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Northwest News

As Washington COVID Cases Surge, A Chief Medical Officer Prepares Hospitals For The Worst
“Unfortunately, I think within the next week it’s going to be a significant rise in COVID-19,” said Dr. Kevin Caserta, the chief medical officer for Providence SW Washington. Already, the two hospitals Caserta oversees, St. Peter and Providence Centralia, have seen a near doubling of COVID patients over the past six to eight weeks – from roughly 25 to nearly 50 today. Continue Reading As Washington COVID Cases Surge, A Chief Medical Officer Prepares Hospitals For The Worst

Idaho Health Board Meeting Stopped After ‘Intense Protest’ From Anti-Mask Crowd
Idaho public health officials abruptly ended a meeting Tuesday after the Boise mayor and chief of police said intense protests outside the health department building — as well as outside some health officials’ homes — were threatening public safety. Continue Reading Idaho Health Board Meeting Stopped After ‘Intense Protest’ From Anti-Mask Crowd

Seattle Police Ruled In Contempt For Firing Less Lethal Weapons At BLM Protesters
A federal judge said “the court cannot ignore the clear violations” of an injunction limiting the police department’s use of the weapons, but added some instances were in compliance. Continue Reading Seattle Police Ruled In Contempt For Firing Less Lethal Weapons At BLM Protesters

COVID First Hit Long-Term Care In Puget Sound Region. Now It’s Hitting Home In Rural Areas
Some of the hardest hit places have been long-term care facilities in rural areas like Tonasket in Okanogan County, and in central Washington. At least three care facilities in Grant County have reported outbreaks and deaths since a large wedding near Ritzville last month attended by some care facility staff who later tested positive for COVID-19. But a definitive connection between those outbreaks and the wedding remains unclear. Continue Reading COVID First Hit Long-Term Care In Puget Sound Region. Now It’s Hitting Home In Rural Areas

Cascadia High-Speed Rail: Will It Finally Happen Or Is It ‘Time To Kill This Thing’?
A new government report on high speed rail in the Pacific Northwest recommends that Oregon, Washington and British Columbia formalize their interest in a Cascadia bullet train by creating an independent body to plan and eventually build it. But a critic associated with a conservative think tank responded that the region should take heed of California’s high speed rail woes and put a spike in the Cascadia bullet train ambitions. Continue Reading Cascadia High-Speed Rail: Will It Finally Happen Or Is It ‘Time To Kill This Thing’?

Governor Announces Current Washington Business Closures Will Extend Into The New Year
Washington bars and restaurants will remain closed for indoor service, and movie theaters and bowling alleys will continue to be completely closed, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday. He said the current closure order, which was set to expire Dec. 14, would be extended by three weeks, into the new year. Continue Reading Governor Announces Current Washington Business Closures Will Extend Into The New Year

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 8: Stella Williams On Diversity In Literature And Art’s Impact On Community
In this episode of “Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella,” author Stella Williams shares how her love for reading at a young age drove her to write about stories that showcased characters that looked like her. Continue Reading ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 8: Stella Williams On Diversity In Literature And Art’s Impact On Community

Hotel Stays Up, Abuse Reports Down: Report Highlights COVID’s Affect On Washington Child Welfare
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in Washington foster youth spending more nights in hotel rooms while overall reports of child abuse and neglect have declined precipitously. Those are among the pandemic-related findings of an annual report from the state’s Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) released Monday. Continue Reading Hotel Stays Up, Abuse Reports Down: Report Highlights COVID’s Affect On Washington Child Welfare

Think Health Care Workers Are Tested Often For COVID-19? Think Again
A majority of hospital nurses said they had never been tested for the coronavirus, according to a recent survey. Hospitals say they are simply following the CDC’s guidance. Continue Reading Think Health Care Workers Are Tested Often For COVID-19? Think Again

Idaho Universities Make Nearly $1M Investment In A Joint Cybersecurity Major
Students aren’t seeing much of an effect, at least not yet. But by spring, they could start tapping into internships and apprenticeships at the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. Continue Reading Idaho Universities Make Nearly $1M Investment In A Joint Cybersecurity Major

Scientists Pinpoint Chemical That’s Been Killing Northwest Coho Salmon. It Comes From Tires
Coho salmon returning to freshwater each fall often die, gasping for breath and swimming aimlessly, before they are able to spawn. Scientists now know why. After years of chemical sleuthing, scientists have pinpointed the toxic substance that’s been killing large numbers of coho salmon in Northwest creeks. Continue Reading Scientists Pinpoint Chemical That’s Been Killing Northwest Coho Salmon. It Comes From Tires

He Lived Near Idaho, With Fewer COVID Restrictions Than Washington. Now He’s Dead
As the number of COVID-19 cases skyrockets nationwide, the extent of the public health response varies from one state — and sometimes one town — to the next. The incongruous approaches and the lack of national standards have created confusion, conflict and a muddled public health message, likely hampering efforts to stop the spread of the virus. The country’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said last month that the country needs “a uniform approach” to fighting the virus instead of a “disjointed” one. Continue Reading He Lived Near Idaho, With Fewer COVID Restrictions Than Washington. Now He’s Dead
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