The Capitol Buzz is a daily summary of online news clips from across the state, discussing policies and politics affecting Washington state.
BUSINESS, ECONOMY & LABOR
- Jobless claims surge 54% in Washington state with seasonal layoffs, health restrictions (The Seattle Times)
- More coronavirus relief on the way for small businesses (AP/The Seattle Times)
- SBA gives minority, women-owned businesses first bid on new PPP loans (Bloomberg/The Seattle Times)
- U.S. unemployment claims slip to still-high 787,000 (AP/The Columbian)
- Boeing to pay $2.5B to settle criminal charge over 737 Max (The Everett Herald)
- After issuing a stop-work order, county will work with Tessio on outdoor seating hut (Kitsap Sun)
- Judge pushes Stuffy’s hearing so restaurant can get a lawyer (The Daily News)
- COLUMN: In a divided country, economic direction is no sure thing (Jon Talton/The Seattle Times)
CENSUS
COMMUNITY & FAMILY ISSUES
- Most Americans to use stimulus checks for bills, Doxo finds (Puget Sound Business Journal)
- EDITORIAL: New laws help make Washington more livable (The Columbian)
CONGRESS
- Washington State representatives address insurrection at U.S. Capitol (KUOW Radio)
- Remove Trump, say Washington state lawmakers after mob riot (KUOW Radio)
- Herrera Beutler noncommittal on new impeachment of Trump (The Columbian)
- Newhouse details search for wife during Capitol violence (KPQ Radio)
- COLUMN: End this madness of brother against brother (Sue Lani Madsen/The Spokesman-Review)
CORONAVIRUS
- Here’s what’s allowed in each phase of Washington’s new COVID-19 phased recovery plan (Seattle P-I)
- Who goes next? Timeline, new tiers for COVID vaccine laid out for Washingtonians (Northwest Public Broadcasting)
- Covid Q&A: how and when will Washingtonians get vaccinated? (Yakima Herald-Republic)
- Washington outlines plans for vaccinating teachers (KING TV)
- COVID-19 updates: Pfizer vaccine effective against more infectious virus variant (MyNorthwest)
- Severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare, says the CDC (KING TV)
- EDITORIAL: WA Notify app another good tool to fight pandemic (Yakima Herald-Republic)
CRIME & LAW ENFORCEMENT
EDUCATION & SCHOOL SAFETY
- Seattle School Board Member Eden Mack resigns, citing district’s ‘dysfunctional culture’ and underfunding (KUOW Radio)
- Student athletes ‘can’t wait’ to compete after WIAA announces revised sports calendar (KCPQ TV)
- COLUMN: Want kids back in school? You’re criticized no matter where you land on the issue (Whitney Bowerman/The Olympian)
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & SERVICES
FISH
HANFORD
- This way to treat Hanford radioactive waste could save $210 billion. But is it safe enough? (Tri-City Herald)
- OPINION: Overcoming challenges and learning valuable lessons at Hanford (Paul Dabbar is the Under Secretary for Science for the Department of Energy/Tri-City Herald)
HEALTH CARE
HIGHER EDUCATION
- COVID grades? Pandemic prompts area colleges to implement new grading systems (The Spokesman-Review)
HOMELESSNESS
HOUSING
LEGISLATURE
- Washington state lawmakers prepare for COVID-19 response ahead of new legislative session (KOMO TV)
- Amid riot fears, Washington lawmakers plan in-person session (AP/Yakima Herald-Republic)
- Start of Washington’s legislative session will be secure, but safety protocols still under review (The Spokesman-Review)
- Abbarno receives oath of office; begins legislative career Monday (KELA Radio)
- Washington state lawmakers look for ways to limit armed militias (Crosscut)
- Security a concern for Olympia lawmakers after chaos (KCPQ TV)
- Washington state Capitol residence breach ‘disappointed’ Gov. Inslee (KING TV)
- Inslee may call up National Guard to protect state Capitol (KIRO TV)
- T’wina Nobles to be sworn in Friday as Washington’s first Black Senator in 10 years (KING TV)
- Here’s how Ericksen measure would change upcoming legislative session (The Bellingham Herald)
- The Washington Legislature — What lies ahead (KIT Radio)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Board of County Commissioners voices frustration at revised state reopening plan (Daily Record)
- Board of County Commissioners approves resolution to create independent department for Bowers Field (Daily Record)
MARIJUANA
MEDIA
MILITARY & VETERANS
OTHER STATES
POLITICS
STATE
NATIONAL
- Trump finally faces reality — amid talk of early ouster (AP/The Seattle Times)
- Inslee calls Trump a ‘cancer,’ demands removal from office after Capitol riots (KCPQ TV)
- EDITORIAL: Remove Donald Trump from power (The Seattle Times)
- EDITORIAL: Trump, radical Republicans to blame for riot (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
SECURITY
SPORTS
TRANSPORTATION
- Cost of building light rail to West Seattle, Ballard is much higher than first estimated (The Seattle Times)
- Amtrak to test trains at Point Defiance Bypass, 3 years after deadly derailment (KING TV)
- Expect to see trains going 79 mph through Tacoma, Lakewood and DuPont soon (The News Tribune)
- WSDOT says high volume of winter recreation along shoulders and ramps of Snoqualmie Pass creating a ‘very dangerous’ situation (iFiberOne TV)
WOLVES
