COVID-19 NEWS
Keep up with all the fast-moving novel coronavirus news, particularly as it impacts the Columbia Basin.
COVID-19 update
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department administrators have reported another death related to COVID-19, raising…
Free beer, other new incentives for Biden's 'vaccine sprint'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dangling everything from sports tickets to a free beer, President Joe Biden is looking for that extra something — anything — that will get people to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 shots when t…
Slow to start, China mobilizes to vaccinate at headlong pace
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — In the span of just five days last month, China gave out 100 million shots of its COVID-19 vaccines.
'Complete freedom': Tunes at the Dunes returns
MOSES LAKE — On dunes covered by ATVs and water covered by ski boats, there was plenty of movement and music Memorial Day weekend. But on Sunday, one boat stoo…
Royal School District decides against year-round school in reopening plan
ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District will offer summer school and extra tutoring to help kids who fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will not implement year-round school.
Graduation season kicks off Friday
MOSES LAKE — Graduation ceremonies for the class of 2021 at most local schools will look a little more normal, after a year when school was anything but normal. Schools will hold graduation ceremonies in the next t…
Health district recommends continued mask wearing
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District officials said in a release Tuesday Grant County residents should continue wearing masks indoors, even if they’re vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
Opening weekend draws crowd
MOSES LAKE — The sun was out, the music was rocking, the pool at the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park was full of splashing, excited kids. Summer is straight ahead.
Who benefits? US debates fairest way to share spare vaccine
WASHINGTON (AP) — In April, the Biden administration announced plans to share millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world by the end of June.
Mobile vaccination units hit tiny US towns to boost immunity
FALLON, Nev. (AP) — Pick-up truck drivers motor up to a white trailer in a parking lot on Fallon Paiute-Shoshone land in Nevada's high desert and within a few moments they're handed forms to sign, jabbed with coron…
Splash time: Public swimming pools to reopen for summer
MOSES LAKE — People will get back in the pool this summer, although operations will be different in some cities at the start of the season.
Idaho lieutenant governor bans mask mandates
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — With the governor out of the state, Idaho's lieutenant governor issued an executive order Thursday banning mask mandates in schools and public buildings, saying the face-covering directives thre…
Shoppers go back to stores, but retailers face challenges
NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping.
New rules on vaccinated employees draw ire
OLYMPIA — Employers across Washington are going to have to start tracking which employees have received the COVID-19 vaccine, according to new rules published by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industrie…
Seattle shutting down mass vaccination sites; 60% vaccinated
SEATTLE (AP) — The city of Seattle is shutting down all but one of its mass COVID-19 vaccination sites next month because authorities say more than 76% of Seattle residents eligible have received at least one shot …
Biden orders more intel investigation of COVID-19 origin
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence officials to "redouble" their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese…