The COVID-19 omicron variant has not yet been identified in the United States, but health leaders agree: it’s not if but when the variant will be found in the U.S.
Washington health officials are confident virologists will be able to detect the omicron variant when it reaches the state.
Washington has been one of the best states in the country at detecting variants through genomic sequencing since early in the pandemic, and health officials believe there is little chance the omicron variant will go undetected in Washington state. Read more
Another atmospheric river will bring more rain to the region Tuesday through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. This system will be similar in strength to the one last weekend.
Rainfall amounts for the interior lowlands will generally be 1-2 inches, with the Olympics and Cascades seeing 2-4 inches.
Current models show rain tapering off Thursday, with the possibility of additional systems rolling in by next weekend. Read more
Sumas Elementary School has been closed since extensive flooding damaged the campus earlier this month. Now the district said the damage is too severe to fix.
More than 1,200 students in the district are greatly impacted by flooding.
Remote learning isn't an option because hundreds of the district's laptops are believed to have been lost in the flooding. Read more
The West Seattle Bridge is entering its final phase of repairs after being closed for more than a year and a half.
Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Seattle Department of Transportation Director Sam Zimbabwe announced the milestone with a number of other officials.
Zimbabwe said that the substantial completion date for the repairs is projected to be June 30, adding that there will be no more than two weeks of testing following this date, making the projected full reopening date July 14. Read more
Kalen DeBoer was named the 30th head football coach at the University of Washington on Monday.
DeBoer, 47, comes from Fresno State where he led the Bulldogs to a 9-3 overall record.
DeBoer replaces Jimmy Lake, who was fired earlier this month following a sideline incident with a player during a Huskies game against Oregon on Nov. 6. Read more
Also see: Seattle local forecast
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