State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Poll: Most Washington voters oppose state income tax, disapprove governor

A new poll shows Washington voters are opposed to the state’s new income tax by a three-to-one margin, with 57% saying they believe that they will have to pay the tax eventually, even if it only … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/15/26

A fireball ascends from the first atomic artillery shell in history, tested at the Nevada Test Site in 1953. Radiation from the test site fell across the West, including in Montana.

Federal lawmakers to introduce bill reauthorizing, expanding RECA

A bipartisan group in Congress plans to introduce legislation that will expand the federal government’s program compensating people exposed to nuclear weapons testing or uranium mining and … more

Micah Drew / Daily Montanan | 7/15/26

The Citadel, an Ancient Puebloan structure in the Cedar Mesa area of Bears Ears National Monument, is pictured on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

‘Zero consultation’: Tribal reps say they were left out of monument reduction decisions

Two coalitions of Native American tribes emphasized Tuesday that they weren’t consulted before President Donald Trump downsized Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments … more

Annie Knox / Utah News Dispatch | 7/15/26

Voters cast their ballots Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during election day at The Waterfront in Idaho Falls.

‘Stop threatening your friends’: Idaho Attorney General’s Office lawyer blasts Justice Department

In response to one of the Trump administration’s latest attempts to intervene in state election processes, a high-ranking Idaho state government lawyer representing the state’s top election … more

Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/15/26

Vegetables and lettuces at a grocery store in Michigan. Michigan health officials say lettuces and salad greens are emerging as a likely source in the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has sickened hundreds of people across 31 states.

Idaho reports first parasitic diarrhea infection amid nationwide outbreak

Idaho health officials on Tuesday reported the first local case of a parasitic intestinal infection that is spreading across the U.S. Idaho’s first case this year of a cyclospora … more

Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/15/26

Oregon receives $15 million in federal funding to boost semiconductor industry

Oregon secured $15 million in federal funding to grow the state’s semiconductor industry, and it could receive up to $160 million over the next decade depending on its progress. The … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/15/26

The U.S. Capitol on the evening of Sept. 30, 2025.

US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent

The U.S. House voted Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide in a bipartisan move that pushes the country one step closer to ending the long-contested ritual of semiannual clock … more

Amelia Twyman / States Newsroom | 7/15/26

A Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon.

Washington state tribes, environmental groups sue over Endangered Species Act rule change

Washington tribes and environmental organizations sued the federal government Tuesday, arguing that recent changes to Endangered Species Act rules defy scientific research and pave the way for the … more

Aspen Ford / Washington State Standard | 7/15/26

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

Ferguson kicks off fight to defeat Washington initiative to repeal income tax

SEATTLE — The initiative to overturn Washington’s new income tax on high earners hasn’t officially qualified for the fall ballot yet, but on Tuesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson and other opponents of … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/14/26

Dr. Ryan Cole speaks at the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons conference in Pittsburgh early October.

Vaccine skeptic Dr. Ryan Cole to stay on board of Idaho’s largest public health district

Dr. Ryan Cole, an Idaho pathologist who has been a vocal critic of COVID vaccines, is staying on the board that advises the state’s largest public health district. Cole’s re-appointment — … more

Kyle Pfannenstiel / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/14/26

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking outbreaks of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis.

Cases of parasitic outbreak remain low in Oregon as other states see surges

Oregon health officials have recorded a handful of verified cases of a parasitic intestinal illness in the state over the past two months, as outbreaks involving the disease continue to grow in other … more

Shaanth Nanguneri / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/14/26

Oregon, 11 other states sue to block Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

Twelve Democratic-led states on Monday sued to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District for the Northern District of … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/14/26

Bales of packed cardboard are readied to be recycled.

Oregon’s new package recycling rules go on trial, could impact other states

Last year, Oregon became the first state to start charging companies for some of the end-life waste disposal costs created by their packaging. Then, the state quickly became the first to be sued over … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/14/26

Trial begins in Washington state suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability

Washington state wants grocery chain Albertsons to pay for its alleged role in fueling an opioid epidemic that has killed thousands here. State Attorney General Nick Brown argues Albertsons … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 7/14/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Washington state agency won’t say why director is on leave

The director of Washington’s Department of Enterprise Services went on leave last week, but no one in the agency or the governor’s office is saying why or for how long. Matt Jones was … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/14/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks at Renton High School on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, ahead of signing an executive order launching the Washington Completes FAFSA Campaign. (Photo courtesy of governor’s office)

Washington governor wants to require FAFSA for high school graduation

High school seniors in Washington would need to complete student aid paperwork to graduate, under a proposal Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Monday. If students didn’t want to fill out the Free … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/14/26

Attorney General Nick Brown answers a question during a debate between attorney general candidates hosted by The Chronicle in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Trial begins in Washington state suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability

Washington state wants grocery chain Albertsons to pay for its alleged role in fueling an opioid epidemic that has killed thousands here. State Attorney General Nick Brown argues Albertsons … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/13/26

Federal Way targets illicit massage parlors with cash ban, restricted hours

The city of Federal Way in south King County, Washington has no shortage of massage parlors, and local authorities are making it harder for those that may be breaking the law. In some parts of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/13/26

The courtroom in the Temple of Justice is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Income tax fight looms as Supreme Court primary voting begins July 17

Voters are preparing for what could likely be the most consequential election in the history of the Washington Supreme Court ahead of a crowded primary with ballot boxes opening July 17. Five of … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/13/26

A year and $80,000 later, a probe of Washington fish and wildlife commissioners continues

An investigation of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission members launched by Gov. Bob Ferguson last summer is taking longer and costing more than expected. The tab is nearly $80,000 so far … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/13/26