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
- Fed attacks inflation with another big hike and expects more (AP)
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries proposes workers’ compensation rate increase (The Columbian)
- Boeing will outsource more corporate jobs to India (The Seattle Times)
- Supply chain issues cause delays at Yakima-area car dealerships (KAPP/KVEW)
CANNABIS
- Seattle mayor inks trio of bills to increase number of minority-owned pot shops (MyNorthwest)
- Here are 2 chances to let Pasco leaders know your thoughts on retail cannabis sales (Tri-City Herald)
CORONAVIRUS
- Fauci tempers Biden’s declaration that pandemic is ‘over’ (New York Daily News/The Seattle Times)
- Official: Canada likely to drop vaccine requirement to enter (AP)
EDUCATION
- Washington ranked No. 5 best state in the nation for teachers (The Center Square)
- Where will Seattle Public Schools find $91.4 million to pay for new teacher contracts? (KOMO TV)
- Ridgefield teachers ratify new contract (The Columbian)
- Snohomish County bus driver shortage creates ripple effect for schools (The Everett Herald)
- Free mental health services available for Walla Walla public school students (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
- WA isn’t alone in book censorship. Here’s how one library is giving access back to students (The Bellingham Herald)
ELECTIONS
ENERGY & UTILITIES
ENVIRONMENT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & THE WHITE HOUSE
GUN RIGHTS
HEALTH CARE & HOSPITALS
HIGHER EDUCATION
- New estimate for number of WA residents eligible for student loan forgiveness (The Seattle Times)
- Nearly 900,000 borrowers in Washington and Idaho are eligible for student debt relief, White House says (The Spokesman-Review)
HOMELESSNESS
- In scathing letter, state chides city of Spokane on Camp Hope response, accuses mayor of valuing ‘optics’ over ‘action’ (The Spokesman-Review)
- Spokane moves to control homeless activities (The Center Square)
- ‘A hazardous health concern for all of us’ | What it’s like living near the homeless camp on I-90 (KREM TV)
- Tacoma leaders postpone decision on homeless ban (FOX 13)
IMMIGRATION
INVASIVE SPECIES
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Family of man shot, killed by Longview police files wrongful death lawsuit (KIRO TV)
- King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall talks priorities for her department (KIRO TV)
- Mayor Bruce Harrell appoints Adrian Diaz permanent Seattle police chief (The Seattle Times)
- Agency that investigates police shootings visits Wenatchee (The Wenatchee World)
LEGISLATURE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MEDIA
- After 40 years at Seattle Center, Crosscut will move across town (Crosscut)
- Remembering Sandy Williams, the Spokane journalist and Black activist (Crosscut)
- EDITORIAL: As journalism goes, so goes democracy (The Columbian)
MENTAL HEALTH
- U.S. adults should get routine anxiety screening, panel says (AP/The Seattle Times)
- Skagit County to try new approach to mental health in minority communities (Skagit Valley Herald)
OTHER STATES
- Oregon tuition-free preschool delayed by weeks or months, families frustrated by lack of answers (The Oregonian)
- Oregon pursues air-conditioning laws amid worsening climate change (Stateline.org/The Seattle Times)
SCHOOL SAFETY
- ‘Serious, confirmed’ hazing incident leads to Sehome football’s forfeit of game (The Bellingham Herald)
- 3 Southridge teens arrested after threats and a scuffle with school administrators (Tri-City Herald)
- North Franklin School District teacher faces charges after allegedly assaulting minor (KEPR)
STATE GOVERNMENT
- WA state employees likely to get $1k bonuses for COVID booster, raises (The Seattle Times)
- Ex-WA state employee gets 5 years for pandemic fraud of jobless claims (The Seattle Times)
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TRANSPORTATION
WILDFIRE PREVENTION & RESPONSE
- Western WA is covered by smoke again. But for how long? (KUOW Radio)
- Wildfires are still burning in Whatcom and B.C. Here’s what to expect for smoke (The Bellingham Herald)
WILDLIFE
WOLVES