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FILE PHOTO — Payton Torrey takes the stage during the Mossyrock High School class of 2023 graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 10. Torrey was one of just two Mossyrock students in her class, alongside Matt Cooper, to attend Running Start. Both graduate dwith diplomas and associate’s degrees.

‘Walking to Running Start’ education bill clears state Legislature

High school students in Washington may get a head start on Running Start under a bill that cleared the state Legislature Thursday evening. Senate Bill 5670 now goes to the governor’s … more

Randy Bracht / The Center Square | 3/4/24

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck speaks with members of the media on the state Capitol campus Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

'A hot mess': Lt. Gov. Denny Heck blasts Dems over natural gas ban bill

A bill backed by majority Democrats in the Washington State Legislature that would impact natural gas service received an unexpected rebuke Thursday from Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, who as president of the … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/4/24

Wizard Island, seen from the Watchman Overlook in Crater Lake National Park.

Crater Lake is one of the most Instagrammable lakes in the country

Oregon’s Crater Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the United States. Crater Lake was ranked No. 9 in the country on the list on the most-Instragrammed U.S. lakes, put out by a … more

Julie Evensen / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/4/24

Three people hurt after driver, 16, fails to yield to traffic, Washington State Patrol reports

Three people were hurt after a 16-year-old driver triggered a collision near Roy in south Pierce County Saturday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol. About 3 p.m., the … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/4/24

Hallucinogenic ayahuasca is pictured in the early stages of cooking.

Psychedelic Washington church working toward legal immunity to consume ayahuasca

As early as this spring, the federal government could allow members of a Spokane religious congregation to lay on the grassy floor of a nondescript building to consume their sacrament — a … more

Tod Stephens / The Spokesman-Review, Spokane (TNS) | 3/4/24

Washington county’s GOP splits into two parties over leadership crisis

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Republican Party is in such disarray it's unclear who is even in charge. Last fall, Grant County's GOP split into two factions, each with its own … more

James Hanlon / The Spokesman-Review, Spokane (TNS) | 3/4/24

Washington state man released as cold-case murder suspect sues detective

A Washington man who was jailed for three years on charges accusing him of the 1994 cold-case rape and murder of a Vancouver, Clark County, woman — only to have the case dismissed — has … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/4/24

Jaywalking debate pits safety concerns against unnecessary stops of homeless people

Homeless people receive a disproportionately large percentage of jaywalking fines in the state — at least 41%, according to a report published earlier this year — despite being only about … more

Greg Kim / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/4/24

Dakota Hamilton holds up the state champions sign after Napavine's 2B state championship win over Okanogan on March 2 at the Spokane Arena.

Wilhelm: State B Tournament an event worth celebrating

Towards the end of the quarterfinal round of the state tournaments, a friend of mine texted me. He was confused, because he saw basketball highlights on the local news from Yakima, and he wanted … more

By Dylan Wilhelm / dylan@chronline.com | 3/3/24

Easter Eggspress arrives at the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad on March 30

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad invites friends and families to put on their spring bonnets and celebrate the Easter season on March 30 with a train ride through the Chehalis River Valley. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/3/24

Razor clams are back on the menu: WDFW announces 11 days of clam digs

Grab your clam shovel or clam gun: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced 11 days of razor clam digs on Washington's coast, starting Thursday, March 7. The agency approved the … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/3/24

The trooper, identified as Christopher Gadd, died at the scene.

‘We will honor Chris, even in sorrow’: Washington State Patrol trooper killed on I-5

A Washington State Patrol trooper was killed early Saturday morning after being struck by a motorist on southbound Interstate 5 near Marysville, the agency said in a news release. Snohomish … more

By Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/3/24

The Capitol in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Washington state Legislature likely to give public school districts more money for special education

OLYMPIA — Washington state likely will start spending more money to help public schools support K-12 students with special needs. With minutes to spare before their 5 p.m. deadline to vote … more

Ellen Dennis / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/3/24

Seattle officer who struck, killed pedestrian issued traffic infraction

The Seattle City Attorney's Office issued a traffic infraction to a city police officer whose cruiser struck and killed a 23-year-old woman in a South Lake Union crosswalk in January 2023. The … more

Lulu Ramadan / The Seattle Times / (TNS) | 3/3/24

Washington's first state park in nearly 40 years is closer to completion

The development of Nisqually State Park outside Eatonville has been in the works for nearly four decades. Now, parks officials expect Washington's newest state park to be fully completed by next … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/3/24

Tumwater dance coach leads high school team to first national championship win in 22 years

The Tumwater High School Dance Team won its first national championship at the Dance Team Union competition in Florida last month, making it a dream come true for the dancers and coach. Coach … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/3/24

The Tigers celebrate after Napavine's 2B state championship win over Okanogan on March 2 at the Spokane Arena.

Best of the Rest: Championship Saturday

The 2B and 1B state tournaments are in the books, and what a week it was in Spokane. The Napavine girls won their first state championship in school history , while the Mossyrock boys fell just … more

By Dylan Wilhelm / dylan@chronlnine.com | 3/3/24

Wellpinit players celebrate as Easton Kolb walks off the court after Mossyrock's 1B state championship game versus Wellpinit on March 2 at the Spokane Arena.

Vikings lose 1B state title game to Wellpinit after fourth-quarter collapse

SPOKANE — Luke Cooper kissed the basketball as he and the Mossyrock boys basketball team walked off the floor with their 1B second-place trophy. The Vikings senior, like many of the members of … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylan@yelmonline.com | 3/3/24

From left, Coach Shane Schutz, Keira O'Neill, Dakota Hamilton, and Grace Gall celebrate after Napavine's 2B state championship win over Okanogan on March 2 at the Spokane Arena.

Kaut’s game-winner lifts Napavine to first state championship

SPOKANE — Thirty seconds left in a two-point game. The Tigers needed a clutch shot. Everyone knew Hayden Kaut would come through. “No doubt at all,” Dakota Hamilton said. … more

By Dylan Wilhelm / dylan@chronline.com | 3/2/24

Zack Munoz shoots a 3-pointer during Mossyrock's 1B state championship game versus Wellpinit on March 2 at the Spokane Arena.

Instant: Mossyrock falls to Wellpinit in 1B state title game

The Mossyrock boys basketball team couldn't prevent a Wellpinit repeat, as the Vikings fell to the Redskins 60-56 in the 1B state title game on Saturday night in Spokane. Both offenses came out … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/2/24