State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Washington Democrats: GOP Medicaid cuts would gut $2B, threaten coverage for 274K

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Tuesday that 274,000 Washington state residents could lose healthcare coverage if Republicans approve federal cuts to Medicaid. Congressional … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 5/28/25

Christians gather to demand Seattle mayor apologize for blaming them for clash at Cal Anderson Park on May 27, 2025.

Christian gathering outside Seattle City Hall brings trans rights protesters

More than 500 Christians gathered outside Seattle City Hall Tuesday evening to protest what they say are the anti-faith policies of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council, just days … more

By Carleen Johnson and Dan McCaleb / The Center Square | 5/28/25

Water flows out of the Bonneville Dam along the Columbia River, between Multnomah County, Oregon and Skamania County, Washington, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Photo by Jordan Gale.The Bonneville Dam system was the first hydroelectric infrastructure built on the Columbia River and is the last dam system downriver before the Columbia’s water meets with the Pacific Ocean. At the time of its construction in 1938, it was the largest water impoundment project of its type in the nation. The Columbia River now exists as one of the most developed river systems in the world. From the headwaters of the river to the mouth, there are more than 60 operating hydroelectric dams that dot the water’s mainstem..

After reaching historic lows, hydropower generation in the Northwest expected to rise in 2025

After dropping to historic levels last year due to ongoing drought and high temperatures, hydropower generated in the Northwest is expected to rise slightly this year from much needed precipitation. … more

Alex Baumhardt / Washington State Standard | 5/28/25

Olympia, Lacey councils now gather for dinner before public meetings. Does that violate law?

Olympia City Council gathered May 20 for its usual regular council meeting. But before they came together in that forum, the council met for dinner at a separate location inside City Hall for a … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/28/25

attends Players' Night Out 2018 hosted by The Players' Tribune on July 17, 2018 in Studio City, California.

SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp pleads guilty to second-degree assault in Washington state

Former Sonics star Shawn Kemp pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday for shooting at two men inside a Toyota 4Runner outside the Tacoma Mall in March 2023. … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/28/25

Olympia officials consider limiting the information landlords can use to screen tenants

The city of Olympia is considering limiting the information landlords can use to screen tenants. The Land Use and Environment Committee’s meeting on May 22 focused on how to make tenant … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/28/25

Nuclear reactors line the riverbank at the Hanford site along the Columbia River in January 1960. The site was chosen for its isolated location and proximity to the cold waters of the Columbia, which were used to cool nuclear reactors. (U.S. Department of Energy/TNS)

Eastern Washington plant set to treat WWII, Cold War radioactive waste

More than two decades after construction of the Hanford nuclear site’s massive vitrification plant began, the plant has taken one of the final steps to begin treating waste for disposal as soon … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/28/25

Washington state doesn’t restrict older drivers. Here’s why changes could be on the way

Driving can become more dangerous as you age. That’s partially because your vulnerability to injury increases as you age, although physical changes associated with aging also can impact … more

Daniel Schrager/ Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/28/25

Hanford nuclear site was on the brink of layoffs. Then this happened in D.C.

Money was made available to prevent subcontractor employee layoffs at the Hanford nuclear site in Eastern Washington the day after Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., faced off with Energy Secretary Chris … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/28/25

Free speech law shielded Washington state anti-LGBTQ+ rally; FBI looks into protest

In the days after a chaotic confrontation between police and protesters at a conservative Christian rally on Capitol Hill, several groups have questioned why the demonstration was held at Cal … more

David Kroman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/28/25

Seattle protest clash clouds police department’s recruitment gains

A counterprotest that interrupted a religious rally in the city’s prominent LGBTQ neighborhood is overshadowing new data showing the Seattle Police Department’s success in recruiting more … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 5/27/25

A grizzly bear steps into the sun at Northwest Trek in rural Pierce County.

Washington state county threatens lawsuit over Biden's grizzly bear recovery plan

Yakima County plans to sue if the Trump administration doesn’t pull back plans to reintroduce grizzly bears in the area and delist them from the Endangered Species Act. The Biden … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 5/27/25

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

‘I’m pretty upset’: Washington state lawmaker wants to override governor’s veto of his bill

State lawmakers delivered 423 bills to Gov. Bob Ferguson this year and he signed them all. Except one. Its sponsor hopes the Washington Legislature will override the veto the next time it is in … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/27/25

A digital rendering of the proposed Westport tsunami tower.

FEMA extends work for Westport tsunami tower after feds halted funding

On April 4, the Trump administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) abruptly canceled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program plunging numerous … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 5/27/25

Prosecutors wrap up cases of two of 11 men accused of sexually abusing trafficked teen girl

In 2020, 11 men were arrested in connection with a mother sex trafficking her then-14-year-old daughter for drug money. As of now, only one defendant remains untried. A bench warrant is out for … more

Donald W. Meyers / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 5/27/25

Eastern Washington town ‘heartbroken, outraged and disgusted’ by discovery at apartment

Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife officers have joined an animal abuse investigation that began when a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from an apartment in Walla Walla County. … more

Tri-City Herald staff (TNS) | 5/27/25

What’s holding up the trial of a Washington state woman accused of torturing children?

The trial of a Blaine woman accused of torturing and sexually assaulting four children known to her was pushed back for the 12th time on Wednesday in Whatcom County Superior Court. Tana Perkins … more

Hannah Edelman / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/27/25

Couple in their 80s die after driving into water off Pierce County island, deputies say

A couple died Sunday after the husband drove their car off of Herron Island and into the water. Deputies were dispatched at 11:55 a.m. to the 900 block of West Herron Boulevard Northwest after … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/27/25

Shawn Kemp attends Players' Night Out 2018 hosted by The Players' Tribune on July 17, 2018, in Studio City, California. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Players' Tribune/TNS)

Ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp pleads guilty as trial begins for Tacoma shooting

Former NBA Seattle SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree assault for shooting at an occupied car outside the Tacoma Mall after he’d tracked his stolen cell phone … more

Peter Talbot / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/27/25

Washington state consumers will gain ‘right to repair’ cellphones and other electronics

Washington is joining a growing list of states trying to tear down barriers for consumers who want to repair their electronics rather than buy new ones. Gov. Bob Ferguson last week signed the … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 5/27/25