People line up at an Air France counter at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Friday. A slew of nations, including the U.S., moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible coronavirus variant that has been detected in South Africa. (Jerome Delay / The Associated Press)
People line up at an Air France counter at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Friday. (Jerome Delay / The Associated Press)
Health

UW scientist weighs in on spread of new omicron COVID variant

Omicron, the world's newest coronavirus variant of concern, hasn't yet been detected in Washington state or the United States, but a microbiologist at UW Medicine said that its number of mutations is concerning. Updated

Nine-month-old Theo Fezzie checks out the ground cover at Christmas Creek Tree Farm in North Bend where the family cut and took a Douglas fir home. U-cut Christmas tree farm, with some pre-cut trees. LO Wednesday April 24, 2021 218900
Business

Oh Christmas tree, not you, too: Supply chain problems come to the fir trade Updated

An empty lobby at Safeco Plaza, located at 1001 4th Ave., is photographed in downtown Seattle Thursday, July 29, 2021. 217774
Economy

People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. What will they do instead? | Jon Talton

Volunteers work on the trail at Rattlesnake Ledge during a workday on the mountain in October. There will be nearly 20 work parties over the next year if you’d like to volunteer.
Outdoors

A popular Seattle-area hike is getting a face-lift. Here's what's happening Updated

Don't Miss

Cranberry-pear pie with crumble topping baked by Seattle Times producer Taylor Blatchford. Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction Oct. 28, 2021
Events

11 things to do in the Seattle area this weekend

Nurse Andrew Litchfield checks a COVID-19 patient’s blood sugar levels in the ICU at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. EvergreenHealth became the first health care facility to report a COVID outbreak in the U.S. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Health

Kirkland hospital has ‘new house’ — haunted by 600-plus days of COVID heartbreak VIEW

Lumen Field – Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals – 112121 Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks back towards the sideline during the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. 218880
Seahawks

Russell Wilson, Seahawks eager to get back to ‘attacking’ mode on offense

Editorial

Welcome, Secretary of State Hobbs — here’s your to-do list

Politics

Omar seeks action over House colleague’s remarks on Muslims Updated

Former Gaston County Commissioner Donnie Loftis has resigned from his position on the CaroMont Health board of directors. He was the current chairman. His resignation Monday comes after questions about posts on his social media page about COVID-19. [JOHN CLARK/THE GASTON GAZETTE]
31 N.C., S.C. lawmakers lay out path to overturn 2020 election, reinstate Trump
FILE- Michigan State Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, sits at his desk as the Michigan Senate considers bills in Lansing, Mich, Dec. 12, 2018. Hollier represents a majority-Black district that stretches across the northeastern edge of his economically battered and resilient hometown. That critical mass of Black voters, Hollier argues, ensures he has a chance to be elected and give voice to people who have long been ignored by the political system. (Dale G.Young/Detroit News via AP, File) MIDTN501 MIDTN501
New maps spark debate over majority-minority districts Updated
Biden sets out oil, gas leasing reform, stops short of ban Updated
British interior minister uninvited by France, as migration row intensifies Updated
South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization
Bannon’s lawyers file opposition to keeping documents from being released
Trump criminal investigation enters crucial phase

Local News

Allison Peterson poses with two of her three children, David, 11, at left, and Hannah, five, in front of their Woodinville home Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Nine-year-old son Jacob is at school. All three children switched to homeschooling after school closures in 2020. The homeschooling population in Washington State has doubled since the start of the pandemic, from 20,000 to 40,000. Some families, like the Petersons, switched because of concerns about the virus in schools and because they were unhappy with how remote schooling was going. As of this school year, Jacob has gone back to school in the Northshore School District, and Hannah will return once she gets her second shot in January. But David has decided to stay at home after he was offered the choice. 218897

Where did Washington students go? Enrollment in state public schools has fallen during the pandemic

Project Homeless

More than $800,000 in Seattle homeless funds intended for Mary’s Place shelter may have been stolen, emails show

Bitter Lake encampment could empty out this month as homeless hotels begin to fill

Watch 5 Washington residents tell stories about homelessness in their own words

Public health officials declare victory against hepatitis A in Washington after successful vaccine push

Homelessness authority has a vision for downtown Seattle recovery — but first they’re asking for $27M

Business & Tech

Nine-month-old Theo Fezzie checks out the ground cover at Christmas Creek Tree Farm in North Bend where the family cut and took a Douglas fir home. U-cut Christmas tree farm, with some pre-cut trees. LO Wednesday April 24, 2021 218900

Oh Christmas tree, not you, too: Supply chain problems come to the fir trade

Featured Columnist

People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. What will they do instead? | Jon Talton

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Nation & World

Kevin Strickland, 62, managed a smile while talking to the media after his release from prison, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Cameron, Mo. Strickland, who was jailed for more than 40 years for three murders, was released from prison Tuesday after a judge ruled that he was wrongfully convicted in 1979. (Rich Sugg/The Kansas City Star via AP) MOKAS201 MOKAS201

Exonerated Kevin Strickland won’t get compensation from Missouri, so donors raised $1 million

Most Read Stories

Coronavirus

FILE – This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. (Merck & Co. via AP, File) NYBZ501 NYBZ501

New data shows Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is less effective than early results predicted

Food & Drink

Dunk some leftover dinner rolls or crusty bread into your Thanksgiving leftover chowder, and you have a whole new meal.

Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into this warm, hearty turkey chowder

Pacific NW Magazine

As Oregon outfits its schools for seismic safety, many in Washington remain highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis

Editorials & Opinion

Rapid testing for COVID-19 is the way back to ‘normal’ life | Op-Ed

Featured Columnist

Climate crisis: It’s personal

Horsey Cartoon

America, the ungovernable?

Sports

Husky Stadium – Apple Cup – University of Washington Huskies vs. Washington State University Cougars – 112621 Washington Huskies quarterback Sam Huard warms-up before the start of the Apple Cup Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Seattle. 218907 218907

UW Huskies freshman QB Sam Huard makes first career start against WSU in Apple Cup

Featured Columnist

Analysis: Judging the Seahawks’ offseason moves with 10 games played

Arts & Life

R. Hamilton Wright shows how the hydraulic lifts work to enter the stage of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at ACT Theatre in Seattle Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. Wright and Amy Thone will share the roles of Scrooge and Marley. 218580

Take a backstage peek at how ACT Theatre creates the magic behind 'A Christmas Carol' WATCH

Why Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ is the sound of the holidays for so many of us

Fund for Those in Need

Every dollar raised goes directly to 13 nonprofits, which help local children, families and older adults

Photography

Son Nate Fezzie, 2, gives dad Dominic a hand in hauling out the tree the family has cut to take home. U-cut Christmas Creek tree farm, with some pre-cut trees. LO Wednesday April 24, 2021 218900
Local News

Seeking the perfect Christmas tree in North Bend VIEW

Seattle’s Vince Dunn upends Carolina’s Jesper Fast in front of the Kraken net in the 2nd period. . The Carolina Hurricanes played The Seattle Kraken in NHL Hockey Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021 at Climate Pledge Arena, in Seattle, WA. 218862 218862
Sports

Photos: Kraken defeat Hurricanes VIEW

Lumen Field – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake – 112321 Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Cristian Roldan goes up and over Real Salt Lake midfielder Everton Luiz for a header during the first half Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Seattle. 218892 218892
Sports

Photos: Sounders stunned by Real Salt Lake in first round of playoffs VIEW

Melodie Schones from Toledo, Oregon wins the net-mending heat of the Fisherman of the Year competition at the Pacific Marine Expo at Lumen Field Event Center Saturday. She advanced to the final survival suit round. Saturday Nov. 20, 2021 LO Linesonly 218887
Local News

Splicing, knotting and mending their way to win Fisherman of the Year at Seattle marine expo VIEW