State & Regional | The Daily Chronicle

Kelly Loeffler in her last speech on the U.S. Senate floor. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration.

Small Business Administration eliminating taxpayer money funding illegal border crossers

Of the many priorities announced by Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, several eliminate policies implemented by the Biden administration that diverted taxpayer money from … more

By Bethany Blankley / The Center Square | 3/13/25

Bill allowing cities, counties to impose new public safety sales tax passes Washington state House

The Washington State House of Representatives passed revamped legislation Tuesday aimed at improving public safety funding by allowing cities and towns to establish a new 0.1% sales tax without voter … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/13/25

Sen. John Braun in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Major boost to special education funding gets Washington state Senate approval

State senators delivered a resounding message Wednesday that a looming budget shortfall cannot deter them from upping special education funding for Washington public schools. On a 48-0 vote, the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/12/25

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal

Washington school board asks feds to intervene over state’s gender policy mandates

A Washington state school district just outside of Spokane is calling for federal intervention regarding a state-mandated gender-inclusive sports policy. The Mead School Board has sent letters … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/12/25

Washington state carbon auction prices rise again

Prices for air pollution allowances under Washington’s cap-and-trade law climbed again at the state’s first auction of the year. The Department of Ecology said allowances the state … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 3/12/25

Upper floors of the Westminster Arcade in Providence Rhode, Island, the nation’s oldest indoor shopping mall, have been converted into loft apartments. Housing conversions of underutilized commercial properties are a small but growing trend, and Sen. Jeff Wilson says Washington should make it easier for cities to capitalize on it. / Credit: CC-by-4.0 Rhododendrites

State Senate passes Sen. Jeff Wilson’s bill to redevelop commercial properties for housing

Senate Bill 5749, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, makes it easier for cities to authorize new housing conversions in disused shopping malls, grocery stores, department stores and other … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/12/25

Potential brewery buyers set to pitch redevelopment proposal this week, Tumwater data show

Two Oregon brothers are set to meet with Tumwater officials this week about redeveloping a portion of the long-neglected brewery property. The brewery, best known for producing Olympia beer, halted … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 3/12/25

Thurston County judge sentences man convicted of murder to 30 years in prison

A Thurston County Superior Court judge sentenced a 43-year-old man to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing his Lacey neighbor in 2023. Scott M. Brodrick learned of his sentence during a … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/12/25

Man arrested on Chehalis Western Trail after pointing gun at passing traffic, police

A 33-year-old man was arrested Friday afternoon after pointing a gun at passing traffic and a Lacey police officer on the Chehalis Western Trail, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/12/25

Conversion therapy in Washington: What to know as Supreme Court takes on state bans

The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a First Amendment challenge by a Christian counselor against a Colorado law banning conversion therapy on minors aimed at changing their gender identity or … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/12/25

Woman who alleged sexual assault at Point Defiance Park filed a false report, police say

A woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted near the Point Defiance dog park is now accused of filing a false report. Detectives launched an investigation on Dec. 11, 2024 after the … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/12/25

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) arrives to a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on protections for access to in vitro fertilization on February 27, 2024 in Washington, DC.

‘Where does it stop?’: Workers speak out about cuts to VA services in Puget Sound region

Workers hit with recent funding freezes and firings involving the Department of Veterans Affairs said the recent tumult might result in more long-term damage than any short-term financial gains for … more

Debbie Cockrell / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/12/25

Thousands of highly trained Washington state teachers could have their pay cut

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would reduce the pay of more than 8,000 highly trained Washington teachers by thousands of dollars annually. Educators certified by the National … more

Claire Bryan / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/12/25

After House Republicans pass Trump-backed spending bill, spotlight turns to Patty Murray and Senate Democrats

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday passed a bill that would fund the government through the end of September and bolster President Donald Trump's effort to reshape the federal … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/12/25

Tesla only EV maker allowed to sell directly to consumers under Washington state law

OLYMPIA — Tesla is the only electric vehicle manufacturer allowed to sell directly to consumers in Washington through an exemption to state law from 2014. According to Rep. Beth Doglio, … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 3/12/25

Washington state lawmaker says the fine for littering should more than double

People caught littering would have to pay more under a bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, and passed by the Washington state House. Klicker’s district includes parts of … more

By Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 3/12/25

Pedestrian flown to area trauma center after wreck in Mason County, state patrol says

A 36-year-old man was hit by a car Monday night on the east shore of Hood Canal, according to Washington State Patrol. He was injured and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/12/25

Body of missing 2-year-old Oregon boy found, officials say

A volunteer diver has found the body of the 2-year-old Siletz boy who went missing while playing in his front yard 10 days ago, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. Dane … more

Fedor Zarkhin / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Explosives-sniffing dog helps feds find ‘large hole’ in Oregon yard where stolen guns were buried

A man who buried stolen guns snatched from a trailer parked at a hotel after a Portland gun show in 2022 was sentenced Tuesday to the three months that he already served in jail. Federal agents … more

Maxine Bernstein / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25

Downtown Portland on the morning of Aug. 14, 2016, in a photo taken from the top deck of the Marquam Bridge.

Study: Portland-Vancouver region the only place where nonreligious people outnumber Christians

Among the 34 largest U.S. metro areas surveyed, the Portland-Vancouver region stands out as the only place where nonreligious people outnumber Christians, according to the Pew Research Center’s … more

Chiara Profenna / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/12/25