State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Oregon’s outdoor industry is a smaller part of the economy than in other western states

Oregon’s mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches and trails are major draws for the state’s residents and for travelers from all over the world. They’re also a big part of Oregon’s economy, … more

Mike Rogoway / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/26

Rabid bat found in Seattle near University of Washington

A bat found on a sidewalk near the University of Washington tested positive for rabies, Public Health - Seattle & King County officials said. The bat was found Wednesday, July 15, on … more

Grace Blethen / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/19/26

Longview millworkers get paid, but suppliers struggle in disaster’s wake

Hundreds of workers at the Longview paper mill that was closed by a deadly accident in May will continue to receive full wages, the company announced Friday. “We will be paying staff through … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/19/26

Lynnwood teacher accused of inappropriate touching kept in classroom for 20 months

Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault and mentions suicide and other topics related to psychiatric distress. If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 988. Sarah … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/19/26

Washington state wildfire explodes to 72 square miles, threatens town of Nespelem

The fast-spreading Kaiser Canyon wildfire in northeast Washington forced about 1,000 people to evacuate Saturday, as a small army of firefighters prepared to defend the town of Nespelem, Okanogan … more

Mike Lindblom / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/19/26

Senators and Representatives work on bills Monday, March 16, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in Boise.

After ‘tight budget year,’ Idaho ends fiscal year with positive cash balance

Idaho ended the 2026 fiscal year this summer with a positive ending cash balance that allows the state to transfer about $250 million into next year’s fiscal year 2027 state budget, Gov. Brad … more

Clark Corbin and Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/19/26

Framed as an anti-animal cruelty petition, Initiative Petition 28 is an effort led by Portland-based vegan advocates to expand the state’s animal cruelty laws to include hunting, fishing, breeding, farming and research. Essentially, it would ban killing or injuring animals in all cases except for self-defense or veterinary care.

Controversial Oregon animal rights petition might not have enough valid signatures to make ballot

A controversial initiative petition to ban killing or harming animals in Oregon with almost no exceptions may not qualify for the November ballot. The petition failed the first round of the … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/19/26

Graham Platner, then the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, unveils an anti-corruption policy plan outside the Portland office of incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Collins on June 25, 2026.

Political parties boast new clout and cash in midterms thanks to US Supreme Court

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision makes it easier for political parties to put their stamp on the most important campaigns, just as the struggle heats up for control of Congress in the midterm … more

David Lightman / Maine Morning Star | 7/19/26

Voting in the Aug. 4 primary has started. Ballots can be put in a designated drop box up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted.

Washington voters begin casting primary election ballots

Voting is underway in Washington’s Aug. 4 primary. Across the state, voters are winnowing the field — in some races, a large field — of candidates for seats in the Legislature and Congress … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 7/19/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia.

Kraken CEO warns that Washington state business leaders are eyeing exits

Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushing to return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on Thursday. … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 7/17/26

Former Gov. Gary Locke criticizes Washington's 'out of control' spending

Former Washington Governor Gary Locke had some harsh words for the Democrat-controlled state Legislature Thursday during an economic conference that included business and policy leaders from across … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/17/26

Jeffrey Damasiewicz holds up his kayak paddle in this photo provided by the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.

Search continues for missing kayaker on Chehalis River

Law enforcement is continuing its search for a kayaker reported missing from Preachers Slough in Grays Harbor County on Tuesday. The slough connects to the Chehalis River. According to the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/17/26

Michael Wilmington, an ex-pediatrician in the Vancouver area, allegedly hosted naked sleepovers with children at his La Center home, according to a child exploitation investigation in Clark County. He died by suicide in Lewis County.

Five new lawsuits filed against Kaiser Permanente allege medical provider ignored sexual abuse claims

Allegations against former pediatrician Michael Wilmington continue to grow, with five new lawsuits filed against Kaiser Permanente, bringing the total to six at the end of June. Pfau Cochran … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 7/17/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Southwest Washington Grain Project on Wednesday, June 17, at the Port of Chehalis.

Gluesenkamp Perez challenges BPA exit from Columbia River Fisheries Program

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, this week sent a letter to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to request information on the decision to withdraw funding for the Select Area … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/17/26

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

League of Women Voters of Washington launches “Four Questions” video series

With five of the nine seats on the Washington state Supreme Court on the ballot this year, the League of Women Voters of Washington has launched a new online resource to help voters make informed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/17/26

WDFW names new Michael Jewell as its new police chief

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police this week announced its new police chief, Michael Jewell, a career law enforcement officer. He was sworn in as the new chief on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/17/26

After delays and finger-pointing, Portland delivers draft Moda Center terms to Blazers

Portland officials said they delivered a draft term sheet for a potential Moda Center renovation deal to the Trail Blazers on Thursday, after the city failed to hit a self-imposed deadline to do so … more

Shane Dixon Kavanaugh / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/17/26

The joy and jitters of Oregon’s e-bike boom collide on city streets and trails

Reckless e-bikers zipping through Tualatin Hills trails have cut off pedestrians in near-misses, residents complain. Teens on electric motorcycles have harassed younger children in Southeast … more

Alissa Gary / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/17/26

Oregon man granted release in more than 30-year-old murder case

A 61-year-old man whose 1991 murder conviction in Eugene was thrown out by the state Department of Justice last month due to flawed evidence is expected to walk out of custody on Friday. A Lane … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/17/26

Judge keeps Seattle nude beach open, orders crackdown on ‘lewd’ conduct

Seattle must do more to prevent “lewd” behavior at Denny Blaine Park on Lake Washington, a judge wrote Wednesday. Behavior in and around the park, long known as a nude beach and safe harbor … more

David Kroman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/17/26