State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

2.8 magnitude earthquake hit Washington’s Olympic Peninsula early Tuesday

A 2.8 magnitude earthquake hit Washington’s Olympic Peninsula early Tuesday morning. The quake occurred at 2:18 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey, around 15.5 miles west of … more

Daniel Schrager / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/14/25

The Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River, in southeast Washington.

New U.S. energy secretary gives his take on removing four Eastern Washington dams

The nation’s new energy secretary is “passionately in support” of leaving the four lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington intact, he said at a hearing last week in Washington, … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/14/25

Lenticular “cap” clouds appear above Mt. Rainier at sunset on Easter Sunday March 31, photographed from Crego Hill Rd. in Adna.

Names released of three killed in Washington state climbing fall; survivor hospitalized

Officials in Okanogan County on Tuesday identified the four climbers who fell hundreds of feet while rappelling down the side of a steep gully near North Early Winters Spire on Saturday night, … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/14/25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest a fugitive in 2020.

Washington state sues federal agencies who tied funding to immigration enforcement cooperation

Washington has filed two lawsuits against the Trump administration after federal agencies tied federal funding appropriations to the state's willingness to cooperate with immigration enforcement. … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/14/25

Washington state lawmakers passed a final budget, but what happens next?

On the last day of the 2025 legislative session — and following months of intense debate — Washington state lawmakers passed a final operating budget. Legislators’ work may be … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/14/25

Health officials continue to track tuberculosis in Washington state, as number of cases drops

Health officials are monitoring 15 active cases of tuberculosis in the Lower Yakima Valley, which is down a bit from earlier this spring. Of those active TB cases, Indian Health Services and … more

Tammy Ayer / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 5/14/25

Two dead, three hospitalized after apparent overdoses in downtown Olympia

Olympia Police responded to a report of several people experiencing a medical emergency early Monday morning in downtown Olympia. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and three … more

By Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/14/25

State patrol: Mason County man died at the scene of an 8-vehicle collision

A 68-year-old man died Monday morning in a collision that involved eight vehicles, according to Washington State Patrol. About 9:50 a.m., Thomas W. Johnson of Belfair was headed south on state … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/14/25

2.8 magnitude earthquake hit Olympic Peninsula early Tuesday

A 2.8 magnitude earthquake hit Washington’s Olympic Peninsula early Tuesday morning. The quake occurred at 2:18 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey, around 15.5 miles west of … more

By Daniel Schrager / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/14/25

Coast Guard suspends search for captain near Westport

The Coast Guard suspended its search at 8:40 p.m. Friday for 44-year-old Captain Jon Stevenson aboard the 68-foot fishing vessel, Captain Raleigh, where it sank near Westport. Three people who … more

By The Daily World | 5/14/25

Port of Grays Harbor The Port of Grays Harbor was flush with logs and cars to export in this file photograph.

Trade war reaches Port of Grays Harbor: $250,000 worth of wood product inventory bound for China sat for two months

Reports have surfaced nationwide of businesses dealing with the cost or uncertainty of reciprocal tariffs and the ever-changing worldwide trade war the Trump administration has embroiled the United … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 5/14/25

New protections for Washington state workers facing mass layoffs signed into law

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a bill into law that will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to give a minimum of 60 days’ notice to the state, any union, … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/14/25

The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the historic Fairfax Bridge on April 14 as its steel supports warp under pressure. The bridge leads to one of the few entrances to Mt. Rainier National Park, meaning hundreds of thousands of tourists will lose access to the area, avoiding Wilkeson altogether.

Washington town sends pleas to D.C. as bridge closure near Mount Rainier cuts off tourism lifeline

After hand-delivering over 100 letters to Washington, D.C., Pierce County Councilmember Dave Morell says emergency grants could save a historic mining town that the state left out to dry. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 5/14/25

An apartment building under construction in Olympia, Washington in January 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Next stop for Washington state housing: More construction near transit

Noticed apartment buildings cropping up next to bus and light rail stations? More could be on the way. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House Bill 1491 into law, setting new state … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/14/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a trio of bills on Monday related to protecting immigrants in Washington state. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Trio of immigrant rights laws signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed three bills to protect immigrant rights this week. These included measures to strengthen state power to inspect private detention facilities, prevent coercion in … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 5/14/25

Lt Gov. Denny Heck presiding over the Senate floor on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington state tries to maintain B.C. ties amid Trump era tensions

When Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck arrived in British Columbia last week, he wondered how he’d be received. After all, the past few months have seen the usually strong relationship … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/14/25

An attendee holds a program as they listen to Sarah Niyimbona's tribute at Sarah's funeral at Riplinger Funeral Home & Crematory on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Spokane, Wash.

Lawsuit alleges Washington state hospital responsible for 12-year-old's suicide

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. … more

Whitney Bryen and Kaylee Tornay / InvestigateWest | 5/13/25

Wyoming miner and local union leader Marshal Cummings, seen here speaking at a press conference announcing new safety regulations, said older miners tend to be old-school union Democrats, but younger ones are much more likely to be supportive of Donald Trump.

A small federal agency was investigating dangers to miners. Then came DOGE

Like his father and his grandfather, Marshal Cummings grew up mining trona, a substance used in everything from glass to pharmaceuticals and baking soda. When he was 22, that meant spending 16-hour … more

Daniel Walters / InvestigateWest | 5/13/25

Abortion services program is in line for steep reduction in Washington state budget

Funding for an abortion care program will be reduced by more than 50% under the state budget plan awaiting Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature. Washington created the Abortion Access … more

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard | 5/13/25

Washington State Ferries said it would deploy its new electric ferries first on the Mukilteo-Clinton run. The short route is currently served by diesel ferries like the Tokitae, seen here approaching Whidbey Island.

Bids to build new plug-in Washington state ferries come in high

Ferry system managers and state budget writers in Washington took a cold wave over the bow Monday upon opening the bids to construct up to five new hybrid electric ferries. “I don’t … more

Tom Banse / Washington State Standard | 5/13/25