronavirus
Screenshot of Gov. Jay Inslee’s press conference from March 20, 2020, on TVW.
Coronavirus causes heavy job losses nationwide in hotel industry

Coronavirus causes heavy job losses nationwide in hotel industry

4 million jobs already lost or on verge of being eliminated

  • Mar 20, 2020
Coronavirus causes heavy job losses nationwide in hotel industry
The King County Courthouse is located at 516 Third Ave. in downtown Seattle. Photo courtesy of King County

State Supreme Court pauses almost all cases in Washington

Judges will focus on bail hearings under emergency COVID-19 rules.

The King County Courthouse is located at 516 Third Ave. in downtown Seattle. Photo courtesy of King County
90-year-old Life Care resident recovering after testing positive for COVID-19

90-year-old Life Care resident recovering after testing positive for COVID-19

Geneva Wood remains in isolation at Harborview Medical Center.

90-year-old Life Care resident recovering after testing positive for COVID-19
Passengers on a King County Metro bus. File photo

King County Metro cancels fares

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, riders in King County take free buses

  • Mar 20, 2020
  • Sound Publishing staff
Passengers on a King County Metro bus. File photo
Murray asks government watchdog to investigate Trump administration’s testing missteps

Murray asks government watchdog to investigate Trump administration’s testing missteps

Claims delays in developing, deploying testing for coronavirus

  • Mar 19, 2020
Murray asks government watchdog to investigate Trump administration’s testing missteps
Inslee orders halt to elective surgeries, dental services

Inslee orders halt to elective surgeries, dental services

Seeks to reserve critical equipment for COVID-19 health care workers

  • Mar 19, 2020
Inslee orders halt to elective surgeries, dental services
Amazon donates $50,000 in supplies to Kent facility for COVID-19 response

Amazon donates $50,000 in supplies to Kent facility for COVID-19 response

Site of former Econo Lodge motel | VIDEO

Amazon donates $50,000 in supplies to Kent facility for COVID-19 response
Evictions on hold statewide amid COVID-19 outbreak

Evictions on hold statewide amid COVID-19 outbreak

The governor announced the order, with some exceptions, as well as millions in grants for businesses.

Evictions on hold statewide amid COVID-19 outbreak
How will COVID-19 impact wildfire response?

How will COVID-19 impact wildfire response?

Answers and resources are short in short supply right now, but fire academies are still planned.

How will COVID-19 impact wildfire response?
Like similar businesses across King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, Bothell restaurant Hana Sushi is closed until April 2020 due to public-health concerns. Blake Peterson/staff photo

A COVID-19 recession could cost millions of jobs

The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is hurting workers.

Like similar businesses across King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, Bothell restaurant Hana Sushi is closed until April 2020 due to public-health concerns. Blake Peterson/staff photo
COVID-19 severe blood shortage; Red Cross drives canceled; fewer donations

COVID-19 severe blood shortage; Red Cross drives canceled; fewer donations

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak, the agency… Continue reading

  • Mar 17, 2020
COVID-19 severe blood shortage; Red Cross drives canceled; fewer donations