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Idaho Gov. Brad Little Activates National Guard, Moves State Back To Phase 2 As COVID Cases Grow

By NWPB News November 13, 2020

Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced a statewide pullback to a modified Phase 2 of reopening on Nov. 13, 2020. But he declined to issue a mask mandate, as most other states in the region have done in some form. CREDIT: Idaho Public Television/Governor's Office

The governor's executive order activated 100 National Guard troopers to assist with mobile testing support, medical facility decontamination, COVID-19 screenings, logistical support and more. He also signed a public health order moving Idaho back to a modified version of Stage 2 of the state’s four-stage reopening plan, effective Saturday.Read More

Central Washington Farms Fined For Violating COVID-19 Protections For Workers

By NWPB News November 13, 2020

Farmworkers in Yakima’s fruit-packing industry walked off production lines in May and went on strike, demanding more protections against the coronavirus pandemic. Above, Emmanuel Anguiano-Mendoza (left) and Agustin López hold posters featuring David Cruz, a worker who died on May 30. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

Three Mid-Columbia farms are among those receiving the biggest fines in the state from the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries for serious violations of agriculture regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. More than 20 farms have been cited for inadequate COVID precautions, The Tri-City Herald reported.Read More

Gov. Jay Inslee And First Lady Trudi Urge A Change To Thanksgiving Plans As COVID Cases Climb

By Scott Leadingham November 12, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee spoke in a statewide address Nov. 12, urging Washingtonians to consider changing Thanksgiving plans due to surging COVID-19 cases. CREDIT: TVW

The latest COVID situation report shows the transmission rate of the virus is now well above one meaning one sick person is likely to spread it to more than one other person. In addition, hospitalizations are on the rise on both sides of the Cascades. Health experts are especially concerned about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.Read More

‘You Can See The Regret’: ICU Nurse On Patients Who Failed To Take COVID-19 Precautions

By NPR News November 12, 2020

Medical staff treat a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston on Nov. 10. CREDIT: Go Nakamura/Getty Images

Lydia Mobley is a traveling ICU nurse. She describes how hard it's been treating patients during the current surge in coronavirus cases.Read More

Inland Northwest Trees Are Playing An Outsized Role In Curbing Climate Change, Study Says

By Jes Burns November 12, 2020

Thinning, mowing and prescribed fire are used in Ponderosa pine forests to maintain an open forest floor. CREDIT: Jes Burns/OPB/EarthFix

New research suggests that a U.S. Forest Service proposal to allow the cutting of larger trees on public lands east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington will have an outsized impact on forest carbon storage in the Pacific Northwest.Read More

Idaho Governor Resists Calls For Mask Mandate As COVID Case Rates And Deaths Rise

By NWPB News November 11, 2020

File photo. Idaho Gov. Brad Little puts on a face mask before a public meeting earlier this year. So far he has resisted calls for a statewide mandate. On Sunday, Nov. 8, the governor of Utah, Idaho's southern neighbor, imposed a mask mandate. CREDIT: Idaho Education News

Gov. Brad Little says he has been reluctant to issue a mask mandate “because the rest of the state thinks that anything that comes from Boise is a mandate from big government.”Read More

New Memorial Recognizes Generations Of Military Service By Native American Veterans

By NPR News November 11, 2020

A new monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., opens on Veterans Day — the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Alan Karchmer/National Native American Veterans Memorial

The newest monument on the National Mall, which opens on Veterans Day, will provide a quiet shrine for Native vets to visit. Native Americans have traditionally served in high numbers.Read More

Dynamics Of Washington’s 2020 Election: Governor’s Race, State Legislature Looks Mostly The Same

By Scott Leadingham November 11, 2020

Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee met with his GOP challenger, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a debate sponsored by the Washington State Debate Coalition and broadcast statewide.

The Washington state legislature is shaping up to be … pretty much how it looked before the election – with Democrats in control of both houses. But not with super-majorities. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins breaks down the 2020 election in Washington state, on this episode of NWPB's Uniquely NW News.Read More

Washington Health Officials Warn: COVID Is Surging, And It’s Up To All To Prevent More Shutdowns

By NWPB News November 10, 2020

Washington state health officials shared data during a Nov. 10, 2020 media briefing that shows the uptick in COVID-19 spread across the state. CREDIT: WA Dept. of Health

Washington is heading into the most severe surge of coronavirus yet. And time is running out to turn things around. That was the message Tuesday during a virtual briefing from a raft of high-ranking public health officials. Read More

Affordable Care Act Again Goes Before Supreme Court, Now With Amy Coney Barrett On Bench

By NPR News November 10, 2020

The Justice Department sent a letter in support of repealing the entirety of the Affordable Care Act. Here, a sign in support of the ACA in April 2017 in New York City. Kevin Hagen/Getty Images

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is back before the Supreme Court, with opponents challenging it for a third time. The first attempts to derail the law failed in the high court by votes of 5-to-4 and 6-to-3. But the makeup of the court is very different now, with three justices appointed by President Trump – among them new Justice Amy Coney Barrett.Read More

Colville Tribes And Public Utility District Consider Removal Of Old Dam In Okanogan County

By NWPB News November 9, 2020

Enloe Dam powerhouse and dam in the distance on Oct. 28, 2020, in Oroville, Wash. Leaders of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have announced and effort to determine the feasibility and costs associated with removal of the dam that has not generated electricity since 1958. CREDIT: Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times via AP

The Enloe Dam, built 100 years ago, blocks fish from reaching the Similkameen River and is of no use to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation wanting to bring salmon back to the river.Read More

No ‘Blue Wave’ In Washington As Late-Arriving Ballots Favor GOP Candidates For State Legislature

By Austin Jenkins November 9, 2020

Predictions of a possible “Blue Wave” in Washington state did not materialize last week, despite President Trump’s unpopularity among the electorate. As of Monday, he had received just under 39 percent of the vote to President-elect Joe Biden’s 58 percent.Read More

From DACA To Border, Biden’s Immigration Promises Likely Hinge On Who Controls The Senate

By NPR News November 9, 2020

The Senate side of the Capitol is seen in Washington, D.C., early Monday. Experts say President-elect Joe Biden's ability to reshape the U.S. immigration system will be sharply limited if Republicans retain control of the Senate. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

President-elect Biden is expected to quickly reverse some of the Trump administration's most controversial policies. But his ability to reshape immigration would be limited in a divided government. Read More

No, Loren Culp’s Run For Washington Governor Didn’t Leave Him Jobless In Republic

By NWPB News November 9, 2020

Loren Culp, third from left, poses for a photo with supporters at a campaign stop in Colville in Stevens County. Courtesy of Loren Culp campaign

After losing the governor’s race last week, Loren Culp announced that his police chief job had been eliminated — a move he said felt like a “knife in the back” by the city council in Republic. He’s not actually out of work — and the city of Republic didn’t exactly 'defund' its police department, as the Republican candidate claimed.Read More

CDC Report: Officials Knew Coronavirus Test Was Flawed But Released It Anyway

By NPR News November 8, 2020

The flawed coronavirus test kits went out to public laboratories in February. An internal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review obtained by NPR says the wrong quality control protocols were used. CREDIT: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP

An unreleased CDC review obtained by NPR shows that lab officials knew an early coronavirus test kit had a high failure rate. They decided not to recall it and sent it to the nation's labs anyway.Read More

‘A Victory For We The People’: Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Address The Nation, Calling For Unity

By NPR News November 7, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden, right, on stage with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, left, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik / AP

President-elect Joe Biden called for healing and unity in a prime-time victory speech, saying it was time for the "better angels" of America's nature to prevail. Read More

In Dry Eastern Washington, Scientists Look To Rangeland Management To Address Catastrophic Fires

By Courtney Flatt November 6, 2020

In one experimental plot, many of the sagebrush in this Moses Coulee area of central Washington were burned to a crisp during the September 2020 Pearl Hill Fire. It can take decades for sagebrush to fully recover after an extremely intense wildfire. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

As Washington works to combat climate change, can rangelands be better managed to make wildfires less catastrophic? What are the most effective solutions to remove invasive grasses, like cheatgrass, which dries out quickly, burns extremely hot and helps fires jump from bunchgrass to bunchgrass?Read More

UPDATES: Jay Inslee Wins Reelection In Washington; More Northwest Election Results In Key Races

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Election results are rolling in Tuesday night, but it's expected to take time to count all the ballots across the Northwest and many other states. Below are key races to watch, and links to resources and results from across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.Read More

Washington Supreme Court Rules Farmworkers Are Eligible For Overtime Pay

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

Sarbanand Farms farmworkers demonstrate after coworker's death in August 2017.

A divided Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday the state’s dairy workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week, a decision expected to apply to the rest of the agriculture industry.Read More

Health Board Votes To Fire Spokane Regional Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz

By Doug Nadvornick November 6, 2020

File photo. The health board overseeing the Spokane Regional Health District voted to fire health officer Dr. Bob Lutz after district administrator Amelia Clark previously tried to do so without their approval. CREDIT: Doug Nadvornick / SPR

The Spokane County health board has fired Health Officer Bob Lutz, the man who has been the face of the county’s battle against the coronavirus since March. The eight-to-four vote came after a four-hour proceeding, during which Adminstrative Officer Amelia Clark listed a detailed list of actions that she says warranted Lutz’s removal.Read More

‘Dry Side’ View: Inland Northwest Residents Anxiously Await Election Results

By Anna King November 5, 2020

Tattered American flags wave in the strong wind of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on October 27, 2020. CREDIT: Anna King/N3

In the weeks leading up to the election, residents in five smaller areas around eastern Washington and Oregon spoke about how they were feeling. Now, as people are awaiting results, we checked in with a few.Read More

From Marijuana To Mushrooms, Voters Want Drug Laws Eased, Following Washington State’s Lead

By NPR News November 5, 2020

A Washington, D.C., resident has an operation growing psilocybin mushrooms. With the legalization of marijuana, advocates in several states, including Oregon, have pushed for the legalization of other drugs such as "magic mushrooms." Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Several states approve marijuana for recreational and medicinal use. Oregon votes to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs.Read More

As Election Count Goes On, U.S. Formally Exits Paris Agreement To Curb Climate Change

By NWPB News November 4, 2020

Kristin Green, left, and Kayla Bordelon, from the Citizens Climate Lobby, hold signs and wave to motorists on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, in Moscow, Idaho. CREDIT: Geoff Crimmins/The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP

The move, long threatened by President Donald Trump and triggered by his administration a year ago, further isolates Washington in the world but has no immediate impact on international efforts to curb global warming.Read More

StoryCorps Northwest: Seeing Internment Camp And Housing Discrimination Changed Her Politics

By Sueann Ramella November 4, 2020

Daughter Nancy Mahoney with her mother, Colleen.

When she was young, Lewiston resident Colleen Mahoney lived near the Minidoka Japanese Internment camp. That experience, plus witnessing housing discrimination in Utah, shaped her politics and community advocacy.Read More

When Will We Know The Winner? Time Frames For Key States; AP Calls Michigan For Joe Biden

By NPR News November 4, 2020

Voters cast ballots at the Park Tavern polling station on Tuesday in Atlanta. Nearly 95% of Georgia's estimated ballots have been reported, but metro Atlanta is currently the holdout area. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Here's how much longer it will take to count the votes in the remaining key states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.Read More

Dams, Salmon, Wolves: How Key Issues Played Out In Eastern Washington Congressional Races

By Courtney Flatt November 3, 2020

Elliott Moffett, a member of the Nez Perce Indian tribe, holds a sign that reads Free The Snake as he takes part in a rally organized by a coalition of environmental and tribal groups to promote the breaching of dams on the Snake River and other measures intended to benefit salmon and orcas. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

The campaigning is done. Now what's left is the counting. Here is how candidates in Washington’s 4th and 5th Congressional districts have talked about key environmental and natural resource issues during the campaign.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 3: Dawn Shaw On The Power Of Choice And Resilience

By McKayla Fox November 3, 2020

Public speaker Dawn Shaw shares how resilience, perspective and the power of choice, help people find inner beauty. The removal of a tumor at birth left Shaw with facial paralysis. She is an author of three books, including her memoir "Facing Up to It" and more recently an inspirational guide: "Facial Shift, Adjusting to an Altered Appearance."Read More

Election Results Viewer’s Guide: Why You May Need To Be Patient

By NPR News November 3, 2020

A poll worker helps K. Maki (left) fill out a provisional ballot at Park Tavern polling station on Tuesday in Atlanta, Ga. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

You're probably anxious about the results, but patience may truly be a virtue on election night. Here's how to approach the evening.Read More

‘We Can’t Give Up’: U.S. Can Still Control The Spread Of COVID-19, Experts Say

By PBS Newshour November 3, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and CDC Director Robert Redfield

Public health experts and officials don’t agree that giving up control is a foregone conclusion, instead warning that steps can and must be taken now to avoid the unnecessary loss of life. And no credible experts have suggested the pandemic will end the day after voting stops, despite suggestions from Trump, who himself has tested positive for the virus, that the media is Read More

Looking Forward And Backward: A La Niña Winter And Dry Conditions That Fueled Northwest Fires

By Courtney Flatt November 2, 2020

Drought conditions in the U.S. West, particularly parts of the Northwest, could be eased by an expected 2020-21 La La Niña winter. CREDIT: U.S. Drought Monitor

The Northwest could see a cooler and wetter winter this season, according to climate outlook models. Forecasters say it’s likely that a recently developed La Niña weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean will continue. That should lead to above average precipitation in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.Read More

Newspaper’s Trump-Inslee Editorial Prompts The Question: Do Endorsements Matter In 2020?

By Scott Leadingham November 2, 2020

The Spokesman-Review endorsed Donald Trump for president and Jay Inslee for Washington governor in October 2020. But that was just the view of one person: the paper's owner and publisher. Screenshot by NWPB

The Spokesman-Review newspaper recently caused a splash when it endorsed Donald Trump for president after calling him a bully and a bigot. The paper also endorsed Democrat Jay Inslee for a third term as Washington governor. After backlash, the Spokesman-Review’s editor-in-chief said the paper would no longer endorse candidates or run unsigned editorials. Read More

1,000 Miles, 100 Perspectives, 5 Sunrises: The Voting View From Eastern Washington And Oregon

By Anna King November 2, 2020

In total, Anna King saw five sunrises and drove more than 1,000 miles on her way to five towns spanning both sides of the Columbia in eastern Washington and Oregon. She listened hard to the worries and hopes of as many as 100 hundred residents in the region.Read More

Despite Intense Interest In Election, Washington Voter Registrations Lag Compared To 2016

By Austin Jenkins October 31, 2020

Washington's August 4 primary ballot is chock full of candidates even though traditional campaigning has, in many cases, been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Washington Secretary of State's Office

According to figures provided by the Secretary of State’s office, 513,000 people registered to vote in Washington prior to the 2016 election. So far this year, this state has seen approximately 440,000 new registrants, a 14 percent drop compared to four years ago. However, the last two months have shown something of a rebound.Read More

Spokane County Health Officer Refuses To Resign As Requested, Says He Has Hired A Lawyer

By Doug Nadvornick October 31, 2020

The Spokane Regional Health District's administrative officer has reportedly asked Health Officer Bob Lutz to resign. Amelia Clark addressed reporters during a press conference Friday morning.Read More

He Made A Minor Mistake On An Unemployment Form. Now Washington Wants $15,000 From Him

By NWPB News October 31, 2020

Ahmad Ghabboun on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Everett, Wash. CREDIT: Jovelle Tamayo for ProPublica

Ahmad Ghabboun, 31, and his wife, who was laid off from the beauty department of Nordstrom’s, relied on their combined unemployment benefits to cover their $1,800 rent, the $200 monthly payment on Ghabboun’s car, and various bills, not to mention the costs of preparing for their first child: Ghabboun’s wife was six months pregnant when he received the alert claiming he Read More

Internal Documents Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Data The Government Keeps Hidden

By NPR News October 30, 2020

The ICU at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla., was 99% full this week, according to an internal report produced by the federal government. It's among numerous hospitals the report highlighted with ICUs filled to over 90% capacity. CREDIT: Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Where are hospitals reaching capacity? Which metro areas are running out of beds? NPR has learned federal agencies collect and analyze this information in detail but don't share it with the public. Read More

Lawsuit: Fair Housing Groups Say Seattle-Based Redfin ‘Redlines’ Minority Communities

By NWPB News October 30, 2020

A Redfin "for sale" sign stands in front of a house Oct. 28, 2020, in Seattle. Several fair housing organizations accused Redfin of systematic racial discrimination in a lawsuit, saying the online real estate broker offers fewer services to homebuyers and sellers in minority communities, a type of "digital redlining" that has depressed home values and exacerbated historic injustice in the housing market. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, the organizations said that during a two-year investigation they documented the effect of Redfin’s “minimum price policy,” which requires homes to be listed for certain prices to reap the benefits of Redfin’s services.Read More

Wolves Will Lose Federal Protections In The Northwest, Conservation Groups Vow A Fight

By Courtney Flatt October 29, 2020

A wolf from the Snake River Pack passes by a remote camera in eastern Wallowa County, Ore. A wolf advocate group in Colorado is challenging the model for U.S. wildlife management. CREDIT: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP

The federal government says it will remove endangered species protections for gray wolves in the Lower 48. The move will reduce protections for the predators in the western two-thirds of Washington and Oregon. Read More

How The AP Calls Races, And What To Expect On Election Night

By PBS Newshour October 29, 2020

In this Aug. 5, 2020, vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash. As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, nearly 53% of the ballots have been processed, with just over 53,000 remaining. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Since 1848, the Associated Press has played a key role in calculating the U.S. presidential election results. This year, it’s had to adjust for some unusual circumstances as it prepares to determine winners in more than 7,000 races for seats in state legislatures, Congress and the White House.Read More

It’s Time To ‘Fall Back’ Again, Despite Northwest States’ Lawmakers Voting To Stop The Clock

By Tom Banse October 29, 2020

No more changing of clocks like this one in Seattle's Lake Union Park if Congress OKs Washington's permanent move to daylight saving time. CREDIT: GIL AEGERTER/KUOW

Last year, the Oregon and Washington legislatures voted to observe daylight saving time year-round. Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature voted to link the northern portion of Idaho, which follows Pacific time, to whatever time observance that Washington state follows. But we'll change our clocks this weekend anyway because Congress hasn't acted.Read More

Boeing To Lay Off Thousands More Workers, Citing ‘Devastating’ Pandemic Impact,

By NPR News October 28, 2020

Boeing will be laying off thousands of additional employees as the airplane manufacturer continues to lose money due to the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

Boeing started the year with about 160,000 employees around the world, but in the memo to employees, Calhoun said "we anticipate a workforce of about 130,000 employees by the end of 2021."Read More

Why Washington Accepts Ballots Postmarked By Election Day Well Into November, Unlike Oregon

By Austin Jenkins October 28, 2020

A ballot drop box in Thurston County, Washington. While ballots must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, they can still be counted if they come in through the mail weeks later as long as they're postmarked by Election Day. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Washington’s latitude about late-arriving ballots stands in stark contrast to Oregon, and more than half of states, where ballots must arrive by Election Day. In fact, by allowing ballots to still be counted nearly three weeks after the election, Washington has the most generous policy in the nation, according to a recent analysis.Read More

StoryCorps Northwest: Finding Self Worth, Higher Education And Dealing With Addiction

By Sueann Ramella October 28, 2020

Nez Perce tribal member Mary Jane Miles was two when her mother died. That was the start of a series of difficult events in Mary Jane’s life. But she persevered to earn an education and come to terms with alcohol addiction. She spoke with her friend and colleague, Kayeloni Scott, for StoryCorps Northwest.Read More

Idaho Public School Enrollment Drops For First Time Since 1997, Virtual Schools See Big Gains

By NWPB News October 28, 2020

The Moscow School District decided earlier in March to close schools after its spring break, after Idaho Gov. Brad Little declined a statewide closure. CREDIT: Architect21c at the English Wikipedia / GFDL gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html

Idaho public schools are serving 4,554 fewer students than they did last school year, marking the first time since 1997 that the state has seen a decline in enrollment.Read More

Washington Joins Multi-State Western Pact To Review COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

By NWPB News October 27, 2020

With development and testing underway, health officials are asking states to prepare for limited distribution of a potential vaccine as soon as this fall — though some experts say that's too early. CREDIT: Hans Pennink/AP

Washington is among a handful of Western states that have joined California in a pact to independently review the safety and efficacy of any coronavirus vaccine that is ultimately approved by the FDA before any distribution occurs in those states, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday.Read More

Experts To Western States: Time To Finally Fight Wildfires With More Fire

By NPR News October 27, 2020

a sign for a prescribed burn in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Calif., remains posted two years after the fire. The prescribed burn, a low-intensity, closely managed fire, was intended to clear out undergrowth and protect the heart of Kings Canyon National Park from a future threatening wildfire. The tactic is considered one of the best ways to prevent the kind of catastrophic destruction that has become common, but its use falls woefully short of goals in the West. CREDIT: BRIAN MELLEY/AP

Experts warn that Western states and the federal government need to radically increase the number and size of controlled burns to help reduce the ongoing risks of more catastrophic wildfire seasons. Read More

Washington Elections Officials Bracing For Last-Minute Disinformation Campaigns

By Austin Jenkins October 26, 2020

drops her ballot in a drop box at Lacey City Hall in Thurston County on Monday, Oct. 26. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

State and local election officials in Washington sought to reassure voters Monday that robust security measures are in place to protect against interference with the general election, even as they acknowledged the likelihood that bad actors will try to sow distrust and undermine confidence in the national election results.Read More

Idaho Moving Back To Phase 3 Of Reopening, Governor Says, As COVID-19 Cases Rise

By Scott Leadingham October 26, 2020

Idaho Gov. Brad Little speaks at a news conference in Boise on March 13. Less than four months after the state confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, it has emerged as one of the nation's biggest hot spots. Keith Ridler/AP

Idaho is moving backward. That was the announcement Monday from Gov. Brad Little. He said the entire state will move back to its previous stage of reopening: Phase 3. Read More

Washington Beer Lobby Goes On The Offensive To Drown A Tax That Isn’t Even On Tap

By Austin Jenkins October 26, 2020

In a letter sent to Gov. Jay Inslee and legislative leaders in October 2020, representatives of the beer, grocery and hospitality industry urged policymakers “not to increase taxes on beer.” But state lawmakers say they're not considering such a tax at this point ahead of the 2021 legislative session. CREDIT: Scott A. Leadingham/NWPB

There's no indication a beer tax is on tap in Olympia. But the industry isn’t taking any chances. Especially after what happened in 2010. That’s when state lawmakers imposed an increase in the beer tax as part of a plan to balance a budget hammered by the Great Recession.Read More

Meet The 20-Something Seattle Cellist Bringing Classical Music To The Masses Through Social Media

By NWPB News October 25, 2020

Seattle Symphony cellist Nathan Chan, shown here in a still image from a video cover of the song "Down" on his YouTube channel, uses social media channels to connect with younger audiences and share his musical insights. CREDIT: Nathan Chan/YouTube/Screenshot by NWPB

Nathan Chan talks about his pandemic pick-me-ups, Yo-Yo Ma and TikTok. Before he could read, let alone read sheet music, theSeattle Symphony cellist had already conducted an orchestra through Mozart’s Variations. At 3 years old, Chan directed the San Jose Chamber Orchestra — and had to stand on a chair to see over the podium.Read More