State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

The first large-scale battery energy storage facility in Puget Sound Energy territory is under construction in Sumner, Washington. Developers BrightNight and Cordelio Power expect their Greenwater BESS project (inside the orange fencing) to become operational by the end of 2026. (Photo courtesy of BrightNight Power)

Big battery farms encounter resistance across western Washington

Community opposition to big battery farms is spreading across western Washington just as the technology takes on growing importance for the state’s clean energy transition and to stabilize the … more

Tom Banse / Washington State Standard | 6/18/26

A cell where juvenile residents will be staying is pictured during a tour of Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Washington State Auditor’s Office warned of alleged Echo Glen thefts last year

State Auditor Pat McCarthy's Office was warned by at least two whistleblowers last year that there was alleged theft at the youth detention facility Echo Glen, which houses girls and women, along … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 6/17/26

Washington gas prices stay high despite Iran deal as automatic tax hike looms

Even as a potential diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East offers a glimmer of hope for relief at the pump, Washington motorists are bracing for yet another hit to their wallets. Beginning … more

By Andrew Paxton / The Center Square | 6/17/26

An anti-sex trafficking billboard along Aurora Avenue North in Seattle. The sign promotes awareness of commercial sexual exploitation in an area long associated with prostitution and trafficking activity.

Younger girls, more violent traffickers: Reality of sex trade in Washington

The girls are getting younger and the traffickers are getting more violent. That’s the reality in the sex trafficking world in King County, according to those working night and day to rescue … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/17/26

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

FEMA nominee pressed on whether Trump favors disaster funding requests from GOP states

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency testified before a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday that if confirmed he would ensure natural disaster … more

By Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom | 6/17/26

Tim Reynon, center, stepped down as executive director of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs earlier this month. State Sen. Claudia Kauffman, left, sponsored a new law elevating the office to a cabinet agency for Gov. Bob Ferguson. At right is Jaime Martin, the governor's former external relations director. (Photo courtesy of Jaime Martin)

Leader of Washington Office of Indian Affairs exits for tribal leadership post

Another original member of Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s administration has departed. Tim Reynon resigned as executive director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs following his … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 6/17/26

No signs of emerging New World screwworm threat in Washington state

A parasitic fly that poses a deadly threat to livestock and pets has re-invaded the United States for the first time since 1968. Washington state agriculture officials say it’s unlikely … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 6/17/26

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meets in Olympia

The Washington state Fish and Wildlife Commission held a hybrid meeting in Olympia from June 11 to 13 to approve proposed land transactions and the lynx periodic status review, a recent news release … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/17/26

Diana E. Murphy federal courthouse is shown in Minneapolis Friday, May 17, 2024.

Feds charge 15 anti-ICE activists

The U.S. Department of Justice charged 15 Minnesota anti-ICE protesters with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal agent, shortly after prosecutors dropped multiple similar cases for lack of … more

Madison McVan / Minnesota Reformer | 6/17/26

Larvae hatch from New World screwworm eggs within about 24 hours before burrowing into the infested animal’s wound to feed on living flesh.

What you need to know about the flesh-eating New World screwworm

The New World screwworm has arrived in the United States. For years, ranchers across Southern states have prepared for a potential invasion of the flesh-eating parasite that can wreak havoc on … more

Kevin Hardy / Stateline | 6/17/26

Clock ticking for Washington to unlock $700M federal education tax credit

More than thirty states in the U.S. have now opted in or announced their intention to opt in for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, but Washington remains on the sidelines. The program … more

Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 6/17/26

One of the rooms where ballots are stored and sorted at the Thurston County Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Local election officials reel over ‘logistical nightmare’ of Trump’s vote-by-mail order

As election officials across the country steel themselves for the midterm elections in less than five months, President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail threatens to upend … more

By Jonathan Shorman / States Newsroom | 6/17/26

Downtown Seattle Association CEO laments effects of JumpStart payroll taxes

An analysis by the Downtown Seattle Association argues that Seattle's payroll tax on major corporations is yielding negative consequences five years after its implementation. The study cites … more

Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 6/17/26

Workers retrieve a data-recording instrument in the Gulf of Alaska. The instruments have been deployed through the Ocean Observatories Initiative, which began operating in 2016 and was to continue for three decades. The National Science Foundation, under the Trump administration, plans to dismantle portions of the ssystem, including instruments in Alaska that are used to monitor weather events and help manage seafood harvests.

Alaska Republican among Congress members seeking to save ocean science network

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is among several members of Congress trying to prevent the National Science Foundation from dismantling portions of an instrument system that monitors the nation’s … more

Yereth Rosen / Alaska Beacon | 6/17/26

A house stands under construction in 2024 in Letcher County, Ky.

US housing starts sink to six-year low

May housing starts fell to the lowest level since the pandemic disrupted construction six years ago, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday. Builder confidence has dropped recently because of … more

Tim Henderson / Stateline | 6/17/26

A steady stream of people signed petitions for a proposed ballot measure to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high earners. These signatures were gathered in Tumwater in early June by Let’s Go Washington, the initiative sponsors.

Initiative to repeal Washington state income tax would ax revenue, keep added costs

Democratic lawmakers in Washington paired their new income tax on high earners with a pledge to use billions of dollars from the annual proceeds to help small businesses compete and lower-income … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 6/17/26

Pierce County to vote on appointed sheriff, removing Swank from office

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank could be out of a job by the first of the year if voters approve an amendment headed for the November ballot. In a surprise move Monday night, the Pierce County … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/16/26

High Rock Lookout, shown here in an aerial drone photo taken by Mary Prophit in 2018, is perched on a 5,685-foot peak, offering visitors a spectacular view of Mount Rainier. It is one of the most popular destinations for hikers in the area.

Investigators seek leads on High Rock Lookout vandalism as volunteers look to continue restoration

While it is unknown exactly when it occurred, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) investigators are asking the public for leads on a potential suspect or suspects who vandalized the High Rock Lookout last … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/16/26

The Temple of Justice, home to the Washington Supreme Court, in Olympia.

Washington Supreme Court races reveal donor divide ahead of income tax case

Campaign donors have already put more than $1.5 million combined behind 16 Washington Supreme Court candidates ahead of the August primary election, as voters face a decision that could rebalance the … more

Tim Clouser | The Center Square | 6/16/26

King County approves sales tax increase for road repairs

A controversial sales tax increase will fund critical road repairs in unincorporated parts of King County, but will be paid for by residents across the county, including in Seattle. The sales … more

Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 6/16/26