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Health News

Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds

Washington State Standard Oct. 22 2026 4 minutes read

2026 1022 health costs

Employers saw their healthcare premiums rise 5% this year — and some passed on that burden to workers — as the cost of family coverage in job-based insurance exceeds $28,000 for family plans.

WA directs state dollars to food banks as SNAP funding cliff nears

Washington State Standard Oct. 29 2025 3 minutes read

2025 1029 snap

Washington state will give food banks $2.2 million per week as they deal with the potential end of food stamp benefits due to the ongoing federalgovernment shutdown. 

Sticker shock: WA health insurance buyers confront steep price hikes

Washington State Standard Oct. 22 2025 5 minutes read

2025 1022 health insurance

Expiring federal tax credits are driving an average 21% increase in rates on the state’s health benefit exchange as open enrollment nears.

West Coast states announce broadened COVID-19 vaccine guidance amid CDC turmoil

Washington State Standard Sep. 17 2025 4 minutes read

2025 0818 flu shot

Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and California are all part of a “West Coast Health Alliance” announced earlier this month with the goal of combatting the politicization of vaccine access.

The Price Increases That Should Cause Americans More Alarm

KFF Health News Aug. 25 2025 4 minutes read

2025 0825 health insurance

Wary of inflation, Americans have been watching the prices of everyday items such as eggs and gasoline. A less-noticed expense should cause greater alarm: rising premiums for health insurance. 

It’s Almost Flu Season. Should You Still Get a Shot, and Will Insurance Cover It?

KFF Health News Aug. 18 2025 7 minutes read

2025 0818 flu shot

Doctors and public health leaders, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend that most people 6 months old and older get the 2025-26 flu vaccine — and it’s still covered by most insurance plans.

Skagit County bat tests positive for rabies

Anacortes Now Aug. 13 2025 3 minutes read

2025 0813 big brown bat

This is the first bat found in Skagit County to test positive for rabies this year and the fourth in Washington State in 2025. The last positive case of rabies in a bat in Skagit County was in 2023.

  1. Many Older People Embrace Vaccines. Research Is Proving Them Right
  2. Island Health seeks additional funding via levy
  3. Medicaid cuts could hurt older adults who rely on home care, nursing homes
  4. $160M in WA health funding axed by Trump administration
  5. Emergency alerts and news notifications can make us stressed and anxious — here’s what you can do to cope

Upcoming Events

11 Nov
Veterans Day Rememberance Ceremony
Date Wed., November 11, 2026 11:00 am - 11:30 am
11 Nov
Island Health to Honor 60 Veterans at Veterans Day Ceremony
Wed., November 11, 2026 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
11 Nov
To and From
Wed., November 11, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
12 Nov
Nutcracker Holiday Market
Thu., November 12, 2026 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
13 Nov
Holiday Craft Fair
Fri., November 13, 2026 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
13 Nov
Nutcracker Holiday Market
Fri., November 13, 2026 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
14 Nov
Holiday Craft Fair
Sat., November 14, 2026 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
14 Nov
Nutcracker Holiday Market
Sat., November 14, 2026 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Recent Stories

  • Police Blotter, October 31 - November 5, 2026 November 09, 2026
  • Enjoy Gallery Walk on Friday evening downtown November 05, 2026
  • Early Election overview November 03, 2026
  • Police Blotter, October 23 - 28, 2026 November 03, 2026
  • Time for change? Permanent daylight saving time bill awaiting US Senate action October 31, 2026
  • Halloween events take over downtown Anacortes on Saturday afternoon October 30, 2026
  • Police Blotter, October 16 - 22, 2026 October 27, 2026
  • Books: Murder at the Faust October 23, 2026
  • Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds October 22, 2026
  • Police Blotter, October 9 - 14, 2026 October 20, 2026
© 2026 Art Shotwell & others
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