Proposed ‘billionaire tax’ comes to Olympia, as Washington Democrats seek to revamp tax system
A new idea to flip Washington’s regressive tax system goes straight to the top: it seeks to tax the state’s billionaires. Sponsored by Rep. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, House Bill 1406 would apply a 1% tax on a state resident’s taxable intangible wealth above $1 billion.If passed, the tax, which would impact fewer than 100 people — but would raise a torrent of money. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Bettina Hansen)

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In with Billy Frank Jr., out with Whitman. Statues should show Washington diversity
How refreshing that we can now talk about installing the statue of a great Washington leader inside the US Capitol Building. Better yet, it’s a leader who would build up the stature of Black, indigenous and other people of color in our state. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Toni L. Bailey)

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Washington plan shows vaccines for general public won’t begin until summer or fall 2021
New information from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has pushed back the timeline for members of the general public to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, meaning life won’t go back to normal anytime soon. Continue reading at KING5 TV. (WA State Department of Health)

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Associated Press
Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, will step down as CEO
Washington House allocates $2.2 billion in COVID funding (Macri)
Washington state eyes ‘billionaire tax’ on the ultra rich (Frame)
Farmers sue state over COVID-19 rules for migrant workers
Asian shares mostly higher, China markets fall back
LuLaRoe to pay $4.75M to settle pyramid scheme lawsuit
Stocks give up earlier gains, Google’s parent company jumps
Democrats urge investigation into removal of owl protections

Aberdeen Daily World
State House passes $2.2 billion COVID-19 relief package, heads to Senate (Sullivan, Rolfes, Ormsby)
Aberdeen teachers union files suit with school district for unfair labor practices surrounding reopening plan
New hires approved to help with mass-vaccination scheduling
Commentary: How the QAnon conspiracy seduces normal people
Commentary: One big reason your health insurance costs so much: Political cash

Bellingham Herald (subscription required)
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington
Whatcom’s downtown jail sees first COVID-19 cases, but protocol changes prevent outbreak
As Whatcom’s limited vaccine supply persists, state reports 20 new COVID cases Tuesday
After a record month, Whatcom begins February with a death and 90 new COVID-19 cases
Safeway, Albertsons and Haggen WA sites to gain more COVID vaccine as rollout expands
Bellingham says it will clear homeless tent encampment near ball fields parking lot
WA farmers sue state for relief from ‘arbitrary’ COVID restrictions
Report: What needs to happen to prepare WA state schools for next major disruption
Biden administration urges people in the country illegally to get a COVID vaccine
Workers lose $17 billion in unemployment aid due to delay in Congress, experts say
Americans more stressed out now than any time since COVID pandemic began, survey says

Capital Press
Northwest Farm Credit gives $2 million to UI ag programs
How Biden’s push for electric vehicles could impact corn producers
Potato industry survives huge backlog caused by COVID shutdowns
Easterday Ranches files for Chapter 11 protection
Washington Farm Bureau, WAFLA sue state over COVID housing rules
Washington Democrats seek to nix tax break for H-2A housing (Saldaña, Lovelett)

Everett Herald (subscription required)
State House approves $2.2B for COVID relief; heads to Senate
Hands-on instruction in the COVID age is something to savor
Snohomish County’s boosted vaccine supply still isn’t enough
WSU Everett launches eighth undergrad program, in business
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Pandemic slows growth of the clean-tech sector — for now
Everett considers revenue-generating leases of city property
Editorial: Naming a state dinosaur worth state lawmakers’ time (Morgan)

Kitsap Sun (subscription required)
WSF doesn’t plan to restore Triangle Route’s third boat until May
Central Kitsap School District adds electric touch to school bus fleet
USS Nimitz aircraft carrier has orders to return home to Bremerton

News Tribune (subscription required)
Vulnerable seniors ‘hunting and pecking’ online in search of scarce COVID-19 vaccine
Pierce Transit: Gig Harbor trolley is coming back, but no service for Key Peninsula yet
Here are Tuesday’s COVID-19 case totals for Pierce County
Tacoma’s leaders are elected to be a voice for the people. It’s time to unmuzzle them
Registration filled up in minutes for next round of COVID vaccine clinics in Pierce County
Editorial: In with Billy Frank Jr., out with Whitman. Statues should show Washington diversity (Lekanoff)

The New York Times
Missing in School Reopening Plans: Black Families’ Trust
U.S. Cities Are Vastly Undercounting Emissions, Researchers Find
How Climate Change May Affect Your Health
Jeff Bezos to Step Down as Amazon C.E.O.
Trump Loyalists Across Homeland Security Could Vex Biden’s Immigration Policies
Democrats Speed Ahead on Economic Aid Package
Burned by Low Reimbursements, Some Doctors Stop Testing for Covid

North American Post
Falling into Public History: My Writing about Japanese American and African American Community Stories

Olympian (subscription required)
Mayor calls Olympia hotel occupation “domestic terrorism”
Washington State Historical Society plan 2 virtual events for Black History Month
Thurston adds 20 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, vaccine clinics for seniors in the works
Here are the latest COVID-19 case numbers confirmed Tuesday in Washington
Hypothermic man lost near Mount Ellinor rescued by DNR over weekend
Safeway, Albertsons and Haggen WA sites to gain more COVID vaccine as rollout expands
How wet was January in the Olympia area? It cracked the top 10

Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County blasts state’s reopening actions (Van de Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
State House allocates $2.2 billion in COVID funding (Macri)
Vaccine supply may be cut to outlets that provide VIP access
WHAT WE KNOW: Coronavirus outbreak at a glance
Clallam, Jefferson health officers counsel continued caution

Puget Sound Business Journal
PCC urges Durkan to reconsider ‘hazard pay’ bill for Seattle grocery workers
Snohomish County field labs will use startup technology to improve food resiliency
Despite losing billions, Boeing pays managers, executives a 2020 bonus
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos stepping down as company rakes in record revenue
Amazon unveils plans for 3 more HQ2 office buildings, soaring ‘Helix’ tower
After $6.5B hit, Boeing warns many initial 777X orders have slipped into ‘at risk’ category

Seattle Times (subscription required)
Proposed ‘billionaire tax’ comes to Olympia, as Washington Democrats seek to revamp tax system (Frame)
Full investigation of Manuel Ellis’ death casts new doubts on Tacoma officers’ stories
What you need to know about the massive hack of Washington unemployment data
Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
On the front lines of vaccine favoritism in Seattle
Editorial: A lost generation of learners

Snohomish County Tribune
Police hesitant toward certain bills in Legislature that apply new controls (Ortiz-Self, Berg, Kloba)

South Seattle Emerald
Healthcare workers at Carolyn Downs protest executive director reinstatement despite allegations of racism
Washington study showing COVID-19 is deadlier for pregnant women, raises questions about vaccine priorities
South end legislators discuss their priorities during the 2021 legislative session (Hasegawa, Hackney, Bergquist, Nguyen, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Saldaña, Harris-Talley, Santos)
Judge rules city must pay close to $82,000 to BLM Seattle-King County lawyers for case against SPD

Spokesman Review
New research shows wildfire smoke can contain potentially hazardous microorganisms
Shawn Vestal: Unemployment chief’s terrible, horrible, very bad year somehow lands her a federal appointment
Spokane County wins $9 million grant for rental assistance, but advocates warn it’s not nearly enough

Tri-City Herald
WA launches investigation into 200,000 missing cows at center of Easterday bankruptcy, legal fight
WA farmers sue state for relief from ‘arbitrary’ COVID restrictions
900+ vaccinated Tuesday at Tri-Cities fairgrounds. Fastest day yet
Tri-Cities COVID case rate keeps dropping. New infections similar to November
No mask, no Tri-Cities flight. Federal travel mandate begins this week
Op-Ed: WA lawmakers should expand legalized sports betting (Liias)
Op-Ed: WA Employment Security Department is in need of dire reform 

Vancouver Business Journal
Construction Forecast for 2021

Washington Post
Washington state eyes ‘billionaire tax’ on the ultra rich (Frame)
Proud Boys and Black Lives Matter activists clashed in a Florida suburb. Only one side was charged.
House GOP weighing fate of two members; Democrats take control of Senate committees
AstraZeneca vaccine shows strong effect against coronavirus with just one dose

Yakima Herald Republic
Safeway becomes a primary vaccine distributor in Washington
Yakima Health District OKs high school students’ return to campus part-time
Democrats urge investigation into removal of owl protections
Washington state eyes ‘billionaire tax’ on the ultra rich
State Senate takes testimony on more use of neck restraints

Broadcast

KING5 TV (NBC)
Trader Joe’s goes nationwide with Seattle $4 hourly grocery hazard pay
More COVID-19 vaccines will soon be coming to Washington pharmacies and nationwide
New plan shows Washington won’t vaccinate general public until summer or fall 2021
Lack of supply forces Snohomish County to temporarily close vaccine sites

KIRO7 TV (CBS)
‘Running toward us is new’: Officers alerted to crowds rushing patrol cars
Jeff Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO
Feds to ship vaccine directly to pharmacies
Activist group wants to out SPD officers at pro-Trump rally in D.C.
First ‘The Spheres,’ now ‘The Helix’? Amazon proposes spiral design for HQ2
Gov. Inslee visits school to promote in-person learning
Wearing a mask now a federal requirement for travelers
Seattle council approves ban on gas heating in new apartments, commercial buildings
Washington drivers ranked 4th most distracted in the country, according to report

KOMO4 TV (ABC)
‘It shouldn’t be like this’: Frustration mounts amid hunt for COVID-19 vaccine
Why aren’t teachers more highly prioritized in Washington’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout?
HB 1016: Proposal to make Juneteenth a paid state holiday (Morgan)

KNKX FM
Getting a vaccine is ‘kind of like trying to get concert tickets – you just have to be lucky’
Proposed statue swap of Billy Frank for Marcus Whitman signals changing of the guard (Lekanoff)
Jeff Bezos To Step Down As Amazon’s CEO

KUOW FM
Pandemic blog: Updates for the Northwest
Colleges Add More In-Person Classes For Spring, Amid High Risk Of Coronavirus Spread
A Rocky Road On The Way To Herd Immunity For COVID-19
Nancy Pelosi Calls for ‘9/11-Type Commission’ To Address Capitol Security
How Fast Will Biden Need To Move On Climate? Really, Really Fast
Jeff Bezos To Step Down As Amazon’s CEO
Senate Makes Alejandro Mayorkas First Latino Head Of Homeland Security
Biden Administration Will Ship Covid-19 Vaccines Directly To Pharmacies
Pete Buttigieg Confirmed As Transportation Secretary
Education Pick Miguel Cardona Is New To Washington — But Not To Classrooms
What’s Going On With All These Coronavirus Variants? An Illustrated Guide
FAFSA Applications Are Open. Here’s How To Fill It Out This Year
¿Cómo lleno la solicitud de FAFSA? Una guía bilingüe

Q13 TV (Fox)
Growing outrage, calls for accountability after state auditor’s hack puts 1.4 million people at risk
COVID-19 vaccine shortages cancels clinics, frustrates many
Washington adult family homes frustrated over vaccine delays
City of Lakewood honors African American ‘Hidden Heroes’ and their contributions to society
Outside agency provides 64 high level recommendations for Tacoma Police Department

Web

Crosscut
With vaccine questions looming, WA schools struggle with reopening
Opinion: Can WA lawmakers finally flip the state’s upside-down tax system? (Frame, Harris-Talley, Simmons)
Podcast | When police response to a crisis call goes wrong

Slog
Andy Jassy to Replace Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO
Pete Buttigieg’s Plans as Transportation Secretary Could Transform Your Commute, Your Vacations, Your Groceries, and More
KCEN’s Participatory Budgeting Proposal Promises Lots of Process (Wellman)
Republican Senator Proposes Bill to Scare Teens Away from Communism

West Seattle Blog
Two boats on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route until May