State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Oregon officials and members of Newport’s fishing community take a tour of the city’s municipal airport in November. (Photo by Shaanth Nanguneri/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Anticipating early 2026 opening, Oregon seeks to block potential ICE facility

Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block … more

By Shaanth Nanguneri / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 12/23/25

Napavine Superintendent Shane Schutz speaks with Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez about the CTE program at Napavine High School on Tuesday, April 22.

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez announces millions in federal funding for two Lewis County projects

The federal government awarded funding to five projects across Southwest Washington last month after requests were filed by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, according to a news release … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 12/22/25

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste in this photo provided by the state patrol.

Racial disparities persist with Washington State Patrol traffic stops

Washington state troopers stop and search drivers of color more often than white Washingtonians, new data shows. Washington State Patrol’s total traffic stops statewide dropped slightly in … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 12/22/25

Second vehicle hit fallen Washington state trooper; Tacoma police search for pickup

Tacoma police believe a second vehicle hit a Washington State Patrol trooper who died Friday night on Highway 509. Officials said Saturday that Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was struck and … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/22/25

The Chehalis River meanders through clear-cut timberland on Weyerhaeuser property upstream from Pe Ell. Loggers are required to maintain trees in the riparian zone.

Southwest Washington counties slated to lose millions due to new state limit on loggable land

Officials in timber-dependent counties around Southwest Washington say the state Forest Practices Board’s new rule expanding no-logging zones around some streams amounts to an economic siege. … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 12/22/25

Troopers suspect DUI caused crash on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway that injured two

Authorities say alcohol or drugs were involved in a one-car accident Friday afternoon on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, just before Seaquest State Park near Castle Rock. An injured passenger from … more

The Daily News | 12/22/25

Weekend earthquakes reported off the Oregon coast

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck about 175 miles off the coast of Bandon on Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake, which hit just before 2 a.m., did not … more

Sami Edge, The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/21/25

Portland-based meat company recalls ready-made sausage

Double-check your sausage before putting it out for guests this holiday season. Portland-based Olympia Provisions has recalled about 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat “holiday kielbasa sausages,” … more

Lizzy Acker / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/21/25

When the Clackamas River spilled over its banks, over 5 feet of floodwater submerged their house

At least there was some warning. On Wednesday, as an atmospheric river headed to the Pacific Northwest, Matthew Lynch kept one eye on the weather. Lynch lives with his wife, Vanessa … more

Lizzy Acker / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/21/25

What’s going on with FEMA aid for Washington state floods

President Donald Trump issued a quick emergency declaration amid Washington's historic flooding earlier this month, authorizing initial help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/21/25

Washington state National Guard to watch Green, White, Cedar river levees 24/7

Gov. Bob Ferguson will deploy 100 Washington National Guard members to help address flooding and levee failures, as another atmospheric river is expected around Dec. 28," he announced at a news … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/21/25

Washington state trooper injured on Highway 512 in fifth incident in a week

A Washington State Patrol trooper was struck by a vehicle and injured Sunday morning while helping a motorist on Highway 512 in Pierce County, the agency reported. The trooper, whose name was … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/21/25

Second vehicle hit fallen Washington state trooper; Tacoma police search for pickup

Tacoma police believe a second vehicle hit a Washington State Patrol trooper who died Friday night on Highway 509. Officials said Saturday that Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was struck and … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/21/25

Sea-Tac Airport’s answer to crowding? Construction

In September 2022, travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport waited over an hour to clear security checkpoints. Lines stretched all the way to the airport's parking lot. By the next … more

Lauren Rosenblatt and Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/21/25

Some states have issued guidances for schools in connection with how to respond to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. (ICE Office/TNS)

Portland woman sentenced for waving knife near ICE building

A 47-year-old Portland woman Friday was sentenced to time served, just under four months, for intimidating a federal officer outside Portland U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in June … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/20/25

Sen. Chris Gorsek, a Democrat from Gresham, pictured in the Oregon Senate in January. Gorsek has continued participating in some legislative work as he recovers from a stroke he experienced during back surgery in August.

Health issues delay investigation into Portland-area lawmaker’s conduct

Sen. Chris Gorsek, a Democrat from Gresham, has continued participating in legislative work as he recovers from a stroke he experienced during back surgery in August, which he said affected his … more

Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/20/25

A towering western redcedar tree is the highlight of the Rockaway Beach Old Growth Cedar Preserve on the north Oregon coast.

You think you’ve seen a big tree? Why we can no longer recognize a real forest

Stand in awe before a towering Douglas fir in an Oregon forest, and you might believe you’re experiencing the majesty of old growth. But according to environmental educator Ross Reid, what most of … more

Jamie Hale, Chiara Profenna / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/20/25

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

Bridge closure limits access to Mount Rainier. Emergency funds could rebuild it

Legislators have introduced a new bill that would aim to restore access on state Route 165 at the site of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge. Jayme Peloli, the mayor-elect of Wilkeson, told The … more

Isabela Lund / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 12/20/25

Flood water from the Cowlitz River surrounds a farm and livestock in Randle on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Washington is giving $1 million to flood victims

The state of Washington is giving $1 million in cash to those affected by flooding. An atmospheric river-fuelled storm left much of Western Washington under water, damaging roads, destroying … more

The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 12/20/25

‘Tax the rich’ may be reaching a boiling point in Washington state

When the state’s first tax on the super-wealthy went up for a public vote last year, Democrats held their collective breath. For decades, the party’s pitch has been that taxes are so … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/20/25