-
Ted S. Warren/APDoes The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have too much power and influence? The foundation’s CEO Mark Suzman raised that question in an annual letter released Tuesday and when asked, said the answer was, "No.” With $8.3 billion to give away in 2023, the Gates Foundation is the largest private philanthropic donor. -
Eric Gay/APA new report from the Washington State Department of Ecology found formaldehyde, lead and arsenic in a study of products marketed to people of color. The findings are fueling renewed efforts to ban a list of hazardous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care items sold in Washington.
-
The Washington State Department of Health says the flu is spreading at a high rate in the state with deaths at higher rates than are usually seen at this point in the season. Officials are strongly recommending that everyone age 6 months and older get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. -
The CDC is advising people to practice indoor masking in nearly a tenth of U.S. counties, as three highly contagious respiratory viruses sweep the country.
-
The Washington State Department of Health says flu activity in the state is now considered very high. Officials say seven people in the state have died so far this season from the flu, including one child.
-
Children’s hospitals in the Pacific Northwest are struggling to maintain enough space for their young patients. Some report being over capacity, amid increasing strain due to a surge in respiratory illness and hospitalizations.
-
Food banks have had to throw away thousands of dollars worth of infant formula following a massive recall by Abbott Laboratories. Now their shelves are bare, and families who rely on their help to feed their babies are scrambling to find formula — and the funds to buy it.
-
Gina Sequeira is a pediatrician and co-director of Seattle Children’s Gender Clinic. Sequeira says that she started working with trans kids because, as a young queer person, she had many bad interactions with doctors and wanted to be part of the solution.
-
Washington has led the nation in phasing out dangerous toxic chemicals found in products from food packaging to firefighting foam to automobile brake pads. Now, advocates are pushing for a law to keep the worst toxic chemicals out of cosmetics.
-
COVID-19The masks come from Washington state. A Spokane-area company, UnMask, has spent much of the pandemic selling face coverings designed to look like they comply with public health mandates and guidelines. But, experts say, these masks have limited to no effect at reducing the coronavirus’ spread.
-
Money that will flow to Native American tribes as part of an opioid drug settlement with a major manufacturer and three distributors won't come quickly. But tribal leaders say it will play a part in healing their communities from an epidemic that has disproportionately killed Native Americans.
-
COVID-19Health officials in Washington state say residents will soon be able to order free at-home COVID-19 tests through a new state website.
