State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

This NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center hangar houses a Gulfstream III airplane that the center will use during the Artemis II mission to track the capsule as it reenters the atmosphere.

Moon-bound Artemis II astronauts get help for Microsoft Outlook glitch

A day into Artemis II’s 10-day journey around the moon — the first such mission in over 50 years — astronauts told Houston they had a problem: They couldn’t open their email. “I have … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26

As sports betting grows, is Washington state equipped to treat gambling addiction?

Editor's note: Is gambling causing problems for you or a loved one? Help is available in Washington and around the country. Find a list of resources here. Gambling on big sporting events like … more

Taylor Blatchford / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26

Fire damages Puyallup junior high; unclear when classes will resume

One day into spring break, an electrical fire erupted Saturday morning at Ferrucci Junior High in Puyallup. It’s unclear whether students can return after the break. No one was believed … more

Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/5/26

Gray whale, seen 20 miles inland, dies in Willapa River

A young gray whale that amazed and confounded onlookers for days this week after winding up 20 miles inland in a Southwest Washington river has died, according to the marine wildlife nonprofit … more

By Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/4/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood speaks to supporters of the Let’s Go Washington initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from girls’ athletics during a rally at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Let’s Go Washington hopes to take rejected referendum case to Supreme Court

Let’s Go Washington (LGW) announced in a news release Thursday it will file a lawsuit against Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs challenging the alleged improper use of a “necessity … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

Seattle death lawsuit over 911 ambulance wait clears hurdle

A lawsuit that blames Seattle's 911 service for the death of a caller who waited 10 hours for an ambulance — and who allegedly never got care — is moving forward. The city and its ambulance … more

Daniel Beekman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/3/26

Why Seattle tech companies are still laying off workers

Layoffs at tech companies are continuing at a blistering pace this year as the industry navigates emerging artificial intelligence trends and the ballooning costs associated with them. The tech … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/3/26

Starbucks rolls out performance bonuses, tipping changes for baristas

Starbucks is extending its baristas the chance to earn $300 quarterly bonuses, on top of other changes meant to sweeten the retail employee experience. The Seattle-based coffee giant debuted its … more

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/3/26

Jerry Denson, 36, was arrested in West Seattle and booked into King County Jail, according to a statement from State Patrol. Denson was placed on the agency’s Most Wanted list in 2017, after he failed to appear in court on a vehicular homicide charge, the statement read.

Washington State Patrol detectives arrest homicide suspect after 9 years

Washington State Patrol detectives arrested a man suspected in a homicide Thursday, more than nine years after he allegedly crashed his car while under the influence of alcohol, leading to the death … more

4/3/26

UW professor removed as director of Middle East Center

A University of Washington professor said he was terminated as director of the university’s Middle East Center after he sent messages on the center’s listserv that criticized the U.S. and … more

By Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/3/26

Members of the Guemes Island Fire Department on March 31 collected canine carcasses washed ashore on the beach for autopsies and DNA testing. (Olivia Cole / Guemes Island Fire Department)

‘I haven’t slept very much’: Up to 20 dead canines wash ashore in Skagit County

Authorities are investigating after as many as 20 dead canines — some found skinned, missing front paws and with twine wrapped around their necks — washed ashore since last Thursday in coastal … more

By Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/3/26

The James F. Battin federal courthouse in Billings, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Former BIA officer pleads guilty to sexually assaulting a teenager, lying to the FBI

A former Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer charged with sexually assaulting a Northern Cheyenne teenager while in custody and lying to the FBI about the incident changed his plea in federal … more

By Darrell Ehrlick / The Daily Montanan | 4/3/26

The Idaho State Capitol building can be seen near the old Ada County Courthouse in Boise on March 20, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho House passes bill to allow guns in courthouses

The Idaho House passed a bill that could allow members of the public to concealed carry guns inside some parts of courthouses. House Bill 621 would allow people to concealed carry guns inside … more

By Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 4/3/26

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon speaks during a March 2024 meeting of the Senate Finance Committee. (Screenshot from committee webcast)

Oregon senator urges federal officials to protect Social Security info despite Trump order

Oregon’s senior U.S. senator on Friday urged federal officials to uphold their duty to protect Social Security data despite demands from President Donald Trump to use that information to create a … more

By Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 4/3/26

Efforts to advance a floating offshore wind industry on the Oregon Coast have been challenged by opposition from coastal communities, tribes, the fishing industry and changing federal administrations. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)

Public comment extended on future of offshore wind in Oregon, including none at all

Oregonians have one more month to weigh in on the future of floating offshore wind energy in the state, including a path forward that would abandon the effort for now. State officials extended … more

By Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 4/3/26

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson speaks during her first address as mayor, surrounded by supporters holding signs.

Seattle mayor’s World Cup homeless reduction plan may not happen

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s plan to build more homeless units before the World Cup begins in Seattle may be difficult to achieve, a City Council staff memo says. While Wilson's goal was to … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 4/3/26

The Starbucks Coffee location at 400 Pine Street is seen in Seattle.

Starbucks closes five more stores in Seattle

Starbucks is closing five stores in Seattle in the latest round of shuttered coffee shops, according to a file submitted to Washington state officials. The new shutdowns come after the company … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 4/3/26

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

As Washington lawmakers punt on school cellphone ban, some want more action

During a recent lunch period at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in Seattle, Principal Zachary Stowell said his walkie talkie was quiet. No fights. No incidents. It wasn’t like this when he … more

By Nate Sanford / Murrow News | 4/3/26

WDFW commissioner accuses agency director of retaliation in lawsuit

A federal lawsuit filed Thursday accuses the leaders of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife of attempting to silence a member of the citizen panel that oversees the agency in … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/3/26

From the left, Eastmont High School student Ahnaleigh Wilson, Tumwater High School student Frances Stuadt and W.F. West High School students Joy and Drees Cushman prepare to give public comment during a “listening session” with Republican state lawmakers concerning Initiative IL26-638 that would bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Families at center of Washington transgender sports debate face-to-face with OSPI

Two months after Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal told The Center Square he would meet with two female athletes who’ve become the face of the effort to protects … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/2/26