State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Denied federal recognition, Chinook Indian Nation vows to fight

A Pacific Northwest tribe is vowing to continue its fight for federal recognition after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to settle the issue. The high court on Monday declined to take … more

By Jamie Hale / The Oregonian | 3/25/26

Gluesenkamp Perez pushes state leaders to reopen Skamania Hatchery

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, is encouraging the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring the Skamania Hatchery back into operation after its abrupt and unpopular closure … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/25/26

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.

Data: High-value Washington state home listings increase by 65% after income tax passage

The number of high-priced homes listed for sale in Washington state that cost $2 million or more increased significantly the day after the state Legislature passed an income tax on millionaires, … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 3/25/26

19th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall Tuesday, April 7

Washington Sen. Jeff Wilson and Reps. Jim Walsh and Joel McEntire are inviting residents of Southwest Washington's 19th Legislative District to join them for a one-hour virtual town hall meeting … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/25/26

Senator Nikki Torres, a former Pasco City Council member, talks to demonstrators outside the Washington State Capitol building in Olympia for Child Abuse Prevention Month during an event organized by the family of Hazel Journey on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Governor signs Sen. Nikki Torres bill establishing crash prevention zones

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, to address dangerous crash hotspots on Washington roadways was signed into law Friday during a bill signing ceremony in Yakima this week. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/25/26

Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, listens during a House floor debate on SB 6346 on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

Governor signs Couture’s bill to help retirees combat affordability crisis with faster pension payouts

On Monday, March 23, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2124, sponsored by Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, to modernize how small pension benefits are paid out. The bill is a fix to the outdated … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/25/26

PETA protests treatment of elephant at circus stop in Astoria

A traveling circus set to perform in Astoria this week is drawing protests from animal rights activists, who plan to gather outside the Clatsop County Fairgrounds & Expo on Wednesday to call for … more

Aislin Tweedy / The Daily Astorian, Ore. (TNS) | 3/25/26

100-mile transmission line would bring power to Portland. But there’s a major catch

A private developer wants to build a new transmission line stretching 100 miles from The Dalles to Portland — pitching the project as a critical fix for one of the region’s most pressing energy … more

Gosia Wozniacka / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/25/26

Remains found in Oregon identified as 19-year-old missing for 50 years

Nearly 50 years after a logging crew discovered a skull and scapula near Williams, Oregon, Oregon State Police announced on Tuesday that investigators had identified the remains as a Montana teenager … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/25/26

Washington Legislature sees change with key retirements

Multiple high-profile departures will reshape the Washington state Legislature as several senators and representatives have announced plans to retire or make bids for higher office. The exits … more

Sophia Sostrin / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

Starbucks heads south? Coffee giant takes large office in Nashville, documents show

In the latest sign of Starbucks' shifting strategy, the Seattle-based coffee giant is leasing a 250,000-square-foot office big enough for 2,000 people in Nashville, Tenn., according to a copy of the … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

Police are searching for Robert Child, a 60-year-old man who is about 6 feet tall, 250 pounds and bald, the sheriff’s office said.

Double homicide suspect sought by Mason County sheriff’s office

The Mason County sheriff’s office is searching for the suspect of a double homicide in the Hoodsport area who is considered armed and dangerous. Police are searching for Robert Child, a … more

By Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

King County Council votes to ban ICE from county property

The Metropolitan King County Council voted Tuesday to restrict federal immigration enforcement from using county property. The legislation intends to bar immigration agents from using county … more

David Gutman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

Singkham Souphommanichanh goes razor clamming at Twin Harbors beach.

Lao refugees make a new home in Pacific County

Not long after Vientiane, the capital of Laos, fell in December 1975, Singkham Souphommanichanh fled from his village and disappeared into the mountains. Communist forces knew that he had worked with … more

Riley Yuan / Chinook Observer | 3/25/26

Jake Bobo goes over Carolina's Donte Jackson for the 5-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. The Carolina Panthers played the Seattle Seahawks in NFL Football Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. 225064

Seahawks make signings of three players, including Jake Bobo, official

The Seahawks on Tuesday made three free-agent signings official. That included receiver Jake Bobo, who signed a two-year contract a day after it was learned the Seahawks would match an offer sheet he … more

Bob Condotta / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

New Washington state law focuses on literacy in the early grades

Starting next September, public schools looking to buy or update early literacy, reading and writing curricula for students in kindergarten through fourth grade must ensure the materials are aligned … more

Denisa R. Superville / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/25/26

Idaho doctor who treats high-risk pregnancies is suing state over its abortion laws

A court case challenging Idaho’s abortion bans under the U.S. Constitution will go to trial in June, where a Boise maternal-fetal medicine specialist hopes to win a carve-out in the state’s … more

Nicole Blanchard / The Idaho Statesman (TNS) | 3/25/26

A screen shot of nearby home security footage taken on Aug. 20, 2025, provided by a witness to the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office.

Cowlitz County police officer cleared after accused of striking suspect with SUV

A Longview police officer accused of hitting a fleeing suspect with an unmarked police SUV has been cleared of any wrongdoing. A Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office incident report obtained through … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 3/25/26

Protesters hold signs across the street from Mark Morris High School Tuesday, Feb. 10. They criticized what they described as a lack of response from the school after several students were accused of sexual assault.

Citizens threaten board recall as third-party investigator continues Mark Morris probe

A third-party investigator is currently reviewing documents as part of a review of Longview School District policies related to student athletes and allegations of sexual harassment, while citizens … more

By Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 3/25/26

The Red Bull Pit Stop Tour is seen outside a Walmart in this courtesy photo.

Amazon and Walmart fined for selling banned refrigerant in Washington state

Retail giants Amazon and Walmart are collectively facing over a million dollars in environmental fines from Washington state’s Department of Ecology for selling coolant products that contain potent … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/25/26