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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON-FARMWORKERS
Farmworkers test positive for COVID-19 at Washington orchard
Dozens of workers at a Central Washington orchard have tested positive for COVID-19 but were apparently not showing signs of the illness. Stemilt Ag Services, which operates the orchard, and local health officials tested the farm workers in East Wenatchee after some fruit packaging warehouse workers tested positive. The company said it decided to expand testing to orchard workers as a precaution. The company says of the 71 agricultural workers who were tested, 36 were positive for COVID-19. United Farm Workers and other advocates filed a lawsuit earlier this month against Washington state, arguing that farm workers do not have adequate protections.
AP-VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO
Pandemic leads to Idaho potato market woes
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has caused a once strong potato market to make an abrupt about-face, leading some Idaho growers to dump surplus spuds from storage cellars or to feed them to cattle. Just a few weeks ago, Idaho potato farmers were enjoying some of their best fresh prices in recent memory and anticipated supplies would run short in the coming summer. But with restaurants closed due to stay-at-home orders there is less demand and potato processors have cut back on contracted acres with farmers. Fresh potato prices have plummeted, even as demand at grocery stores has been strengthened.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO
Head of Idaho recovery committee sees hope, hard work ahead
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The head of an economic recovery committee formed by Gov. Brad Little to help the state reopen for business while also battling the coronavirus says he's optimistic Idaho will rebound, but there's hard work ahead. Idaho Power CEO Darrel Anderson said Friday Idaho can recover and even be poised to thrive when the pandemic passes, but businesses might have to adopt new practices. Little formed the committee Thursday as part of his plan to restore regular activity in Idaho. But state officials also on Thursday reported that the number of Idaho workers who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic has surged to nearly 110,000.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SEA-TAC AIRPORT
Sea-Tac Airport to lose $251M through 2020 amid pandemic
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport director Lance Lyttle says nosediving passenger traffic and flight cancellations will cost the airport roughly $251 million by the end of 2020, representing a 37% blow to the airport’s anticipated revenue for the year. The Seattle Times reports the anticipated hit to revenues is well above the $192 million in federal funds authorized for the airport’s use by the coronavirus aid package. Lyttle says Sea-Tac will draw on the federal funds to service debt, cover payroll and meet operating expenses like maintenance and security.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO
Idaho governor announces phased plan to begin reopening
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little has announced a plan for restoring normal activity in Idaho and recovering from the economic impact caused by the coronavirus. Little warned the process will take time and will be based on declining infections and testing. The Republican governor said Thursday the state will begin an approach May 1 with four phases allowing increasing levels of activity as conditions allow. His plan is similar to the guidelines provided to governors by President Donald Trump earlier this month. Little says Idaho could get close to normalcy in late June but there will still be risk until a vaccine is created.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO PLAYGROUND ARREST
Idaho activist arrested for refusing to leave playground
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An anti-vaccine activist was arrested in Idaho Tuesday after repeatedly refusing to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Forty-year-old Sara Brady was at the playground in Meridian, Idaho, with several other families when officers repeatedly asked the group to leave, explaining the play equipment had been closed by order of the mayor. Brady repeatedly refused, telling an officer to arrest her. She was charged with misdemeanor trespassing, booked into jail and posted bond a short time later. Brady is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse last week against Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home order.
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