PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Washington wolf population climbs to record high after 17% annual increase
OLYMPIA — Washington’s gray wolf population grew by more than 17% in 2025, reaching its highest level since wolves…
Bill to protect seniors’ roommate options considered in Olympia
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Legislature took a step last week toward making senior housing costs more stable. House Bill 1204, which passed the House Hou…
Rental affordability debate ramps up in Olympia
OLYMPIA - As many Washingtonians struggle to meet rapidly rising housing costs, companion rent stabilization bills aiming to cap rent and fee increases have sp…
New law adds ID to Department of Corrections reentry plans
OLYMPIA — A new law will require the Department of Corrections to help state inmates to get some form of state identification before they are released. The law…
WA Lawmakers consider rural nursing education
OLYMPIA - Lawmakers determined to address nursing shortages across the state have proposed a new bill to establish a remote nursing education program for rural…
Legislators eye Climate Commitment Act funding for road projects
OLYMPIA — As Washington state's roads continue to deteriorate and transportation funding faces significant challenges, Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, is callin…
Fake kids, real charges: Lawmakers push additional oversight for net nanny stings
(The Center Square) – The Washington State Patrol has leveraged “net nanny” operations since 2015 to arrest hundreds of alleged child predators, but state lawm…
Walsh reelected chair of Washington State Republican Party
(The Center Square) – Jim Walsh has been overwhelmingly reelected chair of the Washington State Republican Party.
Budget challenges a hurdle for Dent's regional firefighting bill
OLYMPIA – Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is working on a bill to create a pilot project, aimed at boosting wildfire prevention and responses in rural areas. The …
Worker retraining, sick leave focus of new Washington laws
OLYMPIA — Changes to Washington law will give more options to Washington employers looking to keep on workers who are recovering from temporary disabilities. O…
Cook powers Eastern to dominant win over Weber State
OGDEN, Utah – Eastern Washington (7-16, 3-7) bounced back in impressive fashion, defeating Weber State (8-14, 2-7) 72-49, fueled by Andrew Cook's dominant all-…
CWU honor rolls include 101 Basin students
ELLENSBURG — More than 100 Central Washington University Wildcats from the Columbia Basin were named to the honor roll for fall quarter 2024, according to an a…
Eastern Washington site of de facto EV school bus experiment
(The Center Square) – With cold weather and long distances, eastern Washington state would seem an unlikely region to find school district officials excited ab…
Superintendents discuss reading, math skills locally, statewide
OLYMPIA – The National Center for Education Statistics released the 2024 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Thursday, revealing that Wa…
From ‘Just Say No’ to ‘Maybe So’? Olympia reconsiders legalizing psychedelics
(The Center Square) – The potential legalization of magic mushrooms is heading to Olympia next week as state lawmakers prepare to hear testimony on two bills t…
Revised Washington law makes it easier for youth to get identification
OLYMPIA — It will be easier for young people 16-18 years of age to get a Washington identification card without a parent’s or guardian’s signature under revisi…