Health

KUOW Newsroom

Inslee deploying 100 National Guard to help hospitals, orders pause on non-emergency procedures

Following the lead of Oregon and other states, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that he will deploy 100 members of the National Guard to assist hospitals struggling to respond to a spike in Covid-19 patients due to the highly-contagious omicron variant.

KUOW Newsroom

Where to get out of the dangerous cold around Seattle

Freezing temperatures and possible snow are in the forecast for Seattle this weekend and next week. Some cities around the region will open severe weather shelters for people experiencing homelessness to escape the cold.

KUOW Newsroom

People living in tents and RVs evicted from Green Lake Park in Seattle, days before Christmas

This week the City of Seattle is clearing a homeless tent encampment at the park, plus the RVs that have been parked nearby for months. The removal comes less than a week before freezing temperatures are expected in Seattle.

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Omicron is spreading in King County. Health officials expect a 'rapid increase' over the holidays

As the holidays approach and indoor gatherings increase, so does the risk of Covid spread. Officials are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks, and avoid poorly ventilated spaces – especially as omicron begins to make its rounds. Signs point toward community spread of the strain being underway.

KUOW Newsroom

A Seattle teen quit smoking fentanyl. Every morning he thanks God he’s alive

“I spent a lot of time thinking that I was the cool guy,” he says, sitting on his parents’ couch in northwest Seattle. “But now I go get a shot in my butt every month and I go to AA, you know what I mean? It's humbling.”

The Sawant recall election, encampment removals, and omicron, this week.

Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Political analyst and contributing columnist Joni Balter, SCC Insight's Kevin Schofield, and Seattle Times Senior Investigative Reporter Jonathan Martin.

KUOW Newsroom

Controversial tent encampment cleared from Ballard Commons Park

On Tuesday morning the remaining dozen or so people living in the Ballard park were either offered temporary shelter or told to move along. During the peak of the pandemic there were over one hundred people camped in the Commons, and more who slept on the sidewalks next to the library across the street.