State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Voters at Deering High School in Portland cast their ballot in Maine’s June 9, 2026 primary election. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

With vote-by-mail court fight settled, attention shifts to protections at the polls

Voting rights groups and Democratic officials are looking to defend against what they see as possible election interference from the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, now … more

By Jacob Fischler / States Newsroom | 9/18/26

Krista Perez, a candidate for a Washington state House seat, sits next to defense attorney Scott McGinty during an arraignment hearing on Friday, Sept. 18, in Tacoma Municipal Court. Perez pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Democratic Washington House candidate pleads not guilty to DUI charge

A Democratic candidate for the Washington state House of Representatives pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence Friday in her first court appearance after she was arrested last month … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 9/18/26

The sun is obscured by wildfire smoke in Chewelah, Wash.

Tribes hit hard by wildfires face health effects, cultural losses

Neighbors across the Colville Tribes communities in Washington state knew Matilda Bob’s log home as the “rainbow house,” for its brightly painted exterior. Now it’s gone. Sparked by … more

Nada Hassanein / Stateline | 9/18/26

sleek new Amtrak Cascades train passed through the Willamette Valley in July on a test run. Regular service with this next-generation train model begins in Washington and Oregon on Sept. 30. (Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation)

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

A date that Pacific Northwest train riders and advocates have long awaited is finally nigh. Amtrak’s sleek, amenity-packed new trains will debut on the Cascades intercity route on Sept. 30. … more

By Tom Banse / The Washington State Standard | 9/18/26

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

Gov. Ferguson says initiative 'weakens' parental rights in push against IL26-001

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and others opposed to IL26-001 concerning parental rights held a press conference Thursday morning to urge voters to reject the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 9/17/26

Law enforcement operation ends with 293 arrests across Eastern Washington

A six-month, multi-agency operation targeting violent fugitives, gang activity, repeat offenders, firearms and narcotics has wrapped up across Eastern Washington, with law enforcement agencies … more

By Austin Reed / The Center Square | 9/17/26

In 2024, Washington voters approved Initiative 2066 that aimed to halt the state's push to end natural gas use in homes and buildings. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court found the measure unconstitutional. Shea White of Du Pont, Washington, pictured above, wrote in the number of signatures initially submitted for the measure in July 2024. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Washington Supreme Court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters

The state Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated a ballot measure approved by voters in 2024 that sought to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/17/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson has not publicly stated whether or not Washington will opt into a new federal tax credit program. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Will a new federal education tax credit be available in Washington?

Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to decide whether Washington will join 31 other states that have opted into a new federal tax program aimed at driving more private dollars into the education of K-12 … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 9/16/26

Rep. Joel McEntire listens during a public hearing on an initiative regarding parental rights in Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

Rep. Joel McEntire hit with no-contact order linked to conduct on social media

Washington state Rep. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, is now subject to a year-long protection order related to comments he made to a constituent over Facebook, which the court considered to be threats … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/16/26

A handgun, rifle, magazines, and protective earmuffs are laid out on a table at an indoor shooting range. Photo: Kaboompics.com / Pexels

Washington’s new gun permit system moves ahead as one sheriff calls law ‘insane’

Washington’s new permit-to-purchase requirement for firearms is moving from the statehouse to implementation, with the Washington State Patrol now building the system that will require firearm … more

By Austin Reed / The Center Square | 9/16/26

To chart a strong future for Washington’s economy, AWB and the Washington Roundtable brought together experienced leaders for perspective. AWB President Kris Johnson joined former Gov. Gary Locke and former longtime Olympia budget and education leader Marty Brown for “Setting the Stage: Washington’s Policy Evolution” panel at the Economic Future Solutions Summit, held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Hilton Seattle Airport. (Photo: Brian Mittge/AWB)

Association of Washington Business announces support for repeal of income tax

Association of Washington Business (AWB) leadership will support efforts to repeal the state's new high earners income tax dubbed by its creators as the “millionaire’s tax” as well as three … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/16/26

Profs and staff give UW a failing grade for budget and bureaucracy troubles

SEATTLE — Genome sciences professor Doug Fowler a few months back got word from the federal government that his $3 million per year grant would be renewed. The grant pays for about a … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/16/26

National gun survey highlights self-defense; Washington activists pivot to safe storage

A new National Firearms Survey finds an estimated 88 million American adults own approximately 461 million firearms as questions about guns and public safety swirl in Washington state and nationwide. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 9/15/26

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

Washington judges defend Supreme Court candidate amid partisan politics dispute

A group of 62 current and former Washington judges is defending state Supreme Court candidate Sean O’Donnell after his opponent accused him of pursuing a partisan agenda in the race for Position 4. … more

Austin Reed / The Center Square | 9/15/26

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

DocuSign co-founder: Washington income tax makes businesses 'hit the eject button'

The co-founder of DocuSign has come out in strong support for the initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax, warning Washingtonian’s that he thinks the so-called millionaire’s tax will … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 9/15/26

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez are dueling in southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

Prime-time debates set for Washington income tax repeal measure, high-stakes U.S. House race

Two of Washington’s hottest ballot battles will be the subject of prime-time televised debates next month. On Oct. 8, a former congresswoman and the leader of a statewide labor organization … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/26

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

Washington lawmakers face another $1B decision on lawsuit payouts

Washington needs to spend another $1.3 billion over the next two years to address skyrocketing lawsuit payouts due to state government misconduct, according to a recently filed budget request from a … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/15/26

Seattle mayor scales back homeless shelter plan

Mayor Katie Wilson has walked back a campaign promise to provide indoor shelter for all of Seattle’s homeless residents. Wilson, in a press release, is citing budget limitations and … more

Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 9/15/26

Steamboat Geyser eruption seen through the trees in Yellowstone National Park on September 17, 2018.

Yellowstone National Park superintendent departs America’s first national park

After nearly eight years leading Yellowstone National Park, Superintendent Cameron “Cam” Sholly will join the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, said a news release Friday from Yellowstone … more

Daily Montanan Staff | 9/15/26

Students head into a New Jersey high school this month on the first day of classes. As student enrollment drops, more communities across the country are facing school consolidations and closures.

Fewer students, too many schools: Communities confront closures and consolidations

Declining birth rates mean fewer students. And that means more districts grappling with whether to close or merge schools. “The big shrink” is how Marguerite Roza, director of … more

Robbie Sequeira / Stateline | 9/15/26