News Briefs / Olympia
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 53
Testing programs ramp up as students return to school
OLYMPIA —Soon, schools across Washington will be teeming with students for the first time in more than a year. Supporting the effort to get students back into schools, and formulating plans to help keep our schools open, has been a priority for...
State lands honor Public Lands Day with a Discover Pass free day
.OLYMPIA—In recognition of National and Washington Public Lands Day, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will offer free entrance to state lands on...
Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine recommended for certain individuals
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health announced that a third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now being recommended to certain immunocompromised individuals, following recommendation front the U.S Food and Drug... Full story
Representatives Skyler Rude and Mark Klicker statement on governor's vaccination mandate
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced on Monday, August 9, that most state workers in Washington, as well as private health care and long-term care employees, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination by Oct. 18, or...
Harmful algae blooms found in Washington lakes and rivers
OLYMPIA—Washington State Department of Health advises the public to take precautions while enjoying water recreation this summer. Harmful algae blooms have been found in some Washington lakes and rivers. Algae blooms can vary in appearance but...
Inslee declares wildfire state of emergency, limited burn ban
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee declared a statewide state of emergency on Tuesday relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30. “Washington is facing a...
State awards grants for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and working lands
OLYMPIA—The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB) announced the award of 342 grants across the state to provide recreational amenities, conserve wildlife habitat, and protect working forests and farms. “These grants are fundamental to...
More than $3.67 million in funds are available to help Washington libraries and museums
OLYMPIA—Washington State Library, a division of the Secretary of State’s Office, announced that more than $3.67 million would be made available to help public, academic, and tribal libraries and museums statewide. The funding is part of the $200...
DOH launches mobile vaccination service to increase vaccine access
OLYMPIA—On June 1st, the Washington State Department of Health launched a new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” that will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. DOH is working closely to support...
State Parks, recreation land managers designate Juneteenth a free day
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces Juneteenth will now be a Discover Pass free day. In addition to this new free day, June also has three established free days: Saturday, June 5, in recognition of National...
Program to support those in quarantine and isolation is saving liveS
OLYMPIA—A program created by the state Department of Health (DOH) and partners to support people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 has reached almost 13,500 people and played a role in saving lives. Working with local health...
Sen. Dozier's first bill becomes law, allowing mortgage originators to work from home
OLYMPIA—Freshman Senator Perry Dozier’s first bill was signed into law Wednesday afternoon by Governor Jay Inslee, a measure allowing mortgage loan originators to work from home. Inslee added his signature to Senate Bill 5077 at a bill-signing...
Murder hornets, beware! Honeyford bill to extend the term of the Invasive Species Council clears House in a unanimous vote
OLYMPIA—If they had boots, murder hornets, apple maggots, and African clawed frogs would be shaking in them from an announcement on April 12 from the state Legislature. In a unanimous vote, the House of Representatives approved Sen. Jim...
State Parks announces two free days in April
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to celebrate the spring season and Earth Day with two free days at state parks in April. On free days, visitors do not need a Discover Pass for day-use parking. The...
State's online eligibility tool no longer required starting March 31
OLYMPIA—Phase Finder, the state’s online vaccine eligibility tool, will no longer be required to verify COVID-19 vaccine eligibility starting March 31. That means that people who want a vaccine should check DOH’s prioritization guidance...
2021-22 fee increase will ensure Sno-Parks continue to operate
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program announced the price of Sno-Park permits would increase when they go on sale on Nov. 1. This will be the first increase since 2009. The price increases reflect rising costs of Sno-Park...
Inslee signs $2.2 billion COVID-19 relief bill
Olympia—On Friday, February 19, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. The legislation takes effect immediately....
State hits one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that on February 12, 2021, the state had administered more than one million COVID-19 vaccinations since receiving their first dose...
Inslee signs bipartisan bill to support business and workers
OLYMPIA—Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation this week providing relief for businesses and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SB 5061 will increase minimum unemployment benefits for workers and provide significant tax relief for businesses...
Sen. Perry Dozier introduces his first bill to Senate
OLYMPIA—Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg, passed his first bill off the Senate floor Wednesday night—a measure that allows mortgage loan originators to work from home. The occasion prompted much teasing from Dozier’s colleagues, per Senate...
State goal to vaccinate 45,000 Washingtonians daily geared to increase vaccination
OLYMPIA—As part of a new plan to increase the number of Washington residents vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, Governor Inslee Monday announced changes to state infrastructure for increased vaccinations. To assist with the administration of... Full story
COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update from the Washington State Department of Health
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received its first Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)...
$50 million available for business relief grants
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee recently announced a $135 million assistance package to target the hard-hit small businesses and families. The relief package breakdown includes $50 million in emergency relief grants, allocated for businesses most...
Department of Health temporarily pauses reporting of negative COVID-19 test results
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) asks the state’s laboratories that conduct the largest volume of tests to temporarily stop sending individual negative COVID-19 test results and instead send the department the aggregate...
Governor Inslee issues travel advisory
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for international and interstate travelers, asking that they self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state of Washington. Governor Inslee asks Washington residents to stay close to home to...
