Regional News

Officials encourage vigilance on election misinformation

No reports of any breaches of state’s election systems

State releases COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

State health officials have announced how they plan to distribute the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available. The state Department… Continue reading

Yakima Speedway fined for allowing large gathering of fans

State regulators have fined Yakima Speedway operator Doug Bettarel $2,500 after fans were allowed to attend an auto-racing event earlier… Continue reading

In this Oct. 7, 2020, photo provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a live Asian giant hornet is affixed with a tracking device before being released near Blaine, Wash. Washington state officials say they were again unsuccessful at live-tracking an Asian giant hornet while trying to find and destroy a nest of the so-called murder hornets. The Washington State Department of Agriculture said Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, that an entomologist used dental floss to tie a tracking device on a female hornet, only to lose signs of her when she went into the forest. (Karla Salp/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP)

Murder hornet gets away from entomologist

Officials again unsuccessful at live-tracking giant insect to destroy nest

In this Oct. 7, 2020, photo provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a live Asian giant hornet is affixed with a tracking device before being released near Blaine, Wash. Washington state officials say they were again unsuccessful at live-tracking an Asian giant hornet while trying to find and destroy a nest of the so-called murder hornets. The Washington State Department of Agriculture said Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, that an entomologist used dental floss to tie a tracking device on a female hornet, only to lose signs of her when she went into the forest. (Karla Salp/Washington State Department of Agriculture via AP)

Some schools in region did not report virus outbreaks

Paints an incomplete picture on how COVID-19 is affecting students

State issues more restrictions for colleges

Inslee requires schools to provide quarantine facilities for exposed students

Data shows enrollment decline in state’s schools

Enrollment at public schools in Washington state has declined by about 31,000 students compared to last year, mostly because of… Continue reading

Washington state race for lands chief focused on wildfires

Forest health, maintenance a key issue

(Herald file photo)

State Supreme Court strikes down $30 car-tab initiative

Justices on Thursday unanimously agreed that voter-approved Initiative 976 is unconstitutional

(Herald file photo)

ACLU sues over state suspending licenses due to unpaid fines

Says it hurts people who can’t afford to pay

A group of protesters toppled statues of former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in Portland's South Park Block late Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP)

Protesters knock down Roosevelt, Lincoln statues in Portland

Declaration of ‘rage’ over Columbus Day

A group of protesters toppled statues of former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in Portland's South Park Block late Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP)

DNR lifts temporary ban on lawful shooting

The state Department of Natural Resources has lifted its temporary ban on the lawful discharge of firearms on its lands. The ban, which… Continue reading

Washington gubernatorial candidates Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, left, and Loren Culp, a Republican, right, are shown on a monitor in a video control room at the studios of TVW, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., as they take part in a debate. Due to concerns over COVID-19, each candidate took part in the debate from individual rooms separate from moderators. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee, Culp spar over COVID-19 in only debate for governor

Candidates differ on how pandemic has been handled

Washington gubernatorial candidates Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, left, and Loren Culp, a Republican, right, are shown on a monitor in a video control room at the studios of TVW, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., as they take part in a debate. Due to concerns over COVID-19, each candidate took part in the debate from individual rooms separate from moderators. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington gubernatorial candidates Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, center-left, and Loren Culp, a Republican, center-right, are shown on a monitor in a video control room at the studios of TVW, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., as they take part in a debate. Due to concerns over COVID-19, each candidate took part in the debate from individual rooms separate from moderators. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee, Culp meet in first and only governor’s debate

Candidates disagree immediately over state’s response to coronavirus pandemic

Washington gubernatorial candidates Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, center-left, and Loren Culp, a Republican, center-right, are shown on a monitor in a video control room at the studios of TVW, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., as they take part in a debate. Due to concerns over COVID-19, each candidate took part in the debate from individual rooms separate from moderators. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Virginia Mason Memorial nurses file complaint over virus conditions

Say they have been short staffed and low on PPE

Critics vow to continue efforts to remove Snake River dams

Tribe prepared to defend river, described as a living being

Inslee eases COVID restrictions on restaurants, theaters

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday didn’t move any counties forward or backward in his four-phase COVID-19 reopening plan, but he… Continue reading

Children’s vaccinations in Washington drop during pandemic

Fewer children are getting scheduled vaccinations for diseases such as measles in Washington state since March, when it became clear… Continue reading

‘Significant outbreak’ of COVID-19 seen in UW Greek system

Dozens of cases confirmed among sorority, fraternity organizations