State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Wolves in SE Washington pack to be killed ‘incrementally’ by state officials after livestock attacks

The director of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife this week authorized the “incremental” killing of wolves in southeastern Washington with a goal to stop attacks on livestock. … more

Aspen Ford / Washington State Standard | 10/1/26

The Senate chambers at the Washington state Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

Legislative staff in Washington state Senate reject new contract

The union representing staff of Democratic state senators in Washington has overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract, citing its lack of adequate protections for workers facing termination. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/30/26

An EV charger is marked out of service in Federal Way, Wash.

Washington's EV efforts continue to face logistical challenges

Washington state's plans to electrify private and public transportation sectors and spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on charging infrastructure are still facing numerous logistical and … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 9/30/26

Oregonians ranked maintaining and preserving highways and bridges and improving safety as their top priority in a new survey.

Here’s how Oregonians want the state to address its transportation budget crisis

Oregonians ranked maintaining and preserving highways and bridges and improving safety as the top priorities they think the Oregon Department of Transportation should focus on as it looks to resolve … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/30/26

A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers is meeting to discuss the potential of a cap-and-invest carbon market similar to those in California and Washington, just seven years after Senate Republicans walked out of the State Capitol to oppose a similar proposal. Such markets charge polluters for their greenhouse gas pollution, and use the revenues to fund climate mitigation and adaptation projects as the impacts of climate change become more extreme.

Oregon Republicans revisit cap and invest proposal seven years after they walked out over it

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Oregon have been meeting in recent weeks to discuss the potential to collaborate on a climate policy that just seven years ago drove them apart, and drove some … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/30/26

A shipment of transuranic radioactive waste leaves the Idaho National Laboratory en route to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for permanent disposal in New Mexico in 2009. During the expedited waste removal funded by more than $22 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the site’s workers safely retrieved, treated, and shipped close to 4,800 cubic meters of radioactive waste — which would fill two Olympic swimming pools — from the Cold War to permanent disposal facilities.

Some Idaho officials say proposed nuclear waste shipments could threaten Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer

Accepting a deal with the U.S. Department of Energy to bring a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus to Idaho could force the state to accept more than 30,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel and … more

Clark Corbin / Idaho Capital Sun | 9/30/26

Rep. Skyler Rude giving a speech on the House floor.

Washington state lawmaker to resign 3 days before the election

In a surprise announcement, Republican state Rep. Skyler Rude of Walla Walla, said Tuesday that he will resign from office days before the election to start a new job with Democratic Secretary of … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 9/30/26

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.

Gov. Ferguson launches council to boost Washington commercial space industry

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson hopes the state’s space entrepreneurs can pilot their industry to infinity and beyond. To that end, Ferguson signed an executive order Monday night launching the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/29/26

The Chehalis River flows through Independence Valley in Rochester.

WDFW responds to Chehalis Tribe’s intent to charge anglers for permits, issue citations

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation are charging anglers for permits to fish on a 10-mile section of the Chehalis River, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/29/26

Muscle rubs, aromatherapy soaps and body washes make up the majority of what’s left in Oregon CBD Company, an Albany store that’s set to close at the end of September in response to an impending federal law prohibiting the sale of most hemp-derived products.

New federal law puts an end to the hemp industry, Oregon businesses say

Pet tinctures and topicals are the most popular products sold at Oregon CBD Company, a small business located at the junction of the Willamette Valley town’s busiest roads. Pet owners use them to … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/29/26

An explosion of data center facilities, including the one pictured here in northeast Oregon on May 18, 2026, have been built along the Columbia River Gorge during the last few years.

Data centers proposed on federal land in eastern Oregon, western states

A new data center campus could soon be coming to federal land near Hermiston in eastern Oregon. It would be the first in Oregon sited on federal public land, and one of at least 12 proposed for … more

Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/29/26

Damaged structures in the aftermath of the Spokane fires that began on Aug. 1. Some officials and consumer advocates fear the wildfire could lead to property insurance rate hikes and policy cancellations. (Photo courtesy of Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Washington wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/28/26

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

League of Women Voters of Washington interviews Washington state Supreme Court candidates

With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington (LWV) has created an … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 9/28/26

The Washington Federation of State Employees largest unit of government workers approved a new two-year contract containing no general pay increase for thousands of workers. In late August, union members across the state, including about 100 in Olympia, held a midday informational picket to spotlight their demand for higher wages.

Washington state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike

In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on health care and other … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/28/26

Former U.S. attorney for Western Washington and current state Attorney General Nick Brown answers a question during a debate between attorney general candidates hosted by The Chronicle in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

AG Nick Brown eyes utility costs, tort liability as 2027 legislative priorities

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown says rising utility costs and the state’s escalating liability expenses are emerging as priorities as his office develops its agenda for the 2027 Legislature, … more

By Paul W. Taylor / TVW | 9/28/26

U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon, speaks with constituents in Silverton.

All of Oregon’s congressional districts are considered safe this year. Here’s why

Political analysts don’t expect any of Oregon’s six congressional seats to change hands in the November election. The Cook Political Report, which analyzes congressional elections and … more

Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 9/27/26

Washington state Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove waves to the crowd during inauguration ceremonies at the Washington state Capitol, in Olympia, on Jan. 15, 2025.

Public lands commissioner calls on Legislature to approve, fund conservation of state forests

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove is dialing back his goal to protect 77,000 acres of older state forests from timber harvest even as he asks lawmakers to give him more tools to do … more

Aspen Ford / Washington State Standard | 9/27/26

Washington is fighting to limit its duty to protect vulnerable adults

Starting in February 2020, investigators with Washington Adult Protective Services responded to nine reports about Raymond Bell, a 71-year-old man with dementia and no nearby family. Neighbors, … more

Kelsey Turner, InvestigateWest | 9/27/26

The Washington state Capitol on Jan. 12, 2026.

With tax receipts flat, budget hurdles remain for Washington state leaders

The latest forecast of state tax collections released Friday did nothing to brighten Washington’s budget outlook. But it does predict the state’s new income tax will gross hundreds of … more

Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard | 9/27/26

Gluesenkamp Perez announces 2026 Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Contest

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, announced her fourth annual Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Contest to encourage residents of Washington’s Third Congressional District to get out … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/25/26