State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Artemis I leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building as it rolls out to launch pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Washington’s space economy powers the Artemis II moonshot

In 1967, as three astronauts performed a test ahead of the first crewed mission to space, a fire sparked inside the Apollo spacecraft. Unable to exit quickly, the three astronauts died. The … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/1/26

A car containing teenagers fled a traffic stop in South Everett on Nov. 9, 2024, and crashed shortly after running off the road and killing three people. The driving accused of hitting the three was brought to Washington this week and and pleaded not guilty to 10 charges. (Everett Fire Department)

Teen driver accused of killing 3 in 2024 Washington state crash arrested in L.A.

Giovanny Aparicio-Medina, a teenager accused of hitting and killing three pedestrians and injuring two with his car before running away, was arrested in March in Los Angeles, more than a year after … more

By Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times | 4/1/26

Attorney General Nick Brown signs his election certificate after being sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Washington state officials argue birthright citizenship before Supreme Court hearing

On Wednesday morning the U.S. Supreme Court will consider what makes someone a United States citizen. For more than 150 years, the United States has had a simple rule: Anyone born in the United … more

By David Gutman / The Seattle Times | 4/1/26

Seattle almost called the National Guard for help — until Trump did elsewhere

Last summer, technology staff for the city of Seattle decided they needed help: The library system had recently suffered a debilitating ransomware attack, the threat of AI agents was growing, and … more

David Kroman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/1/26

The Seattle waterfront and Ferris wheel are seen along Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington.

High value Seattle metro home sales surge amid potential capital flight

Although it’s been just a day since Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new state law imposing a 9.9% income tax on households that make $1 million, many wealthy residents haven’t waited around for the … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/1/26

Brian Heywood, founder of Let's Go Washington, during the “Let’s Go Washington” initiatives rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Washington secretary of state will not process referendum to repeal income tax law

A day after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Washington’s new income tax into law, opponents who have filed a referendum to repeal it have just learned the Secretary of State will not allow them to … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/1/26

Crews prepare the forms for new sidewalks along State Route 99 in Fife. Once the forms are complete, crews will pour concrete to complete the sidewalks. This work is part of the State Route 167 Completion Project. (Photo courtesy of WSDOT)

Highway preservation at center of new Washington transportation budget

Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a spending plan for the state transportation system that he said bolsters preservation of highways and will “deliver projects that Washingtonians rely on to get … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/31/26

Trump signs order seeking to curb vote-by-mail in bid to control state election laws

President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that attempts to restrict mail-in voting, a White House priority certain to face significant legal challenges. The order … more

By Jonathan Shorman / States Newsroom | 3/31/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Audit questions $37 million in child care payments in Washington state

Washington made an estimated $37 million in questionable child care payments over the course of a year using federal dollars, according to the state auditor’s office. A report the auditor … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/31/26

New Washington state law expands tribal sports betting to college teams

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill Monday that expands tribal sports betting and furthers gaming regulations as the state battles illegal online gambling. The new law extends sports betting on … more

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Seattle Seahawks fans celebrate with players during the team’s Super Bowl 60 trophy ceremony at Lumen Field on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Seattle.

Seahawks up next on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

For the first time in their history, the Seahawks will appear on the HBO series Hard Knocks." The announcement was made here Monday night at the NFL’s annual league meeting, according to a … more

Bob Condotta / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

How bad is Washington’s summer drought going to get?

Let’s not dance around the issue: Washington is headed straight for a rough and dry summer. The state is entering its fourth severe drought in a row, something that hasn’t happened since our … more

Conrad Swanson /The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Another ‘fireball’ seen in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia

Over 100 people in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia have reported seeing a bright fireball" on Saturday night, according to NASA and the American Meteor Society. The sighting makes it the … more

Amanda Zhou / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Hundreds of new Tesla electric vehicles, including Cybertrucks and the company's sedans and SUV Models 3, S, X, and Y, stand in a storage lot in an industrial area near a rail yard in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sun., Aug. 18, 2024.

DOGE backlash has arrived at Elon Musk’s Seattle-area SpaceX outpost

Anti-Elon Musk protests have led consumers to boycott Tesla, unsettling the company and its share price. Could public sentiment have a similar effect on Musk's privately owned space ventures? A … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Costco wants you to check out in 8 seconds with new pay stations

Hold on to your hat when you shop at Costco: The Issaquah-based retailer is testing new pay stations that should exponentially speed up checkout times. Earlier this month, the big-box warehouse … more

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Boeing is sending humans to the moon, but its space unit is struggling

A Boeing-built rocket is set to propel four astronauts to orbit the moon, marking the first time humans have left Earth orbit since the Apollo missions more than 50 years ago. That rocket — … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/26

Low Washington farm profits driven even lower by Strait of Hormuz blockade

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Farmers around the world are feeling squeezed by the Iran war. Fuel prices have shot up and fertilizer supplies are waning due to Tehran's near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz … more

Kevin Teeter / KHQ-TV / Murrow News | 3/31/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson signs a bill on March 30, 2026, that will notify immigrant workers when a federal agency announces an upcoming inspection of the business’ I-9 forms on file. Employers use the I-9 and related documents to verify employees’ identity and work authorization. Courtesy: TVW

Immigrants in Washington state to be notified of federal workplace inspections under new law

OLYMPIA — A new state law will help immigrant workers know when the records proving they can legally work in the U.S. are about to come under federal review. The Immigrant Worker Protection … more

Erick Bengel / Murrow News | 3/31/26

Washington adds safeguards for Flock cameras; new law’s once-chief supporter now has some misgivings about it

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed into law new guardrails for the use of automated license plate readers , amid concerns federal immigration authorities are tapping them to aid in their … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/30/26

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Rep. Peter Abbarno: Big wins and big losses for Lewis County after 2026 legislative session

For 20th District state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, Washington state's 2026 short legislative session came with ups and downs but also one significant win: a chance to help move along the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/30/26