State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

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

Could initiative to kill Washington ‘millionaires tax’ also kill capital gains tax?

Opponents of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new high-earners income tax are warning the proposal could also strike down other taxes, putting billions of dollars in state revenues that fund … more

By Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 6/29/26

The sun sets on Mount St. Helens on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Oregon man goes missing while training for a 207-mile nonstop run at Mount St. Helens

Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help in finding a Washington County man who went missing over a month ago while training for the “Bigfoot 200” — a grueling 200-plus-mile … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 6/29/26

As previously reported, 29-year-old Nicholas Dillon, of Elma, died from his injuries after colliding with a guardrail at the north end of the U.S. Highway 101 weigh station with his 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He leaves behind his fiancée, Malynn Stevens, and their two young boys, Hudson (4) and Watson (2). He was the sole provider for his family for many years, and they are now facing an unimaginable loss and a very uncertain road ahead. Family is asking for any support to help Malynn and the boys as they navigate this next chapter without him.

Grays Harbor County coroner issues report on fatal motorcycle crash

On Saturday, June 20, the Grays Harbor County Coroner’s Office was called to the area of the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and state Route 107 for a fatal motorcycle accident that happened … more

The Daily World | 6/29/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Eight years later, quiet opt-out rules can't stop millions saved in union dues

Saturday June 27 marks eight years since the landmark Janus v. AFSCME decision where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public employees have a right to join — or not join — a union. Since … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/29/26

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck speaks during a Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam War veterans at The Wall That Heals at Chambers Prairie Elementary in Lacey on Thursday, June 25.

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck calls for unity during America250 celebrations despite political divisions

We’re just over one week away from America’s 250th anniversary celebration, and Washington state is joining in on the national festivities. July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/29/26

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown speaks at a news conference.

Washington AG told Secretary of State to release attorney client privileged emails as ‘middle ground’

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) advised its client, the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS), to release attorney-client privileged communications unredacted as a “middle … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 6/29/26

Workers with the Kittitas County Fuels Crew throw vegetation into a wood chipper near Roslyn, Wash. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Trying to prevent a catastrophic blaze in a fire-prone part of Washington

On a dry day in mid-June, a 13-person crew slashed down small trees, limbs and bushes outside of a home near Roslyn, Washington. The workers, part of the Kittitas County Fuels Crew, are … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 6/29/26

The Washington state Capitol in Olympia.

Seattle mayor endorses challenger to Washington state Senate majority leader

The democratic socialist mayor of Seattle on Saturday night endorsed opponents running to the left of two longtime Democratic state legislators who represent the city, including the party’s top … more

Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard | 6/27/26

Facing cooling Washington state economy, Gov. Ferguson turns to state business leaders

Amid rising concerns over Washington’s cooling economy — and mounting criticism of its business climate — Gov. Bob Ferguson is turning to executives from Amazon, Boeing and other big Washington … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 6/27/26

UW employee accused of paying teenage girls for sex, prosecutors say

A 56-year-old University of Washington employee accused of paying to have sex with two teenage girls he groomed online before traveling to their home cities to meet up with them in hotels has pleaded … more

Sara Jean Green / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 6/27/26

Washington elections officials awaiting US Supreme Court rulings on mail-in ballots

Two court cases could change election rules for voters in Washington, where ballots are cast by mail rather than at a polling place. One case, Watson v. Republican National Committee, could … more

Robert Mittendorf / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 6/27/26

Ashley Novella, an ecologist with the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District, removes mewly sprouting chokecherry seedings during a volunteer weed pull on June 17, 2026, along Anchorage's Lanie Fleisher Chester Creek Trail. Chokecherry trees, brought to Alaska as ornamentals, are aggressive invaders and have crowded out natural plants in parts of Anchorage and other communities. The ANchoraeg Soil and Water Conservation District is part of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership, which advocated for a bill that would have established an invasive species council in the state Department of Fish and Game.

Governor vetoes Alaska bills on invasive species management, plastic food containers

Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday vetoed two environmental-protection bills that had passed with broad bipartisan support from legislators. Dunleavy vetoed a bill to establish an invasive species … more

Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon | 6/27/26

Idaho Behavioral Health Council asks lawmakers to prioritize rural communities with opioid funding

A state advisory council will urge the Idaho Legislature to use its opioid settlement funds to target rural communities next year as it considers a number of project proposals. The Idaho … more

Laura Guido / Idaho Capital Sun | 6/27/26

The Centralia coal plant hasn’t operated since last December, but is required to remain on standby by order of the Trump Administration. Its owner, TransAlta Corporation, wants reimbursement. Electric ratepayers across the Pacific Northwest could end up paying.

The tab to keep a Pacific Northwest coal plant on standby keeps rising. Who will pay?

Electric utilities across the Pacific Northwest are fuming that their customers might be saddled with the costs of a coal-burning power plant that isn’t producing any power. The messy dispute … more

Tom Banse / Washington State Standard | 6/27/26

An algae bloom forms around Ross Island Lagoon in the Willamette River in August 2025.

Researchers say they have a solution for Willamette River algal bloom. What’s stopping it?

The algal bloom that forms each summer around Ross Island in the Willamette River south of downtown Portland is expected to be especially bad this year. A potent combination of high temperatures … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 6/27/26

Open Democracy, a New Hampshire voting rights group, has spent several years working to improve the registration rate among 18-year-olds. Shown are New Hampshire voters.

When teens drive less, they don’t register to vote. Here’s how civic groups are adapting

American teens are driving less than in previous decades, prompting civic advocates to warn that fewer young people may register to vote. Yet at least one state — New Hampshire — offers … more

Jonathan Shorman / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 6/27/26

States’ approaches toward street homelessness have included imposing camping bans on public lands, setting mandates for local governments to enforce those bans and, in some cases, allowing property owners to sue their local government if they do not comply with enforcement of statewide camping bans.

2 years after Grants Pass, 14 states, 350 cities have tougher laws on street homelessness

Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass v. Johnson decision — which allowed governments to enforce public camping bans without violating the Eighth Amendment prohibition on … more

Robbie Sequeira / Stateline | 6/27/26

Washington State Capitol - January 30, 2026.

Capital gains tax surge eases but doesn’t solve Washington state budget woes

A windfall of capital gains tax payments is providing temporary relief for Washington’s budget, but other collections are down, and lawmakers still expect to face financial difficulties next year. … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 6/27/26

The proposed flow-through dam on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell is pictured in this rendering from the Chehalis River Flood Control District.

Chehalis River Flood Control Zone pushes for delayed flood project to include updated designs

A delay to the environmental impact study on the proposed flow-through dam near Pe Ell is also delaying a decision on whether to endorse the project, or some other large-scale flood project, for the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Abbarno recognized as ‘Champion for Children’ by Family Education and Support Services

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, was recently honored as a Champion for Children by the Family Education and Support Services (FESS) organization during a special recognition ceremony at the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26