Cantwell: Great American Outdoors Act Results In Millions For Washington Forests – PNW AG Network
State legislative report 03/22: Legislature gets positive economic news | WAWG
On March 17, the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released updated revenue forecasts bringing the budget writers very good news – the state is expected to collect an additional $1.3 billion in state revenues for the current two-year budget, and an additional $1.9 billion for the 2021-2023 biennium, leaving the state with a net surplus of nearly $3 billion – including reserves – at the end of the current biennium.
Spring Forecast: An Already Bad Drought Worsens Across The West | Northwest Public Broadcasting
With nearly two-thirds of the United States abnormally dry or worse, the government’s spring forecast offers little hope for relief, especially in the West where a devastating megadrought has taken root and worsened.
Cliff Mass Weather Blog: The Northwest Snowpack Trend of the Past Fifty Years: The Truth May Surprise You
The media is full of stories suggesting that global warming has greatly reduced the mountain snowpack in the Pacific Northwest...Yes, there are some random, low snow-depth years (like 2015), but no trend is apparent during the period when global warming has been greatest.
Washington is now in Phase 3 of reopening — here's what that means
As of Monday, all of Washington state has now moved into Phase 3 of reopening, affording restaurants and other indoor spaces more flexibility with looser restrictions.
Drought Is the U.S. West’s Next Big Climate Disaster - Bloomberg
Water scarcity is baking cropland and ramping up wildfire risk from California to Texas
An Uprising of DDoS Attacks, a Cause of Concern for Organizations | Cyware Alerts - Hacker News
Did you think DDoS attacks were over? They are not. Actually, recent research has discovered that these attacks attained a record high during the pandemic.
Native American producers critical to future of U.S. food system and fighting climate change – U.S. Farmers and Ranchers In Action
With over 59 million acres of Native-operated farms across over 30 states within the United States, Tribal Nations and Native producers are perhaps the single most underappreciated resource for sustainable, rural economic development in the U.S.
Vilsack calls for structural changes in U.S. food distribution systems to deal with hunger, equity | Successful Farming
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need for structural changes to U.S. food distribution systems in order to tackle hunger, strengthen equity, and increase access to school meals during his keynote address Wednesday at the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference...
Seattle City Light told public their dam operations increased salmon runs as fish numbers declined | king5.com
While all runs of salmon on the Skagit River experienced declines, Seattle City Light left 20-year-old glowing messages on its website – touting the utility’s stewardship that led to “strong” and “landmark” returns of salmon.
Broadband | USDA
Reliable and affordable high-speed internet e-Connectivity, or electronic connectivity, is fundamental for economic activity throughout the US.
Forecast for spring: Nasty drought worsens for much of US
With nearly two-thirds of the United States abnormally dry or worse, the government’s spring forecast offers little hope for relief, especially in the West where a devastating megadrought has taken root and worsened.
Smoke from wildfires wiped out the United State’s pandemic-related clean air gains in 2020 - The Washington Post
The country’s average for the deadliest type of air pollution rose nearly 7 percent over 2019
Washington rural counties fear losing money to environmental justice | Rural Life | capitalpress.com
OLYMPIA — All timber sales conducted by the Washington Department of Natural Resources would be subjected to an "environmental justice assessment" under the Healthy Environment for All Act, which has passed the Senate and is poised to advance in the House.
EPA relaunches climate change website previously modified by Trump administration - CNN
Nearly half the U.S. is in drought that's expected to grow worse: NOAA
USDA Announces $218 Million Investment in Land and Water Conservation | USDA
$3.7 million to acquire 1,550 acres in the Yakima River Basin for the Washington Cascades Project. Supported by a wide coalition of public, private and nonprofit partners, this project seeks to ensure a long-term water supply in the face of climate change.
Battle over Washington’s budget looms as revenue picture improves | Spokane Public Radio
What the 1918 flu can teach us about COVID and ‘returning to normal’ | Crosscut
COVID-19's arc of brutal consequences will stretch far into the future.
Rant and Rave: Reader does not appreciate scam calls | The Seattle Times
RAVE to the people who worked at the annual Snohomish Conservation District plant sale. It’s a huge effort even before the pandemic. The required changes to be able to hand the plants out made it even more so. Thank you!
Washington state projected to get $3.2 billion more in taxes as economy brightens amid COVID-19 recovery | The Seattle Times
OLYMPIA — Washington’s state tax collections are roaring back, with an estimated additional $3.2 billion projected through 2023 as parts of the economy brighten and people get vaccinated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s a big chunk of money for a state with a $53.3 billion, two-year state budget that funds schools, parks, prisons and other programs.
Washington lawmakers get good news on state revenues | Tacoma News Tribune
Washington’s economy continues to improve, with the latest state revenue forecast showing that lawmakers will have more than $3 billion more to work with as they prepare to unveil budget plans next week, plus money the state will receive from the latest federal stimulus package.
The Cultural Life Cycle of Organizations | Psychology Today
As organizations grow, they progress through somewhat predictable patterns of culture change. This happens because culture is an expression of how a group of people works together to solve collective problems...
Why you should wear a face mask after vaccination -- at least for now - CNN
The fastest way to get back to a safe, mask-free life is for everyone to get a Covid-19 vaccine. But just because you've gotten a shot of protection doesn't mean you should rip off your mask immediately. That could actually set you back and put your friends and family at risk.
The Age Of Automation Is Now: Here's How To 'Futureproof' Yourself | Spokane Public Radio
Are robots coming for your job? New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose says companies and governments are increasingly using automation and artificial intelligence to cut costs, transform workplaces and eliminate jobs — and more changes are coming.
B.C. biotech company seeks emergency approval for COVID-19 nasal spray treatment | CTV News
VANCOUVER -- A B.C. biotech firm says it has developed an effective treatment for anyone who’s contracted COVID-19, and is now seeking federal approval for emergency use of the product.
State lawmakers have long called for dedicated wildfire funding; this could be the year it happens | The Spokesman-Review
OLYMPIA – After a historically deadly and destructive 2020 wildfire season, lawmakers are looking at ways to invest in forest health and wildfire prevention. A bill that passed the state House of Representatives unanimously last week might do just that.
Washington state, Canada try to kill Asian giant hornets | Washington | capitalpress.com
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Wildlife officials in Washington state have said British Columbia and U.S. federal and state agencies will work together to track, trap and eradicate Asian giant hornets in the Pacific Northwest.
Coordinator’s Corner – March – Urban and community Forestry in Washington State
This article starts with the good news that the Evergreen Communities Act (ECA), now referred to as Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1216 (E2SHB 1216), has passed the state House of Representatives with a vote of 72-25, plus one excused vote.
Employers Must Ensure the Safety of Home Workspaces