HOST: With immigration policies in flux, farmers in the Northwest say they’re leaning more on the H-2A visa program to fill labor gaps. N-W-P-B’s Renee Diaz and Johanna Bejarano [beh-hah-RAH-no] report in this collaborative piece with the Yakima Herald Republic. :15

Oregon medical leaders say they’re seeing an uptick in COVID cases across the state.

A rally in Bellingham tomorrow [sat] kicks off a campaign by Northwest tribes and environmental groups to protect public lands from development.

Some of Oregon’s top Democratic leaders gathered today/Friday to sing the praises of vote by mail.

((Pronouncer: Javadi = rhymes with “cavity”))

Democrats have increased their ranks in the Oregon House for a surprising reason. State Representative Cyrus Javadi, formerly a Republican, has joined the Democratic party. Dirk VanderHart reports.

Oregon’s attorney general, Dan Rayfield, and a coalition of other attorneys general successfully stopped a $184 million federal cut to Americorps. However, some places that relied on the program are still reeling from the initial cut. KLCC’s Sajina Shrestha reports.

A jury has ruled a Spokane woman should be evicted from her home for not paying rent the last four years, despite her claims that her apartment was uninhabitable.

Next year, residents of North Seattle’s District 5 will vote in a special election to fill a vacancy created by former Councilmember Cathy Moore’s retirement……It’ll be the first election where Democracy Vouchers are limited to residents of a single district.

KNKX Murrow News Fellow Nate Sanford has more

The push for a workers’ bill of rights in Tacoma is now tied up in the courts.

The groups behind the initiative are aiming to boost the city’s minimum wage and make employers follow laws around consistent scheduling.

Kevin Coe, the man known as Spokane’s South Hill Rapist from the 1970s and 80s, may finally get his chance at freedom.