State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Report: Washington has one of the 'worst-performing and least cost-effective highway systems'

The Reason Foundation’s 29th Annual Highway Report ranked Washington state dead last in three categories, suggesting that taxpayers spend far more than they’re getting in return. The … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 3/23/26

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

After shocking revelations, Washington state leaders reconsider Cesar Chavez recognition

State lawmakers and the governor are rethinking how Washington marks the legacy of Cesar Chavez following stunning accusations of sexual abuse against the transformational leader of the farmworker … more

By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/23/26

Centralia police officers discuss a collision involving a man driving a box truck and a parked vehicle on the 2100 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

‘Blue envelopes’ seek to reduce Washington traffic stop risks for neurodivergent drivers

Traffic stops can be anxiety-inducing encounters, especially for people with autism. To address this, Washington is establishing a program to improve communication between neurodivergent … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/23/26

Sarah Beckman, left, stands with other staff members of Ohio’s Hamilton County Quick Response Team in an undated photo. The team helps people who use fentanyl get treatment. Ohio had the largest drop in opioid overdose deaths of any state as of October 2025 since the national peak in June 2023.

Drop in US opioid overdose deaths nears 50% since 2023

Since their peak less than three years ago, opioid overdose deaths dropped nearly by half as of October, according to a Stateline analysis. The drop comes as a shrinking fentanyl supply has made the … more

Tim Henderson / Washington State Standard | 3/22/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers the State of the State address for the 2026 Legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

‘No King Ferguson’: Washington Republicans plan protest of their own

The Washington state Republican Party has announced it will hold a protest titled “No King Ferguson” at noon on Saturday, March 28. It will be held at the State Capitol in Olympia, on the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/20/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks 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.

Braun: Lots of reasons to become discouraged, no reason to give up after legislative session

Through the eyes of state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, Washington state's 2026 legislative session was full of many disappointments, but also some glimmers of hope — especially where local project … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/20/26

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 bills to protect small businesses and lower utility costs are signed at Capitol

Washington state Sen. Drew MacEwen saw two of his key legislative priorities, Senate Bill 5874 and Senate Bill 5690, reach the finish line this week as Gov. Bob Ferguson signed measures aimed at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/20/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson walks up to a “12” flag raising ceremony ahead of this Saturday’s playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at the state capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Gov. Ferguson prepares to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ return

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Thursday previewed an upcoming meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of a planned vote on league expansion that could bring men’s professional basketball … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/26

Washington drivers suffering gas prices up nearly $1 per gallon in one month

Washington drivers are paying nearly a dollar more per gallon of gas than they were a month ago. The Iran war is sending prices surging across the country, but Washington drivers are paying far … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/19/26

Report: Washington charter school graduates see much higher incomes, homeownership rates

A new report from charter school advocates in Washington indicates charter graduates are making more money and owning more homes than their counterparts who graduated from traditional public schools. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/19/26

Legal challenges certain as Washington Gov. Ferguson prepares to sign new income tax

A bill to institute a state income tax ( SB 6346 ) has been on Gov. Bob Ferguson's desk for five days, and he's expected to sign it but opponents are gearing up for legal challenges once he … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/19/26

A suspected DUI crash on U.S. Highway 12 in 2022.

New law seeks to help clear up Washington state’s DUI testing backlog

Thousands of cases have piled up in Washington as they await state testing to confirm if a driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Prosecutors say this is leaving people on the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/26

Face mask ban for police in Washington state is signed into law

SEATTLE — Law enforcement officers in Washington state can no longer cover their faces to conceal their identities. The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Bob Ferguson, seeks to unmask federal … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/26

Mason County auto repair business owner sentenced for tax theft, filing a false tax return

A Shelton auto repair business owner was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to pocketing sales tax she collected over a four-year period, according to a news release from the … more