State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Brent Hennrich speaks with attendees during a campaign kickoff event at AMC Classic Theater in Vancouver on Thursday, April 2. The gathering marked the start of his campaign to represent Washington’s Third Congressional District.

Brent Hennrich officially launches congressional campaign in Vancouver as he challenges MGP

Democrat Brent Hennrich officially launched his campaign for Washington’s Third Congressional District on Thursday, April 2, setting up a primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Rep. Marie … more

By Norman Helgason / For The Chronicle | 4/6/26

After gray whale dies 20 miles inland in Willapa River, experts fear for species

Three gray whales have turned up dead in Southwest Washington this week, a worrying sign that these massive ocean dwellers are struggling to bounce back after years of drastic death counts and … more

By Hannah Furfaro and Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/6/26

An example of one of the more common fake texts, where the judge is listed as “John Smith,” who doesn’t actually exist. (King County District Court)

Scammers targeting Washington drivers with texts about bogus tickets

Authorities in Washington are warning drivers about widespread traffic-ticket phishing scams. Many drivers in the Evergreen State have received spam emails and texts in recent months saying they … more

By Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/6/26

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

Washington senator defends ‘R-word’ during floor debate following governor’s directive

A Washington state lawmaker, who took a lot of heat after using the “R” word on the Senate floor to describe those with developmental disabilities, is feeling somewhat vindicated in the concerns … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/6/26

Legislators, family members and friends join lawmakers on the House floor to celebrate the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia.

$375 million bond debt indirectly funding Washington state operating budget

Editor's Note: This is part of an ongoing Center Square series examining increases in Washington state spending over several years and determining what taxpayers' money is being used for by state … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/6/26

Baskets of ballots sit at a new ballot processing center in Thurston County, Washington, on Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Democratic states sue Trump over mail-in ballot order, joining rush to courts

President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail ballots faced a fresh challenge on Friday, as a coalition of Democratic states filed a lawsuit seeking to block an order that experts say … more

By Jonathan Shorman / States Newsroom | 4/6/26

Washington clashes in court with prediction market platforms Kalshi and Robinhood

Washington sued the online prediction market platform Kalshi last week with claims that the company is violating state gambling laws. Now, one of Kalshi’s partners is biting back. … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/6/26

Radio host John Carlson shakes hands with Brian Heywood, Republican Party donor, during the “Let’s Go Washington” initiatives rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Heywood asks Washington Supreme Court to allow referendum effort on income tax

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax asked the state Supreme Court on Friday to allow them to pursue a referendum in hopes of giving voters a shot at repealing the controversial new law this … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/6/26

Lawsuit aims to block new eligibility requirements for Washington sheriffs

Four Eastern Washington sheriffs filed suit Friday seeking to block a new law that provides a path to remove sheriffs from office . The sheriffs — John Nowels of Spokane County, Glenn … more

ByJake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/6/26

Oregon man stole dogs after breaking into shelter, police say

Dallan J. Annon allegedly broke into the Coos County Animal Shelter last week and walked out with several dogs, according to the sheriff’s department. Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy put out a … more

Laura Gunderson / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/26

Denny’s lottery heist leads to 14-year prison term for Aloha man

An Aloha man who stole $8,200 in video lottery cash from a Happy Valley Denny’s — then assaulted a fellow inmate while locked up in jail — was sentenced to 14 years in prison Thursday, the … more

Michael Russell / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/26

‘Total chaos:’ Fans concerned after medical emergency at Bruce Springsteen’s Portland show

Fans raised concerns over what they considered a slow response to a man suffering a medical emergency at Bruce Springsteen’s concert Friday at Portland’s Moda Center. According to several … more

Michael Russell / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/26

Eviction filings inch up as Portland seeks to spend $56M in housing funds

Residential eviction filings in Multnomah County last year inched up as Portland leaders weigh how to spend millions in unbudgeted housing funds. The Oregonian/OregonLive reviewed data from two … more

Jonathan Bach / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/26

One industry is propping up Oregon’s job market

Oregon’s labor market was essentially flat last year, adding just a handful of jobs across all industries. But one sector grew much faster — health care. Overall, the health care field … more

Mike Rogoway / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/26

Late night, high-speed pursuit of car on I-5 ends with two in custody, WSP says

State troopers pursued a vehicle traveling over two times the speed limit on southbound Interstate 5 Friday night, Trooper Kameron Watts shared on X. The BMW was first observed by a King County … more

Bonny Matejowsky / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 4/5/26

Trump wants Congress to slash social services and give him $1.5 trillion for the military, but Patty Murray stands in his way

In a speech at a private lunch Wednesday billed as a celebration of Easter, President Donald Trump told the White House budget chief he wants the federal government to spend money on the military, … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/5/26

Measles case confirmed in southeast Washington. Patient was not vaccinated

A case of measles has been confirmed in Walla Walla County, the first there this year and the 32nd case in 2026 in Washington state. The majority of the cases are in Western Washington, but … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 4/5/26

A young tired skier gets a tow from a snowboarder after a day of Christmas Eve skiing on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the White Pass Ski Area.

Washington state ski season extended after spring snowstorm

April is far from the cruelest month this year for Washington skiers and snowboarders. A spring snowstorm on Wednesday and Thursday brought unseasonably cold temperatures and up to a foot of snow in … more

Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26

Washington state timber industry buffeted by regulations, trade war

Countless logging trucks rumbled through timber country, their drivers headed toward Hampton Lumber's sawmill in Morton. Low-hanging clouds touched the tops of the rolling foothills, with patches of … more

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26

Detained Washington state immigrant wants to leave the U.S. ICE is keeping him here

A Russian man held in Washington's Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center went on a hunger strike for the third time in March. His plea: Let him leave the U.S. You would think that … more

Nina Shapiro / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26