State & Regional News | The Daily Chronicle

A June 2025 view of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota’s Black Hills. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Preparations for Trump and Mount Rushmore fireworks include First Amendment area for protesters

The National Park Service is designating an area for protesters as the agency prepares to welcome thousands of attendees, including President Donald Trump, to a Friday fireworks display at Mount … more

By Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight | 7/2/26

(Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice)

Fourth of July fireworks spark wildfire worries for Washington state

State and local fire officials are urging Washingtonians to use caution lighting fireworks this weekend, especially as a statewide drought raises wildfire risks. Nearly every part of Washington … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/26

A summer cookout this holiday weekend is 4% more expensive than it was last year, according to a report from the American Farm Bureau Federation. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Summer cookouts cost nearly $3 more this holiday than last year

At a 4% increase from last summer, the cost of backyard barbecue has grown in price at about the same pace as inflation, according to the annual American Farm Bureau Federation survey. The … more

By Cami Koons / Iowa Capital Dispatch | 7/2/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood carries a box of petition signature sheets outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Ballot fight on Washington state income tax looks certain

TUMWATER – Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners turned in more than 500,000 signatures Thursday for an initiative to repeal the levy, nearly double the amount needed to secure … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/26

Vancouver police arrest man accused of filming sex with minors, letting them live in his hotel room

Vancouver police on June 24 arrested a 20-year-old man who they say had sex with two teenage girls he met online and filmed the interactions. Andrew Joseph Guerrero, an active duty military … more

Alissa Gary / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

‘Does she have crab in her bra?’ Washington officers say 4 hid 21 crabs in clothing

A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer made a shell-shocking discovery last month when four suspected crab poachers were found concealing undersized crabs in their pants, bras and even … more

Tarek Anthony / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Oregon hunter banned for life, fined $114K following poaching investigation

A former Oregon correctional officer pleaded guilty last month to multiple poaching and weapons charges in Grant and Umatilla counties, Oregon State Police said Wednesday. In two separate … more

Tarek Anthony / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Michael Wilmington, an ex-pediatrician in the Vancouver area, allegedly hosted naked sleepovers with children at his La Center home, according to a child exploitation investigation in Clark County. He died by suicide in Lewis County.

Abuse claims grow against pediatrician who died in Lewis County after arrest warrant issued in criminal case

A growing number of people have come forward to allege they were abused by Washington state pediatrician Michael Wilmington. Wilmington was found dead, apparently of suicide, in Lewis County in … more

Isabel Funk / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/2/26

Washington economy grows fastest in nation thanks to AI spending

Washington’s economy, aided by a tech sector all in on artificial intelligence, had a strong start to the year and could be on track to outperform other state economies in 2026. Washington’s … more

Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Police arrest JBLM member suspected in murder of missing Tacoma man

Police in Pierce County arrested two 21-year-olds on suspicion of murder after one of the suspects — a service member assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord — led officers Tuesday night to human … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Prosecutor won’t charge Washington teacher after student rape allegation

For the second time in two years, local prosecutors have declined to charge an Edmonds School District special education teacher accused of sexual misconduct against students. The Snohomish … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Whidbey Island earthquake near Oak Harbor hits magnitude of 3.8

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake shook outside of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island on Wednesday night, according to the United States Geological Survey. The center of the earthquake was a little over a … more

Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Donald Trump, JD Vance won’t attend U.S.-Belgium World Cup match in Seattle, King County spokesperson says

SEATTLE — Neither President Donald Trump nor Vice President JD Vance are expected to attend Monday's USA vs. Belgium round of 16 FIFA Men's World Cup match in Seattle, a King County spokesperson … more

Sofia Schwarzwalder / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/2/26

Legislators in at least six states this year have approved measures related to patient medical debt. (Photo by Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

More states try to give patients relief from medical debt

Legislators in at least six states this year have approved measures related to patient medical debt, according to a report on legislative policy trends released Wednesday by United States of Care, a … more

By Nada Hassanein / Stateline.org | 7/2/26

Attorney General Nick Brown greets legislators in the House chambers at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Revamp of Washington public records rules nears completion

Washington officials hope to issue new recommendations by summer’s end for how governments release public records, with the goal of speeding up disclosure. Over 2,000 agencies are subject to … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/2/26

Idaho labor economist ran anonymous accounts promoting pro-Russian, far-right views

Standing alongside the rectangular glow of a PowerPoint presentation, Sam Wolkenhauer plays up a nerdy persona. In May 2025, he led a group of North Idaho realtors through a slide deck on labor … more

By Jacob Jones / InvestigateWest | 7/2/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.

Washington governor, AG and state lawmakers get 7% pay hikes

Gov. Bob Ferguson received a 7% raise on Wednesday. Combined with a similar-sized pay bump a year ago, his annual salary is $234,275, roughly $30,000 more than when he took the oath as … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/1/26

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks to attendees during the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the United Learning Center in Centralia on Thursday, May 14.

Abbarno to lead moderate Republican political action committee

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, will put on yet another hat as the new chairman of the Cascade Political Action Committee (PAC). Former chairman of the Washington state PAC and former … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

A designated electric vehicle parking spot is pictured at the new Mineral Mobility Hub on Friday, May 8, behind the Mineral Lake Market.

Department of Ecology proposes fallback plan on vehicle emissions in case of federal rollbacks

The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed a contingency plan for the state’s vehicle emissions standards, which have been challenged at the federal level. The plan is being considered … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

The Goat Rocks and Agnes Island are reflected back onto Packwood Lake.

Digital payments now accepted at national forests in Washington state

Washington’s national forests are expanding digital payment options at recreation sites. Visitors can now pay fees using the Recreation.gov mobile app at certain trailheads, day-use areas and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26