The Daily Chronicle

FILE PHOTO -- U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell discusses economic development and other topics at the Port of Chehalis in Chehalis.

Pacific Northwest Congressional Delegation Signs Letter Urging for Stop of National Archives Sale

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives from the Pacific Northwest plans to send a letter Thursday to the Office of Management and Budget urging it to reverse its decision to sell the … more

By Laurel Demkovich / The Spokesman-Review | 3/11/21

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz met with General Dan Dent of the Washington Army National Guard and State Forester George Geissler in June 2019 to discuss mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

House Unanimously Passes Historic Bill to Address Wildfires Long-term

Washington state is one step closer to having a dedicated funding source for wildfire response after bipartisan House Bill 1168 was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives this week. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Bill Creating Billy Frank Jr. Statue at Statuary Hall in D.C. Passes Washington State House 92-5

Just a day before what would have been Billy Frank Jr.’s 90th birthday, the Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill that would place a statue of the beloved environmentalist and … more

By Eric Rosane / For The Chronicle | 3/10/21

FILE PHOTO — The state Capitol building in Olympia.

State House Advances Bill Providing 'Just Cause' Protection for Renters

The Washington state House of Representatives has passed a bill that requires landlords to state a reason when terminating or refusing to renew a rental agreement. Known as "just cause" … more

Brandon Block / The Olympian | 3/10/21

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

Gov. Inslee Praises Reopening of Schools During Eastern Washington Visit

Pasco's students are the latest example of how schools can open safely, said Gov. Jay Inslee. Inslee visited Robert Frost Elementary school for an hour Tuesday as part of a series of tours of … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald | 3/10/21

A male Evening Grosbeak peeks around the upright limbs of an alder tree. This is the largest finches we are likely to see at western Washington backyard feeders. Grosbeaks. like their tiny cousins the Pine Siskins, commonly travel in flocks and are known for emptying out seed feeders in a matter of hours. It is said that a Grosbeak can eat up to 95 sunflower seeds in just 5 minutes.

WDFW: Leave Bird Feeders Down Until April 1 to Protect Wild Birds From Deadly Salmonellosis

Continued reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders across Washington and other Northwest states are prompting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to recommend people continue to … more

Eli Francovich / The Spokesman-Review | 3/10/21

A protester walks outside of the Washington State Capitol building last January in Olympia.

One of Three Democratic Lawmakers Who Voted No on Capital Gains Tax Wants Focus on Transportation

A state senator from Vancouver was one of just three Democrats to vote against a capital gains tax that on Saturday passed the chamber by a single vote. Sen. Annette Cleveland, from the 49th … more

Calley Hair / The Columbian | 3/10/21

Will Lawsuit Stop Navy From Training in State Parks? Environmental Group Hopes So

The U.S. Navy's controversial use of Washington's state parks for training exercises is the subject of a lawsuit filed Monday in Thurston County. The Whidbey Environmental Action Committee (WEAN) … more

Abbie Shull / The News Tribune | 3/9/21

First Lady Jill Biden Tours JBLM: 'We Want to Know What's Getting in Your Way'

First lady Jill Biden visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Tuesday, touting a relaunch of a military family outreach program she started during the Obama administration. Biden toured the Children's … more

Abbie Shull / The News Tribune | 3/9/21

Bill to Limit Evictions in Washington State Advances

State representatives over the weekend approved a bill requiring landlords to provide a valid reason for ending certain leases with tenants, advancing another in a series of proposals to reform the … more

Heidi Groover / The Seattle Times | 3/9/21

Traffic is backed up on Interstate 5 south of Maytown in this 2019 Chronicle file photo.

Washington Legislature Considers Clean-Fuels Standard as Part of Climate Change 'Grand Bargain'

For the past three years, tanker trucks filled with livestock tallow and vegetable oil have unloaded at the BP Cherry Point refinery in northwest Washington. There, they are turned into renewable … more

Hal Bernton / The Seattle Times | 3/9/21

These are the regions created as part of Gov. Jay Inslee's Healthy Washington plan for reopening the economy.

State House Passes New Version of Bill Aimed at Public Health Reforms

OLYMPIA — A sweeping bill that aims to restructure Washington's public health system has passed its first hurdle in the state House of Representatives despite concerns from some county … more

Arielle Dreher and Laurel Demkovich / The Spokesman-Review | 3/9/21

The Capitol Building is seen on the night of Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Olympia.

Civil Right to Counsel Bill Passes Senate in Preparation for End of Eviction Moratorium

With more than 134,000 Washington households behind on rent and Gov. Jay Inslee's statewide eviction moratorium set to expire March 31, state legislators are racing to pass laws aimed at preventing a … more

Brandon Block / The Olympian | 3/8/21

Shelton Man Faces Vehicular Assault Charge After Wrong-Way Wreck on U.S. 101 Saturday

A 39-year-old Shelton man faces a vehicular assault charge after Washington State Patrol troopers say he was driving under the influence and the wrong way on U.S. 101 when he crashed into another … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 3/7/21

The Washington State Senate chambers as seen Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Olympia.

Capital Gains Tax Bill Heads to House After Passing Washington Senate

OLYMPIA — The state Senate passed a capital gains tax Saturday night, the only time since it was first floated six years ago that the controversial proposal has been up for a vote in the … more

Laurel Demkovich / The Spokesman-Review | 3/7/21

Governor Jay Inslee takes a tour of the cold weather shelter at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon in Chehalis.

Inslee Calls for More Spending on Washington State Highway, Ferry Maintenance

Standing near a pair of ailing bridges, Gov. Jay Inslee took a hiatus from COVID-19 speeches Friday afternoon to call for big spending on highway preservation. "We are getting our vaccines. Now we … more

Mike Lindblom / The Seattle Times | 3/6/21

Bill Would Prevent Cities From Banning Emergency Shelter, Homeless Housing

A bill that passed the Washington State House of Representatives on Wednesday would keep cities from prohibiting homeless shelters and housing. Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, who is the primary … more

Scott Greenstone / The Seattle Times | 3/6/21

One House, 45 Offers: Homebuyers in Western Washington Hard-Pressed as Supply Remains Scarce

Just how competitive is Western Washington's housing market? A recent listing for a four-bedroom home in Puyallup drew 45 offers. Some relief could be on the way for would-be homebuyers … more

Heidi Groover / The Seattle Times | 3/5/21

Washington State Lawmakers Grill Auditor Aides Over Disclosure of Massive Data Breach

State lawmakers grilled aides to state Auditor Pat McCarthy at a hearing Thursday, questioning the auditor's actions related to a massive data breach affecting 1.3 million Washingtonians. The … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times | 3/5/21

Jay Inslee takes a tour of a potential COVID-19 quarantine and isolation site at Maple Lane in March 2020.

Gov. Inslee: Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Grocery Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccines in March

OLYMPIA — With federal COVID-19 vaccine shipments on the rise, Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday expanded the list of Washingtonians eligible for doses in the coming weeks to law enforcement, public … more

Joseph O'Sullivan / The Seattle Times | 3/5/21