News | The Daily Chronicle

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visits the student store at Crook County High School on Monday, April 20, 2026. McMahon's visit to central Oregon schools was a part of her 50-state tour to learn more about education across the country.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visits Oregon schools

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon stopped in Central Oregon Monday, visiting a college, a high school and an elementary school, as part of an education tour across all 50 states. … more

By Elizabeth Miller / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 4/21/26

W.F. West 2025 graduates sing at the end of the commencement ceremony at W.F. West High School on Saturday, June 7.

State considers changes to Washington high school graduation standards

High school seniors in Washington could have a new set of graduation requirements as soon as 2031, as a state task force works through a sweeping review of what it takes to earn a diploma. The … more

Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/21/26

A view of the south side of the General Administration Building on April 17, 2026. The state office building was completed in 1956 and is being torn down during 2026. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Demolition of Washington Capitol office building gets underway

A long-vacant office building on the Washington state Capitol campus will soon be no more. The state is demolishing the General Administration Building on the northwest side of the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

Cory Maxwell of Kitsap County (left) called on some members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to step down in public comments on April 17, 2026. Rachel Bjork and Francisco Santiago-Avila look on. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/ Washington State Standard)

Washington Fish and Wildlife panel confronts high tensions and harsh testimony

Surly public comments are a staple of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings, revealing the deeply personal stakes of those fighting over how far the state should go in protecting various … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

Brandon L. Wyatt, 38, Tacoma, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, April 20.

Man accused of stealing handgun, other items from multiple vehicles at Toledo Middle School

A Tacoma man has been accused of stealing a firearm and other items from three vehicles parked at Toledo Middle School last spring. Brandon L. Wyatt, 38, is charged with two counts of … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/20/26

The prosecution, center, and the defense, right, sit in Thurston County Superior Court on day one of Curtis and Tabitha Gibsons' trial for the alleged 2024 murder of Gaylord "Travis" Sayers. Judge Carol Murphy presides.

Trial begins for couple accused of murdering man at Tenino area bar in 2024

Trial for a Thurston County couple accused of murdering a man at a Tenino area bar in 2024 began Monday, April 20, with a warning from the judge to a packed courtroom not to influence the jury in any … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/20/26

Eight Washington firefighters ask SCOTUS to intervene in religious accommodation lawsuit

Eight Snohomish firefighters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify what an employer is required to prove under federal law before denying a religious accommodation for vaccines. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/20/26

The Washington state Capitol building stands against clear skies in Olympia.

Washington income tax supporters say revenues will increase; opponents say look at Idaho

If you lower a state income tax rate, the state brings in far more income tax revenue. At least that’s the finding of a new report from Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) on Idaho’s income … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/20/26

Centralia is pictured from above at sunset on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

Lightcurve commits $10,000 each to the Centralia Downtown Association, Experience Chehalis

Lightcurve this week announced a series of investments supporting economic growth and vibrant downtown communities throughout Central and Western Washington, according to a news release. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation Chairman Dustin Klatush throws the ceremonial first pitch during the opening ceremony for Larch Mountain Little League at Hoss Field in Rochester on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: Let’s play ball! Larch Mountain Little League kicks off season in Rochester

4/20/26

Fox Theatre on South Tower Avenue in Centralia is pictured here on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Centralia City Council creates committee to explore Fox Theater funding

The City of Centralia will convene a work group with the members of the Fox Theatre Board to explore possible funding avenues for restoration efforts moving forward. The Centralia City Council … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/20/26

This rendering of a proposed water retention structure on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell was provided by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District.

Flood Authority continues to endorse flow-through dam for flood control

The Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority, made up of the communities and counties along the Chehalis and Skookumchuck Rivers from Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties, announced in a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Chehalis Basin Flood Authority Chair Edna Fund watches a video presentation during the Flood Control Zone District meeting on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Flood Authority announces changes and current work plans

There is the adage that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” This is certainly true for the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. “While research and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

19-year-old JBLM resident dies in motorcycle crash

A 19-year-old resident of Joint Base Lewis-McChord died Saturday following a motorcycle crash on state Route 7 in Pierce County, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Tanner J. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Farmers marketgoers walk through the different vendors at the Chehalis Farmers Market during ChehalisFest in downtown Chehalis on Saturday, July 26.

Chehalis Farmers Market to begin in May

The Chehalis Farmers Market has announced it will open a month earlier this year, starting May 5. The hours of the market have changed as well, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 3 p.m. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Water surrounds a home near the Cowlitz River in Randle on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Red Cross offers additional financial assistance to people impacted by floods

The American Red Cross is offering additional financial assistance to Washington families whose primary residences were heavily damaged or destroyed in the 2025 Washington floods. The Red Cross … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Damian Bean rakes freshly-laid gravel on a trail during the annual Seminary Hill Natural Area Earth Day cleanup in Centralia on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: Volunteers spruce up Seminary Hill for Earth Day

4/20/26

A volunteer weeds a flower planter during Thurston County Parks Arts Recreation Culture (PARC) Foundation’s Earth Day cleanup at Tenino City Park on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: Earth Day cleanup in Tenino

4/20/26

Sirens: Sexual assault of juvenile reported; three arrested for DUIs; local jail statistics

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Jose D. Ramirez-Ruiz, 41, Centralia, was arrested in the 1500 block of Logan Street at about 11:10 a.m. April 17 for alleged unlawful possession of a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Julie McDonald: Saying farewell to Centralia College’s most enthusiastic cheerleader

Few young people today realize how much they benefit from the enthusiasm and hard work of a man from Pasadena, California, who arrived in Centralia during a turbulent time in the mid-1980s. High … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/20/26