State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

More than 40 legislative leaders from 30-plus states met at the inaugural Assembly of State Legislative Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, this week. The group is calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights.

Respect states’ rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds

A new group of bipartisan state legislative leaders issued a declaration at their first meeting calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights and an end to federal intrusion into state laws. … more

Kevin Hardy / Stateline | 12/18/25

'Penny-pinching' jails costing inmates their lives, families allege

Ava Petersen says she inherited a number of wonderful traits from her father, Eric, such as his deep love for animals, fishing and spending time in nature. But one of the best things he passed … more

Analisa Trofimuk / Albany Democrat-Herald (TNS) | 12/18/25

The Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, a 6-mile stretch on the Willamette River, stores 90 percent of Oregon's fuels, including crude oil, diesel, renewable diesel and gasoline. Portland's Planning Commission is parsing proposals on how and when to reduce storage capacity at the hub.

Portland faces pressure to reduce storage capacity at fuel hub amid quake risks

The city’s proposal to reduce storage capacity at the fuels hub in Northwest Portland has drawn sharp criticism from community advocates and others who argue the proposed timeline is dangerously … more

Gosia Wozniacka / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/18/25

Police ID 18-year-old who allegedly flashed gun at bus passengers, fled officers in North Portland

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has publicly identified the man who allegedly brandished a gun at TriMet passengers on Wednesday — then triggered an hours-long manhunt after he fled into a … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/18/25

Map shows where in Oregon and Washington the most rain could fall during Thursday’s atmospheric river

Once again, an atmospheric river is bringing heavy rain to Portland and the entire Pacific Northwest. Many people, especially in Washington, are struggling with the impacts of one atmospheric … more

Lizzy Acker / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/18/25

Washington state carbon market revenue hits $4.3B as prices reach record

Prices in Washington’s carbon market have continued to trend upward as the price of emission allowances reached an all-time high this month. The state held four auctions between September and … more

Amanda Zhou / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/18/25

As Washington state winds and floods die down, chilly air will bring mountain snow

After a vigorous night of wind and rain that downed trees and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of residents, the weather will get closer to December norms for the Seattle area. Wind … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/18/25

Seattle youth homelessness nonprofit workers quit over shelter concerns

Sherrie Weis loved her job. The former case manager at YouthCare’s adolescent shelter in Seattle used to work 20-hour shifts, go home, take a shower, sleep two hours and be right back at work. … more

Greg Kim / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/18/25

In Whatcom County, Gov. Ferguson talks flood damage, recovery with local leaders

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson visited Whatcom County on Wednesday to survey flooding damage and meet with city leaders. He called the sight of the damage in Sumas and Everson “sobering.” … more

Julia Hawkins / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 12/18/25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest a fugitive in 2020.

Immigration arrests in Washington state surged in recent months

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensified across Washington in the late summer and early fall, new data indicates. Between July 29 and Oct. 15, U.S. Immigration and … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 12/17/25

ca. 2000, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA --- Waterfall Surrounded by Vegetation

Several popular state parks in Oregon are closed to the public due to widespread storm damage that has closed highways and left thousands without power across western Oregon. Silver Falls, Ecola … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

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

ICE agents fired pepper balls in Portland neighborhood, drawing rebuke from city officials

Portland leaders this week condemned federal agents’ use of pepper balls on bystanders in a North Portland neighborhood last week when they gathered to document the arrest of a parent who was … more

Yesenia Amaro / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

Elk stampede through Oregon coast town

Elk have taken over the streets of Cannon Beach. Herds of Roosevelt elk are a relatively common sight around the north Oregon coast town, especially in the fall and winter, when the big animals … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

Oregon makes it easier for Medicaid members to get birth control at pharmacies

Oregon health officials this week announced a new policy change to make it easier for people enrolled in Medicaid to access birth control. As of Tuesday, Oregonians enrolled in the Oregon Health … more

Kristine de Leon / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

Oregon GOP candidate for governor faces ethics investigations for pair of family-related actions

Danielle Bethell, a Marion County commissioner running for governor in 2026, faces a pair of state ethics investigations into whether she used her elected position to benefit her son and daughter. … more

Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

Portland officials forecast another sizable budget shortfall for next year

Portland officials Tuesday revealed early warning signs of a sizable shortfall for the city’s budget next fiscal year as taxes and fees that pay for essential municipal services are projected to … more

Shane Dixon Kavanaugh / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/17/25

King County dams holding as rains continue to pummel region

An atmospheric river on Tuesday continued to swell rivers, topple barriers, shave roadways and force evacuations. But through it all, two major dams in King County have done their jobs to protect … more

Patrick Malone / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/17/25

Flood water covers land near the Cowlitz River in Randle on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Washington state floods hit many uninsured small farms with ‘varied’ damages

The last time Mariposa Farm in Everson got flooded, owners Joaquin and Liz Lopez spent about $100,000 replacing equipment, repairing infrastructure and writing off lost produce. That was just four … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/17/25

The Cowlitz River runs against the bank of a home off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Washington state schools grapple with flooding fallout

Four years ago, 4 feet of water flooded into Sumas Elementary and destroyed the school. Fortunately, the Nooksack Valley School District was already constructing a new building, using … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/17/25

Power bills could jump 17% under proposal to help salmon at Washington state dams, feds say

A requested emergency order to change operations at Columbia and Snake river hydroelectric dams would raise electricity costs 17% for many Northwest customers, according to the Bonneville Power … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 12/17/25