Northwest News

Redistricting In Washington State: What’s At Stake In 2021

WA Supreme Court declines to draw new redistricting plan

Rayos Syndication User,

The state Supreme Court on Friday says that a plan adopted by the Washington Redistricting Commission “substantially complied” with statutory deadlines, and declined  to adopt a new redistricting plan for the state. The five-page order was signed by all nine justices. The Redistricting Commission consisted of four voting members — two Democrats and two Republicans — appointed by legislative caucus leaders. The Democratic appointees were former legislator Brady Piñero Walkinshaw and state labor-council leader April Sims; Republican commissioners were former state legislators Joe Fain and Paul Graves. By law, at least three of the four had to agree on new political maps by Nov. 15.

Leaders say explosive at Olympia mosque meant to stoke fear

Leaders say explosive at Olympia mosque meant to stoke fear

Rayos Syndication User,

An explosive device was tossed at the Islamic Center of Olympia, an act leaders of the facility was an apparent act of intimidation. The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said nobody was hurt and there was no damage Nov. 23, but neighbors heard the blast. The explosion is the latest in a series of assaults on houses of worship in the Puget Sound region. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office didn't respond to questions from KING5.

Omicron Coronavirus Variant Found In Multiple Us States

Over 129K WA kids ages 5–11 receive first COVID vaccine dose

Rayos Syndication User,

Health officials say more than 129,000 children ages 5 through 11 in Washington state have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine since eligibility expanded to include them on Nov. 3. State Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, said that while COVID-19 is often milder in children than adults, children can still get very sick and spread the disease. He says getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 can help lower their risk of infection, reduce their chance of getting seriously ill, and decrease their chance of hospitalization and death. Thirteen children and teens age 18 and younger in Washington have died of COVID-19.

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WSU study: No intentional racial bias in WSP traffic stops

Rayos Syndication User,

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — A study from Washington State University found no intentional racial bias in traffic stops by the Washington State Patrol, however it noted disparities in traffic stops involving Black and Hispanic drivers. KOMO reports the study conducted by WSU’s Division of Governmental Studies and Services analyzed more than 7 million contacts with state patrol troopers over five years. The…

Breaking News

Wenatchee High School moves to remote learning Friday in response to threat

Rayos Syndication User,

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Wenatchee High School moved classes online Friday because of a threat toward the school. Police are investigating, and more information is expected at a later time. In a Facebook post, the school district said the high school will move to a Monday late schedule with remote learning Friday “out of an abundance of caution.” School leaders said…

Small girl found dead in Oregon woods identified, mother arrested in connection

Small girl found dead in Oregon woods identified, mother arrested in connection

Rayos Syndication User,

Oregon State Police have identified the remains of a child found last year and say two people have been arrested in the child's death. Police say detectives responded to a report of remains found in a duffle bag near a rest area in Lincoln County on Dec. 10, 2020.  On Wednesday police said the remains were identified as Haley Mae Coblentz after samples from the remains were sent for DNA testing. Police say Coblentz was 9 at the time of her death. Police say investigators in Detroit arrested her mother Shawna Browning on Tuesday, along with Lauren Harrison on suspicion of murder. It wasn't immediately known if they have lawyers to comment on the case.

Yakama Nation approves school district use of Warrior image

Yakama Nation approves school district use of Warrior image

Rayos Syndication User,

Yakama Nation officials say they will allow a rural school district in central Washington to continue the use of the Wahluke Warrior image while a plan for respectful usage is developed. The Yakima Herald-Republic reports according to a Yakama Nation news release the Wahluke School District in Mattawa has until January 2023 to develop a memorandum of understanding with the Yakama Nation to ensure the use of the image remains respectful. State legislation passed in April banned the use of Native American names, symbols or imagery as school mascots, logos or team names, unless a school located on or near Native lands consults and obtains permission from the nearest tribe.

Starbucks fights expanding unionization effort at its stores

Starbucks fights expanding unionization effort at its stores

Rayos Syndication User,

Starbucks is fighting an expanded effort to unionize its stores. The effort comes even as a union vote proceeds at three of the coffee chain's locations in Buffalo, New York. Union organizers from three additional Buffalo-area stores appeared before the National Labor Relations Board on Thursday, asking to hold union votes at each of their stores. The workers are seeking representation by Workers United. They want more say in pay and how stores are run. Seattle-based Starbucks has never had unionized U.S. employees in its 50-year history, and says its stores function better when it works directly with employees.

Iron Maiden To Play Spokane Arena In September 2022

Iron Maiden to play two Washington state concerts in 2022

Rayos Syndication User,

Dave Hogan // Getty ImagesIron Maiden paid homage to the 1968 movie “Where Eagles Dare” with its song of the same name. The lyrics recount the story of the film, set in World War II and starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. The film follows an Allied attempt to rescue an American general captured by the Nazis. The lyrics go:…

Covid 19 Vaccine Boosters Could Mean Billions For Drugmakers

COVID vaccine verification digital record offered in WA

Associated Press,

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state has started offering residents a digital record of their coronavirus vaccinations that can be used to access businesses and other places where vaccine proof is required. The Washington State Department of Health said the…

Trial Begins For Cheney Man Accused Of Killing Wife With Poisoned Ice Cream

Trial begins for Cheney man accused of killing wife with poisoned ice cream

Rayos Syndication User,

Copyright 2019 KXLY.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior permission.David Pettis pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges in the death of his wife. SPOKANE, Wash. — The trial of a man accused of killing his wife with poisoned ice cream began Tuesday. David Pettis called 911 on June 25, 2018…