State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Dueling narratives over impacts of 'Big Beautiful Bill' on Washington state health care system

State Democrat officials continue to push a narrative that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will harm the state’s health care system, while Republicans argue it’s a scaremongering effort to … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 9/15/25

Washington State Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener has made disability justice a personal crusade on the court. (Photo provided by Washington State Courts)

The quest to make Washington state’s legal system more accessible for people with disabilities

When G. Helen Whitener arrived in this country at age 16 from Trinidad and Tobago, she did so in a wheelchair. The right side of Whitener’s body had become paralyzed. She learned it … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/25

Members of the Washington Public Employees Association have ratified a new one-year contract that would secure raises they lost out on in July if funded by state lawmakers in the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Washington state workers OK new contract with retroactive pay hikes

Thousands of state government and community college employees in Washington have overwhelmingly ratified a new one-year contract that would secure raises they lost out on in July. Nearly 5,300 … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/25

A sea lion is pictured in the Lewis River.

Feds greenlight killing more sea lions to protect endangered salmon as controversy fades

The federal permit that allows Northwest states and some Native nations to trap and kill salmon-eating sea lions in the Columbia River was reapproved late last week. The National Oceanic and … more

By Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 9/15/25

Man shot and killed in self-defense, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department says

A preliminary investigation into a fatal overnight shooting in Spanaway has revealed the shooter acted in self-defense, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department announced on social media. … more

Rolf Boone / The News Tribune (TNS) | 9/15/25

Tumwater woman injured in Saturday evening I-5 wreck, state patrol says

Two people were injured, including a Tumwater woman, when their vehicle struck a sign near Interstate 5 Saturday evening, according to the Washington State Patrol. About 6:30 p.m., they were … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 9/15/25

Woman arrested after she assaulted victim with liquor bottle in Mason County

A woman in her early 20s was arrested last week on suspicion of multiple crimes, including assault, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media. She was arrested in Port … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 9/15/25

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a Sunday morning shooting in Grand Mound.

Suspect arrested for manslaughter after allegedly shooting family member in Grand Mound

A suspect was arrested Sunday evening for first-degree manslaughter after they allegedly shot and killed a family member early that morning at a home in Grand Mound. According to a news release … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/15/25

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto speaking with a Forest Service employee after the Davis Fire in Washoe County in 2024. (Cortez Masto Senate office photo)

Former women firefighters urge return of training program struck by anti-DEI cuts

When Linda Wadleigh was a forestry major at Utah State University she came upon her first summer job as a firefighter, a role that led to a 30-year career in wildland fire management with the U.S. … more

By Jeniffer Solis / States Newsroom | 9/15/25

Comcast lawsuit argues new Washington state tax on advertising is illegal

Comcast is suing to block a new Washington law imposing sales tax on advertising services, imperiling a financial linchpin lawmakers relied on to balance the state’s budget. The cable … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/25

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order Sept. 3 creating Your Washington, a division of the executive branch that will focus on improving how the state delivers services to residents. Jesse Jones, the director, speaks with Ferguson after the signing. (Photo courtesy of governor’s office.)

Washington governor counting on Jesse Jones to improve how the state serves residents

For two decades, embattled consumers knew having investigative journalist Jesse Jones on their side could very likely make things right for them. Now, Gov. Bob Ferguson is counting on Jones to … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/25

Pierce County to invest $12.2 million in nearly 650 affordable rental units

Pierce County is investing more than $12 million to help create and maintain nearly 650 affordable-housing units in Buckley, DuPont, Fife and South Hill. On Sept. 2 the Pierce County Council … more

Cameron Sheppard / The News Tribune (TNS) | 9/14/25

**image is embargoed until 2 a.m. PT/ 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, June 27**..737 MAX aircraft are seen in various states of assembly at the Boeing 737 factory Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Renton, WA. 227340

Boeing faces $3.1 million fine from FAA for panel blowout on Portland flight

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday proposed fining Boeing $3.1 million for safety violations in the months leading up to the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX panel blowout on a Portland flight last … more

The Oregonian staff and wire reports / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/14/25

Oregon mass layoffs approach Great Recession levels

Oregon employers have reported more than 11,000 layoffs since the start of last year, a torrid pace of job cuts amid the steady deterioration of the state’s labor market. Employers are … more

Mike Rogoway / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/14/25

What’s the latest on ferry service in Olympia? Port commissioners hear an update

Five months ago the Port of Olympia hosted an electric fast ferry demonstration on Budd Inlet, generating plenty of buzz about the possibility of that service transporting passengers to other Puget … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 9/14/25

Amazon suspends employee who protested contract with Israel

A Seattle-based Amazon employee says he was suspended this week after urging workers to join him in protesting the company's relationship with the Israeli government. Ahmed Shahrour, a software … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/14/25

Police say check doors and windows after burglar caught inside woman’s apartment

The Olympia Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who broke into a woman’s apartment on the city’s west side. Police Lt. Paul Lower said the man … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 9/14/25

Federal funding cuts planned for Washington state deafblind program

The Trump administration plans to strip about $200,000 in federal funding from a Washington program supporting deafblind children and young adults. Deafblindness, which means a person … more

Claire Withycombe / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/14/25

Another orca pushes a dead calf through the Salish Sea in Washington state

An orca calf born to J36, aka Alki, died within the past three days, the Center for Whale Research reported Saturday. A southern resident killer whale from J pod was spotted pushing a dead calf … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/14/25

Mount Rainier’s reflection appears over Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park on Saturday, Aug. 9.

No tap water, toilets at Mount Rainier’s Paradise

The Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park, home of the park's main visitor center and its largest hotel, has been without running water and restrooms this weekend. No water or restrooms … more

David Gutman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/14/25