State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Burdoin fire prompts evacuations in the Columbia River Gorge

A wildfire burning on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge has prompted evacuations in Klickitat County. The Burdoin fire started at about 2 p.m. Friday near Courtney Road and Highway … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/25

One dead, two injured after plane crash northeast of Lake Quinault

At least one person is dead and two others have been injured in a small plane crash in a remote area of Olympic National Park in Washington, authorities said. The incident occurred on Tuesday … more

By The Daily World | 7/19/25

Washington’s new rent cap set just below 10% for 2026

Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10% next year, down slightly from its current level. The limit, which takes effect Jan. 1, will be set … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/18/25

First responders at Horseshoe Lake, where a body was recovered on Monday, June 30 in Woodland.

Coroner IDs two people who died recently at Cowlitz County lake

The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office has identified the remains of two men who died on different days in the past month at Woodland’s Horseshoe Lake. The Cowlitz County Coroner office … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 7/18/25

Report: 140 Californians a day flee to the land of no income tax — Washington state

Californians are trading wildfires and income tax for rain and $154,000 tech salaries, according to a new report. StorageCafe’s report found that approximately 140 Californians move to … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 7/18/25

Washington lawmaker plans legislation to require OSPI to retain complaint records

The ranking Republican on the Washington state Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee calls it “crazy and stupid” that the state Office of Superintendent of Public … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/18/25

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said 250,000 people from her home state could lose Medicaid coverage under new work and eligibility requirements in the "Big Beautiful Bill;" though much of those people would still qualify under certain exemptions. A representative from Murray's office told The Center Square that individuals included in that number with disabilities or other challenges may have a hard time navigating the system to verify their exemption and eligibility status. Without verification, they risk noncompliance and losing healthcare coverage.

250,000 Washingtonians may lose Medicaid coverage despite meeting new requirements

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray warned Friday that 14 hospitals in her home state of Washington may close due to Medicaid cuts in the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. President … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/18/25

Johnson Peak is seen beyond Packwood Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Fire restrictions take effect in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Due to increased risk of wildfires, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking and other activities within the forest. The restrictions went … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

Judge blocks Washington state requirement for priests to report child abuse disclosed in confession

Catholic priests in Washington cannot be required to report child abuse or neglect they learn of in confession, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/18/25

Deaths and critical injuries spike in Washington state’s child welfare system

Critical injuries for Washington children involved in the state’s welfare system jumped significantly in the first half of this year. Through June, at least 92 children had died or … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/18/25

A photo of grassland habitat on the Stonewall Prairie farm in Thurston County before the project begins. The farm is one of five in Thurston County that will participate in education and restoration under the multi-county grant from the Diversity and Resilience Initiative.

Chehalis River Basin will benefit from more than $4 million for habitat restoration

The Washington state Office of Recreation and Conservation announced $9.3 million in grant funding on Thursday to contribute to coastal habitat restoration across the Western Washington coast. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/18/25

Thurston County commissioners inquire about ‘flow-through’ dam during Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority presentation

Members of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority visited the Thurston County Board of Commissioners to explain the proposed water retention system on the Chehalis River outside Pe Ell during a … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/18/25

Washington man charged with injuring ICE agents reaching into his moving truck

A Pasco man is accused of assaulting two Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officers who had an administrative warrant for “arrest of an alien.” An administrative … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/18/25

Gag order lifted in Kohberger case

The judge overseeing the murder case of Bryan Kohberger has lifted a gag order that kept many details of the case secret. "At this point, I just don't think that I can justify the continuation … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/18/25

The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

PNW public broadcasters brace for new reality as Republicans in Congress race to defund public media, foreign aid

WASHINGTON — Northwest public radio and television stations were bracing for the fallout after an overnight vote by House Republicans that will rescind about $9 billion in funding Congress had … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/18/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Washington sues over new regulations to health care exchange

Washington has joined a multistate lawsuit that alleges new federal regulations will result in thousands of Washingtonians not registering for health insurance through the Washington Health Benefit … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/18/25

Four U.S. citizen children detained by Border Patrol in Washington state released

Immigration officials this week released four children, all U.S. citizens, to a family friend after the kids were detained with their mother for about two weeks. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol … more

Sujena Soumyanath / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/18/25

Washington state man who espoused neo-Nazi views sentenced to prison

A 29-year-old Snohomish County man and Army combat veteran who prosecutors say offered tactical training to neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups has been sentenced to two years in prison on federal … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/18/25

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, shown here in 2022, is concerned about immigration arrests by federal officers in masks without visible IDs. (Beth Nakamura/Staff The Oregonian)

PNW Democrat introduces bill to require ICE officers display IDs, drop masks

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is introducing a bill that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to wear visible identification and prohibit face masks while on duty. The bill … more

Tristin Hoffman / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/18/25

Oregon man arrested on U.S. Capitol grounds with guns, knives, bow and arrow, police say

An Oregon man parked on the U.S. Capitol grounds in an area reserved for congressional staff was found Wednesday with a bow and arrow, guns and knives in his Subaru Outback, according to Capitol … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/18/25