Regional News

Jill Biden Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times

First lady Jill Biden talks to families at Naval Air Station Whidbey

First lady Jill Biden arrived at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island late Tuesday morning,… Continue reading

Jill Biden Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times

Pacific gray whales spotted in Puget Sound

A group of Pacific gray whales known as the Sounders because they stop over in Puget Sound during their coastal… Continue reading

State revenue forecast rosier than expected

Employment growth expected by mid-2021

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas from the J pod swim in Puget Sound west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales. A new study from federal researchers provides the most detailed look yet at what the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas eat. Scientists with the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center spent years collecting fecal samples from the whales as well as scales from the fish they devoured. They say their data reaffirm the central importance of Chinook salmon to the whales. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Study: Chinook salmon are key to Northwest orcas all year

Data confirm central importance of the largest of the species

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2014, file photo, endangered orcas from the J pod swim in Puget Sound west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales. A new study from federal researchers provides the most detailed look yet at what the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas eat. Scientists with the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center spent years collecting fecal samples from the whales as well as scales from the fish they devoured. They say their data reaffirm the central importance of Chinook salmon to the whales. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
A syringe of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is shown Thursday, March 4, 2021, at a drive-up mass vaccination site in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle. Officials said they expected to deliver approximately 2500 second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the site Thursday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

State to expand vaccine eligibility to more groups on March 22

Workers in agriculture and grocery stores will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting March 22,… Continue reading

A syringe of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is shown Thursday, March 4, 2021, at a drive-up mass vaccination site in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle. Officials said they expected to deliver approximately 2500 second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the site Thursday. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Bills to rein in governor’s powers fizzle out in state Legislature

It’s been one year since Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in response to the… Continue reading

Senate OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force

The state Senate has approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer… Continue reading

Court blocks release of records about Seattle cops in D.C. on Jan. 6

A court commissioner has granted an emergency order temporarily stopping the City of Seattle from disclosing records that would have… Continue reading

State Patrol worker arrested in child sex sting operation

A State Patrol employee has been arrested in a sting operation after showing up at a hotel room where he… Continue reading

Inslee announces pause in rollbacks in reopening plan

Gov. Jay Inslee said none of the state’s regions will revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements under the state’s economic reopening plan… Continue reading

State: Keep bird feeders down a month longer

Salmonellosis continues to spread

Free attorneys, extended ban on evictions considered

An extension of an eviction moratorium for another two years and free attorneys for tenants who face… Continue reading

Republican budget proposal cuts programs, uses rainy-day fund

Released the same day Senate panel approves capitol gains tax

Report: Small plane crashed due to lack of fuel

The crash of a small plane in waters near Port Angeles in late January that killed one person happened… Continue reading

Inslee urges in-person classes; virus school testing increased

Washington state is expanding COVID-19 testing options for many public schools, and Gov. Jay Inslee has said more students should have access to… Continue reading

State hosts webinar Thursday on COVID-19 vaccine phases

The state Department of Health will host a live webinar today to discuss the phasing and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. The webinar, “Understanding… Continue reading

Cyber security office proposed in wake of major data breach

Reeling from a December breach that allowed hackers to access the personal information of roughly 1.6 million… Continue reading

Law would end driver’s license suspensions over unpaid fines

State lawmakers have proposed a measure that would prevent a driver’s license from being suspended if a person cannot pay… Continue reading

Legislature passes graduation waiver measure

The state Legislature has approved a bill that would waive some graduation requirements for individual students during a state of… Continue reading

State’s South Central Region OK’d to ease COVID rules

Six counties in south-central Washington have been approved to move to Phase 2 of reopening and can immediately ease COVID… Continue reading