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    Coronavirus
    An Island Park Elementary teacher and her students hit the books on Feb. 8 in the Mercer Island School District. The single largest amount of Gov. Jay Inslee’s newly announce relief package, $668 million, will go to public elementary and secondary schools to prepare for reopening for some in-person learning and to address students’ learning loss. Courtesy photo
    Inslee signs $2.2 billion COVID relief package
    By Jerry Cornfield • February 20, 2021 11:05 am

    The federal funds will go to fight COVID, aid renters and reopen shuttered schools and businesses.

    Read Story

    Gov. Jay Inslee signs into law Feb. 8 a bill that reduces unemployment taxes for small businesses. COURTESY PHOTO, The Office of the Governor
    New state law averts big spike in unemployment...
    February 9, 2021 10:16 am

    Inslee signed a measure to spread out increases and boost weekly benefit checks for those who are unemployed.

    Read Story

    Remi Frederick, a Village Green employee receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Jan. 26 in Federal Way. Olivia Sullivan/Sound Publishing
    Inslee: We have vaccine capacity, we just need...
    By Joseph Thompson • February 7, 2021 3:10 pm

    Despite continued frustration from those seeking a shot, the state is making progress, he said.

    Read Story

    File photo
    Pay freeze for Inslee and state lawmakers this...
    By Jerry Cornfield • February 4, 2021 3:00 pm

    A citizen panel approved a 1.75% increase for executives, legislators and justices 17 months from now.

    Read Story

    A CVS pharmacist prepares a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. File photo
    Editorial: Give teachers a cut in line for...
    By The Herald Editorial Board • February 3, 2021 1:30 am

    It’s worth considering to get kids back in classrooms, but schools can work to open safely for all.

    Read Story

    Last summer, people took advantage of the outdoor dining along First Avenue between Gowe and Titus streets in downtown Kent. In Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plan, which was announced Jan. 28, restaurants can reopen at a maximum 25% capacity and a limit of six people per table. Photo courtesy of Kent Downtown Partnership
    Restaurant reprieve: State to relax some indoor restrictions
    By Jerry Cornfield • January 28, 2021 4:30 pm

    On Monday, area restaurants and certain entertainment venues may resume indoor service, the governor said.

    Read Story

    Gov. Jay Inslee, pictured in December as he signed the certified statewide election results. Courtesy photo
    Gov. Inslee extends ban on indoor dining, other...
    By Jerry Cornfield • December 30, 2020 2:04 pm

    An updated reopening plan for stores, restaurants and gatherings will be released next week.

    Read Story

    A “closed” sign at Jackson’s restaurant on Cole Street in downtown Enumclaw. Sound Publishing file photo
    Governor extends restrictions on businesses and gatherings
    By Joseph Thompson • December 8, 2020 1:15 pm

    It’s been a month since the governor imposed the new rules. And the pandemic has only gotten worse.

    Read Story

    The Mercer Island boys basketball celebrates their 61-36 victory over Interlake in the 3A KingCo championship game on Feb. 11, 2020, at Sammamish High School. File photo
    WIAA pushes back return to play for prep...
    By Zac Hereth • November 18, 2020 7:45 pm

    Season 2 now begins Feb. 1 and seasons have been shortened to seven weeks each.

    Read Story

    State Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) authored the letter to Gov. Jay Inslee. Mullet represents the 5th Legislative District. File photo
    Democratic lawmakers ask Inslee to lift ban on...
    By Jerry Cornfield • November 18, 2020 7:35 pm

    They want to try to scaling back on occupancy before forcing an end to inside service.

    Read Story

    Kabal Gill, owner of East India Grill in Federal Way, wears gloves to hand over take-out orders at his restaurant. File photo
    State halts indoor service at bars, restaurants, home...
    By Ben Watanabe • November 15, 2020 1:24 pm

    Amid soaring new coronavirus cases and an overburdened health care system, the state’s clamping down.

    Read Story

    Screenshot from Gov. Jay Inslee’s news conference Nov. 12 with his wife, Trudi.
    Inslee to hold news conference to announce new...
    By Associated Press and Herald staff • November 14, 2020 5:57 pm

    Among them, reportedly, will be a ban on indoor service at restaurants and retail limitations.

    Read Story

    Screenshot of Gov. Jay Inslee from a July press conference. FILE PHOTO
    ‘Further restrictions’ coming as Thanksgiving nears, Inslee says
    By Jerry Cornfield • November 13, 2020 11:56 am

    Asks residents to forego traditional holiday gatherings due to COVID-19

    Read Story

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