State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers the State of the State address for the 2026 Legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

First grants awarded under Washington state’s new $100M police hiring program

The first two grants from Washington’s new $100 million effort to boost law enforcement hiring have been awarded to local police departments, after months of frustration over the program’s … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/10/26

Portland Public Schools will cut administrator jobs amid budget shortfall

Multiple senior-level employees who work in administrative roles for Portland Public Schools were told Monday that they will have to reapply for their jobs for the upcoming school year — and that … more

Julia Silverman / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/10/26

Woman given credit time served after her toddler overdosed on her fentanyl

A 36-year-old woman whose toddler overdosed on fentanyl in her Spokane Valley home was given credit for the three months she served in jail, according to a Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/10/26

Call 911 in Seattle? You might end up in an Uber

More than 1,000 times in a year, someone in Seattle may dial 911 for an ambulance to the hospital and get picked up by an Uber instead. Proponents say these rides can save patients money and … more

Daniel Beekman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/10/26

Seattle’s social media scene — who’s scrolling what?

Social media use is widespread among Seattle metro-area adults. The latest survey data from market-research giant Nielsen shows around 92% of adults, or roughly 3 million people, have visited at … more

Gene Balk / FYI Guy / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/10/26

Washington state police mask ban approved by lawmakers, heads to governor

The Washington state Senate gave final approval Monday to a bill banning law enforcement officers from wearing face-concealing masks while interacting with the public, sending the measure to the … more

Sophia Sostrin / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/10/26

Bill that would strengthen standards for Washington state sheriffs headed to governor

After a contentious hourslong debate in the state House of Representatives, a bill that would strengthen standards for Washington's elected sheriffs and make it easier to oust them is set to land on … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/10/26

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

Washington state House pulls an all-nighter as income tax debate continues

Washington state lawmakers pulled an all-nighter on the House floor in debating a controversial income tax bill Monday evening into Tuesday morning. Legislators returned shortly after 7 a.m. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/10/26

Theo Angelis, a Seattle litigator, was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Olympia. (Photo courtesy of the governor’s office)

Seattle litigator appointed to Washington state Supreme Court

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday appointed Seattle litigator Theo Angelis to the state Supreme Court to replace outgoing Justice Barbara Madsen. Angelis, 53, comes to the high court … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/9/26

Governor Bob Ferguson appears with supporters of the bill after signing the legislation into law on March 9, 2026. House Bill 2355 establishes labor rights for nannies, gardeners and other domestic workers. (Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers to gain state protections in Washington

New protections for domestic workers in Washington will take effect next year under a bill Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Monday. Before the bill signing, close to 100 people gathered on the … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/9/26

A sign at Jefferson Park in Seattle indicates the property can't be used to enforce civil immigration enforcement, Sept. 25, 2026.

Seattle may have to 'delay or defer' transportation projects to pay for anti-ICE signs

The city of Seattle may need to "delay or defer" transportation projects or programs because of the expense of installing hundreds of signs warning that city property cannot be used by federal … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 3/9/26

Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, speaking on the Senate floor on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Republican senator says provoking remark was 'intentional' to highlight safety concerns

Spokane Valley Republican Sen. Leonard Christian is not backing down from comments on the Senate floor last week that drew condemnation from some in his own caucus, including the other four … more

3/9/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse speaks about parental rights at a rally, organized by Let’s Go Washington, at the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Federal judge to rule on whether Kruse, Choe and Hoffman will receive emergency credentials

A federal judge in Tacoma is expected to issue a ruling no later than early Tuesday, March 10, in a closely watched case over press credentials for covering the Washington State Legislature. The case … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/9/26

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders addresses the audience in Yelm at his town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Sheriff Sanders calls for veto of bill that could disqualify opponent

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders is calling on Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto a bill that, among other changes, would allow for the removal of elected sheriffs who are decertified by … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/9/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, appeared on CNN in an interview with Jake Tapper on Thursday to talk about the issue and her now-continued opposition to similar situations of federal lawmakers attempting to select their political successors.

MGP on Republican senator picking successor: ‘It's weaselly and it’s offensive and it’s gotta stop’

Washington Third Congressional District U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, called out yet another dramatic campaign filing incident on the floor of the United States House of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Attorney General Nick Brown greets legislators in the House chambers at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Washington secures court order to enforce ruling that requires FEMA to restore billions in disaster mitigation funding

Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown and a multistate coalition recently secured a court order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take concrete steps to reverse the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

FILE PHOTO — The Chinook fry that Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Clear Creek Hatchery have donated to Gig Harbor’s Minter Creek Hatchery shoot out of a hose and into the truck that will transport them in 2020.

Strickland, Cantwell, Murray introduce bill restoring Nisqually Tribe ownership of Clear Creek Hatchery

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District, recently introduced the Nisqually Clear Creek Hatchery Land Transfer Act of 2026, a news release from Strickland … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

DEA makes largest drug seizure in Eastern Washington history

The Drug Enforcement Administration made the largest drug bust in Eastern Washington history when agents this week seized about 370 pounds of narcotics and approximately $2 million in cash as part of … more

By Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review | 3/9/26

Washington gas prices hit $4.63, up more than 25 cents in a week

Washingtonians are paying $4.63 on average for a gallon of gas, about 33% more than the average American as prices surge more than a week into the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, according to AAA. … more

By Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times | 3/9/26

Spokane's winter weather has been like a lamb all season. Here are the stats that prove it

It's been a warm winter in Spokane. The temperature never fell into the single digits during December, January and February, during what the National Weather Service considers "meteorological … more

Jonathan Brunt / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/9/26