State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

A 2026 drought map published by the Washington state Department of Ecology.

UW professor Cliff Mass says Ecology drought declaration is 'demonstrably false'

University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Cliff Mass says the Washington Department of Ecology should “definitively correct misinformation being pushed” about a pending drought … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/20/26

Support grows for Washington state income tax repeal as more join the effort

A week after Let’s Go Washington launched an initiative campaign aimed at repealing the newly passed income tax, the organization tells The Center Square “more people have signed up to receive … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/19/26

New student loan limits challenged by Democratic AGs and governors

A coalition of Democratic attorneys general and governors sued the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday over forthcoming regulations that will impose new borrowing limits for students pursuing … more

By Shauneen Miranda / States Newsroom | 5/19/26

Washington’s transgender prisoner policy is target of new federal investigation

The Trump administration on Tuesday launched an investigation into Washington state’s practice of housing transgender women in its women’s prison. In a letter to Gov. Bob Ferguson , … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/19/26

Anglers try their luck fishing in the Cowlitz River near Salkum during sunset on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2024.

WDFW will only accept cards or checks for payment beginning in June

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced this week that it will transition away from accepting cash for license product purchases at its offices next month due to a new state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/26

The first-stage booster used on the Blue Origin New Glenn NG-3 mission, named "Never Tell Me The Odds" returns on the recovery vessel Jacklyn to Port Canaveral on April 22, 2026. The booster was also flown and recovered after the NG-2 mission in November 2025.

Why Blue Origin’s latest success left its biggest rocket grounded

Jeff Bezos' rocket company put a satellite in the wrong spot. But, for a company struggling to keep up with rival SpaceX, that was still a win. The April mission marked an early success for … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/19/26

Boeing, UPS and the FAA face investigators after deadly MD-11 crash

Accident investigators are set to question Boeing and other key players about a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 15 people. The National Transportation Safety … more

Lauren Rosenblatt / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/19/26

The sun sets on Mount Rainier from the Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier National Park on Thursday, July 24.

Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record

There's a new king of the mountain. On May 9, mountain guide Simon Kearns stepped onto the asphalt at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park — just 3 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds after … more

Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/19/26

How Seattle’s recent growth compares with the 2010s boom years

During the 2010s, Seattle's explosive population growth was an inescapable topic of conversation. But we don't talk about growth nearly as much these days. Cranes no longer dominate the skyline, and … more

Gene Balk / FYI Guy / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/19/26

King County shuttle-to-trails service begins Memorial Day weekend

King County's transit service that takes hikers out to trails is set to start up for the season on Saturday. Known as Trailhead Direct, the service will provide trips to the Mount Si and … more

Joseph O’Sullivan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/19/26

A Starbucks Coffee sign and drive-thru sign are displayed on the side of a brick building.

Starbucks laying off 252 more Seattle employees

A new state regulatory filing on Monday revealed that Starbucks is laying off 252 more workers across its Seattle headquarters. The latest filing with the state Employment Security … more

By Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 5/19/26

Chief Justice declines comment on AG's office emails about millionaire tax referendum

Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens declined to comment on communications obtained by The Center Square from the State Attorney General’s Office speculating at the time that … more

By TJ Martinell | The Center Square | 5/19/26

Earlier this year, state staff and contractors viewed potential materials, like glass panels, for the restoration of skylights above the Washington state Capitol legislative chambers in Olympia.

More sunshine coming to Washington state government with Capitol skylight restoration

Let there be light. When Washington state lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2027 legislative session, natural light will again shine on the House and Senate chambers. Construction … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 5/19/26

A wrecked vehicle in Thurston County after it collided with a power pole, splitting the car in half on June 23, 2025. The driver was treated for minor injuries and was booked for DUI. The vehicle’s speedometer was stuck at 100 mph, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Deaths on Washington roads drop again

In an encouraging sign for road safety, traffic deaths in Washington fell significantly for the second year in a row in 2025, according to state data released Tuesday. Washington saw 659 … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 5/19/26

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Federal judge rebuffs bid to toss Washington legislative maps

A federal judge has rejected a request to ditch political maps for Washington’s Legislature that he approved two years ago. Now, opponents are waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will … more

5/18/26

Washington state Supreme Court Justice Theo Angelis dons his robe alongside wife Kim and children Katherine and John as he is sworn in as a justice at the Temple of Justice on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Olympia. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Theo Angelis sworn in as Washington Supreme Court justice

Theo Angelis is Washington’s newest state Supreme Court justice. While he has been on the court for about six weeks, Angelis was formally sworn in Monday in a ceremony at the Temple of Justice … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 5/18/26

State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, smiles at House Speaker Laurie Jinkins during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Architect of Washington’s income tax test case defends collaboration with AG's office

For the first time since The Center Square obtained exclusive documents revealing how Democratic supporters of Washington’s new income tax worked behind the scenes with the Washington Attorney … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/18/26

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, with the support of her dog, Uma Furman, speaks to a room of volunteers and constituents during a campaign kickoff event Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.

‘Let’s go win this’: MGP leans into record, pokes at opponents during campaign launch

True to the battleground nature of Washington's Third Congressional District and to the approach of its current congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s campaign launch attracted both … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/18/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez answers a question at a town hall in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Washington congressional members’ bill expands funding for local drug task forces to combat opioids

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, last week joined with colleagues Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, and Rick Larsen, D-Bellingham, on the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/18/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from reporters during a press conference on the Interstate Bridge Replacement project in Vancouver in March.

Washington gas prices hit all-time high as Ferguson points to Trump, urges residents to contact White House

As Washington’s average gas prices reached a new all-time high of $5.774 per gallon on Thursday, May 14, Gov. Bob Ferguson pointed to President Donald Trump and the war with Iran when asked whether … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 5/18/26