State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Washington state audit finds DCYF broke laws in child care investigations

A new state audit has found that Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families broke state law and policy requirements regarding investigations of unlicensed child care providers, child … more

By Andrew Paxton / The Center Square | 8/18/26

Ferguson, Baumgartner seek meeting with Trump on Washington wildfires

Washington’s Democratic governor and a Republican congressman are asking President Donald Trump to meet with them to discuss the wildfires that have devastated parts of the state this summer. … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 8/18/26

The Still Creek area in the Mt. Hood National Forest is part of 2 million acres of Oregon land protected by the federal Roadless Rule. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

Trump administration advances plan to rescind protections for nearly 45 million wild acres

The Trump administration will move ahead with plans to end more than 25 years of sweeping protections for tens of millions of wild, federally managed acres across the U.S. Brooke Rollins, head … more

By Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 8/18/26

A street view of the University District in Seattle, Washington.

Poll shows voters support Seattle surveillance cameras, but not mayor

A new poll released Monday by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Challenge Seattle shows broad support for public safety cameras and a large lack of confidence in Mayor Katie Wilson’s … more

Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 8/18/26

Dr. William Smock, medical director of the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, part of the Alliance for HOPE International, speaks to students about evidence and how to detect staged scenes during a mock crime scene exercise. This year, at least five states have considered “hidden homicide” legislation.

‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths

Families who believe local officials prematurely ruled their loved ones’ deaths suicides or accidents — rather than investigating whether domestic violence played a role — are pushing lawmakers … more

Amanda Watford / States Newsroom | 8/18/26

Left, Eamonn Collins and, right, Michael Shepard.

Washington state Senate primary separated by 4 votes, set for recount

Two Democratic Washington state Senate hopefuls are headed for a recount as just four votes separate them for second place in the primary and a spot on the November ballot. After examining … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 8/18/26

Tacoma lawyer joins Washington state campaign watchdog commission

A reporter-turned-attorney is the newest member of Washington’s citizen panel that enforces state campaign finance laws. Lisa Kremer, who works with Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS in Tacoma, was … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 8/18/26

Cattle graze along the Snake River. Snake River Basin steelhead are among species that conservationists are concerned could be harmed by expanded cattle grazing under a new federal plan.

Conservationists sue feds over plan to allow cattle grazing on 24 million western acres

A nonprofit conservation group is suing the federal government over plans to allow cattle grazing on more than 24 million previously restricted federal acres across the West. The Center for … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 8/18/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse shows a video of Sen. Patty Murray speaking about Title IX at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Washington parental rights initiative draws national spotlight

The Nov. 3 general election is just 80 days out and in Washington state, much of the attention is centered around three initiatives that will appear on the ballot. One of those is Initiative … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/17/26

Political commentator Brandi Kruse speaks to attendees during the Lewis County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Chehalis on Saturday, April 11.

Podcaster Brandi Kruse: 'Never taken a dime' in response to campaign investigation

Three months after a Sammamish City councilmember filed a complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission directed at Let’s Go Washington and unDivided podcaster Brandi Kruse, PDC staff have … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/17/26

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

As Washington caregiver union pushes for pay hike, state seeks wage freeze

A powerful labor union and the governor’s office are at odds in contract negotiations for thousands of Washington caregivers, with the state proposing a wage freeze and the workers pressing for … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 8/17/26

Attorney General Nick Brown waves to lawmakers during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

No more ‘hypothetical situations’: States move to fortify elections against Trump

State Democratic officials are preparing for chaos at the polls this November, as President Donald Trump casts doubt on election security and pushes for more federal involvement in local … more

By Kevin Hardy / Stateline.org | 8/15/26

Flock Safety license plate readers are typically mounted on tall poles, with a camera and solar panel on top. The company says its technology is used in more than 6,000 communities across 49 states in partnership with thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Flock Safety)

Flock Safety tightens safeguards as states, cities question surveillance network

Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the … more

By Amanda Watford / The Washington State Standard | 8/15/26

Washington among 22 states suing Trump administration over CDL information

Twenty-two states have gone to court to block the Trump administration from accessing a database containing the personal information of roughly 17 million commercial drivers. Transportation Secretary … more

By Greg Bishop / The Center Square | 8/14/26

Demonstrators hold up signs condemning ICE during a demonstration and vigil at George Washington Park in Centralia on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Democrats push nearly 250 state bills opposing federal immigration efforts

Democratic lawmakers proposed nearly 250 bills in state capitols this year seeking to limit federal immigration efforts as they sought to push back against what they view as federal government … more

By Kevin Hardy / Stateline.org | 8/14/26

The Newaukum River is pictured from above near Kirkland Road in Chehalis on Friday, May 2, 2025.

WDFW launches interactive map to track aquatic biodiversity in Washington rivers

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is launching a new online map as part of the agency’s ongoing Aquatic Biodiversity Study. This new map shows freshwater ecosystems … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/14/26

Lawmaker who lost home in fire urges governor to lift election rules

Twelve days after a complex of fires consumed hundreds of homes in Spokane County, a state lawmaker who lost her home in the fires is urging Governor Bob Ferguson to lift election rules that ban … more

Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 8/14/26

Idaho judge ruling allows abortion if it protects mother’s health, prevents self-harm

A pregnant woman may receive abortions in many cases if there are serious risks to her health or if there’s a high risk she will harm herself, an Idaho federal judge has ruled. The … more

Laura Guido / Idaho Capital Sun | 8/14/26

Quanta Services crews building the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line repositioned their equipment to help crews fight wildfires along the Oregon-Idaho border.

Crews building transmission line use equipment to help fight wildfires near Oregon-Idaho order

Crews building the Boardman to Hagerman transmission line recently repositioned their crews and heavy equipment to help the effort to fight wildfires along the Oregon-Idaho border, company officials … more

Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun | 8/14/26

Kalshi ordered to sharply curtail operations in Washington State

A judge on Wednesday found Kalshi is likely violating Washington state gambling laws and ordered the company to drastically scale back operations in the state, including the wagers it now offers on … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 8/14/26