State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

From left, Dana Cordy, Cheri Landers, Jody Stoltz, and Pat Haller place placards on preferred food items for donation at Tenino Food Bank Plus on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Tenino Market Fresh.

Some Washington state food bank clients getting less as providers stretch supply to cope with cuts

As the pandemic started to subside, Judy Jones figured that demand at the Thurston County Food Bank might plateau. Instead the number of new clients has continued to grow about 6% to 8% each week, … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/13/25

Abuse survivors defend Washington state law that feds slam as 'anti-Catholic'

Survivors of abuse by clergy members are defending a new Washington law against accusations from the U.S. Department of Justice that it is "anti-Catholic" and worthy of a federal investigation. … more

Shauna Sowersby / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/13/25

Captain stayed on boat sinking off Washington state, officials say. He’s been missing for days

A 44-year-old man has been missing for days since he stayed on his sinking fishing boat off Washington, officials said. Jon Stevenson’s vessel started taking on water at about 8:15 a.m. … more

Helena Wegner / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/13/25

Washington state county confirms rare case of mumps in person recently out of country

For the first time in seven years, a Whatcom County resident has a confirmed case of mumps. The case presents no risk to the general public, according to a statement from Whatcom County. Health … more

Jack Belcher / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/13/25

Ferguson signs bill to require speed-limiting devices for habitual speeders in Washington

Some of the state's most habitual speeders will soon be required to install speed-limiting devices in their car. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation Monday requiring intelligent speed … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/13/25

Three Washington state rock climbers dead, one hurt in North Cascades climbing fall

Three King County residents died in a North Cascades rock climbing accident over the weekend when their equipment failed as they rappelled down the side of a steep gully near North Early Winters … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times(TNS) | 5/13/25

Washington state gets just two bids to build new electric ferries, and the prices are in

As the state ferry system struggles to recover from years of diminished service and a lack of boats, just two U.S. shipyards submitted bids Monday to build a new generation of hybrid-electric boats … more

Nicholas Deshais / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/13/25

Fight over peacocks ends in gunfire, Oregon officials say. ‘Bock, bock, bock you next’

A dad headed to work intervened as peacocks were being harassed in his neighborhood, and then he was shot at, Oregon officials said. Now, a 25-year-old man accused of opening fire on him is … more

Sara Schilling / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/13/25

Washington state among best in the country for education, environment in new US News rankings

It might be difficult to quantify what makes a particular U.S. state good or bad, but that didn’t stop U.S. News and World Report from trying. Last week, U.S. News released its annual … more

Daniel Schrager / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/13/25

Dozens of layoffs expected at Washington State Library amid state, federal reductions

The Washington State Library is bracing for dozens of anticipated layoffs due to a mixture of reduced state and federal funding. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’ office noted in a Monday … more

Simone Carter / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/13/25

The outside of Talking Cedar distillery brewery in Rochester on Thursday, June 6.

Washington state breweries just avoided a steep tax increase that’s expected to resurface

Washington’s breweries dodged a financial bullet during this year’s legislative session — one that is likely to return during next year’s session. While a bill seeking to … more

Alyse Smith / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/13/25

Natural gas initiative's backers prepare appeal request to Washington state Supreme Court

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) now has the green light to ask the Washington Supreme Court to consider an appeal of a ruling by a King County judge that struck down an … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/12/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson signs expanded hate crimes bill into law May 12, 2025, at the Washington Capitol in Olympia.

Expanded hate crime bill signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson

A bill that modifies what constitutes a hate crime in Washington was signed into law Monday afternoon by Gov. Bob Ferguson. House Bill 1052 changes existing law to include the language of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/12/25

A speed limiter device, like this one, will be required for repeat speeding offenders under a Washington law signed on May 12, 2025. The law doesn’t take effect until 2029. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Washington state to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters

In a few years, with the help of technology, prolific speeders in Washington won’t be able to drive as fast as they want. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed House Bill 1596 into law, … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/12/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez answers a question at a town hall in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Tuesday, April 22.

Gluesenkamp Perez introduces bipartisan bill to support rural public health coordination

Last week, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Michael Guest, R-Mississippi, introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize the Office of Rural Health within the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/12/25

Seven cases move forward in Western Washington following FBI-led national crackdown on alleged child sex abuse offenders

Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 child sexual abuse … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/12/25

Narcotics seized during the investigation.

Leader of drug trafficking ring in Washington state connected to Aryan prison gangs sentenced to more than 17 years in prison

A co-leader of a drug distribution ring selling fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and heroin throughout the Puget Sound region was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 17 and a half … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/12/25

Former U.S. attorney for Western Washington and current 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.

Attorney General Nick Brown blasts Trump’s ‘fake energy emergency’ in new Washington lawsuit

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown on Friday announced a new lawsuit against President Donald Trump — marking the 17th time since January that the state has led or participated in a suit … more

Simone Carter / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/12/25

Man reportedly fleeing trooper jumps over Interstate 5 barrier in Seattle, dies

A 19-year-old man died early Saturday after jumping over the barrier of Interstate 5 near the Ship Canal Bridge in an apparent attempt to get away from police, Washington State Patrol officials say. … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/12/25

Family of girl who died by suicide at hospital files lawsuit against Providence Sacred Heart

The family of Sarah Niyimbona has filed a lawsuit against Providence Sacred Heart for the hospital's alleged neglect and medical malpractice that led to the girl's death. Niyimbona had been a … more

Amanda Sullender / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/12/25