Washington State, State of Emergency

EVERETT WA. — Snohomish County awoke to more rain on Wednesday morning after the second surge of a large atmospheric river hit Tuesday night. County Executive Dave Somers declared a countywide emergency proclamation Tuesday evening, following flood warnings the National Weather Service has issued through the week to areas surrounding the Stillaguamish, Snohomish and Skykomish rivers.

The county is allowed to spend public funds to take “reasonable and prudent” measures to ensure resident safety, the release said. It also waives some administrative requirements to expedite response efforts and directs county departments to mitigate impacts on private and public property.

The Snohomish and Stillaguamish rivers dropped below flood levels Wednesday morning but are expected to surge again throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday. The Skykomish River was at major flood stage as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, and continues to rise through the day, the weather service said.

Check back in for updates as the weather system progresses....

Key developments:

Ex-Minneapolis Officer Files for New Trial

By Stephen Sorace   -Fox News, 

Derek Chauvin [pictured left], the ex-Minneapolis police officer convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of George Floyd, has filed an appeal requesting a new trial.

Chauvin submitted the filing last month in Hennepin County District Court.  In the filing, Chauvin claims his conviction should be vacated, saying flawed medical testimony, misrepresented police training and faulty jury instructions warrant a new trial or evidentiary hearing.

Chauvin disputes the conclusions of four physicians who reviewed a medical examiner’s report on Floyd’s death, insisting they relied on video evidence of Minneapolis police officers restraining Floyd.

Crow Tribe May Expand Membership by Reconsidering Blood Quantum Standard

 "The proposed legislation would alter things so all existing members would be considered as having 100% Crow “blood.”

A proposal by the Crow tribal chair could dramatically change who counts as a Crow tribal member under the “blood quantum” standard, a concept created by White settlers and rooted in assimilation tactics.  Blood quantum refers to the fractional amount of tribal affiliation in an individual’s ancestry. It is central to individual identity and highly controversial. 

Right now, according to the tribe’s enrollment policy, an individual must “possess one-quarter Crow Indian blood” to enroll as a member of the Crow Tribe. The proposed legislation from Chairman Frank Whiteclay would alter things so that all existing members would be considered as having 100% Crow “blood.” That would change the lives not just of the 14,289 enrolled Crow tribal members but also potentially thousands of descendants who would be more likely to qualify as tribal members and receive services.

Tattoo Regret: Wyoming Residents Pay Big Money For Tattoo Removal

Think before you ink.  

That’s the advice of cosmetic laser technicians across Wyoming who erase bad memories of customers who impulsively got tattoos and later regretted them.

“A lot of people will come in and say they are embarrassed by their tattoo,” said Rachel Watson, a technician at Sterling Skin Care Casper. “I tell them don’t be embarrassed, because they were young and dumb, but now have grown up and are trying to get a job and can’t have tattoos.”

Watson treats as many as 25 clients a week. Some of them have been unlucky in love and want tattoos bearing the name of a former spouse or partner eliminated. Others are just dissatisfied with how the tattoo looks.

In the case of face and neck tattoos, some say those hold them back from getting jobs or socializing. Many are also impulsive.