State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Jamon P. Fritsch, 48, was sentenced to in life prison with the chance of parole in 25 years during a hearing Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

‘Epitome of evil’ sentenced for strangling, dismembering traveling Oregon respiratory therapist

After working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon and California, traveling respiratory therapist Kara Taylor hit a rough patch in her own life — and sought safe harbor in a … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/20/25

Horrific attack on homeless woman in wheelchair spurs Oregon judge to issue challenge

Before sentencing a man for an explosively violent series of attacks on a disabled woman who lives on the street, a Washington County judge had a message for any judges who might consider his … more

Noelle Crombie / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/20/25

Cave tours are the most popular activity at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.

The Oregon Caves saw a dramatic increase in visitors last year

For decades, the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve has been Oregon’s quietest national park site, a remote destination at the end of a long, winding road in the southwest corner of … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/20/25

Attitudes mixed about proposed fixes to Washington state’s Clean Fuel Standard

Recently, the Washington state Legislature enacted a Clean Fuel Standard program, which directs fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity in their products such as gasoline and diesel. Now, the … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 3/20/25

Crowd demands answers from Washington Congressman Baumgartner at town hall event

Out-of-towners outnumbered local residents at the 5th Congressional District town hall meeting held Monday morning in Ritzville. When asked to estimate the percentage of locals among the 130 or so … more

Sue Lani Madsen / The Center Square | 3/20/25

Washington State Patrol plans for major workload increase if permit-to-purchase gun bill passes

The Washington State Patrol is gearing up for the potential passage of a bill in Olympia that would require gun buyers to get a permit before purchasing a firearm and require gun safety training to … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/20/25

Apartment construction in Olympia in January 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Housing bills to watch as the Washington state legislative session enters its final weeks

Washington’s “Year of Housing” in 2023 brought a record $400 million investment into the state’s affordable housing fund. Last year’s short legislative … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/25

Sheriff's office suggests former Woodland mayor, who is also a state trooper, be charged with theft

Sheriff's office suggests former Woodland mayor, who is also a state trooper, be charged with theft Matt Esnayra / The Daily News The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 3/20/25

The Washington state Capitol on March 13, 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Immigration proceedings would become eligible use for sick leave under Washington state bill

Allowing workers to use their paid sick leave to take time off for immigration proceedings is one of the ways Washington state lawmakers are trying to support immigrants facing tougher federal … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the state House chamber in Olympia, on Jan. 15, 2025. The themes Ferguson highlighted during the speech did not sit well with some Democratic lawmakers. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Tough times for Gov. Bob Ferguson as top aide resigns over hostile workplace allegations

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s top adviser and closest political confidant resigned Wednesday amid complaints that he fomented a toxic workplace that contributed to the departure of another key … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/25

Senators listen to public comment during a hearing on Senate Bill 5400 in the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia on Tuesday, March 18.

Washington state Senate committee hears support, opposition for local news bill

The Washington state Senate Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing Tuesday, March 18, and listened to testimony for and against a proposed bill that would help fund local journalism across … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/19/25

From left, state Rep. Dan Bronoske, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Lt. Governor Denny Heck and Governor Bob Ferguson.

Four Washington Department of Ecology employees receive state's top civilian honor for rescuing woman

Four Department of Ecology workers have received the state's top civilian honor for rescuing a woman from a fiery crash last year. The medal of valor, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said at a … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/19/25

Washington state student receives explicit messages from fake teacher account; investigation underway

Police are investigating after someone impersonating a teacher sent explicit Instagram messages to a Washougal High School student. The high school reported the incident to the Washougal Police … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

‘You are not to return to duty at this time’: Federal workers on paid leave after firings rescinded

Terminated federal workers in Oregon this week are receiving notices rescinding their firings but informing them that they are now on paid administrative leave until further notice. The workers … more

Yesenia Amaro / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

Oregon's Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is just east of downtown Bend. It rises 480 feet above the city, giving it a commanding view of the Cascade peaks to the west, from Mt. Bachelor to Mount Hood. Jan. 2, 2015.

Snowboarders find solo skier trapped in snow on Mount Bachelor

A 34-year-old Washington man died while solo skiing on Mount Bachelor on Monday after he fell into a tree well, according to Deschutes County Sgt. Jason Wall. Snowboarders who happened to be … more

Beth Slovic / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/19/25

Bob Ferguson speaks at a press conference in February. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Top Gov. Bob Ferguson aide resigns amid hostile workplace allegations

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s top advisor and closest political confidant resigned Wednesday amid complaints that he fomented a toxic workplace that contributed to the departure of another key … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/25

Cowlitz County man gets three months in jail for stabbing dog in 2024

A Longview man has pleaded guilty to first-degree animal cruelty for slashing a dog in the neck in 2024. Daryl Keith Bowen, 54, was sentenced in Cowlitz County Superior Court last week to three … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 3/19/25

A salmon launches itself out of the water at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery's adult collection facility on Sunday, Sept. 29 in Salkum.

NOAA report: 2025 will be an above average year for Columbia River salmon

The number of salmon returning to the Columbia and Snake rivers this year is expected to beat the 10-year average return. That's according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric … more

By Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/19/25

From left to right, state Rep. Dan Bronoske, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Lt. Governor Denny Heck and Governor Bob Ferguson

Gov. Ferguson, Washington state lawmakers honor Jimi Hendrix with Medal of Merit

Jimi Hendrix, the world-famous electric guitarist whose innovative style forever shaped the rock-music landscape, was posthumously honored with a Washington state Medal of Merit at the Capitol on … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/18/25

Man who hit a Washington State Patrol trooper head-on dies

A 45-year-old wine industry veteran died a month after a head-on collision with a Washington State Patrol trooper in Kennewick. Investigators believe Jeremy S. Santo of Pasco was intoxicated … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 3/18/25