State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Purple, yellow and green colors fill the sky on Saturday, July 6, 2024, as fireworks burst during Packwood's Independence Day fireworks show finale in a show organized by Lewis County Fire District 10 Chief Lonnie Goble.

Washington state officials warn of wildfire risks from Fourth of July fireworks

Firefighters and public lands managers are urging Washington residents to use extra caution when setting off fireworks this Fourth of July due to dry conditions. “We’ve already … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/25

From left, University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were killed in a November 2022 attack at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow.

‘Guilty’: Bryan Kohberger admits to murder of 4 University of Idaho students

Bryan Kohberger admitted in court Wednesday that he killed four University of Idaho students in 2022, finally bringing some closure to the 2 ½-year case that brought national attention to the … more

By Alex Brizee and Kevin Fixler /The News Tribune | 7/2/25

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.

Donations now accepted for victims in North Idaho firefighter shooting ambush

Donations are being accepted for firefighters shot in an ambush in Coeur d’Alene. Memorial funds for the two killed firefighters, a support fund for the injured firefighter, … more

7/2/25

Plan to sell 5.4 million acres of public lands dropped from ‘big beautiful bill’ Senate OK’d

The U.S. Senate, with help from Vice President J.D. Vance, passed President Trump’s “big beautiful” budget bill, but Washington’s public lands will not be up for sale. … more

Ann Duan / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/2/25

Ex-Washington state pastor accused of $5.9M crypto fraud called ‘serious danger’ to community

The former pastor of a Pasco church is back in jail after accusations he committed fraud and tampered with witnesses while awaiting trial in a multi-million dollar cryptocurrency fraud case in … more

Annette Cary / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/2/25

New laws are taking effect in Washington state this week. Here’s what to know

Washington state legislators had an action-packed 2025 session, leaving Gov. Bob Ferguson to sign loads of bills into law. Some new laws took effect immediately while others had a longer wait … more

Simone Carter / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/2/25

Mat Farnum, center, pickets outside Angel of the Winds Arena as striking Boeing employees pass through to vote on a contract Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry)

Boeing relents in fight over nonunion work, reinstates laid-off engineers

Boeing has reinstated dozens of laid-off Washington workers who, the engineering union alleged, were in the same roles as nonunion workers but spared from the widespread job cuts. The Society of … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/25

Authorities have released updated photos of Travis Decker, who’s wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters, warning the 32-year-old suspect may have changed his appearance.(Chelan County Sheriff's Office/TNS)

New evidence implicates Travis Decker as sole suspect in deaths

A poster displaying information about Travis Decker hangs Tuesday at the at the Stuart Lake Trailhead outside Leavenworth. New evidence points to Travis Decker as the sole suspect in the deaths … more

Jenni Rodas / The Wenatchee World (TNS) | 7/2/25

Increased outdoors fees in effect as of July 1

In a controversial decision, Washington State has approved a significant increase in recreational fishing and hunting license fees, which officially took effect July 1. "This bill proposes an … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 7/2/25

Washington state Wildlife commission sued, accused of ‘egregious’ violations of records law

A national sportsmen's group says it has found “egregious” violations of Washington’s Public Records Act by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife commissioners, and it's … more

Shauna Sowers / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/25

Microsoft to lay off as many as 9,000 employees in latest round

Microsoft is kicking off its fiscal year by firing thousands of employees in the largest round of layoffs since 2023, the company confirmed Wednesday. In an ongoing effort to streamline its … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/25

Ferguson selects Florida shipbuilder to build Washington state fleet of electric ferries

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson chose the sole out-of-state shipbuilder to construct the state's new generation of electric ferries, opting for the lower-cost bid over supporting Washington's local … more

Nicholas Deshais / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/25

Washington's Nick Brown is among the state attorneys general suing over the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for sharing Medicaid patients’ files with the Department of Homeland Security. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington state Standard)

Oregon, Washington sue Trump admin for sharing Medicaid files with immigration enforcement

Oregon and Washington’s attorneys general are suing the federal government for sharing residents’ Medicaid records with federal immigration enforcement officials. Oregon Attorney … more

By Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/1/25

Suspect in Seattle journalist attack contacts victim; still no arrest

Sixteen days after a brutal attack on an independent journalist as he was covering anti-ICE protests in Seattle, the alleged suspect has still not been arrested. The attack was captured on video. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/1/25

Former U.S. attorney for Western Washington and current state Attorney General Nick Brown answers a question during a debate between attorney general candidates hosted by The Chronicle in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Washington leading group of states suing Trump admin over K-12 mental health program cuts

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and 15 other state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, alleging it cut funding for K-12 mental health programs … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/1/25

Trucking industry says Washington has ‘failed’ it regarding electric vehicle mandates

While recent remarks made at meetings and in reports by the State Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council accuse the trucking industry of undermining efforts to transition to electric commercial … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/1/25

Washington state's gas tax increased 6 cents per gallon on July 1, 2025.

More pain at the pump: Washington state's 6-cent per gallon gas tax hike now in effect

Motorists in Washington state are experiencing gas prices higher than the national average, in contrast to declining gas prices across much of the rest of the nation in recent months. As of … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 7/1/25

Ocean Shores firefighters respond to a dune grass fire on the Fourth of July in 2024.

Leaders on Southwest Washington coast consider whether fireworks should be banned

Like the opening salvo of the First Gulf War. That’s how Long Beach Police chief Flint Wright describes the annual Independence Day scene that plays out on the beach in front of this Pacific … more

By Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times | 7/1/25

A young Roy Rodeo attendee bows his head in prayer before the annual event began on Saturday, May 31.

Analysis reveals divided views on teacher-led prayer in public schools in Washington vs. Idaho

A new analysis published last week by the Pew Research Center shows differences between adults in Washington and Idaho and their views on prayer in public school. Washington remains one of the … more

By Cassy Benefield / favs.news via States Newsroom | 7/1/25

21-year-old missing for months possibly spotted on doorbell cam, Washington state family says

A 21-year-old man with autism may have been spotted on a doorbell camera months after he vanished from his Washington home, his family said. The front door security camera footage was captured … more

Helena Wegner / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/1/25