OLYMPIA — A controversial bill requiring comprehensive sexual health education be taught at various points in a student's years in public schools was signed into law Friday, but opponents will try to get voters to reject it in November.

An Olympia man accused of fatally hitting a Washington State Patrol trooper with his vehicle while being pursued by law enforcement on Interstate 5 in Chehalis Tuesday will be charged with murder, Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead told The Chronicle Friday. 

State lawmakers passed legislation to extend tax breaks and exemptions intended to incentivize maintenance and repair work on large private airplanes in communities like Moses Lake.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Thursday that it will shift public meetings to online or phone-based formats, beginning March 16 and lasting through the first week of April, in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19/coronavirus.

A man convicted of thefts and vehicle prowls involving more than 40 victims at national parks in Western Washington was sentenced Wednesday to more than two years in prison.

OLYMPIA — Minorities could have a better shot at getting a state-issued license for a marijuana store as a way to make up for the effects of the nation's War on Drugs campaign.

When the Legislature last year moved Washington's presidential primary to early March to give its voters more say in the selection of the parties' nominees, some supporters predicted that would generate an influx of candidates coming to the state to campaign.

Washington state lawmakers have passed legislation that will align the timber and forestry sector with the state’s carbon emission goals.

OLYMPIA — The sales tax would be removed from the purchase of menstrual products starting July 1, under a bill that received unanimous support in the Senate on Saturday.

OLYMPIA — Single-use plastic bags would be banned in Washington to encourage reusable bags starting next year, and stores would be required to charge 8 cents for paper bags, under a bill that passed the House Saturday.

OLYMPIA — A requirement that public schools provide courses in age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education at various points between kindergarten through high school received final approval Saturday from the Senate.

Next week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife commission will consider potential changes to Washington's cougar hunting rules.

OLYMPIA — Federal officials could not arrest people for civil violations such as some immigration offenses in or around local courthouses in most circumstances without a judge's order, under a bill that received final legislative approval Wednesday.

OLYMPIA — A person bringing a gun or other weapon in or near a child care center could be charged with a gross misdemeanor under a bill passed Tuesday by the Legislature.

The following is a press release from Cowlitz County issued Wednesday afternoon: