State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

An exterior view of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 9, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Three Washington members of Congress talk strategy ahead of Trump presidency

In the month since the election, a new reality has sunk in. Former President Donald Trump will shortly return to the nation's highest office with a broad mandate. Republicans will control the White … more

Nina Shapiro / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/10/24

Pierce County man who took $73K for promised yard work now charged with seven counts of theft

A Lakewood man has been hit with more theft charges after prosecutors contend he scammed two different people out of $73,000 on the pretense of performing yard work for two years. Prosecutors … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 12/10/24

The Washington State Capitol building in Olympia on Thursday, June 6.

How much is Washington state overspending? Depends on who you ask

Washington state is overspending its revenue by billions of dollars, but finding out just how many billions has state officials offering up broadly different figures. During last … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 12/10/24

Why home and auto insurance rates are up in Washington state

Washington residents have seen home and auto insurance rates climb steeply over the past couple of years. On Monday, insurance industry representatives offered state lawmakers their breakdown of … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington Standard | 12/10/24

Murky, silt-filled of the Toutle River mixes into the Cowlitz River north of Castle Rock in 2015.

Daytime single-lane closures set for both directions of I-5 Toutle River Bridge near Castle Rock

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 11, Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) bridge maintenance crews will close a single lane of the Interstate 5 Toutle River Bridge near Castle Rock to wash … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/9/24

The Chinook Indian Nation flag flies alongside the United States flag as the nation continues its 120-plus year efforts to be federally recognized as a sovereign nation by the U.S. government.

Chinook Indian Nation chairman calls for U.S. lawmakers to act on promise of federal recognition

Instead of celebrating Native American Heritage Day on Friday, Nov. 29, Chinook Indian Nation Chairman Tony Johnson said tribal leaders continue to focus on their fight for federal recognition as a … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 12/9/24

https://darksky.org/news/antelope-oregon/

This tiny town is Oregon’s first ‘Dark Sky Community’

The tiny town of Antelope – population 37 – has become the first city in Oregon to receive a “Dark Sky Community” certification from DarkSky International. Located in … more

Samantha Swindler / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/9/24

The Oregon Zoo’s newest fuzzy friends are a pair of orphaned cougar cubs, littermates who were rescued from Southwest Washington last month. The siblings — one male and one female, both around 4-months old and 20 pounds — are being cared for at the zoo’s veterinary medical center.

Orphaned cougar cubs from Southwest Washington now at Oregon Zoo

Some of the Oregon Zoo’s most beloved residents are its “second chance” animals — those who were rescued from the wild and given a new lease on life in Portland. There … more

Veronica Nocera / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 12/9/24

Boater rescued as 40-foot vessel burns offshore near West Seattle

A 40-foot boat in Seattle's Elliott Bay went up in flames Sunday, leading another vessel to rescue the distressed boater, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Crews from the Seattle Fire … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/9/24

Mason County man killed in wreck has been identified, state patrol says

A Shelton man who was killed in a Thursday night wreck in Mason County has been identified, according to the Washington State Patrol. About 11:10 p.m. Dec. 5, Levi C. Eaton, 39, was headed south … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 12/9/24

Mason County man escapes injury, despite driving truck onto freeway barrier, troopers say

A 27-year-old Shelton truck driver was not injured, but his truck did wind up perched on a freeway barrier Friday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol. About 5:10 p.m. Dec. 6, the … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 12/9/24

Most occupants of crash in Eastern Washington that killed one were not wearing seat belts

One woman died and eight other people were injured Saturday afternoon in a vehicle rollover crash on U.S. Highway 395 just outside of Ritzville. Of the nine occupants, one passenger wore a seat … more

Elena Perry / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 12/9/24

After nine months of research, a WSU sociologist concludes rural clinics aren't ready for artificial intelligence

A Washington State University sociologist has concluded after a nine-month study that rural health clinics aren't ready for artificial intelligence implementation. One of 25 fellows selected for … more

Monica Carrillo-Casas / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 12/9/24

Police officer stabbed while assisting Washington state Department of Corrections

A Shelton police officer was stabbed in the hand Thursday while trying to take a suspect into custody, according to Shelton police. The male suspect was wanted by the state Department of … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 12/9/24

Lawmakers return to Olympia for meetings ahead of 2025 session

Child care affordability, crime trends, environmental protections, access to addiction treatment and housing costs. These are some of the issues on Washington lawmakers’ agenda this week. … more

By Laurel Demkovich / The Washington Standard | 12/9/24

Skiers and snowboarders walk up to the base lift to enjoy opening day at White Pass Ski Area on Friday, Nov. 22.

Maintaining small mountain feel crucial amidst growth at White Pass Ski Area

Significant November snowfall and a La Niña forecast offer potential for continued growth at ski areas throughout the Cascades this season. White Pass marketing director Andy Mahre said … more

Luke Thompson / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 12/8/24

Ship collisions are now a leading cause of death worldwide for large whale species. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Ship strikes now leading cause of whale deaths, study finds

SEATTLE — With the near complete end of commercial whaling, ship collisions are now a leading cause of death worldwide for large whale species, according to new research published in Science. … more

Lynda V. Mapes / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/8/24

Car crash leads to stabbing in Pierce County, one man taken to hospital with injuries

A car crash in Frederickson took a drastic turn when a man stabbed the other Friday night. Between 5 and 6 p.m., there was a crash involving two vehicles at 176th Street East and Canyon Road … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 12/8/24

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) arrives to a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on protections for access to in vitro fertilization on February 27, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Patty Murray, at UW Medicine, sounds alarm on RFK Jr. and vaccines

SEATTLE — Putting the nation's leading anti-vaccine activist in charge of the massive federal department overseeing America's sprawling system of health care, disease control and medical … more

David Gutman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/8/24

Crime victim advocates in Washington state face funding 'cliff,' rally for reform

Over 100 people protested near the Space Needle on Saturday to support 140 crime victim resource groups that could lose half their funding by summer. The "Rally for Victims" called for state … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/8/24