State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Pierce County sheriff used a private lawyer for official work, so who pays the bill?

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank has been at loggerheads with other elected officials in the first six months of his term, conflicts that have roped in two attorneys and portend more lawsuits. So … more

Peter Talbot / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/7/25

Man fishing with family found dead after river sweeps him away, Oregon police say

A 28-year-old man swept away by swift river currents while fishing with his family was found dead a short time later, Oregon sheriff’s officials reported. A text to 911 notified … more

Don Sweeney / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/7/25

State Sen. Jesse Salomon (left) faces a challenge in the 2026 election from his district-mate and fellow Democrat, State Rep. Cindy Ryu (right). Both lawmakers represent the 32nd Legislative District, which covers part of Seattle and surrounding areas. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Legislature)

Dueling Democrats: Washington state House member looks to unseat senator from her own party

Two Democratic state lawmakers are set to clash in 2026 in one of the party’s strongholds in western Washington. State Rep. Cindy Ryu has launched a campaign to unseat Sen. Jesse Salomon, … more

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

Muslim women sue Oregon sheriff over forced removal of hijabs for mugshots

Two Muslim women are suing the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, alleging they were forced to remove their religious head coverings while they were in custody and photographed in front of … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Dead body found in Southwest Washington river on Fourth of July

Authorities on Friday afternoon recovered the body of a man who was found floating face-down in the Lake River. A 911 caller reported finding the body north of the Ridgefield Marina around 2:45 … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Oregon coast crash kills parents, spares infant daughter

A four-vehicle crash on Independence Day killed a mom and dad who were traveling with their 7-month-old daughter from Coos Bay and injured several others on U.S. 101 near Lakeside in Coos County. … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Early morning crash on Interstate 5 kills 19-year-old, injures 4 in Southwest Washington

A 19-year-old Portlander died and four others were injured in a rear-end crash on Interstate 5 near Ridgefield early Saturday morning. Sadie L. Bobo, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, Kootenai County Fire Department Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal.

'I'm not ready to accept it': Idaho firefighter shooting killed titans from two departments

"The Table" sits in the main room of Fire Station 3, situated near the base of Canfield Mountain in Coeur d'Alene. At that table, firefighters gather for dinners, for performance reviews, to … more

Thomas Clouse and Alexandra Duggan / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/6/25

Teen girl stabbed ‘all over’ in Seattle; police investigating

Seattle police were searching for suspects Saturday in the stabbing of a 17-year-old girl after responding to an apparent break-in just after midnight in the Delridge neighborhood. Patrol … more

Daniel Beekman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/6/25

Misfire at illegal fireworks show on street kills 8-year-old, California cops say

An 8-year-old girl died in Southern California after being caught in an explosion at an illegal fireworks show, police reported. A homeowner set up a large display of illegal fireworks in a … more

Don Sweeney / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 7/6/25

The entrance of Green Hill School is pictured in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Green Hill School accused of forcing youth to ‘urinate in plastic containers’ in cells amid overcrowding

Two young men who were housed at the Green Hill School juvenile detention center in Chehalis claim they were left to urinate in plastic receptacles in their cells amid overcrowding. The … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/6/25

Mason County coroner: 17-month-old girl’s death was a homicide

The death of a 17-month-old girl, who was found dead inside a car northeast of Shelton last week, has been ruled a homicide, the Mason County Corner announced on social media. Following a … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 7/6/25

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

Gov. Bob Ferguson denies pardon for Washington immigrant facing deportation to South Sudan

Gov. Bob Ferguson declined to grant a pardon to a Vietnamese national who grew up in Tacoma, likely clearing the way for his deportation to South Sudan. The denial of Tuan Thanh Phan’s … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/5/25

Search for Travis Decker, the Washington man accused of killing daughters, reaches one month

Wednesday marked one month since law enforcement found Travis Decker’s white pickup along Icicle Road near Leavenworth. But the search for the Wenatchee ex-soldier accused of killing his … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/5/25

State of mind of Idaho firefighter shooter is something no one 'could understand'; expert compares case to Trump assassination attempt

The man investigators say shot and killed two Idaho firefighters near Coeur d'Alene in a brazen ambush started to behave strangely the year leading up to the shooting, his roommate said. Wess … more

Alexandra Duggan and Thomas Clouse / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/5/25

The gravesite of Khalisee Brian Crabill, an infant who died in Cowlitz County in 2022, captured at Green Hills Crematory on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Kelso. The Cowlitz County Coroner's Office says Khalisee's family was given the incorrect dead body during previous coroner Tim Davidson's term.

Mother sues Cowlitz County coroner after receiving wrong infant remains

A Longview mother is suing the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office after being told months after burying her 2-month-old daughter that she was given the remains of a different baby. The … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily news | 7/5/25

July’s new and increased taxes and fees just the start for Washington state residents

As of Tuesday, a slew of new and increased charges, taxes and fees went into effect in Washington state. This year’s legislative session saw lawmakers approve a tax increase package … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/5/25

With approval of GOP megabill, Washington state braces for food stamp cuts

About 170,000 Washingtonians stand to lose food stamp benefits under the Republican megabill that passed Congress Thursday, state officials estimate. Of those, 137,000 face obstacles from more … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/5/25

Washington’s chief historian, John C. Hughes, on the set of TVW’s “Inside Olympia.” (Photo courtesy of TVW)

Washington’s historian closes the book on a storied career in a melancholy mood

John C. Hughes is, at root, a storyteller. As he marks the end of a nearly six-decade career that spanned hot-type newspapering on the coast to crafting the biographical record of Washington’s … more

By Paul W. Taylor / TVW | 7/5/25

River runners go down Rainbow Falls at Rainbow Falls State Park during the Pe Ell River Run on the Chehalis River on Saturday, April 13.

Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer

Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 7/5/25