State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

After shellfish restrictions, Washington reports progress in harvest areas

After significant shellfish harvest restrictions were implemented in 2025, Washington’s shellfish waters are seeing encouraging signs of recovery, according to a news release from the Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/29/26

Signage honors Frank Chopp in the lobby of the University of Washington psychiatric teaching hospital dedicated to him on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Seattle. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

‘They’re going to learn about Frank’: UW psychiatric hospital dedicated to Chopp

In his record-breaking tenure as Washington House speaker, Frank Chopp never spearheaded legislation, preferring to work behind the scenes. So when, in 2019, he brought forward a bill to … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/29/26

The peak of Mount Rainier is shrouded in cloudcover as seen from state Route 7 near Mineral on Sunday, April 26.

Washington state’s latest emissions report shows small decline

State officials and environmentalists point to a new report on Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions as an indicator that the state’s climate policies are working. Others look at the … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 4/29/26

'Final blow': Washington investor predicts mass business exodus over new income tax

As the Washington State Supreme Court prepares to weigh in on the constitutionality of a portion of the recently passed income tax on high earners, another high-net-worth Washingtonian is making … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/28/26

The Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, which is one of the largest immigrant detention facilities in the western U.S. (Photo by Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Washington asks judge to force Tacoma immigrant detention center operator to let inspectors in

TACOMA — Washington state health inspectors have tried for months to investigate complaints at the embattled immigrant detention center in Tacoma, to no avail. Now the state is taking … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/28/26

An effort to recall Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is ending after the governor filled two vacancies on the state Public Disclosure Commission. Ferguson, seen here at his 2026 State of the State address, installed two commissioners within three weeks of the filing of the recall petition.

Recall effort against Washington governor ends

Campaign finance activist Conner Edwards’ quixotic quest to recall Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson from office was intended to prod the governor into filling two vacant seats on the state’s Public … more

By Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 4/28/26

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

Emergency hearing set in Thurston County for legal challenge to sheriff decertification law

A Thurston County judge will hold an emergency hearing Wednesday on a legal challenge to one of the most contentious bills passed during the 2026 Washington state legislative session. As … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/27/26

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announces a lawsuit against Albertsons on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Seattle. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Washington sues Albertsons over ‘deceptive’ buy one, get one free deals

SEATTLE — Washington state on Monday sued Albertsons over allegations it has been overcharging customers for years via buy one, get one free offers. Attorney General Nick Brown claims … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/27/26

State Sen. Sam Hunt, seen here on the Senate floor, died Saturday at the age of 83. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in Washington Legislature for over two decades, dies at 83

Longtime state lawmaker Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in the Washington Legislature, died Saturday after a short battle with leukemia. He was 83. Hunt served 16 years in the state … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/27/26

Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, answers a question from the press following the State of the State address in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

MacEwen calls for special session to confront ‘Made-in-Olympia’ energy crisis and demand ratepayer relief

Washington state Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, last week issued a formal demand for an immediate special session of the Washington state Legislature to address the compounding effects of fuel prices, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/26

Robert J. Sutherland, a former member of the Washington State House of Representatives, holds up a piece of paper with charts showing total deaths in Washington state over the past five years while speaking during a freedom rally in downtown Mossyrock.

Controversial ex-Washington lawmaker attempts comeback for Republican-held seat

Former state representative Robert Sutherland, a conservative Republican whose brashness and spread of election conspiracies marked his four years in office, is mounting a comeback weeks after … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/27/26

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

Washington Supreme Court races could decide fate of controversial income tax

With a dozen candidates already in the race for five out of nine positions on the bench, the 2026 Washington Supreme Court election could be among the most consequential in years. The race comes … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/25/26

State Rep. Larry Springer on the House floor on Jan. 28, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

Washington Democrat income tax supporter questions 'necessity clause' nixing public vote

A Democratic lawmaker who voted in support of Washington’s new income tax said he didn't see anything scandalous in this week’s revelation of emails showing coordination between the office of … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/24/26

PUD workers reconstruct three power-line poles along Gore Road in Ethel in this Chronicle file photo.

‘The need is now’: The role of natural gas and Washington’s energy future

The Pacific Northwest faces a near-term electricity shortfall as demand rises faster than new resources can be built, according to a new regional analysis from San Francisco-based Energy and … more

By Paul W. Taylor / TVW | 4/24/26

The Skagit River in Mount Vernon hits a record high. One Mount Vernon police officer said the water level had climbed almost a foot in an hour. (Photo by Eli Voorhies for Washington State Standard)

Trump administration denies mitigation aid after Washington floods

The Trump administration has denied Washington’s request for federal funding to prepare for future floods after a historic deluge hit the state late last year. The letter Thursday from Federal … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/24/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse introduces high school students Frances Staudt, of Tumwater High School, and Ahnaleigh Wilson, of Eastmont High School, 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.

Let’s Go Washington releases statement on WIAA blocking amendment restricting trans athletes

This week, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Representative Assembly voted against two proposed amendments that would have established guidelines for girls’ athletic … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Sen. Maria Cantwell participates in a livestream with the Artemis crew in a video shared by her office.

Cantwell, Cruz introduce resolution honoring the success of the Artemis II mission

U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a resolution to commemorate the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Washington GOP calls on justice to recuse herself in income tax ruling over alleged conflict

The Washington State Republican Party wants a state Supreme Court justice to recuse herself from ruling in a legal challenge to a millionaire's tax, citing a potential conflict of interest. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/24/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson greets legislators as he leaves the House chamber in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Top credit rating agency puts Washington on notice

Washington got a clear warning this week that its reliance on reserves and one-time maneuvers to balance the budget endangers the state’s strong credit rating, which could worsen financial … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/24/26

The Lyre River Campground in Port Angeles will close from September until April next year. It’s one of 11 campgrounds affected by state funding cuts to the Department of Natural Resources. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

Washington DNR to close four campgrounds after lawmakers cut funding

The Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that four Washington state campgrounds will be closed for the rest of the year and several others will be partially closed following two … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 4/23/26