State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

The Washington state Capitol building is pictured in Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Newly styled fashion bill debuts on Washington state’s legislative runway

Some Washington state lawmakers want the fashion industry to be less “clothes-minded” about sharing information on their environmental and labor practices. Rep. Sharlett Mena, … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 1/14/25

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs urges voters to rely on official election sources as Meta ends fact-checking moderation

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is urging voters to rely on official election sources after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently announced it will no longer provide … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/13/25

Father and two sons disarm felon accused of threatening customers at Eastern Washington bar

A felon is accused of brandishing a gun and threatening customers inside a Richland bar in the Uptown Shopping Center area early Sunday morning, according to Richland police. A woman ran from … more

By The Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 1/13/25

Bodies of missing hunters located in Eastern Washington

The remains of two hunters who were reported missing Saturday were located that evening at Sprague Lake in Adams County, the Adams County Sheriff's Office reported in a news release. Rock Dwayne … more

By The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/13/25

Washington state lawmakers to consider rent hike caps, housing density

As many Washingtonians struggle with housing costs, state lawmakers are once again preparing to debate strategies to tackle the crisis. And with familiar problems come familiar proposals. … more

Heidi Groover / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/13/25

Washington state Legislature considers climate, environmental bills this session

Don't expect any grand or sweeping climate and environmental laws out of Washington's Capitol during this long legislative session, starting Monday. Rather, this session is largely about … more

Conrad Swanson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/13/25

Washington state Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, is seen on the Senate floor in April 2023. (Legislative Support Services)

Washington state legislation would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S.

With President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations when he takes office on Jan. 20, uncertainty is rising for immigrants across the U.S. State lawmakers have limited power over … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 1/13/25

Flames from the Eaton fire consume a home in Altadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

As California fires bring reports of insurers canceling coverage, can that happen in Washington?

The devastating wildfires in California have brought reports that insurers had recently dropped the policies covering thousands of Los Angeles area homes to the forefront. In the wake of the … more

Daniel Schrager / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/12/25

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a press conference for a budget preview at Green Hill School in Chehalis on Monday, Nov. 25.

Gov. Inslee won't back bill weakening his office's power to site Washington state energy projects

Both Democrats and Republicans agree Washington state's major energy facility siting council could use improving. But their ideas on how to change it are far apart. Lawmakers in Olympia will … more

Eric Rosane / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 1/12/25

Facing child porn allegations, Idaho elementary school employee takes his own life

A Boise elementary school employee died of self-inflicted injuries Friday morning after officers attempted to arrest him on suspicion of child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes. Boise Police … more

Alex Brizee / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/12/25

Washington state lawmakers focus on money woes as they consider cuts — and maybe taxes — to balance budget

There is little doubt what the top concern is for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as they prepare to start Washington's 2025 legislative session this week: solving the budget deficit. A … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/12/25

Sen. Maria Cantwell listens during a roundtable discussion at Cascade Community Healthcare in Centralia on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Cantwell, Murray say they'll push for amendments as Senate debates Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON — Immigration policy will take center stage when Congress returns to the Capitol this week after most Senate Democrats voted Thursday to begin debate on a bill that would require the … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/12/25

Gov. Jay Inslee gives an address during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jay Inslee's wins and setbacks during his 12 years as Washington state governor

OLYMPIA — On a recent tour of the Capitol office he'll soon depart, Gov. Jay Inslee pointed to an old nautical instrument he keeps on the wall. The clinometer measures how much a ship is … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/12/25

FILE PHOTO — Cheveyo, which means “Warrior Spirit” in the Native American Hopi language, is a Bald Eagle at Northwest Trek that was rescued in New York state after being shot in the left wing and having it amputated.

Bald eagle dies after it was found shot with multiple steel BBs, Idaho officials say

A bald eagle died shortly after it was found shot with several steel BBs in northern Idaho, wildlife officials said. The raptor was believed to have been shot Dec. 24 to Dec. 26 near Fisherman … more

Helena Wegner / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/11/25

Ex-Washington pastor accused of bilking $5.9M for fake crypto investments enters plea

The former Tri-Cities pastor of a Pasco church pleaded innocent Thursday to wire fraud after being accused of collecting $5.9 million from church members and others promised risk-free cryptocurrency … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 1/11/25

Researchers confirmed the arrival of baby orca J61, pictured with mother Tahlequah, J35, swimming in Puget Sound, on Christmas Eve. The baby orca lived just a week but Tahlequah has been carrying the calf at least since then, in what is understood by scientists to be an indication of grief. (NOAA/TNS)

Mother orca Tahlequah still carries dead calf after 11 days

SEATTLE — Mother orca Tahlequah is continuing to carry her burden of grief: a dead calf that she now has been refusing to let go of for at least 11 days. Tahlequah is the orca whose story … more

Lynda V. Mapes / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/11/25

A gray wolf. (Gary Kramer/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Wolf-livestock conflict hit new high in Washington state last year

Conflict between wolves and livestock hit a high in Washington in 2024. Wolves injured or killed at least 56 cattle in the state in 2024, according to Washington Department of Fish and … more

Michael Wright / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/11/25

Blind man accidentally shoots friend while trying to kick roommate out of Eastern Washington home

A 53-year-old man who is legally blind accidentally shot his friend in his leg, which was previously amputated below the knee, while trying to kick a roommate out Thursday in Spokane's North Hill … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/11/25

Four people who died in apparent murder-suicide at Pierce County home identified

A 33-year-old Puyallup-area man is suspected of killing his parents last summer and storing their bodies in a fridge or freezer in the garage, then agreeing to suicide with his girlfriend, according … more

Sara Jean Green / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/11/25

Attorney General Bob Ferguson talks to members of the press during a legislative meeting inside the John A. Cherberg building in Olympia in February 2023.

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson may delay converting ferries to electric power

Describing the Washington State Ferries system as "in crisis," Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson said he may postpone the ongoing work to convert the fleet's largest ferries to electric power. "That is … more

Nicholas Deshais / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/11/25