KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
Have any leads or feedback for the KUOW Blog? Contact Dyer Oxley at dyer@kuow.org.
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The other Republicans in Washington state: Today So Far
- Mainstream Republicans of Washington are backing candidates in the August primary.
- What you need to watch out for as things warm up around the Northwest.
- The cost/health/benefit analysis of running those fans and AC units throughout this heat wave.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for July 28, 2022.
There's some tension among Washington's Republicans heading into the August 2 primary.
You'll recall that two of our state's GOP representatives voted to impeach former President Trump. That action proved divisive and has spurred challengers from their right. Washington's 3rd Congressional District is represented by Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler; one of the lawmakers who voted for impeachment. She is being challenged by Joe Kent, a GOP primary candidate endorsed by Trump. Kent echoes false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
As do challengers to Republican Dan Newhouse, who represents Washington's 4th District. Newhouse is the second GOP Washingtonian who favored impeachment. Trump backs his challenger, failed gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp. But Newhouse does have GOP support, specifically from the Mainstream Republicans of Washington, a group that aims to offer a moderate GOP voice to counter more extreme rhetoric.
Mainstream Republicans of Washington just got a new leader — Deanna Martinez of Moses Lake. Martinez tells KUOW that Republicans like her want their politicians "to speak the truth, even when it's a difficult truth." She is also bothered by some right-wing claims of a stolen election.
"The lack of integrity just ... it gets me. I can't vote for something like that," Martinez said.
As Northwest News Network's Austin Jenkins points out, questioning the validity of Washington voting system has been among local GOP rhetoric since before the 2020 election. This year, right-wing activists are planning to watch ballot drop off boxes to keep an eye out for fraud. Before the 2020 election, at least one local Republican was sowing doubt in Washington's vote-by-mail system. More on that here.
This all means there is plenty to watch for in our upcoming Aug. 2 primary election, which will offer hints at the mood of voters these days.
There's a new member of my home — Cosmo — a mutt going on about 6 months. He's rascally. But a few days back, he wasn't himself and not so rascally. In fact, he was shivering, not eating, and not moving around much at all. It was quite a scare and prompted a visit to the vet.
When going through all the environmental factors that could be at play, it came up that I had been taking Cosmo to a local lake with trails, where he sometimes takes a dip. Around this time of year, folks should start watching out for blue-green algae which can be toxic, especially to children and pets. The vet told me that if toxic algae was at play, there wasn't much they could do, "It just kills 'em."
Officials around Washington who watch our lakes and other bodies of water for toxic algae have a saying: "When in doubt, stay out." Not all algae is toxic, but it's best not to risk it. While it can show up year-round, it's common when water warms up. You can often observe a green or blue sheen on top of the water. But it's not always visible. KUOW's Natalie Newcomb has more on this, and what you should watch out for these days, here. And just in case I wasn't clear above — keep your kids and dogs out of the water if you even remotely suspect algae.
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Ferry crashes into West Seattle dock, disrupting service to Vashon Island
Update:
Two boat service started back up on the Fauntleroy/Vashon Island/Southworth ferry route late Thursday evening.
Drivers experienced three-hour waits after the MV Cathlamet crashed into the Fauntleroy dock shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday morning, severely damaging the ferry and some cars onboard. No one was injured.
The Coast Guard is investigating the incident. The crew onboard the MV Cathlamet will be alcohol and drug tested.
State ferries spokesperson Ian Sterling said damage to the vessel is extensive after it went far off course and rammed into a dolphin offshore from the dock. Dolphins are pilings that guide the ferry into the dock.
Original story:
A ferry crashed into a structure at the Fauntleroy ferry dock in West Seattle Thursday morning, suspending service at the terminal.
The MV Cathlamet crashed into a "dolphin" (a ferry structure, not an animal) immediately outside the dock. Dolphins are used to guide the ferry into the terminal.
According to Washington State Ferries, the Cathlamet had a "hard landing at Fauntleroy causing significant damage to the vessel and an offshore dolphin at the terminal. No injuries to report at this time. Fauntleroy service suspended until further notice while assessment is done."
"Significant" wait times are expected on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, according to WSF. It is recommended that travelers find alternate routes.
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Meet Seattle's new transportation director: Greg Spotts
After an extensive search, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has found the city's next transportation director — Greg Spotts.
Spotts was announced as Seattle's new transportation director at El Centro de la Raza on Beacon Hill this week.
Spotts, 54, is currently Executive Director and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services.
“In Los Angeles we have 99 neighborhoods,” Spotts said. “And over the past 14 years I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with each and every one of them on projects to improve quality of life.”
One of those projects includes applying solar reflective coating on street blocks, and planting 2,000 trees to reduce urban heat impacts in underserved neighborhoods.
“I wasn’t sure if the rainiest city in the United States needed my expertise in urban heat island, but this week is making me wonder if that might come in handy,” Spotts said.
Spotts vowed to work with Seattle neighborhoods to improve mobility and make streets safer. To do that, he plans to launch a listening tour around the city. That means talking a walk, bike, and transit, while asking residents what’s working and what needs improvements.
Spotts will begin his new post in September as acting director until his confirmation by the City Council.
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Is that toxic algae? Washington officials warn: 'when in doubt, stay out.'
It's hot and you want to cool off. It's time to go to the lake. Before you jump in, officials are asking you to be aware of toxic algae blooming throughout the Northwest.
Toxic algae can make you very sick, and even be deadly. It's especially dangerous for pets and children. As air temperatures become warmer due to climate change, the growth of harmful algae may be favored over other non-harmful algae, according to the EPA. Toxic algae thrives in abnormally warm water temperatures, often above 77 degrees.
Rachael Gravon studies lakes and works with King County. Gravon explained three ways to stay safe.
- Before heading to the water check to see if there are any reports of algae blooming here.
- Once you get to the lake or beach keep an eye out for signage with warnings.
- Take a look around for patches of Algae.
Gravon says in general toxic algae is a thick slime with a blue and green color, but it can be difficult to identify. Look at examples here.
"The funny thing about algae is, some things look like algae and may not be algae. Some things may be algae and it may not be dangerous algae," said Gravon. "So our catch phrase is ‘When in doubt, stay out.’"
If you see suspicious water, you can submit a sample for testing. Request sample kits here. You can also collect samples using a 250-milliliter plastic bag or a glass jar (dark color or foil wrapped). Make sure the container is clean to avoid contamination! Gravon asks that people not use old peanut butter jars.
Safety comes first, so put some gloves on. When collecting, do not skim the water's surface. Hold the bottle just under the surface, allowing the water to fill up without air bubbles. Once the container is full, seal it tightly.
Gravon warns you not to store the sample in your refrigerator where it can contaminate your food. Instead you can put some ice in it. You can mail in samples or drop it off at the King County Environmental Laboratory.
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'Jeopardy!' says Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will split the host job
Jeopardy! hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik will become the show's official hosts after filling the roles temporarily following the 2020 death of former longtime host Alex Trebek.
"In Mayim and Ken, we have two outstanding hosts at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers who connect with their own unique fanbases, new fans, and the traditional Jeopardy! viewer," the show's executive producer, Michael Davies announced Wednesday.
Davies said in the last year, viewership has been up, with more than 27 million people watching each week.
Jennings will host from September until December, a run that includes the inaugural Second Chance competition and the Tournament of Champions.
Bialik will take over in January by hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! and the Jeopardy! National College Championship. Her hosting duties will be balanced with her acting duties on the FOX show Call Me Kat, Davies said.
"Mayim and Ken are both extraordinarily talented and simply lovely humans. They support the staff and each other," Davies said. "They love and respect this institution of a television program. In return, the staff and I are honored to work alongside them."
Trebek had hosted the game show since 1984.
After Trebek's death, the show kicked off weeks of guest hosts, which included Bialik and Jennings, as well as other household names such as LeVar Burton, Katie Couric and Anderson Cooper.
Jeopardy! announced last August that executive producer Mike Richards would share hosting duties with Bialik. But he stepped down as host days after The Ringer reported on past offensive comments Richards made on a podcast. He was then fired as executive producer. Davies is his successor.
Bialik and Jennings were then named co-hosts until the end of season 38, which concluded in late 2021.
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Excessive heat warning remains in effect through Saturday
An excessive heat warning is in effect in the Seattle area until Saturday night. With temperatures topping 90 degrees, many people are retreating indoors to beat the heat.
But for some, like those who live or work outdoors, that's not an option.
For people like Tim Sonia, the labor foreman at a construction site in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood, the heat is hard to escape.
When asked Wednesday how he and his colleagues were faring during the high temperatures, he replied, “It’s terrible.”
Sonia said crews went through the same thing during last summer’s extreme heat wave and they have protocols in place to help them stay safe, like taking frequent breaks.
"Pretty much we work for about an hour, we take a 10- 15-minute break, hydrate in the shade, try again and repeat all day," he said.
Sonia said people are aware of the signs of heat stress and keep an eye on one another as they work.
Heat wave risks
Extreme heat can be deadly. Last year’s heat wave was the deadliest weather-related disaster in Washington state’s history with an estimated death toll of about 400.
Outdoor workers, older adults, young children and people with chronic health conditions are among those who are at higher risk for health problems in the heat, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Across the region, hospitals are coordinating in anticipation of a higher patient load due to heat-related illness.
Dr. Marie Vrablik is the medical director for the emergency department at University of Washington Medical Center — Montlake .
She said hospitals are on alert to see whether things this year will be as bad as they were last year, and trying to work out how to care for heat-related patients in a system that’s already strained due to staff shortages, delayed care during the pandemic, and rising numbers of Covid-19 patients.
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Low tides go out a bit earlier amid heat wave, endangering fewer shellfish
Some potentially welcome news for shellfish and their fans: While Puget Sound is having fairly low tides this week, exposing tidepool life to extreme heat, they're mostly morning lows — before the worst heat of the day — at least in Seattle and central Puget Sound.
Low tides are predicted between about 10:15 a.m. and noon this week in Seattle, according to tidal forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In south Puget Sound, the tides will go out about an hour later, as late as a 1:07 p.m. low tide on Friday in Olympia.
Last year, extreme heat and very low afternoon tides combined to kill many millions of shellfish in Washington and British Columbia.
“All the butter clams in that one section had unburied themselves and were basically frying in the sun,” Swinomish Tribe shellfish biologist Julie Barber recalled. “It's not an easy thing to see.”
Low tides during last year’s three-day heatwave hit between 1 and 3 p.m. in Olympia. The tides ebbed up to 2.5 feet lower than those forecast for this week, exposing many more tidelands to lethal heat.
In addition, this week’s temperatures in Western Washington, while extreme, are not expected to match the record-shattering temperatures of the 2021 heat wave.
University of British Columbia biologist Chris Harley estimated that hundreds of millions of mussels, if not more, died in the June 2021 heat wave in Washington and British Columbia.
“The total number of animals that died is probably well over a billion,” he told KUOW last year.
More on that salty heat disaster from KUOW here and here.
More updates on KUOW's Today So Far Blog
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It's no longer the 'murder hornet': Today So Far
- It's no longer the "murder hornet."
- This is your cooling window during this week's heat wave.
- The 988 hotline is live and specialists have observed a few things about the job.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for July 27, 2022.
I hope you were able to get up early today and stick some box fans in your windows. The overnight lows dipped into the 60s, but not for too long, so that was our opportunity to cool down our homes after record-breaking heat on Tuesday.
Bellingham, Olympia, and Seattle (really SeaTac) broke high temperature records yesterday. And it's looking like we will be reaching daily highs in the 90s through Friday around Puget Sound, according to the most recent Weather Service forecast. Folks out on the coast or up around Bellingham are a bit more lucky. It still looks like overnight lows will continue to dip down into the 60s in the early, early morning hours this week — that is your window to cool down your home.
The new 988 suicide prevention hotline just went active and specialists on the other end of the line have observed a few things since starting the job.
"These are just regular people in your everyday life calling, and I look around at people, and it really just further drilled into my head that you never know what somebody's going through," said Kai Cuevas, a 988 crisis call specialist. "And that's why you always have to prioritize kindness and respect."
You never know what that irate person is dealing with when they cut you off on the road, get snippy with you in line, and so on. I often have to remind myself that. It's a lot easier to just say someone is a jerk and file them in your brain as a simple undesirable. But something is going on there. And on the extreme end of this is the issue of suicide and other drastic actions. That's what 988 is for. You never know if a person you crossed paths with will be dialing it later. Soundside has the story here.
We were introduced to it as the "murder hornet." It also went by its other name, the "Asian giant hornet." But now it has a new name.
The Entomological Society of America has dubbed this invasive bug as the "northern giant hornet." The name is meant to focus in on the region of northern Asia where the hornet comes from. It also distinguishes it from the "southern giant hornet" and the "yellow-legged hornet" which are also quite large and similar to the northern variety.
RELATED: Washington takes out a hornets nest
Whatever you call it, the hornet is still invasive and is spreading through British Columbia and Washington state. And it still kills bees, which we sort of need. I know a lot of folks weren't keen on the name "murder," but I sort of liked it. How often do you get such sensational biological names? Going from "murder" hornet to "northern giant" hornet is like Metallica going from "Kill 'em All" to "Load" (kids, ask your parents about '80s heavy metal and '90s hard rock). It's the same deadly bug (to bees), but the branding just isn't so hard.
AS SEEN ON KUOW
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WA primary may offer hints at mood of voters this year
Washington state's August primary is next week. All state House members and about half of state Senators are up for election. Democrats currently control both chambers.
The results of the primary could provide some clues as to the mood of voters this year.
Big picture: I’m going to be watching how incumbents perform — especially Democrats up against their Republican challengers in this primary. I see the primary as sort of a snapshot poll to see how vulnerable or weakened Democrats seem to be heading into November. The Republicans have really been pounding them on crime and public safety issues — is that having an impact?
Most legislative seats are fairly safe. Some of the more competitive match ups are in Whatcom County, in the district that includes Whidbey Island, on the Kitsap Peninsula, and in south King County.
Republicans are also making a push in some of the suburban districts around Seattle where they haven’t fared well in recent years.
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'The lack of integrity ... it gets me,' says new leader for Washington's Mainstream GOP
A state political action group called Mainstream Republicans of Washington has a new leader — Deanna Martinez of Moses Lake.
The Mainstream Republicans see themselves as political moderates.
In the upcoming August primary, the group is supporting Dan Newhouse, who represents the 4th Congressional District in central Washington.
Newhouse voted to impeach former President Donald Trump.
"I want my representative to speak the truth, even when it's a difficult truth," Martinez said.
Trump is backing a Republican challenger in the race, Loren Culp. Culp ran for governor against Jay Inslee in 2020 and continues to claim the election was stolen. Martinez said that’s a problem for mainstream Republicans like her.
"The lack of integrity just ... it gets me. I can't vote for something like that," Martinez said.
Primary ballots are due on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
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Washington's first missing Indigenous person alert is issued
Washington state's Missing Indigenous Person Alert system went live in early July. The first notice for a missing person was sent Tuesday morning, July 26.
Within 24 hours, the person was found.
RELATED: Washington's Missing Indigenous People Alert system goes live
The Washington State Patrol issued the alert on behalf of the Lummi Police Department for a 38-year-old woman who was last seen in Ferndale, Wash. Subscribers to the alert system were asked to call 911 with any information.
On the morning of Wednesday, July 27, the alert was canceled. WSP said the person was located and was safe.
“This is a significant step for our state and agency,” Carrie Gordon, director of WSP's Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, told KUOW when the system first went live. “We know that indigenous people go missing at a significantly higher rate than the general population. WSP currently has two full time tribal liaisons that work with tribal law enforcement and advocacy groups to coordinate state communications and response to this issue. The new M.I.P.A. system will be one more tool in rapid response by the state that will hopefully allow us to find and assist Indigenous people who are in danger.”
You can subscribe to alerts for missing Indigenous persons here.
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