40% of letter-handling machines dismantled in Seattle-Tacoma area
Internal documents from May reveal that the Postal Service was planning to remove 20% of “DBCS” (digital barcode sorter) machines nationwide this summer. In Washington state, at least 23 DBCS letter-sorting machines had been dismantled by Tuesday at major postal facilities, according to a tally by KUOW. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

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UW research shows racism and redlining hurt local wildlife, too
Crosscut interviewed [Dr. Christopher] Schell and co-author Dr. Karen Dyson to learn more about how incorporating social justice issues into ecological research helps us better understand our true impact on the world around us, and what it feels like to publish their paper in this moment of anti-racist reckoning. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Crosscut)

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How miscommunication and selfishness hampered America’s COVID-19 response
COVID-19 has scrambled the meaning of American exceptionalism. For a century or more, the United States has been a beacon of hope and strength to the rest of the world. But its response to the pandemic, many public health experts say, has been uniquely hapless, ineffective, undisciplined and selfish. Continue reading at USA Today. (David J. Phillip)

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Associated Press
New Columbia River Gorge fire starts, prompting evacuations
US officials install cable barrier along Canadian border
Slade Gorton, former Washington US senator, dies at 92
Washington gov. declares state of emergency over wildfires
Gov. Inslee declares state of emergency over Washington wildfires
Federal appeals panel says state can protect Hanford workers
Inslee orders more COVID-19 testing for farm workers
US jobless claims jump back above 1 million in face of virus
Russia’s Navalny in coma, allegedly poisoned by toxic tea
Seahawks to play first three home games of the 2020 season without fans
S&P 500 hits all-time high
Coin shortage hits retailers, laundromats, tooth fairy
Yakima mail equipment to stay after postmaster reverses course on changes
Portland police: Riot outside federal immigration building
COVID: Oregonians can apply for $500 state stimulus check
Working families enlist grandparents to help with the kids
Oregon gov. declares state of emergency due to wildfires

Aberdeen Daily World
County raises CARES Act business grant pot to $1.5 million, extends application deadline

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
When and how will the U.S.-Canadian border open? These experts have some ideas
State reports Wednesday that Whatcom County COVID-19 case count decreases by 2
Washington state news still ‘encouraging,’ officials cautiously say at weekly update
Washington mandates broad COVID-19 testing for farms experiencing outbreaks
Which Whatcom age groups are being impacted by COVID the most this summer?
Washington state reports 425 new COVID-19 cases
5 myths of COVID-19 and why they just aren’t true
Coronavirus updates: DOH creates needs assessment survey
T cells — not antibodies — may be key to long-term COVID-19 immunity. What are they?
More cruise ships are leaving U.S. waters — and CDC coronavirus reporting requirements
Black newborns 3 times more likely to die when treated by white doctors, study finds
Here’s when you can visit national parks for free to celebrate their 104th birthday

Capital Press
Inslee orders COVID testing for farmworkers
Editorial: We can’t afford to shortchange students

Columbian
Evergreen Public Schools, teachers union at odds over reopening
New COVID-19 cases dip in latest Clark County report, no new deaths
In Our View: The solution to controlling coronavirus is us

Everett Herald (subscription required)
Vandals with chainsaws slash 5 PUD utility poles in Lynnwood
‘We can learn from Slade’s life’: Gorton touched many here

Highline Times
Community Task Force Meeting 7 focuses on dialog with Mayor Durkan and Reconnect West Seattle survey results

The Inlander
To keep campuses open during a pandemic, local universities hope college students won’t act like college students

Islands’ Weekly
Magistrate recommends against COER injunction
Riding out the COVID-19 storm together | Guest column
New report highlights COVID-19 cases are plateauing

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
Nonprofits prep for anticipated influx of need
Kitsap charter school opening amid pandemic
Proposed Belfair mine expansion denied

New York Times
Big Tech’s domination of business reaches new heights
Steve Bannon Is Charged With Fraud in ‘We Build the Wall’ Campaign
Trump Must Turn Over Tax Returns to D.A., Judge Rules
Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Jump to 1.1 Million: Live Updates
Fed Officials Said the Economy Needed More Help From Congress

Olympian (subscription required)
Sixth COVID-19 outbreak reported in Thurston County, 15 cases reported Wednesday

Puget Sound Business Journal
Airports brace for deep cost cuts as America’s travel pullback shows no sign of abating
New US jobless claims rise back above 1m
US share buybacks almost cut in half by pandemic
Fed officials said the economy needed more help from Congress
Big-box retailers’ profits surge as pandemic marches on
Former US Sen. Slade Gorton dies at 92
Seattle picks HNTB to design West Seattle Bridge replacement, but repair still on the table
Ready for PPP forgiveness? Here’s what to know about owner, employee pay.

Seattle Times (subscription required)
As wildfires burn across Washington state, Inslee declares an emergency
Firefighters battling blaze at Beacon Hill construction site 
Ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon charged in border wall scheme 
Trump must turn over tax returns, judge rules again 
Northern California wildfires threatening thousands of homes
‘The smartest person in the room:’ Washington state officials remember former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton
I-90 work that caused long delays finished early
LA Times: Postal Service cutbacks have left small businesses hurting
Bloomberg: Boeing wins first 737 MAX deal of year in sale to Polish carrier
Op-Ed: Take down Klamath River dams

Seattle Weekly
Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton dies at 92

Skagit Valley Herald
COVID cases drop, but not yet a trend

Tri-City Herald
Federal court of appeals upholds state law helping Hanford workers
1st coronavirus death reported in 6 days. New cases drop again in Tri-Cities area

USA Today
How miscommunication and selfishness hampered America’s COVID-19 response
Michigan to pay $600M in Flint water crisis settlement; victim compensation fund created
‘Silent spreaders’ of COVID-19: Kids who seem healthy may be more contagious than sick adults, study says
Supreme Court ruled on a landmark LGBTQ rights case, but Justice Department has yet to enforce it

Walla Walla Union Bulletin (subscription required)
Loved ones alarmed at COVID-19 spread at the Penitentiary
Walla Walla prison second highest in state for COVID-19 cases
Umatilla County approved to return to Phase 1
Walla Walla Community College granted $2.18 million to continue TRiO program
Editorial: Finally, progress in cleaning up nuclear waste
Bloomberg: Postmaster general suspends USPS change until after election

Washington Post
Trudeau’s suspension of Parliament amid ethics controversy fuels cries of ‘cover-up’
Ex-Trump adviser Bannon indicted on conspiracy charges in alleged fundraising fraud
Judge rejects Trump’s latest bid to shield his tax records from Manhattan district attorney
Growing evidence shines a light on children’s role in virus transmission
Some big firms are giving stressed parents perks such as subsidized tutoring
Texas governor threatens penalties for cities that cut police funding
Portland protesters broke ICE building windows. Police responded with tear gas.
GOP push to block controversial Alaskan gold mine gains the White House’s attention
Here’s why the Postal Service wanted to remove hundreds of mail-sorting machines
Mali had the first coup d’etat of the coronavirus era
Michigan to pay $600 million to victims of Flint contaminated-water crisis

Yakima Herald Republic
Fire crews gaining upper hand on Yakima Valley wildfires

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Cable barrier goes up along portion of Washington-Canada border
Boeing reports first 737 MAX orders since November
As coronavirus declines in King County, some eastside neighborhoods see increase
What you need to know about coronavirus Thursday, Aug. 20

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
Study of Seattle-based fishing crew suggests antibodies stop infection
Tacoma officer who fatally shot Bennie Branch won’t face criminal charges, prosecutor says
Coronavirus cases going down in Washington but officials warn not to let down your guard
Referees face uncertain future during COVID-19 pandemic
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus reported in Eastern Washington
Inlsee issues update to proclamation requiring COVID-19 testing for agricultural workers
SPOG releases additional video of Sunday night riot in Seattle

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
Homeless service providers wondering how to replace city’s Navigation Team
Protesters stop traffic, shutdown public entrance of King County Jail
U.S. officials install cable barrier along Canadian border
Seattle City Council committee votes to loan $70M for West Seattle bridge repair

KNKX FM
ForCanada-U.S. border restrictions extended, forcing big changes in some people’s lives
Former Washington Senator Slade Gorton dies at 92

KUOW FM
40% OF LETTER-HANDLING MACHINES DISMANTLED IN SEATTLE-TACOMA AREA
Shadow Immigration System: Migrant Children Detained In Hotels By Private Contractors
Canada-U.S. border restrictions extended, forcing big changes in some people’s lives
Blog: Protests for racial justice in the Seattle area
Updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state
State of emergency declared over Washington state wildfires
August 19th | The legacy of Slade Gorton, Washington state political giant
Move In, Move Out: For In-Person College, Everything Rests On The First Few Weeks
1 in 5 Child Care Jobs Were Lost Since Pandemic Started. Women Are Affected Most
Former Washington Senator Slade Gorton dies at 92

Q13 TV (Fox)
Families, attorneys ask state to further reduce prison population
Inslee declares State of Emergency as wildfires burn across Washington
Inslee orders more COVID-19 testing for farm workers
Local organization offers child care options for upcoming school year

Web

Crosscut
UW research shows racism and redlining hurt local wildlife, too 
Opinion: The movement to defund Seattle police is not a personal attack