State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Washington’s Lt. Gov. Denny Heck asked the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials to increase the pay for the state’s lawmakers. He said their current pay is not commensurate with their growing responsibilities.

Citizen panel says Washington state lawmakers deserve a 14% raise

State lawmakers in Washington will get a 14% raise over the next two years, pushing their annual pay above $70,000, under a recommendation adopted Thursday by a citizen salary-setting panel. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington Standard | 10/11/24

The Columbia River chinook salmon run has exceeded expectations, allowing managers to extend both sport and commercial fishing.

Columbia River chinook salmon fishing extended

The Columbia River will remain open to chinook salmon retention through the end of the year up to the U.S. 395 bridge in Pasco, Washington. Oregon and Washington fish managers met Thursday … more

Bill Monroe / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/11/24

Oregon mother who fled scene where 2-year-old daughter was dying from fentanyl now charged in armed carjacking

The mother who police said fled the Portland home where her 2-year-old daughter was dying from fentanyl poisoning is now charged in a subsequent alleged armed carjacking. Mary Elizabeth Jacobo, … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/11/24

A lot of chirping and barking along the Lewis River during the smelt runs, such as this one last week. During the morning of Thursday, March 7, dozens of bald eagles and sea lions feasted on smelt in the Lewis River as seen from the Forks boat launch near Woodland.

New WDFW project will use drones to track the state's seal and sea lion populations

Turns out the government is using drones to spy after all — just not on humans. Starting in fall 2024, Washington will use drones to monitor the local seal and sea lion populations, the … more

Daniel Schrager / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 10/11/24

Interstate 5 shootings suspect incompetent, must undergo treatment, judge orders

A King County Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered a man accused of randomly shooting people while driving on Interstate 5 last month to spend three months at an inpatient treatment facility … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/11/24

Washington State Parks won't reopen Cama Beach cabins due to discovery of Indigenous human remains, sea-level rise

The Washington State Parks Commission voted unanimously Thursday not to reopen the Cama Beach cabins on Camano Island due to risks from sea-level rise and the presence of Indigenous human remains. … more

Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/11/24

Brian Heywood speaks during the “Let’s Go Washington” initiatives rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Here are takeaways from debate over Initiative 2117, which would repeal Washington's climate law

If it passes in November, Initiative 2117 will repeal Washington state's landmark environmental law, the Climate Commitment Act. On Thursday, the initiative sponsor and the author of the … more

Ellen Dennis / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 10/11/24

The Washington State Patrol responded to a fatal crash outside of Ocean Shores Thursday morning. (Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World)

Pedestrian struck and killed by bus in Grays Harbor County

A 33-year-old Aberdeen man was struck and killed on state Route 115 outside of Ocean Shores on Thursday morning. The man, whose name has not been released, was hit by a northbound Grays Harbor … more

By Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World | 10/10/24

Woman describes desperate escape from Oregon cell after alleged kidnapping from Seattle

Negasi Zuberi picked up the woman along Seattle’s Aurora Avenue, a prostitution hotspot known as The Blade, then drove her to an alley and handed her a $100 bill for sex, she testified … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/10/24

Oregon officers seize bag with ‘Definitely not a bag full of drugs’ printed on it — and it was full of drugs

Officers on Tuesday night stopped a man and a woman driving a stolen car in Southeast Portland, and they found much more than a stolen car, the Portland Police Bureau said. When officers pulled … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/10/24

Boy, 12, assaulted school bus driver and then climbed on top of bus in Clark County, officials say

Deputies booked a 12-year-old into Clark County juvenile detention after he allegedly assaulted a school bus driver in Vancouver on Monday — and then climbed on top of the bus. Clark … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/10/24

The Northern Lights are pictured over Southwest Washington in this photo by Cade Barker captured last March.

Northern lights forecast across the United States tonight, Oct. 10

A strong geomagnetic storm means people in almost half of the United States might get a chance to see auroras in the sky Thursday night. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric … more

Lizzy Acker / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/10/24

The Oregon State Hospital in Salem, built at a cost of $311 million, opened in 2011.

Oregon man who brought mom’s severed head to grocery store will be released to treatment center

A Clackamas County man who seven years ago decapitated his mother and drove with her severed head to a grocery store will be transferred from the state psychiatric hospital to a secure … more

Noelle Crombie / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/10/24

The Ed Carlson Memorial Field and South Lewis County Airport in Toledo was once discussed as an option for a new state airport, but was eventually dropped from the list of potential locations.

Washington aviation group looks to restart discussion about state's airport needs

More than a year after it was created by the state Legislature, a new committee seeking long-term solutions to Washington's aviation and transportation issues took early steps toward a mission … more

Joel Donofrio / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 10/10/24

Hurricane Helene-related delays halt some elective procedures in Washington state

Some Washington hospitals have temporarily halted elective procedures this week, as they struggle with IV fluid shortages caused by Hurricane Helene flooding and damage. The storm coursed … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/10/24

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.

Washington and 12 other states sue TikTok for effects on youth mental health

Washington state's Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing TikTok, his office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Ferguson joins 12 other states' attorneys general, as well as Washington, D.C., who have … more

Daniel Schrager / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 10/10/24

Pedestrian dies after medical event and crash in downtown Olympia Wednesday morning

A woman died after suffering a medical event then being struck by a vehicle in downtown Olympia Wednesday morning, according to Olympia police. The incident occurred at around 6 a.m. at the … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 10/10/24

Trial for suspect in murders of four Idaho students pushed back to August 2025

The murder trial for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students, was pushed back Wednesday to August. Court records show the trial is expected to run from Aug. … more

Alexandra Duggan / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 10/10/24

Conservative group behind statewide initiatives issued hefty fine for violating campaign finance law

Washington's campaign finance law enforcement agency has handed a $20,000 fine to the conservative organization behind the slate of initiatives appearing on the ballot this November. The Public … more

Nick Gibson / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 10/10/24

FILE PHOTO — This large bull elk, pictured in Packwood in August 2023, had shed his velvet and was nearing the rut, when bulls become more aggressive as they search for mates.

Despite Retreat Fire, elk hunters likely to benefit from mild winter

Yakima area elk herds remain in good shape this hunting season following another mild winter and low snowpack, according to the Washington Department of Wildlife. WDFW District 8 biologist Erin … more

Luke Thompson / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 10/10/24