State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) arrives to a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on protections for access to in vitro fertilization on February 27, 2024 in Washington, DC.

‘Where does it stop?’: Workers speak out about cuts to VA services in Puget Sound region

Workers hit with recent funding freezes and firings involving the Department of Veterans Affairs said the recent tumult might result in more long-term damage than any short-term financial gains for … more

Debbie Cockrell / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/12/25

Thousands of highly trained Washington state teachers could have their pay cut

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would reduce the pay of more than 8,000 highly trained Washington teachers by thousands of dollars annually. Educators certified by the National … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/12/25

After House Republicans pass Trump-backed spending bill, spotlight turns to Patty Murray and Senate Democrats

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday passed a bill that would fund the government through the end of September and bolster President Donald Trump's effort to reshape the federal … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/12/25

Tesla only EV maker allowed to sell directly to consumers under Washington state law

OLYMPIA — Tesla is the only electric vehicle manufacturer allowed to sell directly to consumers in Washington through an exemption to state law from 2014. According to Rep. Beth Doglio, … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/12/25

Washington state lawmaker says the fine for littering should more than double

People caught littering would have to pay more under a bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, and passed by the Washington state House. Klicker’s district includes parts of … more

By Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 3/12/25

Pedestrian flown to area trauma center after wreck in Mason County, state patrol says

A 36-year-old man was hit by a car Monday night on the east shore of Hood Canal, according to Washington State Patrol. He was injured and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/12/25

Body of missing 2-year-old Oregon boy found, officials say

A volunteer diver has found the body of the 2-year-old Siletz boy who went missing while playing in his front yard 10 days ago, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. Dane … more

Fedor Zarkhin / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Explosives-sniffing dog helps feds find ‘large hole’ in Oregon yard where stolen guns were buried

A man who buried stolen guns snatched from a trailer parked at a hotel after a Portland gun show in 2022 was sentenced Tuesday to the three months that he already served in jail. Federal agents … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Downtown Portland on the morning of Aug. 14, 2016, in a photo taken from the top deck of the Marquam Bridge.

Study: Portland-Vancouver region the only place where nonreligious people outnumber Christians

Among the 34 largest U.S. metro areas surveyed, the Portland-Vancouver region stands out as the only place where nonreligious people outnumber Christians, according to the Pew Research Center’s … more

Chiara Profenna / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Train hauling garbage to Oregon catches fire in Cowlitz County

A rail car carrying garbage caught fire as a train was making its way through Kelso Tuesday night, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue said. Firefighters arrived at the tracks along the Cowlitz River … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Hikers make their way past yellow balsamroot wildflowers blooming on the slopes of Dog Mountain, as a gray mist hangs over the Columbia River Gorge.

Permits going on sale for one of the best wildflower hikes in the Pacific Northwest

If it’s wildflower views you’re after, you can’t do much better than Dog Mountain. The Columbia River Gorge destination is famous for its spectacular spring blooms and stunning … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

U.S. Forest Service officials attend a timber sale tour in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.

Trump reverses course on federal worker firings, opening the door for rehiring in Southwest Washington

The Trump administration has backed down from its move to fire thousands of probationary federal workers . The switch means hundreds of local federal workers may now be rehired if they were fired or … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/12/25

More law enforcement agencies reconsider use of popular Sig Sauer P320 handgun

As safety concerns over the Sig Sauer P320 handgun continue to mount, a growing number of police departments across the United States are rethinking their use of the popular semiautomatic firearm. … more

By Amanda Hernández / States Newsroom | 3/12/25

A Texas National Guardsman observes as Border Patrol agents pat down migrants who have surrendered themselves for processing, May 10, 2023. (Photo by Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM)

Washington state bill to restrict outside National Guard from entering state advances in Legislature

A bill that would give the governor authority to limit other states’ National Guard troops from deploying in Washington, unless they are mobilized by the president, passed the state House on … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Sen. John Braun speaks during Cascade Community Healthcare’s 11th annual Legislative and Governmental Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Washington state Senate Republicans unveil 'no new taxes' budget proposal

Senate Republicans unveiled a budget proposal Tuesday that they contend closes the state’s shortfall without raising the tax burden on Washingtonians or dipping into the state’s rainy-day … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/11/25

The Washington state Capitol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

$100 million plan for police hiring gets greenlight from Washington state House

Democrats in the Washington state House on Tuesday approved a revamped plan to provide $100 million in grants to local police departments to hire more officers. The vote on House Bill 2015 … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson makes his way through the room prior to being sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Washington governor says he will limit his own emergency powers if lawmakers don’t

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday pledged to restrict his use of emergency powers following the apparent collapse of a Republican-led effort to have the Legislature do so. Ferguson said if … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Unemployment insurance for immigrants falls short in Washington state Legislature

As an agricultural worker in Wapato, Washington, Sandra D. works with her husband to support her three children. Like many immigrants, Sandra came to the United States looking for a better … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Emergency powers bill Washington state governor helped keep alive is on cusp of failure

Bob Ferguson had only been Washington’s governor a few minutes when he said he could accept “reasonable limits” on the powers he could exercise in statewide emergencies. A few … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

HB 1531 sponsor Rep. Dan Bronoske, D-Lakewood, concerning public health mandates on House floor ahead of bill vote.

Washington state House Dems pass public health bill touted as 'best science'

Just a few years after COVID-19 vaccine mandates led to thousands of Washington workers who were unwilling to get the shots being fired from their jobs – or forced to resign – Washington … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/10/25