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The ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio newsdesk brings you their top stories on the morning of Friday, July 29.

The PM Newsdesk Minutes: Whatcom County drug bust, King County burn ban in place

Washington DOH announces new telehealth options to combat COVID-19

In an effort to increase access to COVID-19 treatment and medication, Washington’s State Department of Health has a new telehealth option.

It expands the federal government’s “Test to Treat” initiative and makes telehealth consultations for COVID-19 accessible to all at no cost, regardless of insurance status.

If needed, patients can also get a prescription for oral anti-viral medications.

More details on the program and access to the telehealth portal are on the DoH website.

Amazon sheds nearly 100,000 positions as company readjusts post-COVID-19

Amazon has shed a record number of employees 99,000.

Geekwire reports that’s the largest sequential drop in the company’s history.

CFO Brian Olsavsky says much of the decline comes from employees leaving Amazon’s warehouses after they were overstaffed to meet pandemic demand.

He also alluded to other major companies slowing hiring –and said Amazon would be doing the same.

Amazon’s direct workforce now stands at about one point five million employees.

988 system sees big success in Everett

An Everett call center for the state’s new 988 system has seen a nearly 50% increase in calls in the first 9 days of the program.

State Health Secretary Umair Shah believes that increase is just the tip of the iceberg for the state’s new 911-like lifeline for those experiencing a behavioral crisis.

The 3 digit number is essentially what used to be the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and in our goes beyond help for those in a mental health crisis, also including people dealing with substance abuse issues. Governor Inslee says 988 also benefits cops and public safety

French language school spends 70 million to buy city block

A French-language school plans on buying an entire Seattle city block.

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal… the French American School of Puget Sound will spend $70 million for the land and the new building.

The facility will be large enough for K through 9 grades. They may even add a new high school.

Sound Transit Approves free fares for youth
Another local transit agency has approved free rides for people aged 18 and under.

Sound Transit’s board voted to allow young people to skip the fares – using their Youth Orca Pass.

Those passes will work until June of 2023.

After that, Sound Transit says schools will hand out Free Youth Transit Passes.

The free rides are part of Washington state’s Transportation package, which helps subsidize the fares, and will release additional transit funds to agencies — provided they allow people under age 19 to ride for free.

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