State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

The Washington state Supreme Court building in Olympia. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington Supreme Court upholds ballot signature verification system

Washington’s ballot signature verification system is constitutional, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday, despite a challenge arguing the process has disenfranchised tens of thousands of … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, addressing voters at a pub.

Democratic Committee announces 26 vulnerable members for 2026, including Gluesenkamp Perez

WASHINGTON — House Democrats on Thursday identified 26 incumbents considered most vulnerable in the 2026 midterm elections. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s initial … more

Daniela Altimari / CQ-Roll Call (TNS) | 3/6/25

Washington state lawmakers consider uncapping tax on big tech companies to fund higher ed

A battle is brewing in the Washington Legislature over a Democratic bill that would hike a tax on large technology companies to raise more money for higher education, including student financial aid. … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/25

Fallout from tariff fight looms for Washington state

Industries across the state continue to brace for fallout from the implementation of U.S. tariffs on international goods, and retaliatory tariffs from Canada, China and Mexico. At the Washington … more

By Albert James / Murrow News | 3/6/25

Washington state resolution would enshrine abortion, gender-affirming care into state constitution

A group of more than two dozen Washington Democrat state senators have sponsored a resolution that would amend the state Constitution to guarantee a right to abortion and gender-affirming treatment. … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 3/5/25

Washington state Senate passes gun-free zone expansion bill

A bill expanding gun-free zones cleared a major legislative hurdle on Wednesday, passing the Washington State Senate on a 28-21 vote. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5098 , sponsored by … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/5/25

Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho could be only state with firing squad as main execution method, after Legislature passes bill

Unless Gov. Brad Little vetoes a bill that passed the Idaho Legislature, Idaho could become the only state to fatally shoot death row inmates as its main execution method. If passed into law, … more

By Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 3/5/25

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 state attorney general joins lawsuit over federal job cuts

The Washington state attorney general on Tuesday joined another lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time over the “damaging and illegal” firings of federal employees. In … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/5/25

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Washington Senate Democrats want reproductive, gender-affirming care in state constitution

OLYMPIA — Democratic state lawmakers, worried about federal efforts to limit transgender and abortion rights, want to amend the state constitution to include protections for gender-affirming … more

By Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/5/25

Man found dead alongside railroad tracks near Lost Lake, Thurston Sheriff's Office says

A man's body was found Monday morning in Thurston County, according to the sheriff's office. About 8:30 a.m., deputies were dispatched to railroad tracks near Reservation Road Southeast and Lost … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/5/25

Woman stabbed, burned and choked during argument with boyfriend, police in Thurston County say

A 47-year-old man was arrested last week on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend of six months, according to Olympia police. About 3 a.m. Feb. 23, police were dispatched to an apartment in the … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/5/25

Thurston County deputies assist Washington State Patrol with pursuit Monday night, deploy 'grappler'

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Monday night after fleeing from state troopers on southbound I-5, according to jail information and the Thurston County sheriff. … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/5/25

Miguel Gaitan, who murdered an Washington family in 1993, is released from prison

Miguel Gaitan, who was convicted of the slaughter of an Outlook family of four, has been released from prison. Gaitan, 46, was initially sentenced to four consecutive life-without-parole … more

Donald W. Meyers / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 3/5/25

Thurston County timber business fined $114,300 for violating child labor laws, state L&I says

An Olympia area timber business has been fined $114,300 by the state Department of Labor and Industries, the agency announced Tuesday. L&I officials say the business allowed a teen to work … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/5/25

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a copy of an executive order honoring Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was killed by illegal immigrants, as he addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, D.C. President Trump was expected to address Congress on his early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda.

Northwest lawmakers react to Trump's address to Congress

WASHINGTON — In an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump touted his administration's swift actions to remake the federal government in his image, provoking … more

Orion Donovan Smith and Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/5/25

Judge in Seattle questions Trump's response to his refugee ruling

A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday expressed skepticism that President Donald Trump's administration was abiding by his order to resume the country's refugee resettlement program. U.S. … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/5/25

Thurston County Narcotics Task Force seizes $17,000, 22 pounds of meth, three vehicles and two guns

Drugs, guns, cash and other items have been seized following an investigation into a Cartel-linked regional drug trafficking organization, the Thurston Narcotics Task Force announced. A dozen … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/5/25

Whiskers twitch on a baby nutria as it munches on weeds and leaves beside Fort Borst Lake in Centralia in 2023.

‘Save a swamp, sauté a nutria,’ says federal agency

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not known for its culinary recommendations, but a recent Facebook post has an eye-catching, but perhaps unappetizing photo of a furry nutria along with the line … more

Janet Eastman / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/5/25

SW Washington school district’s ban on asking students’ pronouns violates state law, agency rules

A Southwest Washington school district violated state policies by prohibiting teachers from asking students for their pronouns, a state agency ruled last week. The Washington Office of Public … more

Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/5/25

Lincoln Clayton Smith appeared in Marion County court on Tues., May 30, 2023.

Trucker who slammed into farmworkers’ van on Interstate 5, killing seven, sentenced

The long-haul trucker from California who killed seven Oregon farmworkers when his 55,000-pound semitruck smashed into a parked van was sentenced to 48 years and three months in prison Tuesday. … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/5/25