State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, speaking on the Senate floor on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Republican senator says provoking remark was 'intentional' to highlight safety concerns

Spokane Valley Republican Sen. Leonard Christian is not backing down from comments on the Senate floor last week that drew condemnation from some in his own caucus, including the other four … more

3/9/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse speaks about parental rights at a rally, organized by Let’s Go Washington, at the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Federal judge to rule on whether Kruse, Choe and Hoffman will receive emergency credentials

A federal judge in Tacoma is expected to issue a ruling no later than early Tuesday, March 10, in a closely watched case over press credentials for covering the Washington State Legislature. The case … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/9/26

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders addresses the audience in Yelm at his town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Sheriff Sanders calls for veto of bill that could disqualify opponent

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders is calling on Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto a bill that, among other changes, would allow for the removal of elected sheriffs who are decertified by … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/9/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, appeared on CNN in an interview with Jake Tapper on Thursday to talk about the issue and her now-continued opposition to similar situations of federal lawmakers attempting to select their political successors.

MGP on Republican senator picking successor: ‘It's weaselly and it’s offensive and it’s gotta stop’

Washington Third Congressional District U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, called out yet another dramatic campaign filing incident on the floor of the United States House of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Attorney General Nick Brown greets legislators in the House chambers at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Washington secures court order to enforce ruling that requires FEMA to restore billions in disaster mitigation funding

Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown and a multistate coalition recently secured a court order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take concrete steps to reverse the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

FILE PHOTO — The Chinook fry that Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Clear Creek Hatchery have donated to Gig Harbor’s Minter Creek Hatchery shoot out of a hose and into the truck that will transport them in 2020.

Strickland, Cantwell, Murray introduce bill restoring Nisqually Tribe ownership of Clear Creek Hatchery

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District, recently introduced the Nisqually Clear Creek Hatchery Land Transfer Act of 2026, a news release from Strickland … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, smiles at House Speaker Laurie Jinkins during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Washington Senate’s Democratic majority leader draws challenger from the left

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, who has served in the Legislature for two decades, faces the prospect of a fellow Democrat challenging him in this year’s election. Hannah … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 3/9/26

A protester gives a thumbs up during a “Pray to End Abortion” event organized by 40 Days for Life, across the street from Planned Parenthood in Centralia on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Fee on health insurers to fund abortion services debated in Washington state Legislature

Insurers in Washington could soon need to foot the bill for additional abortion funding. A proposal under consideration in the state Legislature would require health carriers with insurance … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/9/26

The dome at the Washington state Capitol.

Last deadline of Washington legislative session kills more bills

With less than a week to go, policy proposals are nearing the finish line to becoming law in the Washington Legislature. But the last deadline of the legislative session Friday stopped some of them … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 3/8/26

The Senate chambers at the Washington state Capitol.

Washington State Senate’s Democratic majority leader draws challenger from the left

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, who has served in the Legislature for two decades, faces the prospect of a fellow Democrat challenging him in this year’s election. Hannah … more

By Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard | 3/8/26

Data center tax break close to getting zapped by Washington State Legislature

Tax breaks for data center operators could soon be stripped from Washington state law. On Saturday, the House Finance Committee voted 8 to 6 to approve Senate Bill 6231. The bill next … more

By Aspen Ford / Washington State Standard | 3/8/26

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

Many remain skeptical of Washington state House’s revised income tax bill

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson may be satisfied with the House of Representatives’ latest version of an income tax bill — so much so that he said he will sign it if it passes the Legislature — … more

By Brett Davis | The Center Square | 3/7/26

Washington state Senate passes bill requiring employers to notify workers ahead of I-9 audits

Washington state employers could soon face costly fines and lawsuits for failure to notify workers of an upcoming federal I-9 inspection under a bill passed by the Senate on Thursday. U.S. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 3/6/26

Washington bill that could allow state board to remove elected sheriffs clears House

A bill that would let an unelected state board effectively remove an elected sheriff from office in Washington state was passed by the House of Representatives in the wee hours of Friday. … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/6/26

Seattle police chief: Officers will be disciplined if they don't document ICE actions

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes says that any police officer who violates the city’s new policy requiring documentation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, including video … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 3/6/26

Automated license plate reader regulations close to becoming Washington state law

Washington is one step closer to adding guardrails to the use of automated license plate readers. The state House on Thursday passed a revamped version of legislation to implement … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/26

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.

New version of income tax bill gets Gov. Bob Ferguson’s blessing

Democrats in the Washington state House released a revised income tax proposal Friday that drives more money into early learning programs, increases assistance for lower-income families, and … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/26

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal testifies at a committee hearing in January. Reykdal is facing questions from House Republicans on the state's student gender disclosure policies following a recent Supreme Court ruling. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington GOP lawmakers press schools chief on gender identity disclosure policies

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week, Washington House Republicans are seeking answers from the state’s top public schools official on policies related to gender identity and parental … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse speaks during a “listening session” with Republican state lawmakers concerning Initiative IL26-638 that would bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Restraining order filed in federal court following Legislature’s press credentialing controversy

The Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF) has filed an emergency temporary restraining order on behalf of plaintiffs Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse and Jonathan Choe in their lawsuit against the Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Puget Sound Energy secures power while fire crews responded to a fire at Second Hand Rose Antiques and Collectables in the Olympia area on Monday, Feb. 23.

Puget Sound Energy wants 30% rate increase; clean energy mandates behind request

Energy bills shot up by 12% this year for Puget Sound Energy customers due to the state-approved recovery of costs related to Climate Commitment Act compliance, expanding clean energy portfolios, and … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/6/26