WA Senate approves new bill lowering drunk driving limit to 0.05% BAC

OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Washington took a major stride Wednesday toward slashing the state’s legal limit for driving drunk. A divided state Senate voted 26-23 to approve legislation to reduce the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%. If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest […]
Ferguson may have broken ethics laws allowing ex-adviser to fly on state plane

TUMWATER [JERRY CORNFIELD]—Washington Governor Bob Ferguson likely violated state ethics laws by allowing his former top adviser, Mike Webb, to travel with him on a state plane to the Tri-Cities last summer, the state Executive Ethics Board ruled Friday, January 9, 2026 (Case No. 2025-061). In a unanimous vote, the board concluded there was “reasonable […]
WSP graduates 58 new troopers from the 121st Basic Training

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Patrol (WSP) added 58 newly commissioned troopers to its ranks on Wednesday, January 7, during the 121st Trooper Basic Training (TBTC) and 5th Trooper Lateral Training Class (TLTC) graduation ceremony held at the state Capitol Rotunda. For the 121st TBTC, the graduation marks the completion of more than 1,400 hours of rigorous […]
Police fatally shoot Oak Harbor man after high-speed chase following kidnapping, domestic assault

EVERETT—A 38-year-old Oak Harbor man was shot and killed by police early Friday, January 2, 2026, following a high-speed pursuit from Skagit County that began with a domestic dispute in Island County and ended in Snohomish County, authorities said. No officers were injured. At approximately 4:48 am, Skagit County dispatch advised deputies were in pursuit […]
WSP Trooper assaulted, stolen patrol vehicle leads to high-speed I-5 chase

LYNNWOOD—A high-speed chase on I-5 of a stolen Washington State Patrol (WSP) vehicle on Christmas Day ended in Mountlake Terrace with the arrest of a male suspect. Video footage obtained by TMZ show a man casually walking across I-5 near Northgate Way obstructing traffic at approximately 12 p.m. on December 25. Shortly after a WSP […]
WSP Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting Killed in Line of Duty

TACOMA—The Washington State Patrol (WSP) confirms the tragic loss of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting #720, who was killed Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Tacoma. “My heartfelt condolences go out to Timothy, Tara’s extended family, her friends, her academy classmates, to District 1 Captain Gundermann, and his entire team,” said WSP Chief John […]
Brother of Lynnwood Councilwoman faces theft charge in alleged porch piracy amid conflict-of-interest concerns

LYNNWOOD—In the early hours of August 14, 2025, Joshua De La Cruz, the 37-year-old brother of Lynnwood lawmaker City Councilwoman Derica Escamilla, was arrested on a charge of third-degree theft following an alleged incident involving stolen packages and mail from a residential porch. The case, handled by the Lynnwood Police Department, has raised questions about […]
Suspect arrested after breaking into State Capitol Building and going on vandalism rampage

OLYMPIA—A suspect has been arrested by the Washington State Patrol after breaking into the State Capitol Building Sunday night, setting fire to flags and rooms, and damaging several facilities and historic artifacts throughout his 10-minute vandalistic rampage. According to the Washington State Patrol, the suspect parked his vehicle on the flower bed in flag circle […]
Lynnwood PD’s second Shop with a Cop a success, several more community events to come

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Police Department’s second annual Shop with a Cop: Back to School event at Alderwood Mall was a success with over 30 Edmonds School District students walking away with brand new clothes, school supplies, and positive interactions with local law enforcement officers. The event took place at Alderwood Mall on Tuesday, August 19, […]
22-year-old Monroe man passes away after fatal collision on US-2

MONROE—Gavin J Wright, 22, of Monroe was pronounced deceased at the scene after a fatal collision on US-2 roughly 2 miles west from Sultan on September 6, Washington State Patrol reports. At approximately 5:48 p.m., Saturday evening, emergency personnel responded to reports of an incident near The Lodge at Sonneveldt Vineyard at Fern Bluff Road. […]