State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

A new analysis highlights the specific risks facing hikers in the Pacific Northwest, from glacier crevasses to dehydration on long-distance trails.

Analysis: Mount Rainier, Pacific Crest Trail among the most dangerous destinations in the U.S

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the country’s most scenic hiking destinations , but those breathtaking views can come with serious risks. A recent analysis of hiking injury statistics … more

Chiara Profenna / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/24/26

Kenmore Air plane crashes off Sucia Island in San Juans; 11 rescued

All 11 people aboard a Kenmore Air flight survived when their plane heading to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands crashed Thursday evening off Sucia Island. The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter … more

Paige Cornwell and David Gutman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/24/26

Climber killed on Mount Rainier had summited mountain five times

To Daihong Chen, mountains weren’t meant to be conquered — though she summited more than 100 peaks in her lifetime. Instead, her philosophy was to respect whatever mountain she was on, humbly … more

Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/24/26

Election watchdog weighs future of party spending limits after SCOTUS ruling

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling is raising questions about whether Washington can continue enforcing state laws that limit spending that political parties coordinate with their candidates. In a 6-3 … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/24/26

Oregonians must have a commercial driver’s license to operate any vehicle or trailer with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more. The license is also required for vehicles transporting 16 or more passengers, such as buses, and any vehicle used to transport hazardous materials. There are exceptions for recreational and emergency fire and service vehicles. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

How Trump closed a key career path for Oregon immigrants and refugees

Abdul Saboor Hassan moved to Oregon in 2020 after qualifying for a green card for his service to the U.S. Army in his home country, Afghanistan. He became a commercial truck driver for a short period … more

By Mia Maldonado / The Washington State Standard | 7/24/26

The Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise shines in the sunlight on Jan. 7, 2025. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho sheriff tells legislators decisions on ICE partnerships should be left to local officials

An Idaho county sheriff told a committee of state legislators on Thursday that partnership agreements with ICE should be local decisions, not required by the Idaho Legislature or state … more

By Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/24/26

A bronze Marcus Whitman statue in the Washington state Capitol building weighs over 9,000 pounds with its stone base. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Marcus Whitman statue will soon have a new home in Washington Capitol

Visitors to the Washington state Capitol won’t be greeted by the towering figure of missionary Marcus Whitman much longer. He’s getting moved from the north entryway down the hall in the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/24/26

Fiscal contrast: Idaho curbs spending as Washington deficit climbs

Idaho recently closed the books on fiscal year 2026, ending in the black while rolling over approximately $250 million in cash balances to its general fund for next year, while its neighbor faces a … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/23/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood discusses his beliefs on Washington’s financial state outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Public unions make up nearly all of contributions against Washington income tax repeal

Public sector unions, which will directly benefit from the millionaire's tax, make up virtually all the contributions to the campaign against the initiative to repeal Washington’s newly enacted … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/23/26

This photo shows damage to the State Reception Room at the Washington state Capitol after an intruder broke in on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Department of Enterprise Services)

$1M restoration from Washington Capitol vandalism recommended

Washington could spend $1 million repairing damage from vandalism at the state Capitol last year. Restoring a historic wool rug in the state Reception Room as close as possible to its … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/23/26

Unvaccinated child diagnosed with measles in Washington state

Clark County health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated child, officials said Wednesday. It’s not yet known when or where the child was exposed to the … more

Mary Mooney / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/23/26

Pilot, 76, crashes plane into Southwest Washington lake, escapes with minor injuries

The pilot of a single-engine airplane experienced mechanical difficulties Wednesday and crashed into Yale Lake in northeastern Clark County, officials said. The pilot, a 76-year-old man, was the … more

Mary Mooney / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/23/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles while touring the proposed site of the Southwest Washington Agricultural & Innovation Park in Tenino in February 2023.

MGP breaks from Democrats on $1.15 trillion defense bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on Wednesday joined Republicans to pass a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill, diverging from House Democrats who overwhelmingly rejected the … more

By Anumita Kaur / The Seattle Times | 7/23/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia.

Washington state budget spending increased by 230% since 2001

The Washington state operating budget has increased by 230% since 2001, according to a presentation to the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability. … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/23/26

Wind turbines in southwest Minnesota in 2024. The Trump administration has halted Department of Defense reviews for onshore wind turbines, freezing scores of projects. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)

State AGs join legal fight against Trump’s wind farm freeze

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has joined a lawsuit seeking to end the Trump administration’s halt of onshore wind projects in the United States. Last week, 18 states and … more

By Alex Brown / Stateline.org | 7/23/26

Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek joins Gov. Bob Ferguson at a press conference in May. On Wednesday, Ferguson named Feek as the interim leader of the Department of Enterprise Services. (Photo courtesy of Employment Security Department)

Washington agency director out as Ferguson installs an interim leader

The director of Washington’s Department of Enterprise Services is out and the leader of another agency is in charge temporarily, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday. Director Matt Jones, a … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/22/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

Mount Rainier climber killed, three injured after rockfall

One person has been killed and three injured on Mount Rainier’s most popular summit route. Six climbers in two separate parties were caught in a rockfall at 11,600 feet on the Disappointment … more

By Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/22/26

The Chehalis Tribal Jail is pictured in Oakville on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Chehalis Tribal Law Enforcement among tribal departments with most previously fired officers

Shortly after Kalispel Tribal Police Detective Phineas Haglin arrested a woman at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino outside Spokane, Washington, he found a hotel security guard and asked if video … more

By Melanie Henshaw / InvestigateWest | 7/22/26

King County judge rules Kalshi likely violates state gambling laws

Online prediction betting market Kalshi faces an uncertain future in Washington after a King County Superior Court Judge found that it likely violates state gambling laws. The order by Judge … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/22/26

Suspect in Amber Alert kidnapping turns himself in to Kennewick police

A 41-year-old man was arrested in connection with kidnapping his daughter after strangling his girlfriend in a Kennewick apartment. Matthew G. Susmilch turned himself about 4 p.m. Tuesday, … more

Cameron Probert / Tri City Herald | 7/22/26