PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Thompson leads 13th District race, plans focus on costs, access
EPHRATA — Joshua Thompson led Deanna Martinez by 3,278 votes for the 13th Legislative District’s state representat…
Patient, worker at state psychiatric hospital have COVID-19
SEATTLE (AP) — A patient and a worker at Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital have tested positive for coronavirus, and workers at the facility fear the number of cases will increase due to a lack of pro…
Ban on race-based hairstyle discrimination signed into law
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington is the sixth state to ban race-based discrimination against hair texture and hairstyles, under a measure signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Measuring easing penalties for HIV exposure signed into law
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday signed a measure that reduces the crime of intentionally exposing a sexual partner to HIV from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Idaho could have 11-plus patients for every bed in outbreak
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho has just 2,283 hospital beds statewide, and fewer than half of them are empty and available to take new patients on any given day, according to an Associated Press analysis of Centers of M…
Workers building field hospital as coronavirus spreads
SEATTLE (AP) — Workers were building a field hospital on a soccer field in a Seattle suburb on Thursday for people who become ill with the new coronavirus.
Utah joins states scrapping year-end tests for K-12 students
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah students in public elementary, middle and high schools will not take year-end standardized tests this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered schools for at least tw…
Toddler drowns in river south of Albany
SHEDD, Ore. (AP) —
Patient at Washington psychiatric hospital has COVID-19
SEATTLE (AP) — A patient as Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital has tested positive for coronavirus, and workers at the facility fear that number will increase due to a lack of protective gear and new p…
National parks are free, but some oppose that amid the virus
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Most national parks are open as a refuge for Americans tired of being stuck at home during a pandemic, but despite now being free to visit, people may find it more difficult to enjoy them as p…
Washington's lieutenant governor leaving for the priesthood
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib said Thursday that he is not running for re-election and will join the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church to start the process of becoming a priest.
Oregon reports 13 news coronavirus cases, total of 88
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon health authorities said Thursday that 13 more people have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus.
Bill banning texting while driving heads to Idaho governor
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation banning texting while driving but allowing hands-free uses such as talking or using the navigation function of an electronic mobile device headed to the governor on Thursday.
Idaho lieutenant governor leaves Statehouse to return home
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin has left the Statehouse and returned to Idaho Falls, leaving Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill to preside over the Senate and finish out the legislative session.
As virus spreads, VA gets set to back up taxed US hospitals
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs is bracing for a potential surge of 1 million veterans infected by
US panel approves pipeline, natural gas terminal in Oregon
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A U.S. regulatory agency on Thursday approved a controversial natural gas pipeline and marine export terminal project in Oregon, but the state's Democratic governor threatened to go to court to s…