State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

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

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 | 7/12/26

A Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon.

Bering Sea heat wave cited as trigger for nosedive in Yukon River Chinook salmon

The intense marine heat wave conditions that began roiling the Bering Sea in about 2016 resulted in the lowest winter sea ice extent measured in 150 years, widespread bird and marine mammal die-offs, … more

Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon | 7/12/26

Director of Oregon ethics commission to face external inquiry into alleged ethics violations

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission on Friday agreed to ask another state agency to probe allegations of ethics violations against its executive director, as commissioners debate the best way to … more

Shaanth Nanguneri / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/12/26

The shores of Blake Island State Park offer views of the Olympic Range, Seattle skyline and Cascade Mountains from a prime position in central Puget Sound.

Storied Washington state state park in central Puget Sound at a crossroads

Washington State Parks leaders are weighing a difficult decision on how to maintain or redevelop a storied island park mere miles from downtown Seattle. Blake Island Marine State Park shimmers … more

Tom Banse / Washington State Standard | 7/12/26

The Swan Falls Dam is located along the Snake River about 20 miles south of Kuna, Idaho. The area includes a day-use park with a reservable picnic shelter that is within the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and adjacent to the historic Swan Falls Dam powerhouse museum.

Snake River water trust users won’t face water curtailment in Idaho this summer

Snake River water trust users in Idaho won’t be faced with having their water shut off this irrigation season, state officials announced Thursday. “Given the intensity of the 2026 … more

Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/12/26

Workers at Hilton’s Embassy Suites in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood have been on strike since June 18. (Photo courtesy of UNITE HERE Local 8)

Six months in, Washington has paid unemployment to more than 100 striking workers

The state has paid out over half a million dollars in unemployment benefits to workers during labor disputes this year. Washington’s new benefit extending unemployment to striking union … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/10/26

MGP introduces Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act to allow Tribes to remove sea lions

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, introduced H.R. 9637, the Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act, a bill that would allow Southwest Washington’s Indian Tribes to lethally … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/10/26

Green Hill School juvenile detention facility in Chehalis is pictured here by drone photo on Friday, July 10.

Overcrowding, staff turnover lead to unsafe environment at Washington’s juvenile rehabilitation facilities, legislative audit finds

Washington state’s juvenile rehabilitation (JR) facilities face unsafe conditions caused by overcrowding, staffing issues and inaccurate risk assessments, according to a recent legislative audit … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/10/26

Comparing alcohol to asbestos and cigarettes, Oregon health officials accused of trading ‘accuracy for shock value’

A social media post from the Oregon Health Authority stating the risk of excessive alcohol consumption has sparked backlash from beverage industry groups and several state lawmakers. The clash … more

Carlos Fuentes / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/10/26

Airplanes at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The routes Washington might take to meet aviation demand without new public airport

For years, state commissions have looked at potential sites for a new international airport to meet growing aviation demand, particularly air cargo capacity. However, no site has been recommended or … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/10/26

Washington state Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, on the floor of the Senate on March 9, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

A Washington state lawmaker says her opponent should end campaign amid stalking investigation

A Washington state senator is fending off questions about where she lives as her opponent works to distance himself from a man facing stalking allegations stemming from lengthy stakeouts of a home … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/10/26

A “no trespassing” sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center. (Photo by Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Washington inspectors must be let inside Tacoma immigrant detention center, judge rules

The private company that runs a Tacoma immigrant detention center must allow state inspectors inside after years of refusing, a federal judge ruled Thursday. But U.S. District Court Judge … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/9/26

Washington Democratic chair defends new anti-Israel, pro-reparations platform

Nearly three weeks after the Washington State Democratic Party adopted a controversial party platform that supports reparations and made anti-Israel statements, Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/9/26

Washington small businesses signal bleak outlook for growth, hiring

The National Federation of Independent Business released a Washington-specific version of its monthly Small Business Economic Trends report on Tuesday, which shows the region below the national … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/9/26

Divisions emerge as Washington state looks to retool its wolf shooting rules

A little more than two weeks ago, the director of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered the killing of one or two wolves in southeast Washington after a series of attacks occurred on … more

Aspen Ford / Washington State Standard | 7/9/26

These are items contributed to the congressional time capsule by members of Washington state’s delegation. The capsule, to be buried beneath the U.S. Capitol visitor’s center, will be opened in 2276. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Rick Larsen)

Here’s what Washington’s federal delegation want residents in 2276 to know about the state

An apple carved from Tenino stone. A photo of the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier. A commemorative FIFA World Cup ORCA card. And a snapshot of a smiling Jay Inslee in a boat. Those mementos … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/8/26

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

Washington city sends resolution opposing new state income tax to governor

The Pasco City Council passed a resolution Monday formally opposing Washington state’s new 9.9% income tax on annual earnings over $1 million, and officials may go even further to ensure a similar … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/8/26

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs answers questions during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

DOJ threatens Washington state election officials with prosecution if noncitizens vote

Federal authorities on Tuesday threatened Washington state election officials with criminal prosecution if they fail to prevent noncitizens from voting in this year’s federal elections. In a … more

By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/7/26

IDHW director: Rural health grant may be ‘economic opportunity’ for small communities

As Idaho prepares to dole out around $186 million in federal rural health grants, state officials are hoping local contractors are ready for the infrastructure projects those grants will fund. … more

Laura Guido / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/7/26