State & Regional | The Daily Chronicle

A general view of the Seattle Space Needle and downtown skyline with Mount Rainier in the background.

Study says Washington state is home to four of the healthiest cities in the country

Have you ever wondered if or how where you live affects your health? A new study conducted by Wallethub found that where you live does matter when it comes to health, and depending on the … more

By Rosemary Montalvo / The News Tribune | 4/3/24

The southern residents put on a show in their core summer habitat of the San Juan Islands.

Extinction risk to southern resident orcas accelerating as researchers raise alarm

Orca scientist Rob Williams always thought that conservation was a knowledge problem, that once science showed why a species was declining, people would fix it. But new research published … more

By Lynda V. Mapes / The Seattle Times | 4/3/24

A dozen U.S. senators call on ICE, DHS to end misuse of solitary in immigration detention

Both of Washington’s senators and 10 of their colleagues sent a letter Friday to top immigration and homeland security leaders calling for an end to the misuse of solitary confinement in … more

By Peter Talbot / The News Tribune | 4/3/24

Are potatoes vegetables? Yes, but a national committee is hashing out that classification

Boil ‘em. Mash ‘em. Stick ‘em in a stew. Feed them to your picky toddler who won’t eat anything else. Steal them off of your partner’s plate after you’ve … more

By Ellen Dennis / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/3/24

Mom kills 4-year-old son as grandmother was trying to get custody, police say

A 27-year-old woman is accused of killing her 4-year-old son as the child’s grandma tried to get custody of him in Washington, police said. Janet Garcia was arrested on suspicion of … more

By Helena Wegner / The Olympian | 4/3/24

Victim of fatal hit-and-run crash on I-5 in Tacoma Saturday identified by state patrol

A 39-year-old Texas man killed in a hit-and-run collision on Interstate 5 in Tacoma early Saturday morning has been identified as Lance E. Melder, according to the Washington State Patrol. The … more

By Becca Most / The News Tribune | 4/3/24

Replacement of Fryingpan Creek Bridge Approved for Mount Rainier National Park

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has approved a plan to replace the historic Fryingpan Creek Bridge in Mount Rainier National Park with … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/24

Court documents: Nanny charged with killing Washington infant gave multiple stories to police

A 59-year-old nanny charged with killing an Airway Heights infant provided several explanations as to what led to the fatal injuries, which a doctor compared to someone being thrown from a moving … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/31/24

A moose uses the Resort Creek wildlife underpass (part of the Snoqualmie Pass East Project) to safely cross I-90, allowing for natural range expansion into the South Cascades.

Cascade critter crossings: How Interstate 90 became safer for wildlife, drivers

Interstate 90 fractures the spine of the Cascades at its midpoint. For wildlife that once freely roamed the region from Canada to Oregon, the highway was an impassable barrier — until the … more

Vonnai Phair / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/31/24

Nine neglected llamas rescued in Eastern Washington; others found dead

Nine llamas suffering from severe neglect were recently rescued in Yakima County, two animal welfare organizations reported. Pasado's Safe Haven and the Olympic Peninsula Alpaca Rescue worked … more

Tammy Ayer / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 3/31/24

Man sentenced for organized retail theft scheme that hit Western Washington, 23 states total

A California man has been sentenced in Seattle to five years in prison for organizing a retail theft scheme that resulted in more than $664,000 in damages and hurt businesses in 23 states. … more

Becca Most / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/31/24

A wing walker performs during a 2014 air show in Great Britain. (Dreamstime/TNS)

FAA halts Washington wing-walking flights, revokes owner’s pilot license

The Mason Wing Walking business in Sequim that allowed paying thrill-seekers to clamber over the wings of a 1940s Stearman biplane while in flight is no more. The Federal Aviation Administration … more

Dominic Gates / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/30/24

Everett boy's grandmother won emergency guardianship before his death

Court documents in Snohomish County show the grandmother of a 4-year-old boy found dead in Everett had won emergency guardianship of him the day before he went missing after convincing a judge his … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/30/24

Point Defiance stabbing suspect arrested after leading police on cross-country chase

A suspect in the Feb. 10 stabbing of a walker in Point Defiance Park was arrested Friday at the San Francisco airport as he was trying to flee the country. The random stabbing of the park … more

Craig Sailor / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/30/24

Man arrested in Thurston County after threatening deputies during crisis negotiation, sheriff says

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office took a man into custody Thursday after he allegedly violated a protection order and, during crisis negotiations, advanced at officers with a knife. Sheriff's … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/30/24

Deputies shoot, kill suspected child rapist after long standoff in Eastern Washington

A man suspected of raping a child was shot by Spokane County Sheriff's Office deputies after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement Friday night near Deer Park, according to Sheriff John Nowels. … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/30/24

A winning $440,000 lottery ticket sold in Washington expires Monday

A Washington resident could become $440,000 richer — minus federal income taxes — this weekend. Washington's Lottery announced in a news release it has an unclaimed winning Hit 5 … more

Roberta Simonson / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/30/24

The outside of the state Capitol on the last day of the 2024 Legislature in Olympia on Thursday, March 7.

Washington becomes first state to ban lead-contaminated cookware

Washington is the first state to ban the manufacture, distribution and sale of cookware contaminated with lead, following Gov. Jay Inslee’s approval of a bill that passed this legislative … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/30/24

Washington State Patrol: Driver in fatal Interstate 5 hit-and-run carjacked vehicle, fled scene

Immediately after a hit and run collision on Interstate 5 killed a 39-year-old man from Texas early Saturday morning, the driver carjacked a passerby's vehicle and fled the scene, the Washington … more

Becca Most / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/30/24

Zach Edey #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers competes for the ball with Graham Ike #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 29, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/TNS)

Commentary: Gonzaga men hit ceiling in loss to Purdue — and it was about 7 feet, 4 inches high

DETROIT — This Gonzaga season was not short on doubt. A couple of months ago, the Bulldogs' consecutive NCAA Tournament-appearance streak — which dates back to 1999 — looked … more

Matt Calkins / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/30/24