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A guide boat sits on the bank of the Columbia River near Kalama, Washington, in June 2021.

What's being done now about radioactive water that threatens the Columbia River in Washington state?

A major radioactive contamination threat to the Columbia River should be removed at the Hanford nuclear site before the end of summer. Hanford workers have started to pump contaminated water … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/10/24

'Demonstrably dangerous': Victims sue Eastern Washington area woman, claiming years of dog attacks

A Prosser area woman is being sued for allegedly allowing aggressive dogs and people on her property to "menace" the neighborhood for years. Donna Faye Ziegler, 71, owns the Old Inland Empire … more

Cory McCoy / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/10/24

Great Wolf Lodge completes $40 million renovation of Grand Mound resort

Great Wolf Lodge, the popular indoor water park resort in Grand Mound, completed a sweeping $40 million renovation, the largest in the Centralia-area resort's 16-year history. General Manager John … more

Xavier Martinez / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

Grocery giants Kroger, which owns QFC, and Albertsons, which owns Safeway, on July 9, 2024, released a list of stores that would be spun off to another owner if the proposed merger goes through. That list includes 124 in Washington.

124 Washington stores threatened by the Kroger and Albertsons merger

Nearly two years after proposing their $25 billion merger, Kroger and Albertsons have disclosed the locations of the 579 stores, including nearly 70 in the Seattle area, to be sold off if the deal is … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

FILE PHOTO — Centralia City Light General Manager M.L. Norton talks about a transmission side device that protects the transformer at the Centralia Substation in this Chronicle file photo.

Pacific Northwest data center boom could imperil power supply within five years

PORTLAND — The Pacific Northwest's power grid could be pushed beyond its limits in just five years by the staggering electricity demands of the booming data center industry, regional power … more

Lulu Ramadan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz answers questions on carbon sequestration during a panel with reporters and broadcasters at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Hilary Franz's Department of Natural Resources work prioritized political gain, some staffers say

As Hilary Franz campaigns for a seat in Congress, she points to her nearly eight years as state public lands commissioner, boasting of "epic" progress on improving forest health and preventing … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

Washington attorney general candidate faces blowback for 'leave of absence' claim

OLYMPIA — State Sen. Manka Dhingra, a Democrat from Redmond who is running for state attorney general, first faced questions earlier this summer for claiming in campaign materials that she was … more

Claire Withycombe / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

Man shot security guard outside Pierce County sporting goods store 'execution style,' charges say

An 18-year-old man is accused of shooting a security guard during an attempted robbery outside a sporting goods store in Fife over the weekend. Dayvion Joseph George, 18, was charged with … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/10/24

Man dies after tide sucks him through pipe between Puget Sound and lagoon at Pierce County park

A man escaping the heat Monday evening at Tacoma's Titlow Beach was apparently sucked into a culvert that leads to a lagoon at Titlow Park and Lodge. He later died at an area hospital, according to … more

Craig Sailor / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/10/24

In loving memory of Larry Eugene Thompson: Dec. 29, 1956 - May 31, 2024

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. Married to his soul mate for 43 years, Larry Eugene Thompson was a rock of love and … more

7/10/24

In loving memory of Ronald James: 1941-2024

Ronald Crowell James, of Olympia, Washington, was born in Chehalis, Washington, on July 6, 1941, to Ronald and Inez James. He passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024 at Woodland Estates in … more

7/10/24

In loving memory of Eilene Anderson: Feb. 20, 1944 - June 30, 2024

Eilene was born to Edwin and Hazel Keehn in Seattle, Washington. The family moved to Olympia, Washington, in 1946 after purchasing South Union Mercantile. Eilene spent the rest of her childhood … more

7/10/24

In loving memory of Myrtle Roberts: 1929-2024

Myrtle Roberts passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024. She was a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. … more

7/10/24

2024 - Capital Lakefair

7/10/24

A helicopter flies to a drop point during the DNR aviation exercise in the Capitol State Forest on Wednesday, April 17.

Commentary: Proposal to shut down public working forests threatens critical Washington state services and jobs

Washington faces significant social and economic risks if anti-forestry groups succeed in persuading the Board of Natural Resources and candidates for commissioner of public lands to close an … more

By Nick Smith | 7/9/24

Jackson Linson helps himself to some snacks at Yelm Skate Park on June 25.

Mother 2 Many: Couple feeds local youth at skate parks

Joann Wittler heard God’s voice, crystal clear, say to her at church in 2013 that she “will be the mother to many.” She had raised four children of her own, but she had no idea what … more

By Dylan Reubenking/dylan@yelmonline.com | 7/9/24

Father of 8-year-old girl who shot and killed toddler sentenced to four years in prison

A man has been sentenced to a little more than four years in prison for leaving a rifle in his 8-year-old daughter's bedroom at their Puyallup-area home before the girl accidentally shot and killed a … more

Peter Talbot / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/9/24

U.S. President Joe Biden walks across the South Lawn before boarding the Marine One presidential helicopter and departing the White House on February 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. In the throes of a re-election campaign, Biden is traveling

Adam Smith wants Biden out; Patty Murray wants to see more from him

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith called for President Joe Biden to stand down from his reelection bid Monday, becoming the first member of Congress from Washington — and one of the most senior … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/9/24

Stickers and flags for people to pick up during “Live, Love, Bee” Pine Street Pride celebration Centralia on Saturday, June 1.

Pierce County Council member won't sit in chambers over pride flag

Pierce County Councilmember Amy Cruver is refusing to sit in council chambers while a pride flag is displayed there because she said it distracts her and interferes with her ability to engage in … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/9/24

Missing Washington toddler found in Mexico with father and his girlfriend

A Pullman toddler missing since early June was found in Mexico with her father and his girlfriend, Pullman police said in a news release Monday. Authorities detained the toddler's father, … more

Alexandra Duggan / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/9/24