State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Wildfire smoke is now the primary pollutant affecting pregnancy, study shows

A new study examining pollution levels across a 16-year span found that while general pollution levels from sources such as cars and industry have significantly declined, recent increases in wildfire … more

Kelcie Moseley-Morris / Stateline | 8/2/26

A new report found that in the past two years, more than half the states expanded care for children and services for older adults and disabled people. But they will be hard-pressed to maintain funding in the face of federal cuts.

Many states expanded care for children, older adults and workers

Many states have made marked progress over the past two years in extending crucial care and benefits to children, workers and aging adults. But they will be hard-pressed to fill the void left by … more

Kevin Hardy / Stateline | 8/2/26

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

Washington child welfare supervisor: 'We can't always keep families together safely'

The chair of the Washington Federation of State Employees DCYF Policy Committee is speaking out about failures with the Keeping Families Together Act (KFTA), which she says are leading to unnecessary … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/31/26

Fish and Wildlife Commission probe finds wrongdoing, doesn’t recommend punishment

Washington fish and wildlife commissioners routinely disregarded government transparency laws, skirted conflict of interest rules, and sparred with agency leaders, but their actions and behavior did … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/31/26

The Sinlahekin fire in Okanogan County has burned over 24,000 acres and prompted level 3 evacuations. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

‘Truly dangerous’: Dry, windy forecast east of Washington’s Cascades sparks dire wildfire warning

High winds in central and eastern Washington on Saturday could worsen large fires already burning in the region . The National Weather Service issued a “Particularly Dangerous … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/31/26

Autistic juvenile in custody after standoff in Grays Harbor County

Shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in rural Elma. The reporting party advised dispatch that his autistic 13-year-old son … more

By The Daily World | 7/31/26

Trooper Justin Schaffer was killed on March 24, 2020, when he was struck by the vehicle of a fleeing robbery suspect while laying down spike strips on Interstate 5.

Father of slain Trooper Justin Schaffer settles lawsuit with Thurston County

A lawsuit between the father of a Washington State Patrol trooper killed on duty and the county accused of gross negligence that led to his death reached a settlement Tuesday. The agreement came … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

An adult spring Chinook salmon awaits release into South Coldwater Creek during a historic reintroduction effort led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and partner agencies on Wednesday, June 10. The project aims to restore salmon access to habitat above the Sediment Retention Structure in the North Fork Toutle River Basin.

WDFW, Cowlitz Tribe, Forest Service celebrate first Chinook salmon reintroduction to Mount St. Helens area since 1980 eruption

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in coordination with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, U.S. Forest Service and conservation partners have reintroduced spring Chinook salmon into … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

The TransAlta Centralia plant is pictured on Thursday, March 12.

State confirms TransAlta natural gas transition, requests public comment

TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, and Sen. Patty Murray. Both Democrats represent Washington state in Congress.

Washington senators join letter demanding restored energy grants

Washington state’s two senators and a group of more than 30 others are demanding the federal government restore federal funding for hydrogen energy projects. The $1 billion in canceled funding … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Egg facility inspections in Washington still falling short of state requirements

Washington’s Department of Agriculture did not complete hundreds of mandated inspections at egg production and packing plants for the past two years, posing health risks to consumers, according to … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 7/31/26

The Ptarmigan Fire burning in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness, as seen in this aerial photo taken by smokejumpers July 20, has crossed the Canadian border and burned at least 18,000 acres so far. State leaders in Oregon and Washington have called for reinforcements and expect a grueling August. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)

As fires rage in the PNW, leaders call all hands on deck

With dozens of large fires burning across the Pacific Northwest, and nearly 2 million acres burned already, state leaders are calling for firefighting reinforcements and bracing for a grueling … more

By Alex Brown / Stateline.org | 7/31/26

Margie Quin, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, has been named as a defendant in two proposed class action lawsuits alleging DCS warehouses and mistreats children. Tennessee fared poorly in a new federal audit examining the number of foster children placed in hotels, office buildings and other potentially unsafe settings.

Most states temporarily house foster children in hotels, offices

More than 9,000 children in foster care had to temporarily stay in hotels, office buildings and other potentially unsafe settings when states couldn’t find suitable places for them, according to a … more

Robbie Sequeira / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 7/30/26

Obamacare enrollment declines in 49 states

In 49 states, the number of people enrolled in Obamacare plans has declined since Congress made coverage more expensive by allowing federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. The lone … more

Shalina Chatlani / States Newsroom | 7/30/26

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow fire and smoke map shows the location of the Big Grass Fire along the border of Oregon and Idaho, as of July 29.

Idaho Gov. Little declares wildfire disaster emergency, authorizes Guard to help along Oregon

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a wildfire disaster emergency Tuesday and deployed the Idaho National Guard to help fight the Big Grass Fire burning along the border of Oregon and Idaho, Little’s … more

Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun | 7/30/26

A damaged section of State Route 542 between mileposts 43 and 45 east of Glacier after flooding from an atmospheric river in December 2025.

Washington asking feds for $76M for flood damage to highways

Washington is seeking an estimated $76 million in federal reimbursements for repairs to highways damaged in December’s historic flooding. The state expects the Federal Highway … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 7/30/26

A screenshot of a Facebook post from unDivided podcast host Brandi Kruse on Wednesday.

Seattle Storm owner apologizes for game outburst over transgender policy dispute

Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton is under increasing pressure following an outburst during Tuesday night’s Storm game against the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena. Keaton allegedly … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/29/26

MultiCare, Premera reach deal to keep coverage for over 100,000 Washington patients

MultiCare, which operates more than a dozen hospitals in Washington, has agreed to keep charging Premera Blue Cross insurance customers in-network rates after months of negotiations that threatened … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/29/26

Courts issue conflicting rulings on Trump executive order restricting vote-by-mail

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the federal government can continue implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting vote-by-mail, reaching the opposite conclusion that … more

By Jacob Fischler / States Newsroom | 7/28/26

More than 40 Washington legislators make bipartisan plea for developmental disabilities program

A bipartisan group of nearly four dozen Washington lawmakers is urging the state to maintain a program considered vital among parents of children with developmental disabilities. The … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/28/26