State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks to an angler as sea lions are seen in the background in this photo provided by the congresswoman’s office.

MGP seeks federal assistance in combating sea lion predation

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, last week wrote to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its fish … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Police still looking for leads after unknown murder suspect left burned-out truck near Mineral Lake in 2022

Police are still looking for leads regarding the 2022 Tacoma murder of a 44-year-old man and the unknown suspects who left a burned-out Ford F-350 near Mineral Lake in Lewis County. According to … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/20/26

State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, smiles at House Speaker Laurie Jinkins during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Records reveal Washington millionaire’s tax is meant to legalize progressive income tax

The Washington attorney general and Democratic leaders plotted how to overturn a nearly century-old decision that banned income taxes in the state, writing they want to force the state Supreme Court … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/20/26

Three dead, one injured in car crash near Monroe

Three people died and another was injured in a head-on car crash early Saturday near Monroe. A 2015 Cadillac SRX was headed west on Highway 2 around 12:18 a.m. Saturday when the driver attempted … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/20/26

The Grays Harbor Drug Task Force, with the assistance from officers of the Aberdeen Police Department, executed search and arrest warrants in the 1000 block of Arthur Street in Aberdeen and made two arrests.

Grays Harbor drug task force arrests two; WSP bomb squad removes suspicious device

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Wednesday, April 15, detectives with the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force, with the assistance from officers of the Aberdeen Police … more

By The Daily World | 4/20/26

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2024.

Why a Washington trucking business owner is suing to block new income tax

When you own a small business in Washington’s ever-changing climate of tax and regulation policy changes, operators get used to being creative to remain afloat. But for some business owners, the … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/20/26

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

After 21 years in Washington Legislature, a moderate Democrat calls it quits

Democratic state Rep. Larry Springer of Kirkland, who provided a moderating voice in his caucus for two decades, announced Sunday he will not seek re-election. Springer, 79, was elected in 2004 … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/20/26

Plane makes emergency landing on Washington highway

A small plane made an emergency landing on the side of a Washington highway Saturday afternoon. Eastbound lanes of Washington State Route 14 shut down after the plane landed on the highway near … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/19/26

Oregon judge blasts RFK Jr., striking down declaration restricting gender-affirming care for youth

A federal judge on Saturday issued a written opinion blasting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for what he called his “wanton disregard” for the rule of law in … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/19/26

"We will keep finding ridiculous ways to disrupt the status quo," organizer JoJo Ruby said to the crowd before marching.

Hundreds show up to Portland clown march, in silly day of joyous protest

When President Donald Trump got reelected in 2024, JoJo Ruby was not pleased. “I was feeling really isolated and lonely and unsure where my place in the revolution was as a clown,” she said. … more

Lillian Mongeau Hughes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/19/26

‘Bellingham rock’ removal along I-5 could begin as soon as Monday

April could mark the end of an era for what's known as Bellingham rock on Interstate 5, a landmark loved with layers of painted messages that have coated the boulder inches thick over decades. … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/19/26

Tri-Citians losing millions on crypto ATM scams. Are bans next?

Online cryptocurrency scams have likely stolen multiple millions from unsuspecting Tri-Citians, most by way of digital ATMs found in stores around the region. And the thefts are expected to … more

Eric Rosane / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 4/19/26

Latino farmworkers face high rates of long COVID, but barriers delay diagnosis

The first time Dr. Anita Chopra had a long COVID patient, she cried. It was two years after the pandemic, she said, when the once-healthy patient described symptoms of weakness, chronic fatigue … more

Monica Carrillo-Casas / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/19/26

Why it is so hard to find, afford renting a Seattle single-family home

Tracy Cambron couldn't afford to buy a house in Seattle when she moved here a decade ago. Still, she wanted to give her two kids a childhood like hers — one where they could play in a yard, … more

Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/19/26

Seattle arts groups are laying off staff. What do arts lovers lose?

About 100 staffers at Seattle’s Crocodile. At least 20% of Seattle International Film Festival’s staff. About a dozen 5th Avenue Theatre Company employees. The list goes on. In the past … more

Margo Vansynghel / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/19/26

3 hurt in incident at BP Cherry Point refinery in Washington state

Three people were hospitalized following reports of what sounded like an explosion at the BP Cherry Point refinery in Whatcom County on Saturday. In a statement, BP confirmed there was an … more

Caitlyn Freeman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/19/26

Work to reopen Highway 20 over North Cascades continues

Highway 20 over the North Cascades is getting close to reopening. According to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Transportation, the eastside and westside crews clearing the … more

Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon / (TNS) | 4/19/26

Clouds hang over Lake Cushman, as seen from the mountains of the Olympic National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans to close 57 research stations in 31 states.

Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches

The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, … more

By Alex Brown / Stateline | 4/19/26

Washington state launches study on reparations for descendants of slavery

SEATTLE — Washington has launched its study into reparations for descendants of enslaved people to address the enduring repercussions of chattel slavery in America. During this first phase of … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/18/26

Washington police lag on required deescalation, mental health training

Washington law enforcement officers are way behind completing deescalation and mental health training required under the state’s marquee police accountability law. That’s according to a … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/17/26