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In focus: West Thurston Fire responds to 2-acre brush fire

West Thurston Fire Authority crews responded to a brush fire in the 12400 block of Waddle Creek Road on Wednesday afternoon. The fire involved timber and slash piles that burned … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/17/25

In this Chronicle file photo, Patriot Prayer Founder Joey Gibson films as Morton Police Chief Roger Morningstar speaks during a rally in downtown Mossyrock in December 2020.

Morton faces federal lawsuit over firing of officer amid claims against former chief of police

A former Morton Police Department officer has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and its former mayor for his termination in 2023, alleging that he was fired for bringing up concerns related to … more

By Eric Schwartz / eschwartz@chronline.com | 7/17/25

Injured climber summons help by shouting across canyon after fall, Washington state cops say

An injured climber summoned help after falling on a remote Washington peak by shouting across a canyon, officials said. The 31-year-old was climbing alone on Sinister Peak’s northern … more

Sara Schilling / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 7/17/25

Law enforcement vehicles parked outside the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in Tacoma on March 19, 2025.

Pierce County violated state law by diverting millions in tax revenue meant to improve 911 calls, state audit finds

When a resident of Pierce County calls 911, their call is routed to the regional call center in Tacoma, which handles nearly 1 million calls each year and works as the communication bridge for the … more

By Moe Clark / InvestigateWest | 7/17/25

The Hoquiam River flows into Grays Harbor.

Washington state sues Trump administration for cutting billions in disaster mitigation funding

On April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) abruptly canceled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This decision directly affects several Grays Harbor … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 7/17/25

The Pacific Producer, a large abandoned vessel, docked in a waterway off Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash., as seen July 15, 2025.

The U.S. government sold off these aging ships — leaving states in the Pacific Northwest to pay the price

Three years ago on a sunny day in August, a nearly 80-year-old steel, navy blue ship with patched holes and streaks of rust drifted down an inlet connecting downtown Tacoma to Commencement Bay. The … more

By Aspen Ford / InvestigateWest | 7/17/25

The Hope Fire burns at night near Northport, Washington.

Hope Fire sees steady progress amid rugged terrain, mop-up operations continue

Fire crews continue to make steady progress on the Hope Fire in northeastern Washington, with more containment added each day across several divisions of the burn perimeter. As of Thursday morning, … more

Brandon Hansen / KCHW News | 7/17/25

Washington prepares for end of 988 crisis line support tailored to LGBTQ+ youth

Specialty services for LGBTQ+ youth will be removed from the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline on Thursday, July 17, following a federal decision announced last month. The hotline … more

Emily Fitzgerald / Washington State Standard | 7/17/25

Crime victim programs in Washington struggle as funding erodes

Groups that assist crime victims in Washington will look at reducing services as federal dollars remain down and funding in the state budget falls short filling the gap. Since 2018, … more

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard | 7/17/25

4-year-old accidentally shoots mom with gun he got from sleeping dad, Washington state cops say

A 4-year-old got ahold of a loaded gun and shot his mother in the arm by accident, deputies in Washington said. The mom was taken to a hospital with injuries that were serious but not … more

Sara Schilling / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 7/17/25

Washington state observatory at risk from Trump cuts helps make stunning black hole discovery

The LIGO Hanford Observatory near the Tri-Cities and its twin in Louisiana detected ripples of time and space passing through Earth from the most massive collision of black holes ever observed, a … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/17/25

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: The House Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee member Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) questions Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Matt Albence during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill July 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. Albence testified that the increase in the number of people illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has stretched his agency's budget to the breaking point. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Washington Congressman advised not to hold public events after man arrested for making death threats against GOP congressman, his staff

Just about every time Rep. Dan Newhouse posts on Facebook, the comments start pouring in with the same question from his constituents across central Washington. "When is your next public … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/17/25

Washington state sues Trump administration for disaster funding cuts

While the country reels from a series of deadly and devastating floods, Washington and a coalition of other states are suing President Donald Trump’s administration to keep money flowing so … more

Conrad Swanson / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/17/25

Firefighters use a hose while the Riverside Fire Authority and Chehalis Fire Department work to extinguish a house fire on Seminary Hill Road outside of Centralia on Wednesday, July 16.

Riverside Fire Authority responds to two structure fires within a half hour in Centralia

The Riverside Fire Authority had a busy afternoon Wednesday, July 16, as a pair of structure fires were reported within a half hour of each other. Firefighters responded to the 300 block … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/16/25

Attorney General Nick Brown Waves to lawmakers during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

33,000 Washington adult education students in limbo as feds stall education funds

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges says nearly $13.8 million in withheld federal grant funding is negatively impacting the state’s technical colleges. … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 7/16/25

June 14 attack on Cam Higby | Screenshot from X post by Higby

Police arrest suspect connected to attack on journalist during anti-ICE protests in Seattle

The man accused of attacking an independent journalist during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Seattle last month was arrested Wednesday. The victim, Cam Higby, told The … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/16/25

Washington state court upholds denial of benefits to immigrant who got $11K after move to Mexico

Despite being declared ineligible for unemployment benefits by the state, an immigrant received over $11,000 after moving back to Mexico; he claims he was available for remote work, and while a judge … more

By Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/16/25

A “no trespassing” sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center. (Photo by Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Advocates for immigrants sue to stop courthouse ICE arrests

WASHINGTON — Immigration advocacy groups sued the Trump administration Wednesday for dismissing cases in immigration courts in order to place immigrants in expedited removal for swift … more

By Ariana Figueroa / States Newsroom | 7/16/25

Jamie Sullivan became the first person to receive a Hope Card from Washington state in January 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington state hands out 2,000 ‘Hope Cards’ to people with protection orders in program’s first 6 months

Washington’s Hope Card program has given out 2,000 wallet-sized, portable copies of protection orders, according to the program’s organizers. Launched Jan. 1 , the program offers … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 7/16/25

Retired Chehalis Police Officer Steve Birley pins a badge on his son Jay Birley’s chest after he is sworn in as a captain with the Chehalis Fire Department during a Chehalis City Council meeting at Chehalis City Hall in on Monday, July 14.

Chehalis Fire Department’s newest captain sworn in

The Chehalis Fire Department officially swore in its newest captain during a badge-pinning ceremony at Monday’s Chehalis City Council meeting, as Jay Birley will take the place of the retired … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/16/25