State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

ICE agents along with federal law enforcement partners apprehend some of the more than 300 people it says are illegally in Massachusetts.

Sen. Patty Murray, Dems propose law requiring ICE agents to show ID, remove face coverings

Citing transparency, congressional Democrats proposed a law Tuesday that would prohibit federal immigration authorities from covering their faces in many situations. The proposal follows months … more

By Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/8/25

The Chehalis River runs through farmland near Doty and Dryad.

USDA chief outlines plan to block China from U.S. farmland ownership

President Donald Trump’s administration will pursue a ban on Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland as part of an effort to strengthen farm security, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said … more

By Jacob Fischler / States Newsroom | 7/8/25

New Washington state hotline to report hate crimes launches in three counties

Washington has launched a hotline to report hate crimes and bias in three of the state’s biggest counties. Residents in King, Spokane and Clark counties can now report hate crimes and bias … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/8/25

People paddle board in Snow Lake at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, July 8.

Proposed international surcharge at national parks could generate millions in 2026

With many national parks facing huge backlogs of deferred maintenance — Yellowstone National Park alone is estimated to have more than $1 billion — the federal government is proposing a … more

By Micah Drew / States Newsroom | 7/8/25

What higher steel and aluminum tariffs mean for Washington state businesses, shoppers

President Donald Trump's higher tariffs on steel and aluminum imports took effect Wednesday, sparking concerns of steeper costs for businesses that may eventually hit consumer goods and grocery … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

Washington state households can’t afford basics, even if they’re not poor, report says

Over a quarter of households in Washington earn more than the federal poverty threshold but still struggle to afford necessities like housing, child care, transportation and more, according to a … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

In pricey Washington, any cuts to food stamps could hit hard

The Republican-led House passed a budget resolution last month calling for a $2 trillion reduction in spending over the next decade. To meet this goal, lawmakers could end up targeting major … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

October 4, 2023, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: Chair Maria Cantwell , D-Wash., conducts the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing for Michael Whitaker, nominee to be administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in Russell Building, Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Medicaid spending is under scrutiny. Here’s what that means for Washington

The Republican-led House passed a budget resolution Tuesday calling for a $2 trillion reduction in federal spending over the next 10 years. To meet that target, lawmakers are now eyeing cuts to a … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

Students transit between classes in the shadow of Drumheller Fountain and Mt. Rainier Friday afternoon at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington on October 13, 2023. 225196

Chinese students at Washington schools face uncertainty after visa announcement

Chinese students studying at Washington state colleges and universities could face an uncertain future following this week’s announcement that the U.S. will start revoking some of their visas. … more

Paige Cornwell and Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

Injured Coeur d'Alene firefighter faces long recovery

When the battalion chief from Northern Lakes Fire District walked up on June 29 to find out why the firefighters from Kootenai County and Coeur d'Alene were not answering their radios on Canfield … more

Thomas Clouse / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

Governor-elect Bob Ferguson sat down for an interview at Cafe Javasti in Maple Leaf to address questions about his political agenda, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Seattle.

Ferguson calls One Big Beautiful Bill a 'grotesque betrayal'

The passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" late last week capped off months of challenging negotiations by federal lawmakers, marking the first major legislative win of the second Trump … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

Nez Perce Tribe asks Congress to 'avert a financial crisis,' warns Trump administration is withholding fish hatchery funds

Nine months into the fiscal year, the Nez Perce Tribe is still waiting for money Congress approved months ago for contracts to operate fish hatcheries vital to maintaining Northwest salmon runs … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

As Washington state whooping cough cases soar, families tell of misery and grief

When Chelsey Charles learned whooping cough cases were surging in Washington, like many other parents, she worried for her family’s health. But this 31-year-old mother has had a longer, … more

Sujena Soumyanath / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

King County sheriff’s office helicopter helps with the search for Travis Decker in the Colchuck Lake area. Authorities are now seeking Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho after the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip from a... (U.S. Marshals Service)

Travis Decker, accused of killing daughters, sought in Sawtooth National Forest after possible sighting

Authorities are looking for Travis Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho after the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip from a family who believed they saw him in the Bear Creek area on … more

By Kai Uyehara / Seattle Times staff reporter | 7/7/25

Parked cars are now a leading source of stolen guns, new report finds

A growing number of firearms are being stolen from parked cars, especially in urban areas, according to a new report that highlights a frequently overlooked source of illegally circulating guns. … more

By Amanda Hernández / States Newsroom | 7/7/25

Police pursuit out of Thurston County ends in deadly crash, major road blockage in Pierce County

One person died Sunday night in a multi-vehicle collision that followed a police pursuit from Yelm to Pierce County, Washington State Patrol trooper John Datillo posted on social media. … more

By Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/7/25

Washington state officials blast Trump’s bill that governor says is ‘only beautiful to billionaires’

Washington’s elected officials reacted to Thursday’s passage of President Trump’s enormous tax and spending bill. The “big beautiful bill” will legislate trillions in … more

Ann Duan / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/7/25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest a fugitive in 2020.

Washington state sheriff’s effort to partner with ICE sets up conflict

TACOMA — Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank wants to sign a deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow his deputies to help the Trump administration deport undocumented … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25

The Peace Arch sits on the border between the U.S. and Canada on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Greg Gilbert/Seattle Times/TNS)

On Washington state’s border with Canada, a rally says, ‘We’re still friends’

Over a hundred people gathered Saturday at Peace Arch Park on the U.S.-Canadian border to celebrate the long friendship between the two countries with handshakes. The show of solidarity comes … more

Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25

DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 12, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images/TNS)

Commentary: Do Seahawks fans harbor much resentment toward DK Metcalf after exit?

SEATTLE — Whenever his name pops up in the news, you can feel Seattle’s eyebrow rise a solid centimeter. Maybe it’s about him being Aaron Rodgers’ top new target. Maybe … more

Matt Calkins / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25