State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Washington Sen. Patty Murray blasts Trump over plan to ‘blatantly rob blue states’

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on Friday blasted the Trump administration over its plan to rip hundreds of millions of dollars away from construction-project funding in blue states. Among the major … more

Simone Carter / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 5/17/25

Trump cuts to Western Washington dam project likely to affect housing, water supply

Washington state water utility officials spoke Friday of the threats posed by the elimination of federal funding eliminated for a regional dam project, including potential housing moratoriums and … more

Debbie Cockrell / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 5/17/25

Troopers find dangerous pesticides at illicit Western Washington marijuana grows

Washington State Patrol troopers found what they believe are illegally imported deadly pesticides in two Pierce County marijuana busts Wednesday. The Washington State Patrol Cannabis Enforcement … more

Constanza Montemayor / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 5/17/25

A zoo worker shows off a lynx cub to a group of visitors in the demonstration area at the West Coast Game Park Safari near Bandon on the Oregon coast.

Oregon wildlife park raided after years of disturbing reports about starving animals, dead tiger

Police descended on a wildlife park near Bandon on Thursday, the Oregon State Police said. The move came after years of agricultural inspections documented animals in poor condition and other … more

Tatum Todd, Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 5/17/25

Rite Aid to sell dozens of Pacific Northwest pharmacies to rival chain, close hundreds nationwide

Rite Aid plans to close hundreds of its U.S. pharmacies but said it would sell some in the Pacific Northwest to CVS Pharmacy. The Philadelphia-based Rite Aid has faced a slew of financial … more

Veronica Nocera / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 5/17/25

Skyline CDL School’s training site in Hillsboro, pictured April 23, 2025, was suspended by Oregon regulators.

Oregon regulators suspend trucking school linked to alleged bribery scheme in Washington state

Oregon regulators have suspended the operating license of a trucking academy in Hillsboro following revelations that Skyline CDL School was linked to alleged involvement in a bribery scheme to obtain … more

Ted Sickinger / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 5/17/25

Wildlife biologist Rick Vetter of Burns, left, monitors remote golden eagle sites in eastern Oregon.

Retired wildlife biologist dedicates life to protecting Oregon’s golden eagles

Few people see golden eagles the way Rick Vetter does. The retired southern Oregon wildlife biologist monitors their nests, which are about 10 feet tall and mostly wedged between towering cliff … more

Janet Eastman / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 5/17/25

A border patrol agent at the northern border in the Swanton sector.

Washington, New York and Vermont see most illegal northern border crossers

Of the 14 northern border states that share a land or water border with Canada, the greatest number of apprehensions of illegal border crossers were reported in New York, Washington and Vermont … more

By Bethany Blankley / The Center Square | 5/17/25

Trucking industry leaders pose for a photo at a Feb. 21, 2025 hearing for a bill to delink Washington from California trucking emissions standards. From right to left are Mike Chester, Peninsula Truck Lines; Sen. Matt Boehnke; Steve Gordon, Gordon Truck Centers; Sheri Call, Washington Truck Associations; Carl Hergart, Paccar Powertrain; Jeff DeVere, lobbyist for Washington Trucking Association; Mike Ennis, also a lobbyist with WTA; John Barnes, with Tec Equipment.

'We don't want the money': Washington state trucking industry resists EV mandate

The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. Ecology contends the updates will … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/17/25

Whychus Creek, renamed in 2006, was previously one of several locations in Oregon named after a slur used against Indigenous women. House Bill 3532 aims to speed the process of removing offensive titles from remaining sites. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon bill would speed up process to rename locations with offensive titles

Oregon lawmakers aim to speed up the process for renaming dozens of creeks, lakes, mountains and other sites that still hold offensive names. The Oregon Senate will soon take up House Bill 3532 … more

By Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 5/17/25

More than 131,000 drivers crossed the Interstate Bridge between Portland and Vancouver each day in 2021 compared to 33,000 in 1961. (Grant Stringer/States Newsroom)

Tolling delay on I-5 bridge could mean higher rates for Washington and Oregon drivers

Tolling on the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River will start a year later than planned – but drivers traveling between Washington and Oregon may pay a little more than originally … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/17/25

Kirk Pearson takes the oath of office as the new state director for USDA Rural Development in Washington state, administered by Phil Eggman in Olympia on May 5, 2025. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Former Washington state senator appointed to Trump administration, again

Kirk Pearson, a former longtime Washington state lawmaker, was appointed this month as a top Washington official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pearson, a Republican, resigned from … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/17/25

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1912 on May 15, 2025, in Kennewick. The bill is related to the exemption for fuels used for agricultural purposes in the climate commitment act. The legislation's primary sponsor was state Rep. Tom Dent.

A promise finally fulfilled; Ferguson signs bill exempting ag from CCA fuel taxes

Years after Washington farmers were promised they would be exempt from fuel taxes related to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a bill into law to finally fulfill that … more

Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 5/16/25

Rural-focused organization launches effort to address infrastructure needs in rural Washington state

A rural town in southeastern Washington has been selected to take part in a new pilot project to address critical water infrastructure needs. “We’re losing gallons of water from pipe … more

Monica Carrillo-Casas / Washington State Standard | 5/16/25

Seen here are the blue pens Gov. Bob Ferguson uses to sign bills. Companies and other interest groups are hoping he'll opt for red veto ink on a range of tax bills.

Tesla, Netflix, Philip Morris among those pushing Washington state governor for tax vetoes

Corporate titans. Bank executives. Restaurant operators. Airplane owners. They’re all trying to convince Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson that there are problems with the tax bills on … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 5/16/25

Washington state farm labor firm fined whopping $1.25M for violations involving 5,000 workers

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries has levied its largest-ever fine against a farm labor contractor, saying a Richland business employed 5,000 in 2024 when it did not have a license. … more

Tri-City Herald staff / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/16/25

New Washington state law requires speed-restricting tech for reckless drivers ‘to save lives’

Washington state is going to be cracking down on chronic, reckless speeders. Gov. Bob Ferguson this week signed a bill into law that requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance … more

Simone Carter / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/16/25

Man with faulty car light was killed by Washington state deputy, suit says. Family owed $3.5M

It’s been more than four years since 30-year-old Jenoah Donald was shot in the head by a Clark County, Washington, deputy after being pulled over for a faulty taillight, according to a wrongful … more

Julia Marnin / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 5/16/25

From child care to textured hair, here are some new laws coming to Washington state

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pen has been getting lots of use: The Democrat is busy signing bills into law. Tax debates dominated much of the 2025 legislative session that ended April … more

Simone Carter / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/16/25

Washington state farmers get their gas tax exemption. Ferguson signs key bill in Tri-Cities

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson reaffirmed that agriculture is exempt from fuel taxes related to the Climate Commitment Act at an unusual bill signing in Kennewick on Thursday. The Democrat signed … more

Wendy Culverwell / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/16/25