State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Gov. Bob Ferguson, podium, makes remarks during a bill signing event on May 7, 2025, where he signed a law that will cap rent increases for many residential tenants across Washington at 10% or less annually. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Cap on rent increases across Washington state is signed into law

Washington landlords can no longer raise rents by more than 10% per year under landmark legislation Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law Wednesday. Effective immediately, House Bill 1217 caps … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/7/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Gov. Ferguson says those who occupied, vandalized UW building should be ‘held accountable’

Gov. Bob Ferguson said Wednesday he trusts those arrested for the occupation of a building at the University of Washington “will be held accountable for the harm they caused.” … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/7/25

Death notices: May 7, 2025

• CHERYL SUE WEINKE , 77, Chehalis, died April 20 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • JERRY R. VOYLES, 77, Winlock, died on May 3 … more

5/7/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson, left, and former Gov. Jay Inslee.

In limiting new taxes, Republicans in Legislature found unexpected ally in Washington's Democratic governor

Washington’s 2025 legislative session was a shakeup in every meaning of the word. Between Washington’s new governor — the first in 12 years — and a massive predicted … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/7/25

Elk are pictured near Mount St. Helens in this Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife photo.

Funding for 1,200 acres of additional elk habitat at Mount St. Helens doesn't come through in state budget

The purchase of an additional 1,200 acres of elk habitat to incorporate into the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area has been canceled, according to a Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/7/25

Cap on rent increases across Washington is signed into law

Washington landlords can no longer raise rents by more than 10% per year under landmark legislation Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law Wednesday. Effective immediately, House Bill 1217 caps … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 5/7/25

Washington state wildlife crop damage law signed

In a move to support farmers in less densely populated areas, the Washington State Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 5165, which aims to provide compensation for damage to commercial crops … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 5/7/25

New Washington state law provides protection for hot car rescues

OLYMPIA — The Washington state Legislature has passed House Bill 1046, which grants immunity from civil liability for those who forcibly enter a locked vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 5/7/25

Prowlers find man’s garage door opener, then kill him in his home, Washington cops say

Car prowlers discovered a garage opener and used it to break into a home and shoot and kill a man in Washington, police said. Authorities responded May 3 at about 4:10 a.m., the Vancouver Police … more

Helena Wegner / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 5/7/25

Fight erupts outside Yelm store Monday afternoon, Thurston County court records show

A 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Monday afternoon, including four counts of assault, following a fight with a UPS store employee in Yelm, Superior Court records show. … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 5/7/25

Mom put fentanyl pills in backseat, then toddler overdosed twice, Oregon officials say

An Oregon mom accused of leaving fentanyl pills within reach of her 2-year-old was convicted in connection with the child’s overdose, prosecutors said. Megan Elizabeth Meek was found … more

Sara Schilling / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/7/25

Attacker sought after baby elephant seal stabbed repeatedly on Oregon beach, feds say

A baby elephant seal was stabbed multiple times on an Oregon beach, federal officials said. Now, authorities are looking for the attacker. The incident happened between 8 p.m. and 11:30 … more

Helena Wegner / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/7/25

The U.S. Supreme Court building as seen on Sunday, July 11, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Washington state veteran says Supreme Court decision on trans troops will hurt readiness

Kathryn Goldston felt a pit in her stomach after she saw the Supreme Court revived a ban on transgender troops Tuesday morning. "I'm not going to lie, this is a pretty big blow," Goldston said. … more

Monica Carrillo-Casas / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/7/25

Sen. Patty Murray grills VA secretary over planned layoffs, handling of computer system rollout

New Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins faced tough questions on Tuesday about his plans to lay off 70,000 to 80,000 employees and speed up the nationwide deployment of a troubled … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/7/25

As Trump targets National Endowment for the Arts , funds for Washington state arts organizations vanish

Showtime was two hours away when Seattle nonprofit On the Boards got the news: On Friday afternoon, the federal government withdrew a National Endowment for the Arts grant that should have funded … more

Margo Vansynghel / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/7/25

East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue dispatched to two people trapped.

Two trapped under heavy machinery in Grays Harbor County

At about 1 p.m. Monday, East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue was dispatched for an incident involving heavy paving machinery. Crews were advised that there were two patients possibly trapped under … more

By The Daily World | 5/7/25

'Not a forever status quo': Southwest Washington braces for tariffs

Leaders of two organizations that work closely with businesses in Cowlitz and other nearby counties say local companies are finding it difficult to plan in a rapidly changing business environment. … more

Nick Morgan / The Daily News | 5/7/25

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks at True North Classical Academy on March 18, 2025.

Feds launch review of University of Washington antisemitic violence

The Trump Administration is launching a review of antisemitic violence that occurred this week on the University of Washington campus. The review comes after about 30 pro-Palestinian protesters … more

By Dan McCaleb and Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 5/7/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck embrace during a joint legislative session in House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Gov. Bob Ferguson pressed to veto $1.8B piece of Democrats’ tax bill

Hoteliers, restaurateurs and grocers are asking Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto part of a tax bill that they say will drive up food costs for them and their customers. Excising the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/7/25

Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)

Hoh Rain Forest road to reopen after state assistance to repair washout

With the help of over $600,000 in state money, the sole access road to Olympic National Park’s popular Hoh Rain Forest will reopen this week after a monthslong closure. Access on the Upper … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/6/25