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Senator Nikki Torres, a former Pasco City Council member, talks to demonstrators outside the Washington State Capitol building in Olympia for Child Abuse Prevention Month during an event organized by the family of Hazel Journey on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

SCOTUS racial gerrymandering ruling could spark new redistricting battle in Washington

A Washington state senator who was gerrymandered out of her district is hoping Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning how states draw districts affecting minority voters will bring … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/30/26

Washington state Sen. John Braun smiles after speaking at a fundraiser to kick off his congressional campaign at Jester Auto Museum on Thursday, Sept. 18.

NRCC adds more candidates to MAGA Majority program, including John Braun

WASHINGTON — The National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday added eight candidates to its target list, including several contenders in battleground seats that are key to the party’s … more

Daniela Altimari / CQ-Roll Call (TNS) | 4/30/26

Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad recovers explosive device near Capitol Forest

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Bomb Squad safely recovered a confirmed explosive device on the side of the road in Thurston County on Wednesday. A litter crew found the suspicious … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/30/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Plan to sweep $4B from Washington police and firefighter pension fund spurs lawsuit

Retired police officers and firefighters in Washington, including former Congressman Dave Reichert, sued the state Thursday to block an attempt to raid their pension fund to help with ongoing budget … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/30/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.

Gov. Ferguson violated ethics law by letting ex-staffer travel on state plane

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has admitted to violating state ethics law and accepted a $4,000 fine for allowing a former top adviser to travel with him on a state plane to the Tri-Cities last summer. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/30/26

As gas prices soar, Seattle solidifies its status as an EV capital

With regular gas currently hovering around $5.70 a gallon in the Seattle area, filling up the tank can be a source of dread. Owners of electric vehicles, I imagine, must be smiling to themselves as … more

Gene Balk / FYI Guy / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

Shawn Kemp reflects on arrest and what Sonics still mean to Seattle

Everyone rooting for the Sonics to return has a reason: the team was stolen, childhood nostalgia, it's good for business, Seattle is a basketball town. You'll hear those reasons more often, and … more

Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

Copper theft leaves Seattle’s Taproot Theatre scrambling to survive

After surviving an arson, a natural gas explosion and a pandemic, Greenwood's Taproot Theatre company has a new storm to weather: copper wire theft. Someone scaled the building and stripped two … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

Outside Seattle, paid parking starts at some light rail garages

If the best things in life are free, then parking at some of the most popular light rail stations in the Seattle area will soon be less than best. Make that far from best, according to several … more

Nicholas Deshais / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

Washington weather: First 80-degree day of year, clear skies this weekend

Would it be naive to say we can get used to warm, sunny weekends in Seattle at this point? This weekend will be our third in a row characterized by short-sleeve-level temperatures and clear blue … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

Police investigating connected stabbing, car wreck in Rainier Valley

Seattle police are investigating a stabbing and hit-and-run that occurred Wednesday night in Rainier Valley. The two incidents are believed to be connected, Seattle police said in a blotter … more

Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/30/26

US and Iran stuck in standoff as oil prices soar to wartime high

The U.S. and Iran showed little sign of breaking their impasse and agreeing to another round of peace talks, with President Donald Trump insisting that his navy’s blockade is working. Trump … more

Omar Tamo, Eltaf Najafizada / Bloomberg News (TNS) | 4/30/26

Labor unions and other supporters of an income tax on millionaire earners rallied at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia in February. A growing number of liberal states are considering raising taxes on their wealthiest residents.

Millionaire taxes gain steam as states face budget crunches

While the idea of a special tax on millionaires is hotly debated across the country, Maine state Rep. Cheryl Golek characterized her state’s new tax as a modest and reasonable step toward fairness. … more

By Kevin Hardy / Washington State Standard | 4/30/26

Michael Knowles (right) takes a question from the audience at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Idaho.

Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles headline Turning Point USA event at University of Idaho

This article was first published by FāVS News . Hundreds of local residents and students lined up more than an hour early Tuesday as Turning Point USA brought its national tour to the ICCU … more

By Hayden Wysup / Washington State Standard | 4/30/26

Lewis County sheriff candidate Tracy Murphy speaks with attendees of a Conservative Coalition of Lewis County meeting on Monday, Nov. 24.

Sheriff candidate Tracy Murphy fired after three decades with Centralia police

Tracy Murphy, a current candidate for Lewis County sheriff and a 35-year veteran of the Centralia Police Department, has been fired. Murphy announced his termination in a news release to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/30/26

The Chehalis River runs through farmland near Doty and Dryad.

Washington farmers allege CCA funds subsidize anti-agriculture activism

A Washington state farming advocacy group says a Yakima-based activist organization received nearly $500,000 in Climate Commitment Act funds, and then used the funding for political attacks on farms … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/29/26

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, left, and Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke, react following the judge's ruling to temporarily block parts of SB 5974, the new sheriff decertification law from taking effect.

Thurston County judge blocks key parts of Washington sheriff decertification law

A Thurston County Superior Court judge has granted a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent SB 5974, the new sheriff decertification law from taking effect on Thursday, April 30. Judge … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/29/26

In Washington and elsewhere, millionaire taxes gain steam as states face budget crunches

While the idea of a special tax on millionaires is hotly debated across the country, Maine state Rep. Cheryl Golek characterized her state’s new tax as a modest and reasonable step toward fairness. … more

By Kevin Hardy / States Newsroom | 4/29/26

Mark Lamb, the attorney for four eastern Washington sheriffs, speaks in Thurston County Superior Court against a new law setting heightened eligibility standards for sheriffs as several county sheriffs observe on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Judge blocks Washington’s new sheriff standards law

Washington’s new law setting stricter eligibility standards for sheriffs was partially blocked in state court on Wednesday, one day before much of it was set to take effect. The preliminary … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/29/26

Centralia Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant speaks to attendees during the annual Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County Most Important Meal of the Year fundraiser at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Wednesday, April 29. “Our largest fundraising event of the year, the organization wrote in announcing the event. “This special breakfast celebrates our community, highlights our Club’s goals and showcases the impact of our programs on local youth. Club members will take the stage as MCs, sharing their stories and demonstrating firsthand how the Club supports and inspires them.” Grant is a member of the Boys and Girls Club board and served as the main speaker at Wednesday’s event. “A Pacific Northwest native and longtime educator, Dr. Grant began her career in 1988 and holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of South Florida, along with degrees from the University of Washington and Gonzaga University,” the club wrote. “In addition to her work in public education, Dr. Grant serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club, reflecting her commitment to supporting youth and strengthening her community beyond the classroom. Dr. Grant is deeply committed to student success, strong community partnerships, and creating inclusive, high-quality learning environments where every student can thrive.”

In Focus: The Most Important Meal of the Year raises funds for Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County

4/29/26