News | The Daily Chronicle

Democrats, Republicans alike focus on states’ rights as a way out of America’s political woes

Democrats are seizing the mantle of states’ rights to oppose the agenda of President Donald Trump, who has sought to reset Washington’s relationship with the states. While the party … more

Kevin Hardy and Jonathan Shorman / Washington State Standard | 7/3/26

Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Pool photo by Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune)

News cameras can stay, but judge sets other limits in Charlie Kirk murder case

In a weeklong court hearing livestreamed to the public, Utah prosecutors are set to make their case next week for why Tyler Robinson should stand trial for murder in the assassination of political … more

By Annie Knox / Utah News Dispatch | 7/3/26

Volunteers pass boxes of signatures supporting a ballot initiative to end Idaho’s strict ban on abortion on July 2, 2026, outside the state Capitol in Boise. (Photo by Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun)

Supporters of ballot measure to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban turn in nearly 110K signatures

Boise resident Betts Disney said she hasn’t really been involved in political activism since she went to anti-Vietnam War marches as a child. However, that changed a couple of years ago when she … more

By Laura Guido / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/3/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood discusses his beliefs on Washington’s financial state outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Backers of Washington income tax repeal effort turn in half million signatures

Backers of an initiative that aims to repeal Washington’s new income tax of 9.9% on income over $1 million turned in 511,408 signatures Thursday to the Secretary of State’s office in … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/3/26

Increased tanker traffic through the shared border waters of Washington and British Columbia could rise further if Alberta succeeds in building a new crude export pipeline to the West Coast. Here, an oil/chemical tanker steers through Boundary Pass on the way to the Port of Vancouver in late June. (Photo credit by Tom Banse)

Proposed oil pipeline to B.C. coast spurs alarm in Washington state

The province of Alberta late Thursday announced a route for a new, one-million-barrel-per-day crude oil pipeline to Canada’s West Coast that terminates within about a mile of Washington state … more

By Tom Banse / The Washington State Standard | 7/3/26

A June 2025 view of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota’s Black Hills. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Preparations for Trump and Mount Rushmore fireworks include First Amendment area for protesters

The National Park Service is designating an area for protesters as the agency prepares to welcome thousands of attendees, including President Donald Trump, to a Friday fireworks display at Mount … more

By Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight | 7/2/26

(Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice)

Fourth of July fireworks spark wildfire worries for Washington state

State and local fire officials are urging Washingtonians to use caution lighting fireworks this weekend, especially as a statewide drought raises wildfire risks. Nearly every part of Washington … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/26

A summer cookout this holiday weekend is 4% more expensive than it was last year, according to a report from the American Farm Bureau Federation. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Summer cookouts cost nearly $3 more this holiday than last year

At a 4% increase from last summer, the cost of backyard barbecue has grown in price at about the same pace as inflation, according to the annual American Farm Bureau Federation survey. The … more

By Cami Koons / Iowa Capital Dispatch | 7/2/26

Dr. Karen Koep, right, and her husband Davido, left. The couple was murdered in November 2023.

Man sentenced to life in prison without parole for 2023 murder of Thurston County couple

A man arrested in 2023 for murdering a couple in their Thurston County home was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole. A jury convicted Timothy Burke, 47, last month of two … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 7/2/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood carries a box of petition signature sheets outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Ballot fight on Washington state income tax looks certain

TUMWATER – Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners turned in more than 500,000 signatures Thursday for an initiative to repeal the levy, nearly double the amount needed to secure … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/26

Shawn A. Crews, 55, Yakima, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, July 1.

Man under arrest tried to pose as person already in Thurston County Jail, police say

A Yakima man faces felony charges after he allegedly gave police a false name during his arrest for methamphetamine possession outside Centralia Middle School. According to prosecutors, … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/2/26

Vancouver police arrest man accused of filming sex with minors, letting them live in his hotel room

Vancouver police on June 24 arrested a 20-year-old man who they say had sex with two teenage girls he met online and filmed the interactions. Andrew Joseph Guerrero, an active duty military … more

Alissa Gary / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

‘Does she have crab in her bra?’ Washington officers say 4 hid 21 crabs in clothing

A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer made a shell-shocking discovery last month when four suspected crab poachers were found concealing undersized crabs in their pants, bras and even … more

Tarek Anthony / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Oregon hunter banned for life, fined $114K following poaching investigation

A former Oregon correctional officer pleaded guilty last month to multiple poaching and weapons charges in Grant and Umatilla counties, Oregon State Police said Wednesday. In two separate … more

Tarek Anthony / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Michael Wilmington, an ex-pediatrician in the Vancouver area, allegedly hosted naked sleepovers with children at his La Center home, according to a child exploitation investigation in Clark County. He died by suicide in Lewis County.

Abuse claims grow against pediatrician who died in Lewis County after arrest warrant issued in criminal case

A growing number of people have come forward to allege they were abused by Washington state pediatrician Michael Wilmington. Wilmington was found dead, apparently of suicide, in Lewis County in … more

Isabel Funk / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Washington economy grows fastest in nation thanks to AI spending

Washington’s economy, aided by a tech sector all in on artificial intelligence, had a strong start to the year and could be on track to outperform other state economies in 2026. Washington’s … more

Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Police arrest JBLM member suspected in murder of missing Tacoma man

Police in Pierce County arrested two 21-year-olds on suspicion of murder after one of the suspects — a service member assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord — led officers Tuesday night to human … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Prosecutor won’t charge Washington teacher after student rape allegation

For the second time in two years, local prosecutors have declined to charge an Edmonds School District special education teacher accused of sexual misconduct against students. The Snohomish … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Whidbey Island earthquake near Oak Harbor hits magnitude of 3.8

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake shook outside of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island on Wednesday night, according to the United States Geological Survey. The center of the earthquake was a little over a … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Donald Trump, JD Vance won’t attend U.S.-Belgium World Cup match in Seattle, King County spokesperson says

SEATTLE — Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend Monday's USA vs. Belgium round of 16 FIFA Men's World Cup match in Seattle, a King County spokesperson … more

Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26