Although Washington state is seeing a continued decline in COVID-19 case rates, Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah warns it isn't the first time the state has seen a break in cases.
“This is an interim period. So, this is what we have seen many times and hopefully, we will see a different place here from what we’ve seen previously,” said Shah.
Still, case rates across the state are at levels not seen since July of 2021. Hospitalization rates are also down to similar levels during that time period.
The latest genomic sequencing of positive COVID cases across the state conducted from March 13-19 showed that more than 51% were caused by the BA.2 variant. Read more
There is a push across the country, including in western Washington, to reform the cash bail system through nonprofit groups that post bail for those who can’t afford it. These groups are drawing criticism from victim advocates and the crime victims they serve.
There are approximately 100 charitable bail organizations in the country, including the Seattle-based Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF). Through donations, the NCBF said they can post bail for between 80 and 90 defendants per month awaiting trial at the King, Snohomish, and Pierce county jails.
The concern raised by victims is that the NCBF bails people out of jail regardless of the charges filed against them. This includes people charged with “serious violent” felony offenses, as defined by state law. Read more
Wednesday, March 30, marked 80 years since the forced removal of the first Japanese Americans from their homes and into internment camps during World War II.
To recognize the dark day in U.S. history, multiple organizations on Bainbridge Island, which is where the first designated exclusion area was located, hosted events to honor survivors and educate the community.
Students and speakers gathered with state leaders, including Gov. Jay Inslee, at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial for an hour-long program. Read more
There is another chance the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, could put on a show Thursday night into Friday morning in western Washington.
A strong geomagnetic storm and the arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejection could cause the lights to be seen in all of Washington and as low as northern California on the west coast, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. Read more
The Seattle Mariners are offering far more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks at T-Mobile Park.
New menu offerings were unveiled Wednesday for the 2022 season, featuring restaurant-quality options from local restaurants. That includes food from Marination, Just Poke, David Chang, and more. Find out what's on the menu
RELATED: Western Washington Forecast
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