State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

October 4, 2023, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: Chair Maria Cantwell , D-Wash., conducts the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing for Michael Whitaker, nominee to be administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in Russell Building, Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Medicaid spending is under scrutiny. Here’s what that means for Washington

The Republican-led House passed a budget resolution Tuesday calling for a $2 trillion reduction in federal spending over the next 10 years. To meet that target, lawmakers are now eyeing cuts to a … more

Jessica Fu / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

Students transit between classes in the shadow of Drumheller Fountain and Mt. Rainier Friday afternoon at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington on October 13, 2023. 225196

Chinese students at Washington schools face uncertainty after visa announcement

Chinese students studying at Washington state colleges and universities could face an uncertain future following this week’s announcement that the U.S. will start revoking some of their visas. … more

Paige Cornwell and Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

Injured Coeur d'Alene firefighter faces long recovery

When the battalion chief from Northern Lakes Fire District walked up on June 29 to find out why the firefighters from Kootenai County and Coeur d'Alene were not answering their radios on Canfield … more

Thomas Clouse / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

Governor-elect Bob Ferguson sat down for an interview at Cafe Javasti in Maple Leaf to address questions about his political agenda, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Seattle.

Ferguson calls One Big Beautiful Bill a 'grotesque betrayal'

The passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" late last week capped off months of challenging negotiations by federal lawmakers, marking the first major legislative win of the second Trump … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

Nez Perce Tribe asks Congress to 'avert a financial crisis,' warns Trump administration is withholding fish hatchery funds

Nine months into the fiscal year, the Nez Perce Tribe is still waiting for money Congress approved months ago for contracts to operate fish hatcheries vital to maintaining Northwest salmon runs … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/8/25

As Washington state whooping cough cases soar, families tell of misery and grief

When Chelsey Charles learned whooping cough cases were surging in Washington, like many other parents, she worried for her family’s health. But this 31-year-old mother has had a longer, … more

Sujena Soumyanath / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/8/25

King County sheriff’s office helicopter helps with the search for Travis Decker in the Colchuck Lake area. Authorities are now seeking Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho after the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip from a... (U.S. Marshals Service)

Travis Decker, accused of killing daughters, sought in Sawtooth National Forest after possible sighting

Authorities are looking for Travis Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho after the U.S. Marshals Service received a tip from a family who believed they saw him in the Bear Creek area on … more

By Kai Uyehara / Seattle Times staff reporter | 7/7/25

Parked cars are now a leading source of stolen guns, new report finds

A growing number of firearms are being stolen from parked cars, especially in urban areas, according to a new report that highlights a frequently overlooked source of illegally circulating guns. … more

By Amanda Hernández / States Newsroom | 7/7/25

Police pursuit out of Thurston County ends in deadly crash, major road blockage in Pierce County

One person died Sunday night in a multi-vehicle collision that followed a police pursuit from Yelm to Pierce County, Washington State Patrol trooper John Datillo posted on social media. … more

By Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/7/25

Washington state officials blast Trump’s bill that governor says is ‘only beautiful to billionaires’

Washington’s elected officials reacted to Thursday’s passage of President Trump’s enormous tax and spending bill. The “big beautiful bill” will legislate trillions in … more

Ann Duan / The Bellingham Herald (TNS) | 7/7/25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest a fugitive in 2020.

Washington state sheriff’s effort to partner with ICE sets up conflict

TACOMA — Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank wants to sign a deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would allow his deputies to help the Trump administration deport undocumented … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25

The Peace Arch sits on the border between the U.S. and Canada on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Greg Gilbert/Seattle Times/TNS)

On Washington state’s border with Canada, a rally says, ‘We’re still friends’

Over a hundred people gathered Saturday at Peace Arch Park on the U.S.-Canadian border to celebrate the long friendship between the two countries with handshakes. The show of solidarity comes … more

Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25

DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 12, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images/TNS)

Commentary: Do Seahawks fans harbor much resentment toward DK Metcalf after exit?

SEATTLE — Whenever his name pops up in the news, you can feel Seattle’s eyebrow rise a solid centimeter. Maybe it’s about him being Aaron Rodgers’ top new target. Maybe … more

Matt Calkins / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/7/25

Pierce County sheriff used a private lawyer for official work, so who pays the bill?

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank has been at loggerheads with other elected officials in the first six months of his term, conflicts that have roped in two attorneys and portend more lawsuits. So … more

Peter Talbot / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/7/25

Man fishing with family found dead after river sweeps him away, Oregon police say

A 28-year-old man swept away by swift river currents while fishing with his family was found dead a short time later, Oregon sheriff’s officials reported. A text to 911 notified … more

Don Sweeney / The News Tribune (TNS) | 7/7/25

State Sen. Jesse Salomon (left) faces a challenge in the 2026 election from his district-mate and fellow Democrat, State Rep. Cindy Ryu (right). Both lawmakers represent the 32nd Legislative District, which covers part of Seattle and surrounding areas. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Legislature)

Dueling Democrats: Washington state House member looks to unseat senator from her own party

Two Democratic state lawmakers are set to clash in 2026 in one of the party’s strongholds in western Washington. State Rep. Cindy Ryu has launched a campaign to unseat Sen. Jesse Salomon, … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/7/25

Muslim women sue Oregon sheriff over forced removal of hijabs for mugshots

Two Muslim women are suing the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, alleging they were forced to remove their religious head coverings while they were in custody and photographed in front of … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Dead body found in Southwest Washington river on Fourth of July

Authorities on Friday afternoon recovered the body of a man who was found floating face-down in the Lake River. A 911 caller reported finding the body north of the Ridgefield Marina around 2:45 … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Oregon coast crash kills parents, spares infant daughter

A four-vehicle crash on Independence Day killed a mom and dad who were traveling with their 7-month-old daughter from Coos Bay and injured several others on U.S. 101 near Lakeside in Coos County. … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25

Early morning crash on Interstate 5 kills 19-year-old, injures 4 in Southwest Washington

A 19-year-old Portlander died and four others were injured in a rear-end crash on Interstate 5 near Ridgefield early Saturday morning. Sadie L. Bobo, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/6/25