Another rally planned in Olympia to protest stay-home order

OLYMPIA -- As the governor rolls out a plan for people to return to church, gym owners and other Washingtonians will be protesting at the Capitol, demanding the governor let them reopen their businesses.Gym owners rallying at the Capitol Thursday say they're angry about a lawsuit the state Attorney General's Office filed against two gyms in Puyallup and Arlington that defied the governor's stay-home orders and allowed members to work out.The gym owner say they took plenty of precautions, like checking people's temperatures at the door, spacing out equipment and doing more cleaning.They say their facilities were safer than Walmart and other grocery stores that have been consistently crowded since the pandemic began.Hundreds of people are expected at the rally Thursday.

Ocean Shores hotels reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend

OCEAN SHORES, Wash. -- As of Tuesday (May 19), hotels along a popular stretch of our state's beaches will reopen after being closed for nearly two months.Ocean Shores Mayor Crystal Dingler closed the hotels in March, but now she says they can reopen to bring much-needed money into the tourism economy.Other businesses in town are also cautiously optimistic, though not everyone agrees that it's the right move.While places like King County have been hammered by the virus, many coastal communities have been spared.

COVID-19 steals the stage from local performers

The performing arts were among the first to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay home order - and they will be among the last to return. That has left performers offstage waiting for the next act.

Boeing supplier pivots portion of work to construct face shields

Workers who once had been laid off are now back on the clock to help build protective equipment for doctors, dentists and medical professionals everywhere.

‘I’m not doing it’: Man refusing to wear mask inside Costco kicked out of store

A customer who refused to put on a mask in violation of Costco’s policy was booted from one of the warehouse store’s locations in Colorado May 16.The customer, who identified himself as Garrett to Storyful, filmed the encounter with a store employee that led up to his expulsion from the store.“I’ll just put you on my 3,000-follower Instagram feed,” Garrett is heard saying to the employee, who then looks directly into Garrett’s recording device and responds:“Hi everyone.

Sounders raise money for COVID-19 Relief Fund with help from longtime fans

he Seattle Sounders FC awarded over $200,000 to 143 people and 17 small businesses thanks for their first grant cycle in April of the organization's COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Trump threatens funds for states easing voting in pandemic

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to hold up federal funds for two election battleground states that are trying to make it easier and safer to vote during the coronavirus pandemic.

Seafair events canceled over coronavirus concerns

SEATTLE -- The 71st annual Seafair -- the multi-week festival with more than 30 sanctioned events -- is canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic."We are deeply disappointed but together we will get through this emergency," said Eric Corning, President and CEO of Seafair. "Events will be an important part of our recovery, and we look forward to working with our sponsorship partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to produce a festival with the Blue Angels, fireworks, pirates, clowns, parades, and all of the neighborhood community events.

Inmate released early due to COVID-19 arrested for attacking woman on hiking trail

EVERETT, Wash. -- A convicted felon released early from prison because of COVID-19 concerns is back behind bars, accused in a terrifying attack on a woman in Everett, Washington.The victim, a woman in her 60s, was taking a break from hiking on a trail Friday when police say 33-year-old Matthew Cory came up from behind her and started choking her.The interurban trail in Everett is a popular place for people to get outside for some fresh air.According to court documents, the victim said she managed to loosen his grip and scream loud enough that he ran off.

Where’s my stimulus check? IRS adds phone operators to answer relief payment questions

Still haven’t received your stimulus check? The IRS is adding 3,500 phone representatives to handle a flood of calls from taxpayers waiting for their money from the federal government as part of a massive coronavirus rescue package.

Washington sees record unemployment rate of 15.4% in April

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington’s unemployment rate shot up to a record 15.4% in April and the state’s economy lost 527,000 jobs last month as a result of the economic downturn from the coronavirus pandemic.

Wearing a face mask can reduce coronavirus transmission by up to 75 percent, study says

NEW YORK — Researchers have found that wearing surgical masks can significantly reduce the rate of airborne COVID-19 transmission, according to a study released on Sunday.The study, conducted by a team of scientists in Hong Kong, found the rate of non-contact transmission through respiratory droplets or airborne particles dropped by as much as 75 percent when masks were used.“The findings implied to the world and the public is that the effectiveness of mask-wearing against the coronavirus pandemic is huge,” said Dr.

‘Not just a horror story’: FTC says some nursing homes are taking residents' stimulus checks

When Congress crafted the CARES Act, they designated the stimulus payments as a tax credit — meaning the government would never be allowed to seize them.And that means the checks aren’t considered a resource for a federal benefits program.So when the Federal Trade Commission learned some nursing homes are trying to take the checks from residents on Medicaid, they put out a notice warning facilities not to do so.“This is not just a horror story making the rounds.

Restaurant owners unsure how much Phase 2 will help their business

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Restaurants could open sooner in Thurston County under Phase 2 of Governor Jay Inslee’s plan to re-open the state, but some owners in Olympia have mixed feelings over this option.On Tuesday, Governor Jay Inslee announced Thurston County, as well as several other counties, are eligible to apply for Phase 2.Under Phase 2, restaurants can open with 50% capacity, tables must have five people or less, and no bar seating.Juju Guarino is the owner of The Cascadia Grill.

Northwest Trek launching self-driving wildlife tours

EATONVILLE, Wash. – Northwest Trek is adapting to the coronavirus restrictions with a new service for fans of the wildlife park: self-driving tours.The new Wild Drive tour of the park's Free-Roaming Area opens to the public May 27.“Wild Drive is unlike anything we’ve ever offered at Northwest Trek,” said Tim Reid, president of the Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners. “We’re excited to offer our community an unforgettable opportunity to experience wildlife and nature up close in a safe way during this time of social-distancing restrictions.”Aligned with the governor's Phase 1 reopening plan, this guided experience allows families or households to tour the meadows and forests of the wildlife park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area in a small caravan of cars, led in front and behind by park staff.Guests learn about the native Northwest species they’re seeing as they drive by roaming herds of Roosevelt elk and massive bison.