State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Protesters surround U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's vehicle, waving signs and shouting as she departs the venue. The scene followed a tense town hall on Thursday, April 24 marked by frustration over her votes on election reform and party discipline.

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez grilled over SAVE Act vote at chaotic town hall

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, was met with boos, heckling and calls to resign Thursday night during a contentious town hall in Vancouver, where hundreds of constituents aired … more

By Norman Helgason / For The Chronicle | 4/28/25

Flood waters and buildings along West Main Street, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Beattyville, Kentucky, after severe overnight rain hit the Eastern Kentucky town, leaving many parts of the town flooded.

Trump denies disaster aid, tells states to do more

In the wake of recent natural disasters, state leaders across the country are finding that emergency support from the federal government is no longer a given. Under President Donald Trump, the … more

By Alex Brown / States Newsroom | 4/28/25

Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

Sen. Jeff Wilson bill to help small communities fund mixed recreation and library spaces passes in state Legislature

The Washington state House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill on Friday, April 11, that makes some small libraries eligible for funding from a parks and recreation district. The Senate … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/28/25

A police car is parked on Galvin Road above the Chehalis River where a man floated in a stolen kayak on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

A newly passed Washington state law to hire more local law enforcement across the state could help Lewis County

The Washington state House of Representatives approved final changes Tuesday, April 22, for a bill that creates local funding for new law enforcement officers across the state. After making it … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/28/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

Sen. John Braun bill addresses vehicle inspection delays in the state

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill earlier this month that aims to help the Washington State Patrol work through its backlog of vehicle inspections. Senate Bill 5462, which is sponsored … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/25

Motorcyclist dies after Saturday night wreck in Pierce County, state patrol says

A 48-year-old motorcyclist died at a Tacoma area hospital Saturday night following a wreck in east Pierce County with two other drivers, according to the Washington State Patrol. About 8:15 … more

Rolf Boone / The News Tribune (TNS) | 4/28/25

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

Legislature completes work on time as focus turns to governor

OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature called it a wrap Sunday, a session many around the state Capitol have described as among the most challenging they've faced. Legislators have navigated … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/28/25

Pierce County executive, sheriff at odds over working with immigration authorities

A Pierce County Council resolution to be voted on Tuesday affirming the county’s position on limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities reveals a … more

Peter Talbot / The News Tribune (TNS) | 4/28/25

Trump cuts money meant to relocate people from flood-prone area of Western Washington

The Trump administration’s decision to cut an infrastructure and community grant program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month has upended Pierce County’s plans to … more

Becca Most / The News Tribune (TNS) | 4/28/25

Nearly $78 billion budget sent to Gov. Ferguson to close out legislative session

Will he sign it into law? That’s the question for Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson now that lawmakers have sent him a two-year $77.8 billion operating budget. On Sunday, the last day of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/28/25

Washington state lawmakers mourn a pair of deaths as session ends

Washington state lawmakers found themselves united in mourning on the last day of session Sunday. A week after the sudden death of Sen. Bill Ramos, D-Issaquah, legislators were also grappling … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/28/25

Motorcyclist suspected of DUI after Interstate 5 crash

Authorities say a Kalama motorcyclist is suspected of driving under the influence after he crashed Saturday evening on northbound Interstate 5 near Lexington. A Washington State Patrol press … more

By The Daily News | 4/28/25

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

Washington state lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities

A highly contested bill around the closure of a residential center for people with disabilities passed the Washington state House and Senate this weekend with mixed support from lawmakers and some … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 4/28/25

Lawmakers on the Senate floor ahead of adjourning on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington lawmakers close out session, sending budgets to governor

This year’s 105-day Washington state legislative session was in many ways a trudge. There was a multibillion-dollar budget deficit to solve. Sharp debate on parental rights and … more

By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/28/25

Rent increase cap proposal heads to Washington governor

Washington is poised to limit annual residential rent increases with legislation now headed to the governor’s desk. The House and Senate on Sunday, the last day of the legislative session, … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/27/25

Attorney General Nick Brown waves to lawmakers during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Washington among 19 states suing Trump over push to end DEI in public schools

Washington joined 18 other states in suing the federal government on Friday, doubling down on their resistance to the Trump administration's push to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in … more

4/26/25

Dog killed in Eastern Washington drive-by shooting, police say

A dog was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting late Thursday night in northeast Spokane, according to the Spokane Police Department. A person reported a man came to his home in the 3000 block … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/26/25

Governor-elect Bob Ferguson sat down for an interview at Cafe Javasti in Maple Leaf to address questions about his political agenda, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Seattle.

Gov. Ferguson's approval rating dips among Democrats, rises for Republicans

SEATTLE — After three months in office, Gov. Bob Ferguson's popularity has dipped among Democrats while rising with Republicans, according to a new statewide poll. Positive opinions among … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/26/25

Mat Farnum, center, pickets outside Angel of the Winds Arena as striking Boeing employees pass through to vote on a contract Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry for Washington State Standard)

Striking worker unemployment benefit bill headed to Washington governor

Unemployment benefits for striking workers are close to becoming law in Washington after a compromise proposal cleared the state House and Senate. Striking workers could expect to receive … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard | 4/26/25

Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, fist bumps Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, during Gov. Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address on Jan. 15, 2025, at the state Capitol in Olympia. On Friday, April 25, Braun challenged legislation to cap rent increases on the grounds that it was drafted in a way that did not comply with Senate rules. The move was successful and delayed a vote on the bill. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Procedural snag delays votes on bill to cap Washington state rent increases

Democrats were moments away from passing a cap on residential rent increases off the Washington state Senate floor Friday night. But a challenge from the Senate Republican leader, upheld … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/26/25