News Briefs / Olympia
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 82
Ecology soliciting applications for local flood hazard planning grants
OLYMPIA—The costs associated with flooding exceed all other natural hazards in Washington state. Each year, there is a better than 80% chance that ten or more flood events will occur, and the frequency of floods will increase as the climate... Full story
Sno-Park Permits go on sale Nov. 1
OLYMPIA — Washington Sno-Park permits go on sale starting November 1, 2022. The State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 120 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state, which recreators can enjoy during the winter season. Parking... Full story
National Hunting and Fishing Day is on September 24
OLYMPIA—Since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September to recognize generations of sports people for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and...
Superintendent Reykdal Releases Plan for Work Experience in School to Contribute to Graduation
OLYMPIA—Nearly 30% (45,000–55,000) of Washington’s high school students are employed. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced a plan to allow students ages 16 and up to earn elective credits toward graduation through verified paid work...
P-EBT returns to Washington for summer
OLYMPIA —Thanks to federal COVID-19 relief funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), many families in Washington state will have another round of food assistance available to them while children are home during the summer break. Calle... Full story
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Launches
OLYMPIA— 988 is the new, nationwide, three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 dialing code connects people via call, text, or chat to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), where compassionate,... Full story
Next state land free days, June 11, 12, and 19
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites visitors to enjoy a state park on Saturday, June 11 in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, Sunday, June 12 in recognition of Free Fishing Day, and Sunday, June 19 in honor... Full story
Tuberculosis cases on the rise globally and in Washington state
OLYMPIA—Washington’s tuberculosis (TB) cases are rising, putting state and local public health officials on heightened alert. Widespread disruptions in public health and healthcare services and missed TB diagnoses due to similarities in symptoms... Full story
Secretary of State addresses concerns regarding third-party canvassers in Washington counties
OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State received multiple reports of third-party canvassers presenting themselves as elections officials and going door-to-door across Washington asking residents about their voter information and other... Full story
Board of Health not to require Covid-19 vaccines for school entry
OLYMPIA – On April 13, the Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) voted not to include COVID-19 in the state’s immunization requirements for school entry at this time. As stated in today’s SBOH meeting, the Washington State Department of...
Effective anti-COVID drug available for eligible patients
OLYMPIA–Thousands of doses of a potentially life-saving COVID-19 drug are available in the state of Washington, potentially benefitting those at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with... Full story
Secretary of State reminds Washingtonians to research charities before supporting Ukrainian-relief efforts
OLYMPIA—Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs encourages Washingtonians to do their due diligence and conduct research on the charities or nonprofits to which they donate to support relief efforts in Ukraine. “Americans are a generous...
Equine Industry Support bill heads to Senate for second reading
OLYMPIA—Washington state legislative bill HB1928 (2021-22), concerning equine industry support, has passed the House and moved to the state Senate. On February 28, the Senate sent the bill to the Rules Committee for a second reading. Sponsored by...
Washington's mask mandate ends March 21 for most indoor settings
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee last week announced that, on March 21, the indoor mask mandate will be lifted for most settings. The February 17 announcement was made after nearly two years of mandated mask-wearing, and recent rapidly declining... Full story
Some powdered infant formula has been recalled due to possible bacterial contamination
OLYMPIA—Abbott Nutrition announced late on Thursday, February 17, that it is voluntarily recalling powdered infant formula produced at their Sturgis facility in Michigan. This includes Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare brand formula. The recall comes... Full story
Department of Health changes COVID-19 dashboard
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) changed how it presents information on its COVID-19 Data Dashboard on January 21. The goal is to display current trends and information that are most applicable to the current phase of the... Full story
WSBOH clarifies misinformation regarding January 12 meeting
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) will host a public, virtual meeting on January 12. The meeting has garnered much attention on social media from parents and caregivers of...
Pfizer, Moderna vaccines now recommended over Johnson & Johnson
OLYMPIA‚—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is recommending people 18 and older choose to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. This update follows...
New COVID-19 safety guidance released after multi-county outbreak linked to high school wrestling tournaments
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is updating the health and safety requirements for high contact indoor sports in the wake of a multi-school, multi-county outbreak. The outbreaks are linked to a series of wrestling...
COVID-19 boosters essential for protection as omicron variant spreads across the country
OLYMPIA—Vaccines remain the best public health tool available to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and preserve our healthcare system. The emergence of the omicron variant in Washington further emphasizes the importance of...
More than 129,000 kids ages 5 – 11 receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in less than a month
OLYMPIA—Across the state, more than 129,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine since eligibility expanded to include younger kids Nov. 3. Vaccinating children is a crucial step...
Beware of fake fundraisers and false charities, "Give smart" this holiday season
OLYMPIA— ’Tis the season for happy holidays, charitable giving…and scammers. The Office of the Secretary of State is encouraging people to “give smart” this holiday season to help them ensure their charitable donations go to their intended... Full story
One year later, millions use Washington state's exposure notification app
App use is helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 OLYMPIA— The Washington State Department of Health is celebrating a successful year of WA Notify, the state’s exposure notification app. More than 2.62 million people have enabled it- accounting f...
COVID-19 vaccine booster doses now available for all adults 18 and older
OLYMPIA—Booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccine types are now available for everyone 18 and older. The expansion comes following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s... Full story
Winter Recreation Program encourages responsible snowmobiling
OLYMPIA—As the snow begins to build in the Washington Cascades range, the State Parks Winter Recreation Program joins members of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association and the snowmobile community nationwide in promoting responsible... Full story