Exemptions, but no accommodations: Unvaccinated firefighters call mandate a ‘personal attack’
In 12 days, at least a handful of Spokane firefighters will lose their jobs. They claim their religious beliefs tell them not to get vaccinated.
Coronavirus
WA state workers, including firefighters and troopers, sue over vaccine mandate
The suit claims “the plaintiffs are on the brink of having adverse employment action against them. It claims that in each case “a form of disability or sincere religious belief requires them to decline vaccination.”
State Patrol could now lose 7% of employees over vaccine mandate
That means 152 of its 2,184 employees could face getting fired if they do not meet the vaccine mandate deadline of Oct. 18.
Studies confirm waning immunity from Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine
Two real-world studies published Wednesday confirm that the immune protection offered by two doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine drops off after two months or so, although protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death remains strong. The studies, from Israel and…
Flush with COVID-19 aid, some schools across country steer funding to sports
With few limits on how the coronavirus relief funding can be spent, some districts have used large portions to cover athletics projects they couldn't previously afford.
ESPN's Sage Steele apologizes for controversial comments about Obama's racial identity and vaccine mandates
ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor Sage Steele has apologized after making controversial statements about vaccine mandates, female sports reporters and former President Barack Obama's racial identity. Steele has been removed from air following comments made during a September 29 podcast episode of…
While US summer surge is waning, more mandates in the works
COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are coming down again, hospitalizations are dropping, and new cases per day are about to dip below 100,000 for the first time in two months — all signs that the summer surge is waning.
Tri-Cities see decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations in early October
KENNEWICK, Wash. — After a COVID-19 surge overwhelmed Tri-Cities area hospitals through July and August, local coronavirus hospitalization rates are declining at the start of October. According to an update from the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) on Tuesday, there are…
Washington woman dies from rare blood clot complication following Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccination
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Department of Health reported a King County woman in her 30s has died from a rare blood clot complication after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine. The DOH said this is the first such death in the state. Blood clots are a rare complication associated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC…
US child Covid-19 deaths are an 'embarrassment,' FDA vaccines head says
Child deaths from a preventable illness like Covid-19, no matter how few, are motivation for authorizing a vaccine in children, the US Food and Drug Administration's top vaccine official said Tuesday."In this latest wave of Covid-19, particularly down south, there…
Memorial for Washington State trooper who died from COVID
Doctors grow frustrated over COVID-19 denial, misinformation
The Associated Press asked six doctors from across the country to describe the types of misinformation and denial they see on a daily basis and how they respond to it.
Monday was the last day for WA state workers to initiate vaccination
KENNEWICK, Wash. — October 4, 2021, is the final day for WA state workers to initiative vaccination in order to meet Governor Jay Inslee's Oct. 18 deadline. If you or a loved one wish to initiate vaccination before the deadline…
COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 700,000 late Friday — a number greater than the population of Boston.
Yakima mobile vaccination clinics offer Pfizer booster shot
YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima Health District is now administering booster shots of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at its mobile vaccination clinics across Yakima County. "We do know that with a Delta variant, it's more contagious and it spreads faster too,…
Kiona-Benton City homecoming dance & football game postponed due to COVID-19 cases
BENTON CITY, Wash. — Students preparing for the big dance were disappointed Friday evening when the Kiona-Benton City (Ki-Be) School District formally announced that its Homecoming Dance would be pushed back by two weeks due to COVID-19 positivity and protocols.…
Tri-Cities: 18 more COVID patients die as the region passes 45k cases
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Benton and Franklin counties are experiencing a rollback in COVID-19 case rates, but until the curve is flattened, deaths caused by coronavirus complications will continue to add up for the Tri-Cities. On Friday afternoon, the Benton-Franklin Health…
Justice Kavanaugh tests positive for COVID, has no symptoms
The Supreme Court says Justice Brett Kavanaugh has tested positive for COVID-19. He has no symptoms and has been fully vaccinated since January.
Experimental pill cuts worst effects of COVID-19, Merck says
Pharmaceutical company Merck says its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus.
Here’s how many Washington state employees have applied for a religious exemption
It might not be enough for the Washington workers affected by the vaccine mandate to get an exemption.
Yakima hospital directs COVID patients with mild symptoms to outpatient clinic
YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital is encouraging COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms to visit its outpatient clinic instead of going to the emergency room. "We will see anybody who shows up, but if you really just…
Washington State Patrol could lose 10 percent of its workforce over vaccine mandate
Ted S. WarrenFILE – In this Jan. 10, 2021 file photo, a Washington State Patrol vehicle drives past the Insurance Building with the Legislative Building in the background at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., the night before the opening of the 2021 legislative session. The 2021 session of the Washington Legislature ended Sunday, April 25 and lawmakers had no shortage…
Tri-Cities COVID-19 case rates falling as more youth get sick
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Coronavirus rates are falling across Benton and Franklin counties, though high case rates amongst the youth of the Tri-Cities. Roughly 1,000 people are lining up at the CBC West public testing site in Pasco each day to…
It's flu vaccine time, even if you've had your COVID shots. Here's what you should know.
Amid all the focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, U.S. health experts have another plea: Don't skip your flu shot. Here's a Q&A on the flu vaccine.
