State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

'We have to keep every possibility open': Search for Travis Decker continues at smaller scale

As months pass with no new leads, the same question remains in Wenatchee: Where is Travis Decker? The 32-year-old from Wenatchee has been on the run since May 30, when, according to law … more

Bonny Matejowsky / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 8/16/25

Gov. Ferguson orders Fish and Wildlife Commission investigation; group calls for removal of WDFW director

An investigation has been ordered into Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission and now environmentalists want the Department of Fish and Wildlife's director gone. Gov. Bob Ferguson directed … more

Michael Wright / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 8/16/25

Fishy tale ends with criminal citations for three Washington anglers

A fishy tale, plus coolers and packs with 50 fish, have three anglers in Eastern Washington in hot water, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police. Officers were … more

Tri-City Herald staff (TNS) | 8/16/25

Washington State Patrol looks for driver involved in fatal I-5 hit and run in Thurston County

The Washington State Patrol is asking the public for help identifying a driver who’s accused of running over a pedestrian on southbound Interstate 5 in Olympia last month. The fatal hit … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

Tacoma officers won’t face federal criminal charges in Manuel Ellis’ death

The U.S. attorney's office announced that federal prosecutors will not be filing criminal charges against the three former Tacoma police officers involved in the March 2020 death of Manuel Ellis. … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/16/25

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Justice.

U.S. AG Pam Bondi tells Gov. Ferguson to drop Washington sanctuary policies — or else

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is putting Gov. Bob Ferguson on notice. In an Aug. 13 letter, the country’s chief law enforcement officer told Washington’s leader to commit … more

By Simone Carter / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is sworn into office by Supreme Court chief justice Debra L. Stephens during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Critics say Washington state House decision to resume 30-day email deletions threatens transparency

A policy allowing Washington state House legislators to delete most legislative emails — including those related to bills and communications with lobbyists — after 30 days has been … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/16/25

Washington to consider changes to allocation of no-cost allowances to certain industries

The Washington State Department of Ecology says it is “developing a report to the Legislature about policy options for how certain industrial facilities (emissions-intensive, trade-exposed … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 8/16/25

Leaders of Washington city push to drop Housing First, align with Trump funding rules

Conservatives in Spokane are mounting an effort to put pressure on the city to abandon the Housing First model, hoping to save local taxpayers millions of dollars in federal funding. President … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 8/16/25

Former Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning, left, moderates a town hall with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez at Lower Columbia College Thursday, Aug. 14. Several audience members were escorted out after shouting at Gluesenkamp Perez over her support for Israel.

Residents confront Gluesenkamp Perez over Israel policy during town hall

A town hall with 3rd District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez , D-Skamania, devolved into a shouting match Thursday as audience members questioned her continued support for Israel despite a rising death … more

By Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 8/15/25

Gov. Ferguson orders investigation into conduct of WDFW Commission members

Gov. Bob Ferguson has authorized an investigation into the conduct of members of the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission after recently revealed public records raised questions about their … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 8/15/25

Gun rights supporters celebrate court’s ruling against California gun rationing law

Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning California’s … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/15/25

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to the media Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020.

Appeals court upholds $1M in fines against Washington restaurant for violating COVID restrictions

A southwest Washington restaurant fined nearly $1 million for repeatedly violating the state’s indoor dining ban during the COVID-19 pandemic must pay the penalty, a state court of appeals … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 8/15/25

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Washington state sends letter announcing new taxation for 90,000 businesses

The Washington state Department of Revenue this week announced it was sending out notices to customers explaining the recent expansion of retail sales related taxes that went into effect at the end … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/15/25

Anonymous tip to feds led to sexual abuse charges against Oregon officer

An anonymous person tipped off federal authorities to allegations that a suspended Gresham police officer sexually abused an underage girl years earlier, according to testimony from a Monday court … more

Zaeem Shaikh / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/15/25

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., pictured on Nov. 25, 2024.

Trump’s DEI ban in K-12 schools, higher ed ruled ‘unlawful’ by federal judge

A federal judge in Maryland has struck down the U.S. Education Department’s attempts to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools. The Thursday ruling marks a blow … more

Shauneen Miranda / Washington State Standard | 8/15/25

Tacoma’s homeless have no options amid shelter closures, sweeps, advocates say

A month after losing nearly 200 shelter beds, homeless outreach workers say the City of Tacoma continues to remove encampments, leaving those living unhoused with nowhere to go. The city says it … more

Cameron Sheppard / The News Tribune (TNS) | 8/15/25

Free speech area sparks controversy ahead of Washington State Fair

The Pierce County Republican Party and an anti-abortion group have reached an agreement with the Washington State Fair after controversy over new fair guidelines led the groups to say that they … more

Isabela Lund / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 8/15/25

Temperatures top 90 degrees in Portland on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Multnomah County reports suspected heat death

A 59-year-old man died Wednesday of suspected heat-related illness following a three-day heatwave that put temperatures near 100 degrees in the Portland area, Multnomah County officials said … more

Austin De Dios / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/15/25

Oregon scrambles to address delays for Medicaid-funded rent assistance

Oregon Medicaid advisers, alarmed by the turbulent rollout of a new rent assistance benefit, pressed state health officials this week for answers over delays they acknowledged have left thousands of … more

Kristine de Leon / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/15/25