State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Gov. Bob Ferguson, at podium, goes to shake hands with state Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, at the signing of a bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, on May 2, 2025 in Olympia. At center is Mary Dispenza, a founding member of the Catholic Accountability Project. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Bishops sue to overturn new Washington state law requiring clergy to report child abuse

Washington’s leading Catholic bishops filed a lawsuit Thursday contending the new state law requiring religious leaders to report child abuse or neglect, even when it is disclosed in … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/29/25

Gina Bloom photographed outside the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse, in Everett, Wash., January 2, 2025. The courthouse is where Bloom initially lost custody of her kids in 2021 and where she's been fighting against corruption among guardian ad litem (GAL) appointees, attorneys and judges in family court.

Family law experts push legal framework to guide guardian ad litem reform in Washington

When Washington judges are ruling on custody cases fraught with allegations of abuse, the court can appoint an investigator meant to represent the “best interests of the child.” That … more

By Kelsey Turner/InvestigateWest | 5/29/25

Snoqualmie City Hall, photographed in Snoqualmie, Wash., October 9, 2024.

Records reveal Snoqualmie police chief was fired for sexual comments, said recruit ‘could not keep her legs together’

Snoqualmie, a small Seattle suburb that's seen major leadership shakeups and recent criticism over its treatment of women, fired its police chief last month for sexual comments and violations of … more

By Kelsey Turner / InvestigateWest | 5/29/25

Information from the Washington State University Master Recycler Composters of Lewis County sits on display during a “Repair & Sustainability Fair” at Centralia College on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Wait, not everyone in Washington state recycles? How a new law may change that

If you love sorting your plastic and paper waste from the rest of the trash, this is good news for you: Washington state is set to significantly expand access to recycling. Gov. Bob Ferguson … more

Amanda Zhou / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/29/25

Washington state employees fought against furloughs. They count new Washington budget a ‘win’

Throughout the 2025 legislative session, critics accused state leaders of trying to balance Washington’s budget on the backs of state workers. Those elected officials apparently took note. … more

Simone Carter / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/29/25

Washington 15-year-old drowns in Pacific Ocean over Memorial Day weekend

A 15-year-old Northport High School student drowned in the ocean at Long Beach over the weekend, a GoFundMe from his family says. Noah Heberling, a teenager from Kettle Falls, drowned Friday in … more

Alexandra Duggan / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/29/25

A couple sits on the edge of Mineral Lake during a fishing derby on Saturday, April 26.

Washington's Free Fishing Weekend set for June 7 and 8

Washington's annual free fishing weekend is coming up, giving anglers and aspiring anglers a nudge to get on the water. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that anglers will … more

The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/29/25

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 state AG Nick Brown won't make 'Survivor' return for show's 50th season

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who appeared in the second season of "Survivor," in the Australian Outback, wasn't approached to be on the CBS show's milestone 50th season — but he … more

Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/29/25

A sunset painted Mount Rainier pink during the evening hours of Sunday, March 16, in Roy.

Crystal Mountain's wastewater problems raise stink with Washington state regulators

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort's new owners last year opened a 25,000-square-foot day lodge, part of a $100 million expansion plan for the outdoor destination nestled on the northeast slopes of Mount … more

Conrad Swanson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/29/25

Can an unmarked patrol car pull you over in Washington state? What WSP policy, state law say

If you drive on I-5 regularly, chances are you’ve seen the speed of traffic suddenly drop below the speed limit, only for a white patrol car to come into view on the shoulder. Oftentimes, … more

Daniel Schrager / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/29/25

Federal judges side with states in striking down tariffs imposed by President Trump

New tariffs imposed on nearly all imports into the U.S. since April were struck down Wednesday by three federal judges in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City. The judges ruled … more

By Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 5/29/25

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Screenshot from committee webcast)

HHS presses health care providers, hospitals to curb gender-affirming treatments for kids

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urged health care providers Wednesday to stop several treatments for children with gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers, … more

By Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom | 5/29/25

This is a sample of the special license plate to become available in Washington state starting in late 2025. The Washington State Beekeepers Association will use proceeds to support research and public education on pollinators. (Image courtesy of Washington State Beekeepers Association)

Smokey Bear, pickleball and pollinator license plates on the way in Washington state

Washington drivers really like their specialty license plates — and they are getting more of them. Up to six new options will arrive this fall, including plates featuring Smokey … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/29/25

New report shows signs of progress for Washington state salmon, but many are still on the brink of extinction

A new report released by the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office shows that several populations of salmon in Washington state have improved, but most still face extinction. Of the 14 species … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/28/25

“New Land: Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington” was written by John C. Hughes and Edward Echtle Jr.

New book honors 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugees arriving in Washington

Fifty years ago, Washington welcomed the first of thousands of Southeast Asian refugees fleeing war and conflict in their home countries. A new book captures 15 stories of first-generation … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 5/28/25

A damaged vehicle is seen in the aftermath of a June 2024 crash in Thurston County, in which the driver of another vehicle was suspected of speeding and driving under the influence.

Washington state traffic deaths down after record year

Coming off a 33-year high, deaths on Washington’s roads dropped nearly 10% last year, according to state data released Wednesday. The state saw 731 people die in vehicle crashes in 2024, … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/28/25

One of Washington state’s strictest homeless camping bans can stand, court says

The King County Superior Court ruled this month that Burien’s homeless camping ban does not violate the state constitution, a blow to advocates who hoped Washington’s courts could restore … more

By Greg Kim / The Seattle Times | 5/28/25

A plane crashed at Ocean Shores Municipal Airport on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The cause of the crash has been released nearly a year later.

NTSB announces cause of Grays Harbor County plane crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its findings after a 10-month investigation into a plane crash that seriously injured two people, a male and a female, in Ocean Shores … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 5/28/25

A meadow of wildflowers in bloom along with native vegetation post-restoration.

WDFW, prisoners release butterflies in South Sound prairies

Last week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) worked with staff from the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) to release more than 300 Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies on … more

By The Daily World | 5/28/25

The south side of Mount Rainier from the lookout cabin near Ashford in early 2025. The closed bridge is on the northern side of the mountain.

Key bridge to Mount Rainier 'starting to buckle,' closes indefinitely

The Carbon River Bridge has “permanently closed” to all traffic, cutting off Highway 165 to the northwest of Mount Rainier National Park, according to the Washington State Department of … more

Trevor Lenzmeier / The Seattle Times | 5/28/25