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Vehicles travel through a construction zone near Fife, on Interstate 5 in June 2023. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

Washington state deploys new tools hoping to prevent summer traffic deaths

Summer in Washington is supposed to be a season of celebration: high school graduations, family road trips, long weekends at the lake. But traffic safety officials view it as the most dangerous time … more

By Paul W. Taylor / TVW | 6/19/25

Lea Green and her family, of Multiculturally Minded Lewis County, accepts a proclamation from Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston during a Juneteenth celebration at George Washington Park in Centralia on Thursday, June 19.

'This is how we heal': Centralia community celebrates Juneteenth at George Washington Park

George Washington Park in downtown Centralia was alive with live music, joyful dancing, soul food, history and a variety of speakers during the Juneteenth celebration on a sunny Thursday morning. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 6/19/25

With the messages now removed by its new owners — the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation — the contentious Uncle Sam billboard on Exit 72 on Interstate 5 is now bare as seen on Thursday, June 19.

Uncle Sam billboard messages removed following purchase by Chehalis Tribe

Earlier this month, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation announced it had purchased the property with the Uncle Sam Billboard just off of Exit 72 on Interstate 5. Chehalis … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/19/25

Grays Harbor County resident busted for Montana hunting violations

Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife police officers from Grays Harbor County recently assisted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) investigators with a large-scale investigation into … more

By The Daily World | 6/19/25

A gray whale carcass that washed ashore in a state park in Westport was one of three that appeared earlier in summer of 2023.

Gray whales along the West Coast appear to be in trouble

Scientists say they’ve seen a surprising number of gray whale strandings this year during their migration up the west coast — 13 as of late May in Washington alone, which is more than … more

By Bellamy Pailthorp / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 6/19/25

Will Washington state’s higher capital gains tax drive businesses away?

Washington state residents who have sold long-term capital assets, such as stocks and bonds, exceeding $1 million will have to pay an increased capital gains tax. That’s due to Senate Bill … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/19/25

The Washington State Ferries vessel Samish, at the Anacortes ferry terminal.

Higher fares on the horizon for Washington State Ferries

Travel on a Washington state ferry will cost more this fall and even more next spring. How much became a little clearer Tuesday when a state transportation panel settled on a course to increase … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 6/19/25

A fraudulent letter sent to a business owner.

Man impersonating Washington state agency stole $90K in fraud scheme, charges say

Last fall, thousands of businesses and charities received bills that appeared to be from the state of Washington. Many recipients obliged, sending payments totaling hundreds of thousands of … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 6/19/25

Toll exemption for buses crossing two Washington state bridges will end this fall

Public transit will no longer enjoy a free ride across two Washington bridges this fall. Starting Oct. 1, operators of public and private bus services must pay tolls on the State Route 520 … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 6/19/25

Sen. Patty Murray: GOP bill would put 5.4M acres of Washington state public land up for sale

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray warned Tuesday that a Republican-backed proposal would make more than 250 million acres of public land eligible for sale — including some 5.4 million acres in Washington … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 6/19/25

Canoe ‘swamped’ by water sends 2 into Puget Sound. Then Washington state ferry comes to rescue

Two people were sent into Puget Sound after their canoe became “swamped” with water, officials said. Then a ferry came to their rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard got a report the … more

Helena Wegner / The News Tribune / (TNS) | 6/19/25

Ex-soldier at JBLM admits to trying to share secrets with China

A former U.S. Army sergeant last stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord pleaded guilty Wednesday to trying to share military secrets with China, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Joseph Daniel … more

Shea Johnson / The Olympian (TNS) | 6/19/25

'Ambivalence' or 'strategic ambiguity'? Washington congressmen have different takes on Trump's approach to Israel-Iran war

As a candidate, President Donald Trump promised to end wars around the world — or at least end U.S. involvement in them — but the war between Israel and Iran that began last week has … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 6/19/25

Study determines Washington has the highest Uber prices in the country

You might want to consider public transit next time you’re heading somewhere without a car. According to a study published in May by online lender NetCredit, Uber rides cost more in Washington … more

Daniel Schrager / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 6/19/25

Investigators say they found military equipment and Nazi flags in the home of two Lacey men arrested last month. (Photo courtesy of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office)

Neo-Nazis accused of robbing JBLM, possessing military-grade weapons arraigned

Two men accused of robbing Joint Base Lewis-McChord, hoarding weapons at a Lacey home and being white nationalist extremists have pleaded not guilty to several crimes. Charles Ethan Fields, 26, … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 6/19/25

TSD high school girls flag football defender Sage Rough watches the Graham-Kapowsin offense pre-snap on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.

WIAA officially adds girls flag football

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association passed the amendment to add girls flag football as an official sport. The sport was officially sanctioned in April, and the resolution to hold … more

Caleb Perez / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 6/19/25

Democrat Cantwell, Republican Blackburn voice opposition to 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations

A bipartisan group of federal and state lawmakers is voicing concern over a provision tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would restrict states from "limiting, restricting, or … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 6/19/25

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal

Washington education office cites state budget cuts as it lays off 37

Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is laying off 37 people at the start of July, part of a broader wave of state layoffs that could affect 1,000 jobs across state government. … more

Claire Withycombe / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 6/19/25

Jim McCully accepts a proclamation from the City of Centralia, presented by Mayor Pro-Tem Cameron McGee during Centralia’s Juneteenth Celebration held at George Washington Park in downtown Centralia on Wednesday, June 19.

Washington celebrates Juneteenth marking emancipation, Black perseverance

People across Washington state are celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. June 19 holds significant meaning for … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 6/19/25

'Not looking terrific for summer': High gas prices in Washington state could get worse

Washington state motorists could feel more pain at the pump than usual this summer as a combination of supply issues, global tensions and state polices drive up fuel costs. Gasoline prices … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 6/18/25