Don't wait until the last minute to register to vote in Washington state, elections officials said.
Even though Washington is a vote-by-mail state, voters who wait until the last minute to turn in their ballot or register to vote could see hours-long lines at elections offices.
Officials advise voters not to wait and get it all done before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, if possible. Read more
Due to a forecasted state budget shortfall of up to $9 billion, the Department of Social and Health Services has been told to examine a 15% cut. For thousands of Washingtonians, the picture is dire.
The $1 billion cut could mean a loss of funding to 20,000 residents who are elderly or who have disabilities and who depend on the funding for housing and medical care. Read more
Citing an increase in local coronavirus cases, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that many county employees would continue to work remotely until at least July.
King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, Assessor John Wilson, and Elections Director Julie Wise also mandated telecommuting for their employees through July 5, where possible.
In-person customer services that were already suspended will remain suspended unless there is a need to change to in-person service. Many county employees have been working remotely since March. Read more
Superintendent Denise Juneau said she was surprised at the Seattle King County NAACP's calls for her dismissal. She said the organization was a "vital member of our community," and the district is focused on diversity and equity.
The local NAACP held a press conference earlier this month criticizing Juneau for not doing enough to improve learning outcomes for Black students and for the district's loss of teachers who are Black men.
Juneau said the district surpassed its diversity hiring goals this year. Read more
Shelters in Hawaii sent hundreds of dogs and cats to Seattle as the islands struggle to find room for the animals as a result of the coronavirus pandemic's effect on commercial flights to the mainland.
The Maui Humane Society worked with Greater Good Charities and Wings of Rescue to send over 600 pets to the mainland on the "Paws Across the Pacific" flight.
The animals arrived at Boeing Field in Seattle on Thursday and will be offered for adoption through different shelters throughout the Pacific Northwest and other states. Read more
Also see: Seattle local forecast
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