State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Firefighters fight to save homes from the Old Trails fire as it spreads into neighborhoods off of Indian Trail on Saturday in Spokane. It has burned at least 640 structures.

Wildfire in northwest Spokane destroys 640 structures

The Old Trails wildfire in northwest Spokane destroyed 640 structures Saturday, according to Cody Rohrbach, Spokane County Fire District 3 fire chief. Many of the homes were inside the city … more

Elena Perry / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 8/2/26

Wildfire smoke is now the primary pollutant affecting pregnancy, study shows

A new study examining pollution levels across a 16-year span found that while general pollution levels from sources such as cars and industry have significantly declined, recent increases in wildfire … more

Kelcie Moseley-Morris / Stateline | 8/2/26

A new report found that in the past two years, more than half the states expanded care for children and services for older adults and disabled people. But they will be hard-pressed to maintain funding in the face of federal cuts.

Many states expanded care for children, older adults and workers

Many states have made marked progress over the past two years in extending crucial care and benefits to children, workers and aging adults. But they will be hard-pressed to fill the void left by … more

Kevin Hardy / Stateline | 8/2/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Washington child welfare supervisor: 'We can't always keep families together safely'

The chair of the Washington Federation of State Employees DCYF Policy Committee is speaking out about failures with the Keeping Families Together Act (KFTA), which she says are leading to unnecessary … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/31/26

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.

Judge rejects states’ bid to block Medicaid work rules

States will have to meet a Jan. 1 deadline to implement new Medicaid work requirements, after a federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states’ request to pause implementation of the rule. The … more

By Nada Hassanein / States Newsroom | 7/31/26

Trump defends massive settlement for ‘great American Patriots’ of Jan. 6, attacks GOP senators

President Donald Trump defended his highly criticized, nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement fund on social media and in a Cabinet meeting Friday, as two key Republican senators … more

By Ashley Murray / States Newsroom | 7/31/26

Fish and Wildlife Commission probe finds wrongdoing, doesn’t recommend punishment

Washington fish and wildlife commissioners routinely disregarded government transparency laws, skirted conflict of interest rules, and sparred with agency leaders, but their actions and behavior did … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/31/26

The Sinlahekin fire in Okanogan County has burned over 24,000 acres and prompted level 3 evacuations. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

‘Truly dangerous’: Dry, windy forecast east of Washington’s Cascades sparks dire wildfire warning

High winds in central and eastern Washington on Saturday could worsen large fires already burning in the region . The National Weather Service issued a “Particularly Dangerous … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/31/26

Grays Harbor County man killed in industrial accident

On Thursday, July 30, several agencies including the Aberdeen police and fire departments and the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office responded to a death that had occurred at Pacific Veneer in … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 7/31/26

Autistic juvenile in custody after standoff in Grays Harbor County

Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in rural Elma. The reporting party advised dispatch that his autistic 13-year-old son … more

By The Daily World | 7/31/26

Trooper Justin Schaffer was killed on March 24, 2020, when he was struck by the vehicle of a fleeing robbery suspect while laying down spike strips on Interstate 5.

Father of slain Trooper Justin Schaffer settles lawsuit with Thurston County

A lawsuit between the father of a Washington State Patrol trooper killed on duty and the county accused of gross negligence that led to his death reached a settlement Tuesday. The agreement came … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

An adult spring Chinook salmon awaits release into South Coldwater Creek during a historic reintroduction effort led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and partner agencies on Wednesday, June 10. The project aims to restore salmon access to habitat above the Sediment Retention Structure in the North Fork Toutle River Basin.

WDFW, Cowlitz Tribe, Forest Service celebrate first Chinook salmon reintroduction to Mount St. Helens area since 1980 eruption

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in coordination with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, U.S. Forest Service and conservation partners have reintroduced spring Chinook salmon into … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

The TransAlta Centralia plant is pictured on Thursday, March 12.

State confirms TransAlta natural gas transition, requests public comment

TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, and Sen. Patty Murray. Both Democrats represent Washington state in Congress.

Washington senators join letter demanding restored energy grants

Washington state’s two senators and a group of more than 30 others are demanding the federal government restore federal funding for hydrogen energy projects. The $1 billion in canceled funding … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Washington cities try to gird for coastal flooding as ‘super El Niño’ nears

With a record-breaking El Niño in the forecast, it could be a rough winter for low-lying communities on the West Coast. Two levee projects aimed at protecting Washington cities from coastal … more

By John Ryan / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 7/31/26

The courtroom in the Temple of Justice is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Washington state Supreme Court rules in WSU hazing death

Washington State University is obligated to protect students from harm foreseeably caused by fraternity hazing, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The decision arises from a case brought by … more

Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Snow drifts cover giant rocky outcroppings near Mount Rainier's peak on Saturday, March 16, 2024, as seen from U.S. Highway 12 near the White Pass Ski Area.

Investigation into Rainier rockfall that killed local climber concludes

Just after 2:30 a.m. on July 19, at 11,600 feet on Mount Rainier’s Disappointment Cleaver route, rocks fell and crashed into multiple climbers, injuring three and killing Daihong Chen, 44, of … more

By Gavin Feek / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 7/31/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

‘Get here early’: Crowds form at Mount Rainier National Park as visits boom

ASHFORD — By sunrise Sunday, two-thirds of the roughly 200 parking stalls in the upper parking lot at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park were taken. By 6:30 a.m., cars were turning, … more

By Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/31/26

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever handles the ball against Flau'jae Johnson #4 of the Seattle Storm during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on July 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Storm co-owner suspended; Sophie Cunningham comments after fan incident

SEATTLE — The WNBA suspended Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton from attending the team’s next five home games and fined her an undisclosed amount following an incident during Tuesday’s … more

Percy Allen / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Washington man sentenced for stealing from woman who died on his doorstep

A 59-year-old man is serving at least two years in prison for taking the credit card of a woman who died on his porch. Joe Cruz Garza, of Pasco, was previously accused of allowing Breanna … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/31/26