Kate Walters
Reporter
About
Kate Walters is a reporter covering Covid-19 and the many ways the pandemic has impacted our lives. She's covered personal experiences of community members, state and local policies, affects on the healthcare system, and more. In the past, Kate has reported on homelessness for KUOW, as well as general assignment stories ranging from city hall politics to sea stars. Originally from Australia, Kate studied journalism at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). She started her career in public radio at WXXI in Rochester, NY.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Stories
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Soundside
Finally, Covid vaccines for the little ones
We've hit a new milestone in our fight against the pandemic. As of June 21, children under the age of five are finally able to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. KUOW reporter Kate Walters talked to parents getting their young children vaccinated at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the first day that doses were available.
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KUOW Newsroom
Inslee pushes for constitutional amendment and other protections in wake of Roe v Wade overturn
In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Gov. Jay Inslee is pushing for increased protections for reproductive care. Abortion remains legal in Washington state, but Inslee said Saturday that access needs to be solidified to ensure it is guaranteed in the future. He said he'll ask state legislators to pass an amendment enshrining abortion access in the state’s constitution.
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Kids under 5 receive first Covid-19 doses in Seattle
“We’re just ready.” That’s how parent Whitney Stohr described her feelings as she waited for her four-and-a-half-year-old son, Malachi, to get his first Covid-19 vaccine shot on Tuesday. Stohr also said the moment was exciting and a little overwhelming. Stohr was at a vaccine clinic at Seattle Children’s on Tuesday afternoon where kids under five were getting their first dose of vaccine. They’re among the first in the nation in this age group to receive the long-awaited shots.
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KUOW Newsroom
Embracing Juneteenth. A time for reflection, education, celebration, and action
Although it’s been celebrated by the Black community for more than 150 years, this year marks the first time that Juneteenth will be observed as an official state holiday in Washington. It commemorates the end of slavery in the US. June 19, 1865 is the day the Union army arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing enslaved people in the state were free.
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KUOW Newsroom
For parents hoping to get their babies and toddlers vaccinated, the wait is almost over
Vaccine approval may come in just a few days. If all goes to plan, could get appointments by next week.
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Today So Far Blog
Covid vaccines will soon be available to babies and toddlers
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Soundside
The US grows ever closer to the somber milestone of one million covid deaths
According to several news outlets' accounting, the United States has already passed this grim marker. The CDC's numbers have the nation just shy of that. Either way, the pandemic's toll is hard to fathom. KUOW reporters Kate Walters and Ruby de Luna have been spending time learning about who we've lost to Covid here in Washington State.
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KUOW Newsroom
Covid-19 vaccine won’t be required for school kids in Washington state
The Washington state Board of Health voted unanimously Wednesday against adding the Covid-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for kids in schools and childcare settings in the state. The board was not debating the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine for children but deciding whether it should be required for school and childcare entry.
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KUOW Newsroom
Omicron subvariant spreading further in Washington state
The highly-contagious omicron subvariant, known as BA.2, is now the dominant Covid-19 variant in Washington state, according to state secretary of health Dr. Umair Shah. However, Shah said during a media briefing Wednesday that, at this point, the state is not seeing case and hospitalization trends rising.
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KUOW Newsroom
What will you do as masking indoors becomes optional?
The statewide indoor mask mandate ends in Washington this weekend. KUOW spoke with several members of the public to get a sense of what they plan to do and how they’re feeling as the pandemic enters this new phase.