Washington National Guard Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Inslee Deploying 100 National Guard To Help Hospitals, Orders Pause On Non-Emergency Procedures

By Austin Jenkins January 13, 2022

Washington National Guard soldiers walk through the Food Lifeline Covid Response Center on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, along East Marginal Way South in Seattle.

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.Read More

With More Security And 2 Arrests Outside, Washington Lawmakers Approve Rules For Remote Session

By NWPB News January 11, 2021

The Washington State Senate convened Monday, Jan. 11 to approve the rule that will allow them to meet mostly remotely during the session. In person, only eight people are allowed on the Senate floor, and all must wear facial coverings. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

The Washington Legislature approved rules Monday that lawmakers to meet remotely because of the pandemic. The in-person votes in Olympia happened under tight security with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. The Washington State Patrol arrested two people outside the Capitol.Read More

Washington Plans To Test All Nursing Home Residents And Staff, Says State Doctor

By Austin Jenkins May 12, 2020

Tim Killian, a spokesman for Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., prepares to give a daily briefing to reporters on Wednesday. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instructed the state Department of Health (DOH) to prepare to test all nursing home residents and staff for COVID-19 in the coming weeks, according to the physician leading the state’s testing strategy.Read More

Washington National Guard Likely To Take More Active Support Role, But Not In Order Enforcement

By NWPB News March 31, 2020

Spc. Joshua Junious, second from left, poses with members of his National Guard platoon at the Yakima Training Center. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

When the governor declared a state of emergency in late February, that allowed for the use of the National Guard. So far the state’s citizen soldiers have played a limited role in supporting the battle against coronavirus. But Inslee’s chief of staff David Postman said Tuesday that may soon change. He says they won’t be playing a law enforcement role or controlling traffic.Read More

No Shelter-In-Place Order Imminent In Washington, But More Restrictions Likely In Future

By NWPB News March 20, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces the closing of all K-12 schools in three Washington counties on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The closure was extended statewide on Friday for at least six weeks. CREDIT: Rachel La Corte/AP

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is not on the verge of issuing a statewide shelter-in-place order, as governors in California and elsewhere have done recently, a top Inslee aide said Friday.Read More

At Yakima Training Center, Thousands Of National Guard Troops Prepare For 2021 Deployment

By Austin Jenkins June 19, 2019

This month, more than 3,000 Army National Guard soldiers from Washington, Oregon and California have taken up temporary residence at the Yakima Training Center.Read More