Washington State Journal - Building a stronger, more just & transparent democracy

PACIFIC COUNTY - Each autumn, as the leaves begin to change and children in Halloween costumes take to local streets, another fall tradition unfolds in the small streams and... — Updated 11/2/2023

People on both sides of the debate about a metal recycling business in Bellingham might agree on one thing. It feels like Cherry Point all over again. Over the past 15 years at... — Updated 11/2/2023

WINONA – Trains are running over Rebel Flat Creek only two months after the Winona Fire destroyed the train trestle here. On Friday, Oct. 20, state officials announced that the... — Updated 10/26/2023

Grants are available to support the rehabilitation and restoration of historic barns, cemeteries and theaters across the state because of funding from the Washington state... — Updated 9/14/2023

One of the largest sources of funding to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River will tax travelers a few bucks as they cross the water. During its meeting... — Updated 7/27/2023

The North Cascades National Scenic Highway opened last Wednesday (May 10), just in time for Winthrop's '49ers Days festivities. Washington State Department of Transportation... — Updated 5/19/2023

Seahawks legend Walter Jones joined Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs in raising the 12th-man flag at the capitol Jan. 11 to promote this weekend's playoff game.... — Updated 3/8/2023

Area pet owners who try to schedule veterinary appointments often encounter a phone that rings off the hook or an automated message saying the clinic will get back to them as soon... — Updated 12/8/2022

From afar, the questions surrounding his every public-stage movement are fascinating political theater playing out in a decidedly Other Washington: What's motivating Bob Woodward?... — Updated 11/3/2022

SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced on Oct. 27 detailed elements of his One Seattle Graffiti Plan to beautify Seattle and address a surge in graffiti. "Not only does... — Updated 11/3/2022

Six years after the Edmonds Fishing Pier was reopened following extensive renovations, some of the popular structure's top railings appear to be failing. Meant to carry the weight... — Updated 10/27/2022

In less than a year, those who want to board a flight or enter some federal buildings will be required to present a REAL ID. Starting on May 3, 2023, passengers will be required to... — Updated 10/21/2022

It was, on the face of it, just another Saturday in which the sounds and smells of agriculture wafted from the Ardell Pavilion at the Grant County Fairgrounds. But the bleats and... — Updated 10/13/2022

The Canadian government has announced that effective Saturday, October 1, it will be dropping its Covid-19 vaccination requirement and end random Covid-19 testing for people... — Updated 9/29/2022

Even before the North Cascades Scenic Highway opened on Sept. 2, 1972, after 13 years of actual construction and many more of surveying, the road had been the dream of... — Updated 9/23/2022

Four employees of the Methow Valley Ranger District safely navigated the rocky, narrow Harts Pass Road in treacherous conditions as torrential rains sent rocks cascading onto the... — Updated 9/1/2022

Anyone exploring the byways of the Key Peninsula has seen them, and maybe even been startled. Wooden bear cubs clinging to a tree, an enormous eagle perched atop a roof peak, a... — Updated 8/11/2022

Thirteen NEXUS enrollment centers in Canada remain closed even though the U.S. centers have been open since April 19. One reason why is because the Canadians do not want U.S.... — Updated 8/4/2022

The parking lot at East Cranberry Lake was filled with cars, pedestrians and shuttle buses this past Saturday as folks from across the region came to celebrate the 100th... — Updated 7/28/2022

LONG BEACH - All you need is sand and water - and a little bit of aardvark snot. The multi-day summer Sandsations event delighted onlookers last week as several sand artists... — Updated 7/28/2022

Spokane International Airport officials have solidified expansion plans to keep up with the needs of the continually growing city. The first expansion of the Spokane International... — Updated 7/21/2022

KNAPPTON COVE - A pair of moccasins might only last a couple days and buffalo meat was much desired after a diet too rich with roots and salmon. The daily lives and dining... — Updated 7/14/2022

Boatloads of crabbers hope to kick off the Fourth of July holiday weekend with a bang when the season officially opens Friday, July 1. "Crabbing seasons should be similar to recent... — Updated 6/30/2022

Travel between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C., via ferry won't be happening until at least next summer, according to Washington State Ferries staff. During a community meeting last... — Updated 6/23/2022

The project to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River is set to hit a milestone next month with endorsements from key stakeholder groups, though legislators... — Updated 6/23/2022

Emma Haruka Iwao started programming when she was in elementary school. Now, she's broken the world record for computing the most digits of pi-twice. On June 8, 2022, Iwao, a... — Updated 6/16/2022

CHENEY- Michaela Friedrich is the newest addition to the Cheney Free Press. She is a junior in the Gonzaga journalism program and is looking forward to her new gig. "I'm really... — Updated 5/19/2022

Since its arrival in Washington state two weeks ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, has now hit nine backyard flocks in seven counties, with... — Updated 5/19/2022

In recent years, recruitment numbers have been trending downward, according to Major General Dennis LeMaster, who spoke at Cadet Hall on the Eastern Washington University campus on... — Updated 5/5/2022

When President Joe Biden visited Seattle last Friday, Mayor Bruce Harrell's photos were all over in the media, more than other politicians. Never mind that Harrell is only a mayor,... — Updated 5/5/2022

Solo circumnavigator Erden Eruç of Wauna, 60, made landfall at Legazpi City in the Philippines March 24, becoming the first person to row from North America to Asia after... — Updated 5/5/2022

The program to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge inches closer to a final design as scenarios currently under consideration are likely to use light rail as its mass transit... — Updated 4/28/2022

After a ban of more than two years on food and drink service on Washington State Ferries, those taking the Edmonds-Kingston run can now partake in gallery offerings. Clam chowder... — Updated 4/21/2022

NASELLE - It's a simple snip that happens in seconds, a distinguishing mark that lasts a lifetime for salmon providing crucial insight for fishery management across the Pacific... — Updated 4/13/2022

It's now one of those dates where people ask you: Where were you on that famous day, when Senate Bill 5615 was signed into law? The screams you have been hearing wasn't due to the... — Updated 3/31/2022

The Port of Camas-Washougal is set to welcome the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi River to East Clark County this summer. Port commissioners approved a contract... — Updated 3/24/2022

A rehabilitated bald eagle took off from Hickman Park on March 18 after receiving care from PAWS, the Lynnwood-based nonprofit whose mission includes rehabilitating orphaned and... — Updated 3/24/2022

SEATTLE - Gordon "Gordy" Simmons has achieved an honor few can match. The Skamokawa resident has had a fossil named for him. "Gordy" is the name bestowed by the Burke Museum in... — Updated 3/23/2022

Central Washington University Aviation Professor Amy Hoover entered rarefied air this month when she was named the 2022 National Certified Flight Instructor of the Year by the... — Updated 3/23/2022

The Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal, Washington state's first new ferry terminal in 40 years, was named a national winner of a WoodWorks 2022 Wood Design Award. Mukilteo earned... — Updated 3/17/2022

Businesses in Yelm are considering the use of compostable plastic utensils in the wake of a new law that restricts the availability of disposal items. The Washington Legislature... — Updated 3/16/2022

CHENEY – Veteran journalist Bob Kirkpatrick has joined the Cheney Free Press to reinvigorate the newsroom and help bring a new look to the newspapers. Kirkpatrick came to the... — Updated 2/17/2022

On Feb. 16, 1922, the Nisqually Valley News issued its first newspaper, published by Elmer Fristoe. The single broadsheet highlighted the importance of a hometown newspaper. "Our pe... — Updated 2/17/2022

A Birch Bay beekeeper received a statewide award for her dedication to protecting honeybees from the Asian giant hornet. Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA), a... — Updated 2/10/2022

Although its sports teams pay homage to its wildlife and past agricultural tradition through the Raptors and the Spudders, one other notable aspect of Ridgefield is prominently disp... — Updated 2/10/2022

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has confirmed all of the Asian giant hornet nests found in 2021 were connected to nest 'zero,' the first nest found and... — Updated 1/20/2022

FERNDALE - Washington state's newest senator is still learning how to disagree without being disagreeable. That's what 22-year-old Simon Sefzik wrote in his cover letter to the What... — Updated 1/12/2022