State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Oregon factory jobs fall to lowest point in a dozen years

Oregon’s manufacturing sector continues its rapid decline with employment down more than 5% in the past year. Newly released state data shows factory employment has fallen below the depths it … more

Mike Rogoway / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/14/25

Police: Runaway, 13, steals gun, kidnaps child, crashes car in crime spree

A 13-year-old ran away from a group home with a 9-year-old in Spokane Valley Thursday evening, stealing a loaded gun and a car he crashed after forcing the younger child inside at gunpoint, police … more

Cannon Barnett / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 12/14/25

More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week

A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the … more

Cheryl Schweizer / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 12/14/25

Stehekin ordered to evacuate as more rain is on the way

The Chelan County sheriff's office has issued an evacuation order for the Stehekin Valley ahead of heavy rain expected on Monday. The agency recommends that people who can access Purple Point … more

Taylor Blatchford / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

In Leavenworth, flood damage ‘a heavy blow, but we are still standing’

LEAVENWORTH — Downtown Leavenworth was quieter than usual for a Saturday morning in mid-December as a heavy fog hung in the air. Downed trees lined Commercial Street near the Wenatchee … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

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

As Washington state floods recede, little time to reflect before the next storm

Brandon Huber has a lot running through his mind when he pulls someone out of floodwater. Can they walk? Are they sick? Are there any children? How many patients are there? “Is there … more

Lauren Rosenblatt Caitlyn Freeman Claire Withycombe and Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

Washington state landslide risk maps still incomplete over a decade after Oso

In the aftermath of the 2014 Oso landslide, it was clear there were significant gaps in how the state had mapped and prepared for the risk of such a catastrophic event. Many people in the community … more

Rebecca Moss and Manuel Villa / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office vehicle retrieves a rescue raft after the Swift Water Rescue Team rescued two people trapped by flooding in a fifth wheel near the Cowlitz River in Randle on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

After Washington state floods, residents scramble for help, insurance to cover costs

The Rosas family clung to one another Thursday as the Monroe mobile home they moved into just a few months ago submerged in floodwater. José Rosas, 39, said the home was supposed to save … more

Alexis Weisend and Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

Auburn evacuation order issued for some homes

City of Auburn officials issued Level 3 evacuation orders late Saturday night for some homes and businesses as the Green River continues to swell, continuing this week's catastrophic floods in … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/14/25

Winter blues in Washington? How to identify seasonal depression and feel better

While some are hyped with the holiday spirit, others may be feeling particularly down this time of year. The winter blues or its more serious counterpart, seasonal affective disorder, can be … more

Karlee Van De Venter / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 12/14/25

Kayaker dies after water rescue at Ballard Locks

A man died Friday afternoon after kayaking near the Ballard Locks, according to Seattle medics. Medics responded to a call about a kayaker in distress around 2:30 p.m. Rescue swimmers entered … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/13/25

Washington state flu and COVID vaccinations are down. Doctors’ worries are up

Fewer Washingtonians have been vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 so far this season than at this point in the last three years, according to state health data. As of this week, providers … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/13/25

Another atmospheric river is headed to Western Washington, but it won’t be as bad

As Western Washington reels from catastrophic flooding that swept the areas along major river valleys, another plume of moisture will arrive on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/13/25

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

Officials tracking impacts of historic flooding; residents urged to report damage

Evacuation orders have lifted across parts of Pierce County, but crews are still hard at work assessing the damage. David Kennedy, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Emergency Management … more

Isabela Lund / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 12/13/25

Meteor shower with bright ‘fireballs’ to peak over Washington soon. Here’s when

Washington stargazers can soon spot a major meteor shower complete with colorful “fireballs.” The Geminid meteor shower will blaze across the night sky, resulting in hundreds of … more

Karlee Van De Venter Hannah Poukish / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 12/13/25

The Chehalis River flows past Cosmopolis and to the harbor.

Judge rules feds cut FEMA’s BRIC program unlawfully

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully terminated the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 12/12/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

Washington state GOP leaders say Dems' income tax proposal would devastate businesses

Democratic senators are considering an income tax on millionaires to help close Washington state’s persistent multi-billion-dollar budget gap heading into 2026. Republican leaders strongly … more

Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 12/12/25

Stalemate on ObamaCare subsidies threatens to raise Washington state’s uninsured rate

With the future of the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, uncertain as Congress remains deadlocked on extending enhanced premium subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, some 80,000 … more

Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 12/12/25

Supporters hold signs advocating for parental rights during a rally at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Feb. 5, 2025.

FBI, Tumwater police warn of possible antifa attack at weekend Let's Go WA event

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has notified Let’s Go Washington that antifa-affiliated individuals and groups are calling for acts of violence and intimidation against volunteers and … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 12/12/25

The Skagit River in Mount Vernon hits a record high at 9 p.m. on Thursday night. One Mount Vernon police officer said the water level had climbed almost a foot in an hour. (Photo by Eli Voorhies for Washington State Standard)

Trump administration OKs Washington state emergency declaration for record flooding

As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding. Gov. Bob Ferguson said he received a call from U.S. … more

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