State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Rep. Skyler Rude giving a speech on the House floor.

Washington state lawmaker to resign 3 days before the election

In a surprise announcement, Republican state Rep. Skyler Rude of Walla Walla, said Tuesday that he will resign from office days before the election to start a new job with Democratic Secretary of … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 9/30/26

Susan Hinchcliffe, a volunteer with the Corrales Fire Department, gives Rachel Ralya’s 14-month old son a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on June 23, 2022, following the FDA authorization of the vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. (Shelby Wyatt/Source NM)

Federal judge upholds Idaho law that bans vaccine, medical treatment requirements in daycares

An Idaho judge dismissed a lawsuit from a Boise daycare and parents that sought to block enforcement of a state law that bans daycares from requiring vaccines or medical treatment. The … more

By Kyle Pfannenstiel / The Idaho Capital Sun | 9/29/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers the State of the State address for the 2026 Legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Gov. Ferguson launches council to boost Washington commercial space industry

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson hopes the state’s space entrepreneurs can pilot their industry to infinity and beyond. To that end, Ferguson signed an executive order Monday night launching the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/29/26

On the east fork of Wildcat Creek, of the 100 in-stream structures to be installed along the two-mile stretch, 37 were installed this field season.

Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force hosts tour of completed projects

With this year’s field season wrapping up, the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force hosted a tour last week for members to visit three completed project sites in Grays Harbor County. Of these … more

Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 9/29/26

A gas station in Clark County earlier this month.

Gas prices slip slightly in Washington, but remain near record highs after turbulent 2026

MOSES LAKE — Washington motorists caught a small break at the pump this week, with the statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline falling 4 cents over the last seven days, according to … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 9/29/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson urges voters to reject potential trans girl athletes ban

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson called on Washington voters to reject an upcoming ballot initiative that would bar transgender girls from competing in girls sports at K-12 schools. Ferguson’s … more

Ryan Nguyen / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

Police accidentally shot Portland K-9 Kylo during attempted arrest of homicide suspect, police say

Kylo, the Portland police dog killed during an attempt to arrest a homicide suspect last week was hit by police gunfire, authorities said Tuesday. Police identified the suspect, who was also … more

Isabel Funk / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/29/26

The Chehalis River flows through Independence Valley in Rochester.

WDFW responds to Chehalis Tribe’s intent to charge anglers for permits, issue citations

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation are charging anglers for permits to fish on a 10-mile section of the Chehalis River, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/29/26

Feds release $14.6 million to Oregon hospital after withholding funding for more than a year

Oregon officials on Monday announced that the federal government had released $14.6 million in funding for a coastal hospital project that had been withheld by the Trump administration for more than … more

Yesenia Amaro / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/29/26

Amtrak hosted a "greet the new fleet" event on Sept. 26 for its new Airo trains, which feature a host of upgraded amenities and are set to debut on the Cascades line starting Sept. 30.

Amtrak Cascades’ long-awaited new trains are about to debut

Amtrak Cascades’ highly anticipated new Airo trains will begin carrying passengers this week, bringing more seating capacity and a host of modern amenities to the Pacific Northwest rail corridor. … more

Samantha Swindler / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 9/29/26

Washington state CEO who embezzled $30M must forfeit Tesla, truck, luxury boat. Next stop prison

The former leader of a company that manages health care payment contracts for Washington clinics, including in the Tri-Cities, has been sentenced to prison after embezzling more than $30 million. … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 9/29/26

Crew 18 conducts mop-up operations on the Autumn Lane Fire, extinguishing remaining hot spots and securing the fire’s edge to prevent rekindling along the south eastern flank of the fire near the Little Spokane River. Mop-up is a critical phase of wildfire suppression that helps ensure the fire remains contained and reduces the risk of additional spread.

Washington state submits federal disaster declaration for summer wildfires

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Monday the state was submitting a request to issue a major disaster declaration for Washington’s summer wildfires — including the Spokane Complex fires — saying … more

Greg Kim / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

Motorcycle rider dies in Auburn crash; driver arrested

One person died when a motorcycle and a car collided in Auburn on Monday afternoon on southbound Highway 167, near the interchange with Highway 18. The motorcycle rider, 24, and the driver of a … more

Ann Duan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

Man accused of killing UW student is not competent to stand trial

Man accused of killing UW student is not competent to stand trial Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) The 31-year-old man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

Sewage spill will keep a Seattle beach closed

About 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Washington late Saturday, closing a Seattle beach to swimming and boating. The spill was caused by a blockage in a sewer main near Matthews … more

Ann Duan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

An Alaska airliner docks at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.

Alaska Airlines courts premium travelers with new suites and seats

As Alaska Air Group strives to compete with the nation’s largest carriers, it is turning its focus to premium travelers, or the passengers willing to pay more for exclusive lounge access, extra leg … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/29/26

Muscle rubs, aromatherapy soaps and body washes make up the majority of what’s left in Oregon CBD Company, an Albany store that’s set to close at the end of September in response to an impending federal law prohibiting the sale of most hemp-derived products.

New federal law puts an end to the hemp industry, Oregon businesses say

Pet tinctures and topicals are the most popular products sold at Oregon CBD Company, a small business located at the junction of the Willamette Valley town’s busiest roads. Pet owners use them to … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/29/26

An explosion of data center facilities, including the one pictured here in northeast Oregon on May 18, 2026, have been built along the Columbia River Gorge during the last few years.

Data centers proposed on federal land in eastern Oregon, western states

A new data center campus could soon be coming to federal land near Hermiston in eastern Oregon. It would be the first in Oregon sited on federal public land, and one of at least 12 proposed for … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/29/26

Damaged structures in the aftermath of the Spokane fires that began on Aug. 1. Some officials and consumer advocates fear the wildfire could lead to property insurance rate hikes and policy cancellations. (Photo courtesy of Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Washington wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/28/26

One injured, business and vehicles damaged in downtown Olympia shooting

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of 4th Avenue and Franklin Street the night of Friday, Sept. 25. An OPD officer heard multiple gunshots … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 9/28/26