State: More than $1.4 billion in unemployment benefits paid
More than $1.4 billion in unemployment benefits have been paid out in Washington since business closures and layoffs related to the coronavirus pandemic started mid-March, and state officials said Thursday they are preparing for up to 1 million claims to be filed by Sunday. Continue reading in the Everett Herald. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

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Washington Supreme Court rejects lawsuit seeking additional release of prisoners due to coronavirus threat
The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday swiftly rejected a lawsuit seeking to force Gov. Jay Inslee to order the release of thousands of people from Washington prisons to protect them from potential exposure to the coronavirus. Continue reading in the Seattle Times. (TVW)

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Poll: Most WA voters wary of reopening economy too soon
A vast majority of Washingtonians are more concerned about public health than the economy, according to results from a new Crosscut/Elway Poll focused on the coronavirus. People who responded to the statewide poll expressed views very much in contrast to recent protests calling for an end to the governor’s stay-at-home order. Continue reading in Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut)

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Associated Press
Sea-Tac Airport will lose $251 million in 2020 amid pandemic
State: More than $1.4 billion in unemployment benefits paid
Virus: High court denies prisoners’ request for release
Republicans eager to reopen economy; Democrats more cautious
US position on tribal relief funds sets up court battle
Tyson beef plant in Washington will close to test workers
Port of Kalama files $3M claim against ship for damage
Washington justices strike down conviction in border case
U.S. unsure it can meet deadline to disburse funds to tribes
Franklin Co. commissioners rescind vote on business reopening

Aberdeen Daily World
Engineering work continues as funds sought for Basich Boulvard repair
Aberdeen council delays potential sale of Michigan Street property purchased for homeless camp
First confirmed COVID-19 case involving GH hospital employee
State: More than $1.4 billion in unemployment benefits paid

Capital Press
Washington proposes COVID-19 rules for migrant housing
Mapping the future of NW farming
Spokane Junior Livestock Show goes virtual
Litigation flares up over Washington dairy farms

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Mask-makers sew lifeline for Lynnwood nurses and 1,000s more
State Supreme Court denies request to release more inmates
Here and elsewhere, minorities bear brunt of COVID-19 crisis
‘Suspicious’ truck part at Naval Station Everett not a threat
Sheriff calls governor’s stay-home order unconstitutional (Mead)
WaPo: Commentary: It’s not Hannity most folks are trusting news to
WaPo: Commentary: If Parliament can vote remotely, so can Congress
Letter: Sheriff Fortney has violated his oath
Letter: Sheriff refusal to enforce stay-home order is correct
Letter: I’d like to retract my vote for Sheriff Fortney

Federal Way Mirror
Why are golfers still playing at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club in Federal Way?
Shooting victim identified: ‘I miss you my boy’
Report shows severity of COVID-19 impacts on hotels nationwide
Opinion – KCLS is stepping up its commitment to patrons

Issaquah Reporter
Medic One Foundation’s Gratitude Meals offer support to first responders, local businesses
Report shows severity of COVID-19 impacts on hotels nationwide

Journal of the San Juan Islands
As essential food providers, Farmers Markets may operate
Working Washington Small Business Grant program gets additional $5 million infusion
An update on unemployment from the state

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard has produced more than 50,000 masks
More than a month into COVID-19 crisis, some still can’t get unemployment glitches fixed
Kitsap Regional Library cancels all events through August
Port Orchard will ease some restrictions on park use
840 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for COVID-19, Navy says
In a time of immense need, the Kitsap Great Give brings in record-breaking donations

New York Times
The Tax-Break Bonanza Inside the Economic Rescue Package
Trump Muses About Light as Remedy, but Also Disinfectant, Which Is Dangerous

Olympian (subscription required)
Washington state’s COVID-19 case total now at 12,753 with 711 deaths
State won’t release more vulnerable inmates after split Supreme Court ruling
Lacey adjusts budget after slower economy tied to COVID-19 blows $6 million hole in it
State, inmates’ attorney clash over COVID-19 early release plan
Nearly 17% of Thurston’s jobs have disappeared since coronavirus restrictions started
As opponents get louder, Inslee stands his ground on stay-at-home order
Sea-Tac Airport usually sees about 50,000 passengers daily. Right now it’s about 2,500

Peninsula Daily News
Peninsula increases COVID-19 testing
Peninsula sheriffs support association’s stay-at-home statement
Prison inmates to be freed
Supreme Court denies request for more inmates to be released
Peninsula marks one week without confirmed COVID-19 case

Puget Sound Business Journal
Financial aid to struggling states is next big Congressional battle
‘Staying nimble’: How small businesses can, and do, shift gears
Treasury clarifies small-business loans as Fed vows transparency
House approves $484bn in extra US coronavirus relief funds
Most recent unemployment data shows ‘the calm before the storm’
Fed to name companies that participate in its lending program
Microsoft to take an ‘open by default’ approach to its data on social causes – starting with rural broadband
PPP rule change raises red flags by opening the door to a new borrower: Bank shareholders
Seattle council gets brutal budget forecast at start of ‘Tax Amazon’ debate
Bill Gates calls fight against Covid-19 ‘defining moment of our lifetimes’
US business groups seek protection from coronavirus lawsuits
Banks gave richest clients ‘concierge treatment’ for pandemic aid
OSHA leaves it to employers to monitor coronavirus at work

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Stimulus checks will help homeless Seattleites — but not into housing, experts say
Severe coronavirus outbreaks stagger some meat-packing plants in Washington
Washington Supreme Court rejects lawsuit seeking additional release of prisoners due to coronavirus threat
Somber Congress delivers nearly $500B more in virus aid
Here’s what Washington school districts reported to the state about the services they’re providing during coronavirus closures
How a coronavirus economy could harm recent college grads
There’s no roadmap for teaching online, so Washington’s teachers are creating their own

Skagit Valley Herald
Mount Vernon preparing for drop in revenue
Endangered orcas prominent part of annual conference
Supreme Court hears case on inmate release
Federal relief funds to help local airports

Spokesman Review
After 100 virus cases and 1 death, Tyson plant in southeastern Washington closes
Spokane leaders want independent, regional plan to reopen. And they want to know if you agree.
Congress approves $310 billion more into program to help small businesses

Tri-City Herald
Free internet hot spots open in Pasco during coronavirus outbreak
New Tri-Cities school won’t open this fall after construction is halted by coronavirus
Local distillery, companies donate homemade hand and surface sanitizer to first responders
2 more coronavirus deaths in Tri-Cities area. 100 cases at Richland nursing home
Feds deny appeal of $4B Hanford contract. But coronavirus could delay it
Nearly 14% of Tri-Cities jobs have disappeared since coronavirus restrictions started
Tyson plant near Tri-Cities to close Friday. 1,400 workers being tested for coronavirus
Franklin County takes back its decision. Non-essential businesses must stay closed
Worker at veterans nursing home serving Tri-Cities diagnosed with coronavirus

USA Today
U.S. hits 50,000 deaths from coronavirus – just as many states announce plans to ease social distancing

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Tyson testing to begin today
Walla Walla County Sheriff calls for reopening businesses
Editorial: Local officials can’t override governor’s order
Seattle Times: State Supreme Court rejects suit seeking release of prisoners due to coronavirus threat

Washington Post
U.S. coronavirus death toll surpasses 50,000
Covid-19 could devastate minority-owned businesses, amid fears they’ll also miss out on aid

Yakima Herald Republic
Coronavirus update: 952 cases in Yakima County; governor talks about Regional
Yakima Valley food banks holding steady as high demand continues
Yakima Valley groups receive grant to help Spanish speakers struggling due to coronavirus
Yakima County, city officials stick with stay-home orders, while advocating for businesses
More state funding for businesses available; 750 Yakima Co. businesses apply

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Deal reportedly reached to restart home construction in Washington
Financial expert: Prepare for ‘multi-year recovery’ of economy
Real-time updates: Released inmate tests positive for COVID-19
Sea-Tac Airport tallies job losses as passenger traffic sinks as much as 95%
Washington Supreme Court denies request to release thousands of inmates to curb coronavirus
Tips for filing unemployment claims in Washington amid coronavirus crisis
With another round of COVID-19 aid approved, some Seattle business owners call for rule changes
Looming closure of Alcoa aluminum plant in Ferndale threatens to leave hundreds jobless

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Inslee may lift restrictions on construction
Mail thieves after stimulus checks
Snohomish Co. firefighters now equipped to safely reuse N95 masks five times
WA Supreme Court rejects plea to release thousands of inmates immediately
State asks only those in dire need file for unemployment early next week
Use disinfectant only on surfaces, EPA says
Port details drop in passenger numbers at SEA
Church delivers food to doorsteps during COVID-19
Pierce buses become Wi-Fi hot spots for online schooling
Snohomish County sheriff won’t enforce stay-at-home order
First US coronavirus deaths happened weeks before first death in Kirkland

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Inslee could announce plan to get construction workers back on the job
Why stimulus checks could be delayed for millions of taxpayers
Grocery store shortages possible due to coronavirus closing meat plants
State Supreme Court rules against inmates who wanted early release for COVID-19 threat

Q13 TV (Fox)
Inslee expected to ease restrictions on residential construction
Washington Supreme Court denies mass release of inmates amid COVID-19 pandemic
Prosecutor concerned about repeat offenders released from jail over COVID-19 concerns

Web

Crosscut
Calls, texts to helplines surge amid COVID-19
Poll: Most WA voters wary of reopening economy too soon

Slog
Olympia Just Passed the Most Progressive Cannabis Law in the Country (Pettigrew)
A Message to the City from Lorena González
Rural People Want Diseased Seattle People to Stay in Seattle
Thursday COVID-19 Updates: Elizabeth Warren’s Brother Dies of Coronavirus, Mitch McConnell Gives “One of the Saddest, Really Dumb Comments of All Time”
Jenny Durkan Really Hates The Amazon Tax
State Sen. Mark Mullet Drew Crowds With Free Ice Cream in Issaquah Parks (Mullet)
You Should Wear a Face Mask in Public. Here’s How to Make One.