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Public testimony heats up over Washington state bill that would undo some of parents’ rights initiative

The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee got an earful Thursday from supporters and detractors of proposed legislation “promoting a safe and supportive public education system” that … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/20/25

A Washington State Patrol trooper attends the 19th CVEO Basic Open House on Feb. 7, 2024.

Washington state bill could allow noncitizens to police, prosecute U.S. citizens

A bill moving through the Washington state Legislature would allow lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals who are recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 3/20/25

Staff at the Washington state attorney general’s office in Seattle and elsewhere staged a walkout Thursday to make their case against furloughs and budget cuts. (Photo courtesy of Julia Parkey)

Staff at Washington state AG’s office stage walkout to protest proposed furloughs and budget cuts

Staff at the Washington attorney general’s office argue a furlough will just mean unpaid hours because the agency’s work has to get done. They say about $20 million in proposed … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/25

Ralph Munro was first elected as Washington’s secretary of state in 1980 and would go on to serve five terms in the job. He’s seen here, right, with bagpipes at a National Association of Secretaries of State Conference in 1986 and, left, in an official portrait from 1985. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Remembering Ralph Munro, five-term Washington secretary of state and statesman

Ralph Munro, Washington’s longest-serving secretary of state and a moderate Republican who achieved unusually broad popularity across the political spectrum, died early Thursday at his … more

By Tom Banse / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/25

Cases against suspects caught with 44 pounds of cocaine in Lewis County dismissed as federal charges are pursued

Two men arrested by Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) personnel on Monday for alleged possession of nearly 44 pounds of meth have been released from the Lewis County Jail pending federal … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/20/25

Fifth grader Lizzie Miller smiles with her first place medal and other winnings after winning the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge at Orin Smith Elementary School in Chehalis on Wednesday, March 20.

Future Chefs cook up competition at Orin C. Smith Elementary in Chehalis

The talented young cooks of Orin C. Smith Elementary School on Wednesday participated in Future Chefs of America, a cooking competition hosted by the Chehalis School District’s food management … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 3/20/25

Adna players and coaches pose with the second place trophy after the 2B Girls State Championship game against Northwest Christian at the Spokane Arena on Saturday, March 8.

Sports Dump: Is this thing on?

The sports crew plus Ridley return to quickly discuss state basketball in Yakima and Spokane plus preview the spring sports season. Zach and Ridley enjoyed Soulful Soups. Dylan makes a bold Final … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/20/25

From left to right, Charlie Ojard, Addie Ojard, and Kane Ragsac pose on the podium after finishing in the top four of their respective divisions at the Cradle for the Cure Tournament in Caldwell Idaho on March 16.

Mat Rats find success at tournaments in two states

The Mat Rats Rebooted wrestling team made their mark last week in both Idaho and Washington, bringing home multiple podium finishes at the Cradle for the Cure Tournament in Caldwell, Idaho and the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/20/25

Democratic state senators push $17B dollar tax package to balance Washington state budget

Let the tax debate begin in Olympia. Democrats in the Washington state Senate kicked it off Thursday with a monstrous opening statement , calling for higher property tax collections and new … more

By: Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/25

Washington state infant attacked by dog, alive and receiving care

MOSES LAKE — Friday at around noon, the Grant County Sheriff's Office was notified of a dog attack incident involving a 4-week-old baby boy. The minor was brought to Samaritan Hospital prior to … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 3/20/25

Ukrainian grocery store in Washington state targeted by suspected impersonators pretending to be ICE

An investigation is underway in Fife after suspected U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement impersonators targeted a local Ukrainian store on Sunday. The impersonators staked out Emish Market … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/20/25

State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, speaks during a rally about protecting parents’ rights, organized by Let’s Go Washington, at the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Washington state initiative takes aim at Parents' Bill of Rights changes

Clashes over Democratic efforts this legislative session to alter Washington's Parents' Bill of Rights have played out on the House and Senate floor, social media, the steps of the Capitol and now, … more

Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/20/25

Boeing blamed for whistleblower’s death in new lawsuit

The family of John “Mitch” Barnett, a Boeing whistleblower whose death last year brought fresh attention to the company’s persistent struggles with quality, filed a wrongful-death … more

Patrick Malone / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/20/25

A deer looks back as snow falls in Centralia near North Ash Street on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Washington state nearing decision on chronic wasting disease rules

Wildlife officials are getting closer to making a final decision on permanent rules for limiting the spread of chronic wasting disease in Washington, including proposed statewide bans on feeding … more

Michael Wright / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/20/25

Washington woman charged after her 3-year-old son overdosed on fentanyl, police say

Investigators believe a 3-year-old boy overdosed on fentanyl he found on his mother's dresser last month in Spokane Valley. Jessica A. Demaine, 38, was booked Wednesday into the Spokane County … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/20/25

Guilty verdict: $7.8 million of ‘party drugs’ smuggled into Washington state from Canada

A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict after $7.8 million worth of illegal drugs was smuggled in backpacks and a suitcase across the Canadian border into a remote wildland area of Eastern … more

Annette Cary / The Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 3/20/25

Court records reveal prosecutors allege Kohberger bought knife, sheath before Idaho homicides

Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with murder in the fatal stabbings of four University of Idaho students, bought the same brand of knife that police suspect was used in the violent crime in November … more

Kevin Fixler / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/20/25

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Bellevue) poses for a portrait at Bellevue City Hall on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.

Washington congressman’s crusade against Democrats' left wing gets attention, flak

Last month in Washington, D.C., Seattle’s U.S. House representatives, Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith, sat down for a frank talk. The subject: Smith’s loud criticisms of the far-left … more

Jim Brunner and Daniel Beekman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/20/25

Patty Murray: Trump won't gut the Education Department 'on my watch'

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vowed strong opposition to President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, warning that "the fight has just begun." Trump is … more

Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/20/25

Jamon P. Fritsch, 48, was sentenced to in life prison with the chance of parole in 25 years during a hearing Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

‘Epitome of evil’ sentenced for strangling, dismembering traveling Oregon respiratory therapist

After working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon and California, traveling respiratory therapist Kara Taylor hit a rough patch in her own life — and sought safe harbor in a … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/20/25