The Daily Chronicle

Washington Tree Fruit Exports Challenged With Shipping, Trade Issues

Nearly 28% of Washington state apples were shipped to 60 different countries during the 2018-19 season. Industry officials expect exports for the 2020-21 crop to not only be below that figure, but … more

Mai Hoang / Yakima Herald-Republic | 4/4/21

FILE PHOTO — Signs remind students and staff to socially distance and mask up at Centralia Middle School last month.

Washington Students Are Facing a Mental Health Crisis; Here's Why Schools Are on the Front Lines

It's Jan. 26, a Tuesday. But it could be any day, really, since schools closed a year ago. After Porter's online classes end around noon, he closes his computer and turns to the glow of his … more

Hannah Furfaro / The Seattle Times | 4/4/21

Cars sit in lines as patients prepare to receive their first round of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Sunday last January at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

Washingtonians Will Need to 'Pack Their Patience' When COVID Vaccine Appointments Open to All 16 and Older

The minute Kirsten Rogers got a push notification on her phone that she would soon be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, she and her husband started looking for an appointment. They, like all … more

Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times | 4/3/21

Inslee Praises State's Vaccine Efforts, Urges Caution During Stop in Clark County

Gov. Jay Inslee rolled through Clark County Friday for a visit that included stops at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington and one of the area's … more

Anthony Macuk / The Columbian | 4/3/21

Washington Law Enforcement Increases Distracted Driving Patrols in April

More than 130 law enforcement agencies across the state, including those in Thurston County, are increasing distracted driving patrols throughout the month of April. The increased patrols started … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian | 4/2/21

FILE PHOTO — Staff at the Providence Hawks Prairie drive-up COVID-19 testing site work through the rain in Lacey last November.

More Contagious and Dangerous COVID-19 Variants Increasing in Washington, DOH Reports

More contagious and aggressive coronavirus variants first identified in California and Brazil are increasing their numbers in Washington, according to a report published Thursday by the state … more

Craig Sailor / The News Tribune | 4/2/21

A SpaceX rocket booster falling out of orbit made for a spectacular display over much of the Pacific Northwest last Thursday night, prompting calls to authorities and excited posts to social media. This image is from a video recorded by CT Publishing Vice President Franklin Taylor.

Charred Piece of SpaceX Rocket Crashes Into Eastern Washington Farm

One of the lights seen streaking across the Pacific Northwest sky last week crashed on a Grant County farm. People across the region spotted the flaming parts of the Falcon 9 rocket in the night … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald | 4/2/21

Lawmakers Push for $600M in Cuts to Unemployment Taxes in Washington State

Employers in some pandemic-ravaged Washington state industries could see up to $600 million in new tax relief under legislative measures that also aim to improve jobless claims processing and prevent … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times | 4/2/21

Jobless Claims Edge Up in Washington State on Mixed News About Coronavirus Pandemic

New unemployment claims in Washington rose modestly last week — a sign that the pandemic is still eliminating jobs even as the state's COVID-19 vaccination program … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

Washington's Health Insurance Exchange Extends Special Enrollment Period

The state's health insurance marketplace is extending its enrollment period until summer. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange has pushed its special open enrollment through Aug. 15 in response … more

Ryan Blethen / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

FILE PHOTO — Will Dix, a pharmacist with Walgreens for over 20 years, holds up a bag containing a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine vile at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center in January.

.01% of Fully Vaccinated People in Washington State Test Positive for COVID-19

Among the more than 1 million Washingtonians who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 102 people have tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after their vaccinations, the state … more

Sara Jean Green / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

Portland Murder Suspect Likely Fired first at U.S. Marshal-Led Task Force, Investigation Summary Says

Portland murder suspect Michael Reinoehl likely fired off a single round from a handgun before four officers unleashed the barrage of gunfire that killed him in Thurston County last September, … more

Lewis Kamb and Hal Bernton / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

Then-Washington State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, speaks at the first Patriot Prayer rally in Esther Short Park October 2016.

Don Benton, Ex-Washington State Senator and Trump Ally, Behind Mystery Mailer

Don Benton, a former GOP Washington state senator and a Donald Trump appointee, is responsible for last week's mailer criticizing Democratic lawmakers for a proposed change to the estate tax, … more

Joseph O'Sullivan / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

Will Dix, a pharmacist with Walgreens for over 20 years, gives William Yeoman his first round of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center last January in Centralia.

Washington State's COVID Vaccine Leader Weighs in on Struggles and Successes

But not long after the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Washington state in December, when high-risk nurses, doctors and first responders received the very first shots with great fanfare, the days were … more

Nicole Brodeur / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

Governor Jay Inslee talks during a press conference at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis in 2019.

Why Washington's Rollout of COVID Vaccine Eligibility Has Been Slower Than in Other States

Perhaps you are reading this and you are young(ish) and healthy and have the luxury of being able to work from home. Maybe you should count your blessings. But perhaps you've also been working … more

David Gutman / The Seattle Times | 4/1/21

FILE PHOTO — A cooler containing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits on a table at Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center in Centralia.

Lawsuit Demands Immediate COVID-19 Vaccinations for People Incarcerated at Washington Prisons

A legal-aid group is suing the state Department of Corrections, demanding COVID-19 vaccines be made immediately available for all people incarcerated in Washington prisons. The class-action … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times | 3/31/21

The downed single-engine Piper aircraft plane sits in the trees near the Clark-Skamania county line after the aircraft crashed March 29.

Pilot Used Treetops to Survive Crash in Southwest Washington Forest

Truman O'Brien and Craig Beles were about 1 1/2 hours into their flight and 8,000 feet up Monday afternoon when their small plane started to lose power in the skies near Yacolt. O'Brien, a … more

Jessica Prokop / The Columbian | 3/31/21

Washington Universities Report Another Surge in COVID-19 Cases as Students Begin Spring Term

As many college students return to campus for their spring term, some Washington schools are reporting another surge in COVID-19 cases, and are urging their communities to stay … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times | 3/31/21

FILE PHOTO — Moderna COVID-19 vaccine dosages sit on a table as medical professionals work to distribute them to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those in multi-generational households at the Cooks Hill Community Church in Centralia.

Small Number of Fully Vaccinated People in Washington Test Positive for COVID

Among the more than 1 million Washingtonians who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 102 people have tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after their vaccinations, the state … more

Sara Jean Green / The Seattle Times | 3/31/21

Washington Legislature Passes Bill That Will Close Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma

The Washington state Legislature took action Tuesday to shut down the Northwest detention center in Tacoma, one of the largest facilities in the country holding people the government is seeking to … more

Nina Shapiro / The Seattle Times | 3/31/21