News | The Daily Chronicle

In this Chronicle file photo from October 2022, a helicopter steers away after dropping water over the Goat Rocks Fire near Packwood; heavy grain on this photo also illustrates the thickness of the smoke in the air at the time.

Wildland firefighters risk dangerous smoke exposure even with new mask guidance

The reversal of a decades-old U.S. Forest Service policy means that federal wildland firefighters can now mask up if they want to — something Washington’s state wildland firefighters have … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 10/3/25

Rep. John Gillette, R-Kingman, in January 2023. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Dozens of groups call on GOP leaders to punish lawmaker for statement against Washington congresswoman

Thirty statewide advocacy groups are urging the Republicans who lead the Arizona House of Representatives to take action against a GOP legislator who called for the execution of a Democratic … more

By Jerod MacDonald-Evoy and Florence Becot / States Newsroom | 10/2/25

(Photo by Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

What the federal government shutdown means for Washington’s K-12 schools

School will continue as normal for Washington’s K-12 students amidst the federal government shutdown, at least for now. Most federal funding for K-12 education is provided in … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 10/2/25

A proposed $1.5 billion “green” fertilizer factory near Richland, Washington, was the single most pricey component of the terminated Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub. (Rendering courtesy of Atlas Agro)

Trump administration yanks funding for Northwest green hydrogen project

The Trump administration on Wednesday nixed funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub and several hundred other federally-subsidized clean energy projects in Democratic-led states. … more

By Tom Banse / States Newsroom | 10/2/25

Austin Wayne Jensen appears in Lewis County Superior Court via video call from his cell in the Lewis County Jail on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Neighbor restrains would-be vehicle thief before arrest in Chehalis

A Centralia man faces four criminal charges in Lewis County Superior Court after he was restrained by a Chehalis resident and arrested while in possession of a stolen mountain bike, suspected … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 10/2/25

Cougar man, 70, killed in crash; two others injured

A 70-year-old Cougar man is dead and two others were injured in a three-car collision on state Route 503 near Battle Ground Wednesday afternoon around 2:23 p.m. Francis X. Isselhardt, 70, of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/2/25

Washington state agencies undercut their own study on effects of single-use plastic bag ban

A recommendation from two Washington State University economists that the state end its ban on thinner, single-use plastic bags because the law is doing more harm than good isn’t sitting well … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 10/2/25

Washington Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island for sexually violent predators.

Notorious 'South Hill Rapist' ordered released to Washington group home

The man who became known as the “South Hill Rapist” is being released Thursday and is reportedly headed for an adult family home in Federal Way, Wash. As reported previously, Kevin … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 10/2/25

States sue feds over denying grants for illegal immigrants

Democratic attorneys general from 21 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Wednesday for denying federal funds to help victims of violent crimes who are illegal immigrants. The suit … more

10/2/25

Rep. Travis Couture listens during a public hearing on an initiative regarding parental rights in Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

Washington lawmakers press state agency for updated child death data

Some Washington state lawmakers are pressing the Department of Children, Youth & Families for updated information on critical incidents involving children under state supervision. The Senate … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 10/2/25

Biz association: Taxes, trade uncertainty threaten Washington's manufacturing sector

The head of Washington’s largest business association said the state’s manufacturing sector is at risk due to growing taxes, complex regulations and trade uncertainty. Association of … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 10/2/25

Signature gatherer and petition signers outside Walmart Supercenter in Federal Way on Oct 1, 2025.

Harassment, intimidation of Let’s Go WA signature gatherers continues

Let’s Go Washington signature gatherers for two initiatives continue to endure threats, intimidation, destruction of property, and, in some cases, assaults, the organization … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 10/2/25

The State Capitol building on January 23, 2024. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

Oregon Republican lawmakers say they will attempt to put transportation tax hikes on next year’s ballot

Two Oregon Republican lawmakers said Wednesday they will attempt to refer the transportation tax hikes recently approved by the Legislature to next year’s ballot, a move that would require an … more

Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/2/25

Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, speaks in the House of Representatives in Jan. 2025.

House Republicans elect new leader as Drazan seeks Senate post

Oregon House Republicans have chosen a new leader. On Wednesday, the caucus elected Rep. Lucetta Elmer of McMinnville to lead the 23 member body. The previous leader, Rep. Christine Drazan of … more

Sami Edge / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/2/25

‘Super harvest moon’ will usher in the dark season

This year’s harvest moon is going to be a little more, well, super. The first full moon of fall, coming the night of Oct. 6, will appear a little bigger and brighter than usual as it rises … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/2/25

Tough Tacoma immigration judge named new U.S. attorney in Western Washington

U.S. Immigration Judge Charles Neil Floyd, whose court is at the center of a class-action lawsuit over controversially tough rulings on bond for detained undocumented immigrants, has been tapped to … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/2/25

The Thurston County Courthouse is pictured on Monday, April 21.

Thurston County moves forward with closing $34.9M real estate deal in Olympia

Thurston County is finalizing a $34.9 million deal to buy a seven-acre property in downtown Olympia. The county queued up the sale of the property, located at the intersection of Plum Street … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 10/2/25

Tolling begins on new western Washington highway. Here’s how much you’ll pay

Tolling this week started on certain roadways under the Puget Sound Gateway Program, a nearly $3 billion project from the Washington State Department of Transportation that seeks to “complete … more

Isha Trivedi / The News Tribune (TNS) | 10/2/25

Washington state’s active wildfires offer warning, state lands chief says

Two wildfires burning east of the Cascade crest are now the state's largest, and serve as a reminder that, despite rainy, fall weather in Western Washington, fire season rages on. Commissioner … more

Amanda Zhou / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/2/25

A tractor and trailer decorated in honor of former Bucoda Mayor Rob Gordon drives down North Tower Avenue during the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade through downtown Centralia on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.

Port of Centralia contributes to Centralia Downtown Association’s holiday decorations program

The Port of Centralia Commission approved a $3,000 contribution to the Centralia Downtown Association’s annual holiday decorations program Wednesday. The port joins its newest tenant, Logistics … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/1/25