Regional News

In this April 11, 2018, file photo, water moves through a spillway of the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River near Almota, Wash. Some Republican members of Congress from the Northwest are accusing a GOP Idaho lawmaker of conducting secret negotiations with the Democratic governor of Oregon over a controversial proposal to breach four dams on the Snake River to save endangered salmon runs. (Nicholas K. Geranios/The Associated Press, file)

Feud breaks out among GOP lawmakers over Snake River dams

Some Republican members of Congress from the Northwest are accusing a GOP Idaho lawmaker of conducting… Continue reading

In this April 11, 2018, file photo, water moves through a spillway of the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River near Almota, Wash. Some Republican members of Congress from the Northwest are accusing a GOP Idaho lawmaker of conducting secret negotiations with the Democratic governor of Oregon over a controversial proposal to breach four dams on the Snake River to save endangered salmon runs. (Nicholas K. Geranios/The Associated Press, file)

Events can increase capacity with vaccinated sections

More people will be allowed at indoor and outdoor spectator events and indoor religious services if there are designated COVID-19… Continue reading

Governor signs bill banning Native mascots

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill to ban the use of Native American names, symbols and images as school… Continue reading

Daffodils bloom outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. On Wednesday, lawmakers were considering a proposed new tax in Washington state on capital gains that would be imposed on the sale of stocks and bonds in excess of $250,000. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

State House approves new tax on capital gains

A new tax on capital gains would be imposed on the sale of stocks and bonds… Continue reading

Daffodils bloom outside the Legislative Building, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. On Wednesday, lawmakers were considering a proposed new tax in Washington state on capital gains that would be imposed on the sale of stocks and bonds in excess of $250,000. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Legislature approves duty to intervene police reform bill

The state Legislature has approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using, or attempting to use, excessive… Continue reading

Call for artists issued for Native art exhibit in Tacoma

Applications are open for the annual In the Spirit Contemporary Native Arts exhibition, held each summer at the Washington State History Museum. The… Continue reading

Prisoners released after state drug possession law voided

Gov. Jay Inslee has commuted the sentences of more than a dozen drug offenders in the past… Continue reading

Audit: Unemployment fraud likely higher than $647 million

The amount of fraudulent payments of unemployment benefits distributed in Washington state during the height of the coronavirus pandemic was likely higher than… Continue reading

Kent to pay $4.4 million to family of Black man killed by police

The city of Kent has agreed to pay $4.4 million to the family of Giovonn Joseph-McDade to settle a lawsuit saying police unnecessarily… Continue reading

Olympia approves hazard pay for some grocery workers

Starting next month, large grocery stores in Olympia will be required to pay workers an additional $4 an hour in pay, the latest… Continue reading

State March unemployment rate drops to 5.4 percent

Washington’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent last month, and the state added 23,100 jobs, officials announced. The Employment Security Department said Tuesday… Continue reading

Gray whale could be sick from tracking tag

Marine mammal biologists and veterinarians are treating and monitoring a gray whale that appears to have developed an infection after being darted with… Continue reading

In this file photo from Jan. 11, 2021, state Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way, stands with other members at the beginning of the House session during which legislators were spaced at a social distance in Olympia. Johnson hopes to see the Legislature end qualified immunity for police officers, which would allow them to be sued in state court, and to see it authorize community oversight boards that could have input on local policies and receive complaints about officers. (Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times via The Associated Press)

Slew of police reform bills head to governor’s desk

As state lawmakers began wrapping up their work on an ambitious package of police accountability legislation in… Continue reading

In this file photo from Jan. 11, 2021, state Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way, stands with other members at the beginning of the House session during which legislators were spaced at a social distance in Olympia. Johnson hopes to see the Legislature end qualified immunity for police officers, which would allow them to be sued in state court, and to see it authorize community oversight boards that could have input on local policies and receive complaints about officers. (Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times via The Associated Press)

Legislature approves Juneteenth as state holiday

The state Legislature has passed a measure that makes Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The measure making June 19 a… Continue reading

Legislature passes bill to curb lead in school drinking water

Washington’s public and private schools will soon need to take new steps to curb children’s exposure to lead in drinking… Continue reading

Lummi Nation lead carver Jewell James works on the final details on Monday of a nearly 25-foot totem pole to be gifted to the Biden administration from the Lummi Reservation near Bellingham. The pole, carved from a 400-year-old red cedar, will make a journey from the reservation past sacred indigenous sites before arriving in Washington, D.C., in early June. Organizers said the totem pole is a reminder to leaders to honor the rights of Indigenous people and their sacred sites. (Elaine Thompson/The Associated Press)

Lummi Nation totem pole making journey to Biden

A totem pole carved at the Lummi Nation from a 400-year-old red cedar will begin a cross-country journey next month,… Continue reading

Lummi Nation lead carver Jewell James works on the final details on Monday of a nearly 25-foot totem pole to be gifted to the Biden administration from the Lummi Reservation near Bellingham. The pole, carved from a 400-year-old red cedar, will make a journey from the reservation past sacred indigenous sites before arriving in Washington, D.C., in early June. Organizers said the totem pole is a reminder to leaders to honor the rights of Indigenous people and their sacred sites. (Elaine Thompson/The Associated Press)

Officials seek new tools to combat invasive giant hornets

The state Department of Agriculture is moving forward with new rules that would give them more tools to combat the… Continue reading

Three counties face tighter coronavirus restrictions

The Associated Press Three counties will move back to more strict coronavirus restrictions at the end of the week because of rising cases and hospitalizations,… Continue reading

Business groups ask governor not to roll some counties to Phase 2

Nearly 70 state business organizations are urging Gov. Jay Inslee to delay for three weeks any… Continue reading

Legislature approves bill seeking Billy Frank Jr. statue

A measure to honor the late Billy Frank Jr. with a statue at the U.S. Capitol has cleared the Legislature.… Continue reading