Austin Jenkins
Stories
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Government
Lt. Gov. Heck raises ethics concerns over predecessor’s legacy
It was supposed to be former Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib's legacy — a pair of programs to serve youth with disabilities and youth from marginalized or disadvantaged backgrounds. But Habib's successor cancelled a contract with the nonprofit that operates the programs after identifying what his office called "suspicious financial activity" during Habib's last year in office.
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Government
Another breach at Washington governor’s mansion reveals ongoing security gaps
A woman was able to enter the secure grounds of Washington's governor's residence on Wednesday before being stopped by the Washington State Patrol. Gov. Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee were not home at the time. The security breach follows a much larger incident on January 6 when a group of pro-Trump supporters forced open a gate and spilled onto the mansion lawn, eventually making their way to the mansion's front portico.
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Washington troopers and public employees file lawsuit to overturn Gov. Inslee's vaccine mandate
Dozens of Washington state troopers, prison correctional officers, ferry workers and other public sector employees have filed a lawsuit in Walla Walla County to try to overturn Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID-19 vaccine. The lawsuit alleges the mandate is unlawful and unconstitutional.
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Health
Mask mandate returns for large outdoor events in Washington state
Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced that people attending outdoor events with 500 people or more will have to wear a mask, whether vaccinated or not, starting Monday. The new, expanded mask mandate will apply to events such as fairs, concerts, and sporting events.
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Government
Largest state employee union strikes tentative deal over Inslee’s vaccine mandate
The largest state employee union in Washington has reached a tentative agreement over the implementation of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
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Health
Desperate times for pet owners and vets as clinics, hospitals are overwhelmed
It’s a problem nationally and in the Northwest. Pet owners are having trouble getting access to veterinary services. It’s another example of the fallout from the ongoing pandemic.
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Want to opt-out of Washington’s new long-term care tax? Good luck getting a private policy in time
Long-term care insurance companies have temporarily halted sales in Washington. The move follows a frenzy of interest in the costly insurance policies prompted by a November 1 deadline to opt out of a new state-run long-term care program.
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Politics
Vaccination politics: Gov. Inslee’s mandate vs a Republican’s ‘free society'
From the red wood forest to the gulf stream waters, vaccination politics are at it again.
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'It's heartbreaking.' One hospital chief executive’s warning about the fifth wave of COVID-19
How bad is the fifth wave of COVID-19? One hospital in Thurston County, Washington is limiting visitors, the intensive care unit is at capacity and elective surgeries and procedures are being delayed.
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Vaccinate or face termination, Gov. Inslee tells Washington health workers and state employees
Following the lead of several other states, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday issued a requirement that state employees along with private health care and long-term care workers get the COVID-19 vaccine or face termination from their jobs.
