State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Two Washington men assumed identities of dead children for over 36 years, police say

Pasco investigators are trying to learn more about two men who have allegedly lived under stolen identities for more than 36 years. The two men, who go by Tim Seidenfeld and Glenn Scotzin, came … more

By Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 4/24/26

State Rep. Larry Springer on the House floor on Jan. 28, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

Washington Democrat income tax supporter questions 'necessity clause' nixing public vote

A Democratic lawmaker who voted in support of Washington’s new income tax said he didn't see anything scandalous in this week’s revelation of emails showing coordination between the office of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/24/26

PUD workers reconstruct three power-line poles along Gore Road in Ethel in this Chronicle file photo.

‘The need is now’: The role of natural gas and Washington’s energy future

The Pacific Northwest faces a near-term electricity shortfall as demand rises faster than new resources can be built, according to a new regional analysis from San Francisco-based Energy and … more

By Paul W. Taylor / TVW | 4/24/26

The Skagit River in Mount Vernon hits a record high. One Mount Vernon police officer said the water level had climbed almost a foot in an hour. (Photo by Eli Voorhies for Washington State Standard)

Trump administration denies mitigation aid after Washington floods

The Trump administration has denied Washington’s request for federal funding to prepare for future floods after a historic deluge hit the state late last year. The letter Thursday from Federal … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/24/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse introduces high school students Frances Staudt, of Tumwater High School, and Ahnaleigh Wilson, of Eastmont High School, at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Let’s Go Washington releases statement on WIAA blocking amendment restricting trans athletes

This week, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Representative Assembly voted against two proposed amendments that would have established guidelines for girls’ athletic … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Sen. Maria Cantwell participates in a livestream with the Artemis crew in a video shared by her office.

Cantwell, Cruz introduce resolution honoring the success of the Artemis II mission

U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a resolution to commemorate the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks during a grand opening for the Agriculture Innovation Park in Tenino on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

MGP amendments to support veterans’ housing options and health care passes committee

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, this week announced progress in her effort to support veterans living in RVs and mobile homes and rural veterans traveling long distances for medical … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Two local campgrounds impacted by Washington DNR cuts

The Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that four Washington state campgrounds will be closed for the rest of the year and several others will be partially closed following two … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 4/24/26

AI used to defraud investors of millions, Washington state regulators say

State regulators allege that a network of fake trading platforms, some in Washington, defrauded people out of nearly $10 million through a series of cryptocurrency scams. The 38 companies sold … more

By Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/24/26

Washington GOP calls on justice to recuse herself in income tax ruling over alleged conflict

The Washington State Republican Party wants a state Supreme Court justice to recuse herself from ruling in a legal challenge to a millionaire's tax, citing a potential conflict of interest. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/24/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson greets legislators as he leaves the House chamber in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Top credit rating agency puts Washington on notice

Washington got a clear warning this week that its reliance on reserves and one-time maneuvers to balance the budget endangers the state’s strong credit rating, which could worsen financial … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/24/26

Buds of marijuana on display inside Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

Justice Department downgrades risk of state-licensed medicinal marijuana

Medicinal marijuana products that are legal at the state level will see looser federal regulation under an order the U.S. Department of Justice published Thursday, while a process that could remove … more

By Jacob Fischler / States Newsroom | 4/23/26

The Lyre River Campground in Port Angeles will close from September until April next year. It’s one of 11 campgrounds affected by state funding cuts to the Department of Natural Resources. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

Washington DNR to close four campgrounds after lawmakers cut funding

The Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that four Washington state campgrounds will be closed for the rest of the year and several others will be partially closed following two … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 4/23/26

State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, answers a question during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

‘Disqualified’: GOP lawmaker slams AG Brown after income tax document released

The lead budget writer for Washington House Republicans says documents obtained by The Center Square, revealing how supporters of the income tax worked with the office of Attorney General Nick Brown … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/23/26

Rob McKenna criticizes attorney general office’s role crafting millionaire’s tax

Former Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna is criticizing the attorney general’s office’s involvement in crafting a millionaire’s tax specifically intended to not only overturn nearly … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/23/26

Eager customers lounge around with blankets, yard games, dogs and more fun in the staging area before the early morning grand opening on In-N-Out Burger in Ridgefield on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

In-N-Out to open another burger restaurant in Washington

In-N-Out is inching closer and closer to Portland. This week, the California-based cult classic burger chain will open its second Washington restaurant less than half an hour outside downtown … more

By Veronica Nocera / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/23/26

Seattle’s car ‘population’ breaks long slump

For years, census data told a clear story: The number of cars in Seattle had pretty much stopped growing. I wrote in 2021 that the city might have hit “peak car” because the total number of … more

Gene Balk / FYI Guy / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/23/26

State closes two lanes of Narrows Bridge for emergency bridge joint repairs

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge will close two of its westbound lanes indefinitely for emergency repairs, the Washington Department of Transportation announced Wednesday in a press release. WSDOT … more

Bonny Matejowsky / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 4/23/26

Train horns make life ‘frustrating’ for residents of this Tacoma neighborhood

Residents in Old Town Tacoma say they have been kept up at night lately by the blaring horns of trains passing through the area. The trouble is centered at the railroad crossing near the … more

Isha Trivedi / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 4/23/26

Washington state GOP leader calls AG’s income tax emails 'certainly improper'

Washington Senate Minority Leader John Braun says documents obtained by The Center Square that reveal months of communication between the office of Attorney General Nick Brown and Sen. Jamie … more

By Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 4/23/26