News | The Daily Chronicle

Some Washington state food bank clients getting less as providers stretch supply to cope with cuts

As the pandemic started to subside, Judy Jones figured that demand at the Thurston County Food Bank might plateau. Instead the number of new clients has continued to grow about 6% to 8% each week, … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/12/25

‘Harassment’ or dog walk? Why Washington state police chief called cops on his neighbors

A not-so neighborly dispute on the Lakewood police chief’s street last year involving a resident’s routine of walking her dog with a flashlight led to the deployment of a police … more

Peter Talbot / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/12/25

Mother charged after Pierce County boy, 5, dies from fentanyl toxicity

A Pierce County mother has been arrested after her 5-year-old son died from fentanyl toxicity in March. Jordan Elizabeth Shank, 32, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter for her … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/12/25

Student speaks up on why she joined effort to ban transgender girls from WIAA competition

Prosser's Soleil Hoefer decided she needed to speak out to protect female athletes after one of her teammates ran against a transgender athlete at an invitational and the 2A state track meet last … more

Luke Thompson / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 5/12/25

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife A commercial fisher caught this Chinese mitten crab east of Tongue Point along the Lower Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon, on April 22.

Chinese mitten crab could be trouble for Washington state

Wildlife officials are asking the public to report sightings of this long-legged, furry-clawed crustacean. Oregon and Washington wildlife officials are asking people to keep an eye out for … more

By April Ehrlich / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 5/12/25

Chinook Indian Nation Chairman Tony Johnson stands on Johnson Beach in Bay Center, Wash., on April 17, 2025.

Chinook Indian Nation federal status uncertain again

The Chinook Indian Nation of Southwest Washington has been trying to get federal recognition from the U.S. government since the mid-90s. But is that possible without someone to champion their cause … more

By Erik Neumann / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 5/12/25

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove speaks at the Wildfire Ready event at Yelm Community Center on Saturday, April 26.

Washington public lands commissioner warns state cut wildfire prevention by $60M

As federal cuts shake the U.S. Forest Service ahead of wildfire season, Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said Friday that Washington state also eliminated around $60 million in fire … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 5/12/25

Gov. Ferguson signs bill to further incentivize ADU construction in Washington state

Earlier this week, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into a law a bill to utilize Accessory Dwelling Units as part of an effort to solve Washington state’s housing shortage. An ADU is a smaller … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/12/25

Legal assistants Analesa Mason, left, and Alondra Maqueda, right, work in their shared office at The Way to Justice in Spokane. (Photo by Erick Doxey/InvestigateWest)

‘It’s a gut punch’: Washington state civil legal aid organizations mourn state funding cuts

An unexpected slash to a small corner of Washington’s state budget has civil legal aid organizations scrambling to plan for a future without financial support. Both the House and Senate … more

By Moe K. Clark / InvestigateWest | 5/12/25

Friday marked the deadline for candidates seeking nine seats in Washington's Legislature to file to run in elections this year. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Legislative ballot battles shaping up for Washington state’s fall elections

Intriguing match-ups in the fall elections emerged Friday as Democrats look to retain control of several seats in the Washington state Legislature. Two Senate contests should provide a test of … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/12/25

A sign and fence at the Green Hill School for juvenile offenders, in Chehalis, Washington. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

No fixes on horizon for crowding crisis in Washington state’s youth prisons

Problems with overcrowding have enveloped the Green Hill School juvenile detention center in Chehalis for nearly two years, leading to unsafe conditions for the minors incarcerated there and the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/12/25

Driver airlifted after being rear-ended on U.S. HIghway 12 in Salkum Sunday

A 69-year-old Ethel man was airlifted to Tacoma General Hospital on Sunday after the vehicle he was driving was rear-ended by another vehicle on U.S. Highway 12 in Salkum, according to the Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/11/25

Motorcyclist suspected of DUI after crash on state Route 508 near Cinebar

A 39-year-old Cinebar man could face DUI and reckless driving charges after crashing his motorcycle into an oncoming vehicle on state Route 508 on Saturday, May 10, according to the Washington State … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/11/25

A woman flipped her car after drifting off the side of the road near Lebam on Tuesday.

Woman flips car near Lebam on state Route 6 on Tuesday

At about 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Pacific County Dispatch toned out a Raymond Fire Department Ambulance and Pacific County District 3 Fire stations Menlo and Lebam for a report of a single vehicle … more

By The Daily World | 5/10/25

Law enforcement officers are seen outside a home on Friday, May 9 in the 1800 block of West Side Highway in Kelso.

Four shot at Cowlitz County home after 'child exchange'

Four people have been shot and a juvenile is in custody following a shooting investigation on Friday at a home near Riverside Park in Lexington. Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office reports … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 5/10/25

Washington state hospitals push for veto of lower state insurance reimbursements

Washington hospitals are urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto a bill that would limit health insurance reimbursement rates for state workers and public school employees. The bill is designed to … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 5/10/25

Attorney General Nick Brown (center) announces a lawsuit against the Trump administration in Seattle, Washington, on May 9, 2025, over its declaration of an energy emergency. (Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Trump energy emergency latest target for Washington state attorney general

Washington and 14 other states are suing the Trump administration over the president’s declaration of an “energy emergency” to speed up permitting for fossil fuel projects. … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/9/25

Attendees leave the meeting as Patty Howard of Hope Housing Collaborative gives a speech during an informational meeting at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Chehalis on Wednesday, May 7.

Chehalis residents challenge church's safe parking pilot program

A Wednesday night informational meeting at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Chehalis regarding its safe parking pilot program with Hope Housing Collaborative started with a prayer and ended with … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 5/9/25

Colvin Ranch Day: Tenino ranch to host celebration for conservation easement’s 20th anniversary

Colvin Ranch, a Tenino-based family-owned cattle ranch founded in 1854, is hosting a celebration marking a milestone for the ranch’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/9/25

Young kids learn how to show sheep during the Spring Youth Fair at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 3.

Participation surged at 2025 Spring Youth Fair

The Spring Youth Fair started off its jam-packed weekend last Friday with a dedication event officially renaming the exposition hall in honor of Lewis County’s beloved “fair father” … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/9/25