Northwest News

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee

Judge dismisses Washington state governor recall petition

Rayos Syndication User,

Washington state officials have said a petition that was filed last month to recall Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic was dismissed this week. KOMO-TV reports the governor’s office said Wednesday that a judge ruled to dismiss the petition filed by a citizen group known as Washingtonians to Recall Inslee. The residents could appeal, but it wasn't immediately known if they planned to do so. The group alleged in its May petition that the governor’s order that limited activities in the state during the pandemic interfered with their rights to assemble, work freely and participate in religious activities.

Washington Resident Finds First Asian Giant Hornet Of 2021 In Snohomish Co.

Washington resident finds first Asian giant hornet of 2021 in Snohomish Co.

Rayos Syndication User,

Courtesy WSDASNOHOMISH CO., Wash. — A Washington resident was the first this year to find an Asian giant hornet, the Washington State Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. According to the WSDA, the resident found the dead hornet near Marysville in Snohomish County and submitted the report on June 4. The WSDA found that the male hornet had different coloring than…

Oregon

Oregon Gov. Brown signs human composting bill

Rayos Syndication User,

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill legalizing human composting. KOIN-TV reports Brown signed House Bill 2574 on Tuesday, which will legalize what’s also known as natural organic reduction. It also clarifies rules surrounding alkaline hydrolysis, known as aqua cremation. The law goes into effect July 1, 2022. Rep. Pam Marsh, from in Southern Jackson County, who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Brian Clem, said she decided to sponsor the bill because her constituents are interested in alternative after-death options. Washington state legalized composting human remains in 2020 and Colorado did so earlier this year.

Washington

Washington unemployment rate dipped to 5.3% in May

Rayos Syndication User,

Washington’s unemployment rate dipped slightly to 5.3 % last month, and the state added 8,300 jobs. The Employment Security Department said that May’s rate was down slightly from April’s revised 5.4% rate. Private sector employment increased by 7,000 jobs and government employment increased by 1,300 jobs. Leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and government saw the largest gains, and construction, retail trade and manufacturing saw were among a handful of sectors that saw a downswing. The national unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% in April to 5.8% in May.

Seattle

King County: COVID mask mandate to end June 29

Associated Press,

SEATTLE (AP) — Health officials said Tuesday that 70% of eligible people in Washington state’s most populous county have received either the one-dose Johnson and Johnson COIVD vaccine or both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. That means 70%…

Breeding Female Wolf Illegally Shot And Killed In Stevens County

State says breeding female of wolf pack was illegally killed

Rayos Syndication User,

A female wolf that had pups earlier this year has been illegally killed in northeast Washington state. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists responded to a report of a dead wolf on May 26 in the Sheep Creek area of Stevens County. The agency says the female died of a gunshot wound. The Spokesman-Review reports that biologists believe the wolf that was killed was the breeding female from the Wedge Pack. Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Staci Lehman says the agency is investigating. Conservation Northwest is offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to a poaching conviction.