State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Senators listen to public comment during a hearing on Senate Bill 5400 in the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia on Tuesday, March 18.

Washington state Senate committee hears support, opposition for local news bill

The Washington state Senate Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing Tuesday, March 18, and listened to testimony for and against a proposed bill that would help fund local journalism across … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/19/25

From left, state Rep. Dan Bronoske, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Lt. Governor Denny Heck and Governor Bob Ferguson.

Four Washington Department of Ecology employees receive state's top civilian honor for rescuing woman

Four Department of Ecology workers have received the state's top civilian honor for rescuing a woman from a fiery crash last year. The medal of valor, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said at a … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/19/25

Washington state student receives explicit messages from fake teacher account; investigation underway

Police are investigating after someone impersonating a teacher sent explicit Instagram messages to a Washougal High School student. The high school reported the incident to the Washougal Police … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

‘You are not to return to duty at this time’: Federal workers on paid leave after firings rescinded

Terminated federal workers in Oregon this week are receiving notices rescinding their firings but informing them that they are now on paid administrative leave until further notice. The workers … more

Yesenia Amaro / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

Oregon's Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is just east of downtown Bend. It rises 480 feet above the city, giving it a commanding view of the Cascade peaks to the west, from Mt. Bachelor to Mount Hood. Jan. 2, 2015.

Snowboarders find solo skier trapped in snow on Mount Bachelor

A 34-year-old Washington man died while solo skiing on Mount Bachelor on Monday after he fell into a tree well, according to Deschutes County Sgt. Jason Wall. Snowboarders who happened to be … more

Beth Slovic / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

Bob Ferguson speaks at a press conference in February. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Top Gov. Bob Ferguson aide resigns amid hostile workplace allegations

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s top advisor and closest political confidant resigned Wednesday amid complaints that he fomented a toxic workplace that contributed to the departure of another key … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/25

Cowlitz County man gets three months in jail for stabbing dog in 2024

A Longview man has pleaded guilty to first-degree animal cruelty for slashing a dog in the neck in 2024. Daryl Keith Bowen, 54, was sentenced in Cowlitz County Superior Court last week to three … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 3/19/25

A salmon launches itself out of the water at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery's adult collection facility on Sunday, Sept. 29 in Salkum.

NOAA report: 2025 will be an above average year for Columbia River salmon

The number of salmon returning to the Columbia and Snake rivers this year is expected to beat the 10-year average return. That's according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric … more

By Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/19/25

From left to right, state Rep. Dan Bronoske, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Lt. Governor Denny Heck and Governor Bob Ferguson

Gov. Ferguson, Washington state lawmakers honor Jimi Hendrix with Medal of Merit

Jimi Hendrix, the world-famous electric guitarist whose innovative style forever shaped the rock-music landscape, was posthumously honored with a Washington state Medal of Merit at the Capitol on … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/18/25

Man who hit a Washington State Patrol trooper head-on dies

A 45-year-old wine industry veteran died a month after a head-on collision with a Washington State Patrol trooper in Kennewick. Investigators believe Jeremy S. Santo of Pasco was intoxicated … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 3/18/25

Economic forecast projects Washington to see nearly a billion less revenue over four years

OLYMPIA — Strapped for cash and searching for ways to cut spending, the job for budget writers in Washington became that much more challenging Tuesday after an updated economic forecast shows … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/18/25

Female detainees are moved through the regional detention center for immigrants in Tacoma, recently renamed the Northwest ICE Processing Center, Tuesday Sept. 10.

Held by ICE in Washington state for weeks, tourist returns to UK

SEATTLE — A British tourist who had been in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Tacoma for nearly three weeks has reportedly been released and flown back to the United … more

Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/18/25

The outside of the state Capitol on the last day of the 2024 Legislature in Olympia on Thursday, March 7.

Washington’s latest budget outlook shows another $845M dent in state revenue

Washington lawmakers have been waiting on a new set of state revenue estimates as they put the final touches on budget proposals expected next week. Those figures arrived Tuesday and further … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street and Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 3/18/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez visits Skamania County EMS and Rescue last year.

MGP introduces bipartisan bill to tackle EMS staffing shortages and streamline veteran hiring

On Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Brad Finstad, R-Minnesota, introduced the bipartisan Preserve Access to Rapid Ambulance Emergency Medical Treatment (PARA-EMT) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/18/25

Democratic lawmakers warn of 'all-out assault' on Medicaid, though Trump says the program is safe

OLYMPIA — Billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid would have a devastating impact on the more than 1.8 million Washingtonians who rely on the program, particularly in rural and Eastern … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/18/25

Starbucks Headquarters flies the Progress Pride flag, Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Seattle.

On the menu for Starbucks: DEI, layoffs, and its CEO’s corporate jet use

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is focused on bringing the company back to its roots. During his first shareholders meeting last week he repeated two of the concepts guiding his changes: a simpler … more

Alex Halverson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/18/25

Former Thurston County teacher accused of molesting student avoids prison by accepting plea deal

A former Olympia School District teacher accused of child molestation avoided a prison sentence on Friday by agreeing to a plea deal. Jonathan J. Moore, 35, pleaded guilty to third-degree … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/18/25

‘Lifelong’ skier, 74, dies on first run of the day at Washington state resort, cops say

A 74-year-old man died at a Washington ski resort after falling head-first into snow, deputies said. The man was with his brother and friend March 13 at Stevens Pass Ski Area, the King County … more

Helena Wegner / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/18/25

Reported 3.3-magnitude earthquake rattles area north of Tacoma near Vashon Island

A 3.3-magnitude earthquake reportedly struck near Vashon Island on Monday night. The earthquake hit at about 11:10 p.m., according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. It was … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/18/25

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

Aide to Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson resigned amid toxic workplace complaints, lawmakers say

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson's legislative director resigned amid concerns about a toxic workplace allegedly fostered by a top gubernatorial aide, according to two Democratic state lawmakers who … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/18/25