State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, left, and state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

Braun hits MGP on out-of-state donors as race heats up

In a closely watched congressional race in Southwest Washington’s Third District, where Republicans hope to flip a seat, campaign dollars are pouring in for both candidates, with a large portion of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/22/26

Families of children with developmental disabilities testified in front of a Washington House committee last year. (Photo courtesy of Katie Scheid)

Why families caring for children with disabilities are suing Washington state

When Jamie and Chris Thompson got married, they created a big, blended family. Chris had three children from a previous marriage. Jamie had a son. Together, they had two more kids. The … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/22/26

Natural gas bills going up and Washington’s CCA is to blame

Thousands of Cascade Natural Gas customers can expect their power bills to go up again soon, which the utility attributes to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and Washington’s Clean Energy … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/21/26

DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns

The Trump administration is investigating the University of Washington over concerns about its handling of antisemitism in light of an off-campus event planned by a protest group. … more

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

Oregon teachers, Nike factory workers demand higher taxes and wages

Oregon teachers and Asian garment workers have launched a campaign demanding Nike pay higher state taxes and better factory wages. “We’re done with you making billions off our backs,” says … more

Matthew Kish / oregonlive.com / (TNS) | 4/21/26

Portland officials bungle the rollout of mayor’s proposed budget — again

Portland officials bungled the rollout of Mayor Keith Wilson’s proposed budget late Monday afternoon by publicly releasing erroneous financial figures, a city spokesperson confirmed to The … more

Shane Dixon Kavanaugh / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/21/26

20-year-old man shot in Vancouver dies of injuries

A 20-year-old man shot in Vancouver Saturday has died, police said. Vancouver police found the victim in a parking lot in the 11800 block of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard around 2:20 a.m. and … more

Isabel Funk / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/21/26

Body of missing young Tri-Cities father found in trunk of car

The body of a 27-year-old father missing for over a week was found Sunday in the trunk of his car along a Pasco street, his family confirmed. Carlos Pimentel’s family aren’t sure what … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 4/21/26

Firearm trafficking case highlights gang violence in Spokane

Five young men face federal firearm trafficking conspiracy charges after legally purchasing guns in Montana and then trafficking them to juvenile Spokane gang members who used them in shootings, … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/21/26

Advocates decry Bothell police raids of 5 Asian-owned massage parlors

Immigrant rights advocates demanded the city of Bothell investigate its police department for “anti-Asian violence” on Monday, about one week after investigators raided five massage parlors … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/21/26

State considers changes to Washington state 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

Starbucks plans to have up to 2,000 workers in Nashville

Starbucks expects to have up to 2,000 workers in its new office in Nashville, Tenn., over the next five years, the Seattle-based coffee company told employees Tuesday morning. The details, also … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/21/26

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

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

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez visited the Cowlitz County Jail, which holds as many as 325 inmates at any given time.

Gluesenkamp Perez tours jail and talks trades in Cowlitz County

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, recently toured the Cowlitz County Jail, discussed the regulatory climate with a group of general contractors, and learned about beef processing during … more

4/20/26

Gray whales are starving — and some have died off PNW coast

Last Tuesday, a 40-foot gray whale floated ashore on Seaside Beach, its long tail bobbing in the ocean waves. A necropsy on Friday revealed the whale was emaciated, indicating it may have been … more

By April Ehrlich / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 4/20/26