News | The Daily Chronicle

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez promised a "firm hand" in the case against Kenneth G. Williams, 69.

No bail for Oregon man who posed as friendly stranger, trapped woman, 74, in home and raped her

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said his office would take a “firm stand” as a man accused of raping a 74-year-old woman was denied bail Thursday. Kenneth G. … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/10/25

Workers and supporters picket outside Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, early Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Nurses and other health care workers walked out at all of Providence's hospitals in Oregon, as well as a some women's clinics.

Thousands of Providence workers begin largest health care strike in Oregon history

The largest health care strike in Oregon history began early Friday at Providence across the state, as roughly 5,000 frontline health professionals walked off the job. The strike — which … more

Kristine de Leon / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/10/25

People paddle board in Snow Lake at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, July 8.

These 10 days will be fee-free holidays for national parks, forests in 2025

If you want to get out to a national park or federal forest for free this year, circle these 10 dates on your calendar. Federal public lands agencies will once again waive entrance, parking and … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/10/25

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Property tax relief bill proposed by Washington state lawmaker as majority considers increase

As Washington Democrats consider potential tax increases to fill a massive projected budget deficit over the next four years, some lawmakers are pitching tax-saving proposals to help struggling … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/10/25

Democratic leaders, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, speak at a press conference on Jan. 9, 2025. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington state lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases

Democratic state lawmakers are again pushing a proposal to restrict rent hikes across Washington. Despite the rent cap bill’s dramatic failure last session, backers say its prospects this … more

By: Laurel Demkovich / The Washington State Standard | 1/10/25

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson, speaks to reporters on Jan. 9, 2025 in Olympia. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Ferguson pitches spending cuts, voices skepticism of ‘wealth tax’

Washington Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson released his blueprint Thursday for chopping billions in state spending while investing millions in education and public safety in his first term — … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 1/10/25

Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser, flanked by Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson on his left and Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne on his right, delivers a speech during the State of the Community Address on Wednesday, Jan. 8, in Saint Martin's University's Norman Worthington Conference Center.

Growth, change highlighted at annual State of the Community Address

Even with future budget constraints a concern for many Thurston County municipalities in 2025, the mood at the annual State of the Community Address was largely optimistic as area leaders recounted … more

By Jacob Dimond/jake@yelmonline.com | 1/9/25

From left, Lewis County Fire District 5 firefighter Asa Ingle, Capt. Brad Bozarth and firefighter Connor Tardiff pose for a photo before departing for Los Angeles on Thursday morning.

Lewis, Thurston county firefighters depart to help fight Los Angeles fires

Over 150 fire personnel across Washington state, including three firefighters from Lewis County Fire District 5-Napavine and three firefighters from the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/9/25

The Washington state Capitol. (Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard)

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson presses for $100 million police hiring plan

One of Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson’s signature campaign promises was a $100 million proposal to help local police departments recruit officers. On Thursday, the incoming governor threw his … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 1/9/25

Telesforo Francyscano Angel Chigo-Velazquez Jr., 22, of Tenino, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Tenino man who crashed in Lewis County, severely injuring passenger, charged with vehicular assault

A Tenino man accused of crashing his vehicle in Lewis County while driving drunk, injuring himself and his passenger, in August was arrested Wednesday on a $50,000 warrant. Lewis County … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/9/25

Canadian politician invites Oregon, Washington and California to join as a new province

A prominent Canadian party leader has issued an open invitation to Oregon, Washington and California: Wanna link up, eh? The remarks were made — just possibly in jest — by … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/9/25

Mark James Wilson at a hearing before the state parole board in 2017.

Convicted murderer walks out of prison after just over 35 years in notorious Oregon killings

Mark J. Wilson, who was convicted in a notorious 1987 murder of a Terrebonne couple, was released from an Oregon prison Thursday morning after serving just over 35 years in custody. Wilson, 55, … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/9/25

Two people were injured during a stabbing in the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the 500 block of Huston Street South. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders wrote in a social media post that a deputy had a male suspect at gunpoint in the street when he arrived.

Two injured, one arrested after Tenino stabbing Wednesday night

Two people were injured during a stabbing in the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the 500 block of Huston Street South. Tenino police were dispatched at approximately 9:05 p.m., and the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/9/25

Thurston County deputies arrest suspected drug dealer after pursuit

Thurston County deputies arrested a man accused of dealing drugs after a Tuesday night pursuit that led into Pierce County. The man fled from a deputy who attempted a traffic stop in the Lacey … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 1/9/25

Mount St. Helens Institute co-Executive Directors Alyssa Hoyt, left, and Abigail Groskopf pose for a portrait.

Mount St. Helens Institute appoints two executive directors as Coldwater update plans continue

The Mount St. Helens Institute is experimenting with a new leadership structure by appointing two co-executive directors to replace former Executive Director Ray Yurkewycz , who stepped down in … more

Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 1/9/25

Critic: Washington Department of Ecology releasing 'out of date' emissions data on climate goals

Newly released emissions data from the Washington state Department of Ecology shows the state is behind on climate goals set by the administration of outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee. According to a … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/9/25

Rep. Jim Walsh speaks during a rally hosted by Jim Smith at Sandrini Construction in Adna on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Republican Rep. Jim Walsh offers bill to amend Washington's 'mature minor doctrine'

In March 2024, the Washington state Legislature passed Initiative 2081 , the parents’ bill of rights, which took effect on June 6 of that same year. Under I-2081, parents have the right to … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/9/25

A grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. (Photo by Frank van Manen / USGS / Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 / Unedited)

Feds reject state petitions to delist grizzly bears, reaffirm protected status in Montana, Wyoming

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday reaffirmed the protected status of grizzly bears on the Endangered Species List, rejecting petitions from Montana and Wyoming officials to delist the … more

By Micah Drew / The Daily Montanan | 1/9/25

Washington state lawmakers begin push to ban flavored vapes

Democratic lawmakers in Washington are pushing this year to ban flavored tobacco products, with the support of the state schools chief. State Rep. Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, filed the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 1/9/25

Legislators and others have been pushing to reduce racial disparities in WSP searches and seizures for more than 20 years. (Washington State Patrol)

‘A different standard’: Native Americans still searched at far higher rates by Washington State Patrol, new data shows

Ever since the Washington State Patrol began keeping a database on all its traffic stops, one troubling point has stood out: Troopers search the cars of Native American drivers much more often than … more

By Wilson Criscione and Melanie Henshaw / InvestigateWest | 1/9/25