(PRESS RELEASE/Washington State Department of Health)

Outbreak began in China, US patient is currently being observed at Providence in Everett…

Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a case of 2019 novel coronavirus [ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ ] (2019-nCoV) in a Snohomish County resident. While the risk to the general public is low, DOH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Snohomish Health District to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the infected traveler. These individuals will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

As our team of experts partners with infectious disease specialists locally, nationally and around the globe to learn more about the 2019 novel coronavirus, our first priority remains public safety, said Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman. We believe the risk to the public is low. And as this situation evolves, we will continue to communicate with the CDC, Snohomish County and the public. More

(LEONA VAUGHN/WNPA Olympia Bureau)

The Senate passed a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags and place an eight-cent fee on reusable plastic bags…

In an attempt to reduce plastic pollution, a bill banning retailers from handing out free single-use plastic bags in the state of Washington is moving in the Legislature.
The bill, SB 5323, was passed by the Senate with a vote of 30-19 on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and is now headed to the House for further consideration. If the bill becomes law, shoppers will have to either bring their own bags or pay an eight-cent fee for a reusable carryout plastic bag.

The bill was a one-party proposal, made by the Democrats, and received the support of two Republicans voting yes. One Democrat voted no.

“Plastic pollution is a huge problem in our state,” said Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the bill’s primary sponsor. More

(CAMERON SHEPPARD/WNPA)

Proponents believe it would incentivize necessary switch to green economy, detractors say it would impact businesses and consumers with higher costs…

Democrats in the state Legislature are backing bills aimed at reducing carbon emissions and pollutants put into the atmosphere by transportation fuels with the goal of achieving a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2050.

One of the co-sponsors, Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, said Senate bills 5412 and 6272 would allow the Department of Ecology to put rules into place that limit the use of dirty and carbon-emitting fuels and set new objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. More

(CAMERON SHEPPARD/WNPA Olympia Bureau) 

Matt Marshall, leader of the Washington Three Percenters gun rights group, addresses a crowd rallying for Second Amendment rights Jan. 17 at the state Capitol in Olympia. Marshall condemned Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, which expelled Rep. Matt Shea from the Republican Caucus. Marshall announced his candidacy for the 2nd District seat held by House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox. (Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service)

Many who attended held signs in support of Rep. Matt Shea…

On what turned out to be a cold and rainy day, hundreds of people from across Washington gathered Jan. 17 on the state Capitol steps in support of their right to bear arms.

Lawmakers and activists alike spoke to an excited crowd of people worried that a Democratic legislative
majority might pursue increased gun regulation.

Many who attended held signs in support of Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, who was removed from the
Republican Caucus after a private investigation alleged he was involved with the planning and coordination of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge armed standoff that put law enforcement officials in danger. More