Northwest

Photo by Haley Ausbun. An electrician inspects one of the four rooms in the first modular unit that will be ready for those under quarantine for COVID-19, coronavirus.

More than 100 quarantine rooms are planned for King County COVID-19 response

Locations for the facilities will include Seattle and White Center.

Photo by Haley Ausbun. An electrician inspects one of the four rooms in the first modular unit that will be ready for those under quarantine for COVID-19, coronavirus.
Bloodworks Northwest reports drop in blood donations following coronavirus outbreak

Bloodworks Northwest reports drop in blood donations following coronavirus outbreak

The blood bank has lost 143 donations since March 1.

Bloodworks Northwest reports drop in blood donations following coronavirus outbreak
Local immigration office closed due to COVID-19

Local immigration office closed due to COVID-19

The Tukwila USCIS office will be closed for two weeks

Local immigration office closed due to COVID-19
At least two of the confirmed COVID-19 cases originated from the Life Care Center nursing facility in Kirkland. Samantha Pak/Sound Publishing

State steps up response to coronavirus outbreak

Public health officials ask WA Legislature for $100 million.

  • Mar 2, 2020
At least two of the confirmed COVID-19 cases originated from the Life Care Center nursing facility in Kirkland. Samantha Pak/Sound Publishing
Passengers on a King County Metro bus. File photo

King County transit agencies say stay home if you’re sick

Metro and Sound Transit continue to operate normal routes for now.

Passengers on a King County Metro bus. File photo
Washington firearm safe storage map unveiled

Washington firearm safe storage map unveiled

59 locations part of the program so far

  • Feb 28, 2020
Washington firearm safe storage map unveiled
PNW plant-based foods could help in climate fight

PNW plant-based foods could help in climate fight

Animal products create a lot of emissions, but veggie alternatives are coming from King County.

PNW plant-based foods could help in climate fight
Discussing homelessness on Jan. 9 are, from left, Associated Press Olympia correspondent Rachel La Corte, Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), Sen. Hans Zeiger (R-Puyallup) and Rep. Morgan Irwin (R-Enumclaw). Photo by Leona Vaughn/WNPA News Service

Senate Republicans propose alternative solutions to WA’s homelessness crisis

One suggestion would empower law enforcement and remove barriers to prosecution.

  • Feb 28, 2020
Discussing homelessness on Jan. 9 are, from left, Associated Press Olympia correspondent Rachel La Corte, Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), Sen. Hans Zeiger (R-Puyallup) and Rep. Morgan Irwin (R-Enumclaw). Photo by Leona Vaughn/WNPA News Service
With Mount Baker and Jetty Island in the distance, a container ship approaches the Port of Everett. (Port of Everett photo)

Senate Dems: $5 million to help businesses disrupted by coronavirus

Overseas port closures hurt WA companies that depend on international shipping.

  • Feb 27, 2020
With Mount Baker and Jetty Island in the distance, a container ship approaches the Port of Everett. (Port of Everett photo)
Inslee gets involved in contract talks between Swedish, SEIU

Inslee gets involved in contract talks between Swedish, SEIU

The governor is orchestrating a four-day bargaining session with both sides led by an MIT professor.

Inslee gets involved in contract talks between Swedish, SEIU
Public Health — Seattle & King County issues statement about Bothell High School closure

Public Health — Seattle & King County issues statement about Bothell High School closure

‘There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state or King County’

  • Feb 27, 2020
Public Health — Seattle & King County issues statement about Bothell High School closure
Aerial view of the Amtrak Cascades train derailment in 2017 near DuPont, Wash. Courtesy Wikipedia

Amtrak, Sound Transit and the state all named in derailment lawsuit

It was filed on behalf of the family of a teenager who was paralyzed in the 2017 crash.

Aerial view of the Amtrak Cascades train derailment in 2017 near DuPont, Wash. Courtesy Wikipedia
Entenman bill would help community, technical college students who go hungry

Entenman bill would help community, technical college students who go hungry

Survey shows 41 percent of students need assistance

  • Feb 26, 2020
Entenman bill would help community, technical college students who go hungry
King County, Seattle partner on Northgate affordable housing project

King County, Seattle partner on Northgate affordable housing project

Metro property to be developed into 232 units

  • Feb 26, 2020
King County, Seattle partner on Northgate affordable housing project
Needles littered the ground throughout a homeless encampment at Federal Way’s Hylebos Wetlands, which is public property. Sound Publishing file photo

Republican leadership doubts effectiveness of homelessness spending

Democrats propose hundreds of millions toward affordable housing.

  • Feb 26, 2020
Needles littered the ground throughout a homeless encampment at Federal Way’s Hylebos Wetlands, which is public property. Sound Publishing file photo
King County approves low-income Metro fare waivers

King County approves low-income Metro fare waivers

Low-income transit riders could see their King County Metro fares waived beginning in July, after the King County Council voted Feb. 25 to approve a… Continue reading

King County approves low-income Metro fare waivers
King County Council has nine members who each represent a district. Courtesy of kingcounty.gov

Charter amendments could allow King County Council to remove elected officials

The change was recommended by the charter review commission.

King County Council has nine members who each represent a district. Courtesy of kingcounty.gov
Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht gave a response to an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight report on Feb. 25 before the King County Law and Justice Committee. The report recommended ways her department could reform use of force policy and internal investigations. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

Council unsatisfied with Sheriff’s response to use of deadly force report

The King County Sheriff’s Office could be required to explain why it didn’t implement recommendations.

Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht gave a response to an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight report on Feb. 25 before the King County Law and Justice Committee. The report recommended ways her department could reform use of force policy and internal investigations. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo

Democratic lawmakers roll out spending plans for climate change, homelessness

Republican opposition calls for tax relief, rather than spending the increased revenue.

  • Feb 25, 2020
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal

State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal

Focus on housing, child care, health care

  • Feb 24, 2020
State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal