Drew Mikkelsen
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KING-5's South Bureau Chief. Husky/SF Giants fan. Family man. Retweeting is not an endorsement.
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Articles by Drew Mikkelsen
1976 Olympia orca capture sparked public outcry, lawsuit and end of US hunts remembered 50 years later
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A sailboat ride in Olympia’s Budd Inlet changed history 50 years ago. On March 7, 1976, in view of the Washington State Capitol, a permitted orca hunt set off a public backlash, a state lawsuit, and federal legislation that ended commercial orca hunts in Washington and the continental United States. That Sunday morning, capture crew leader Don Goldsberry netted six whales for SeaWorld.
Washington Supreme Court hears push for bail cap, easier release from jail Original
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington’s state Supreme Court held a rare public hearing Tuesday morning on a request from defense attorneys to make it easier for people arrested to bail out of jail, including a proposed bail cap for some crimes. Prosecutors and judges oppose the changes. The justices are not expected to announce any changes for weeks. The hearing in the court’s chamber lasted more than two hours.
1976 Olympia orca capture sparked public outcry, lawsuit and end of U.S. hunts remembered 50 years later
A sailboat ride in Olympia's Budd Inlet changed history 50 years ago. On March 7, 1976, in view of the Washington State Capitol, a permitted orca hunt set off a public backlash, a state lawsuit, and federal legislation that ended commercial orca hunts in Washington and the continental United States. That Sunday morning, capture crew leader Don Goldsberry netted six whales for SeaWorld.
What a supermajority means for House Democrats in Olympia
Follow What a supermajority means for House Democrats in Olympia Updated Mon, November 9, 2026 at 8:36 PM EST For the first time since 1959, Olympia has a supermajority in the Legislature. While a handful of legislative races remain undetermined, Democratic party leaders and legislators said the House of Representatives will have at least 67 Democratic members, the number needed to have a two-thirds majority. Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, said she was "so happy" when she woke up on election day.
'I should be dead': Civil War reenactor lost in woods for 6 days, thankful for rescuers Original
YELM, Wash. — A 54-year-old Bremerton man says he is lucky after surviving six days lost in the woods of Thurston County. He wandered away from a Civil War reenactment Saturday, Sept. 5, and was found by two men four-wheeling Friday, Sept. 11. Tom Goodwin was taking part in the reenactment on a rural property in Yelm when he went into the woods and got lost. “Odds were, I should be dead, really in reality. People don’t go that long, with all that,” Goodwin said.
Yelm school district could dissolve if levy fails next week, superintendent warns
YELM, Wash. — Yelm Community Schools could be dissolved and absorbed by neighboring districts if voters reject a property tax levy next week during the general election, Superintendent Chris Woods said. The district has seen four straight levy failures in two years. The district is on “binding conditions,” the lowest level of financial oversight from Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This story continues below.
Gov. Ferguson calls federal request to set aside ballots over citizenship concerns 'disappointing' Original
OLYMPIA, Wash — Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday criticized a federal request that Washington state set aside the ballots of more than 400 voters over citizenship concerns, calling the move “disappointing” a week before Election Day. The Department of Justice announced Monday it is asking the state to not process the ballots until citizenship can be confirmed. This story continues below.
Details emerge in violent threats that cancelled 2 high school football games in Thurston County Original
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — New details have emerged about what led up to two separate violent threats made to students ahead of high school football games in Thurston County last week. The incidents were not related, law enforcement determined, but both led school district leaders to cancel the schools' respective games.
Families of two men killed in Longview tank collapse sue Nippon Dynawave, Weyerhaeuser
COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. — The families of two men who died after a tank collapsed at a Longview mill in May are suing the mill’s operator, Nippon Dynawave, and Weyerhaeuser, the company that originally built the pulp and paper mill. The families said they want to hold the companies financially accountable and push for a safer workplace. The tank, which held nearly one million gallons of a caustic liquid, known as white liquor, collapsed the morning of May 26.
Families of two men killed in Longview tank collapse sue Nippon Dynawave, Weyerhaeuser Original
COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. — The families of two men who died after a tank collapsed at a Longview mill in May are suing the mill’s operator, Nippon Dynawave, and Weyerhaeuser, the company that originally built the pulp and paper mill. The families said they want to hold the companies financially accountable and push for a safer workplace. This story continues below. More in Local The tank, which held nearly one million gallons of a caustic liquid, known as white liquor, collapsed the morning of May 26.
Former airport ramp agent sues Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines over injuries from baggage tug crash Original
SEATTLE, Wash. — A former ramp agent at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ramp agent filed a negligence lawsuit Thursday against the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines, claiming the two entities are to blame for injuries she suffered when a co-worker driving a baggage tug hit her on the tarmac in November 2023. Tyler King, who says she is still in pain three years later. This story continues below.
Washington's third Congressional race getting national attention Original
LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. — Political pundits have had their eyes on Washington's third congressional district race all year. With under two weeks until Election Day, the national media and big-name politicians are paying attention to one of the most competitive races come November. An NBC News crew caught up with the incumbent, U.S. Rep.
Bucoda ends 'Boocoda' Halloween event over liability and cost concerns Original
BUCODA, Wash. — The Bucoda Town Council voted to end the town’s sponsorship of "Boocoda," its annual October-long Halloween celebration, citing liability and financial concerns, leaving some residents disappointed. Bucoda, a town of about 600 people, drew more than 5,000 visitors during last year’s event, according to the Experience Olympia & Beyond organization. This story continues below. More in Community In 2018, the council voted to rename the town “Boocoda” every October.
Tales of destruction, heroism in Tumwater apartment fire
Dozens of residents of the Sun Crest Apartments are staying in a motel after a destructive fire swept through the complex Thursday, though no one was injured. Investigators were still searching for a cause as residents returned to see what had survived. "It's like doomsday," said resident Trey Georg.
Tales of destruction, heroism in Tumwater apartment fire
Follow Tales of destruction, heroism in Tumwater apartment fire Fri, October 16, 2026 at 9:48 PM EDT Dozens of residents of the Sun Crest Apartments are staying in a motel after a destructive fire swept through the complex Thursday, though no one was injured. Investigators were still searching for a cause as residents returned to see what had survived. "It's like doomsday," said resident Trey Georg.
World famous trolls invade Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this week
Twelve trolls made of recycled wood will open to the public Thursday at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Eatonville and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, giving visitors a hunt for hidden sculptures during what is typically the parks' slow season. The exhibit runs through Jan. 24. Eight of the trolls are hidden throughout Northwest Trek. Another four are on display around the zoo and aquarium.
World famous trolls invade Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this week
EATONVILLE, Wash. — Twelve trolls made of recycled wood will open to the public Thursday at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Eatonville and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, giving visitors a hunt for hidden sculptures during what is typically the parks’ slow season. The exhibit runs through Jan. 24. Eight of the trolls are hidden throughout Northwest Trek. Another four are on display around the zoo and aquarium. This story continues below.
Quinault Indian Nation breaks ground on higher-ground homes as sea level threat grows Original
TAHOLAH, Wash. — The Quinault Indian Nation broke ground Thursday on the future of housing for the tribe on higher, safer ground. Driven by rising seas, more intense storms and tsunami risks, tribal leadership decided the lower village on the Pacific coast of Taholah is no longer safe for its 600 members who reside there. The relocation moves residents a half-mile inland and uphill to drier terrain. Funding came from the tribe and the federal government.
Health department recommends rabies treatment for people tied to Puyallup school bat sightings
PUYALLUP, Wash — The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recommended rabies treatment for two people associated with a Puyallup school where bats have repeatedly turned up since the start of the school year. According to the Puyallup School District, staffers spotted bats within the building on five separate occasions, including a deceased bat discovered Tuesday. This story continues below.
Video shows friends helping police following deadly Gorge overdose Original
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Grant County detectives arrested a man accused of selling drugs to a 26-year-old festival-goer who died of a suspected overdose, two hours after the death, with help from the victim's friends, investigators said. Zion Randall, of Olympia, died on August 16 while attending the Bass Canyon electronic dance music festival in Central Washington. This story continues below. More in Crime Friends told investigators Randall bought cocaine and molly, later collapsed and died.
Facilities for those with developmental disabilities could close in Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A facility that’s housed and treated Washington state citizens with developmental and intellectual disabilities for more than 80 years could be closing. Bills in the state House and Senate call for the closure of Rainier School in Buckley, which opened its doors in 1939. Shutting down Yakima Valley School is also under consideration. This story continues below.
Washington high school bans backpacks to keep cellphones out of students' hands
TENINO, Wash. — Schools across Washington state are searching for new ways to keep cellphones away from students, and the Tenino School District, just south of Olympia, has landed on an unconventional solution: banning backpacks and purses from school hallways and classrooms. The move comes as Gov. Bob Ferguson pushes state legislators to adopt a policy banning cellphone use in all K-12 public schools statewide. This story continues below.
Tenino HS bans backpacks to keep cellphones out of students' hands
TENINO, Wash. — Schools across Washington state are searching for new ways to keep cellphones away from students, and the Tenino School District, just south of Olympia, has landed on an unconventional solution: banning backpacks and purses from school hallways and classrooms. The move comes as Gov. Bob Ferguson pushes state legislators to adopt a policy banning cellphone use in all K-12 public schools statewide. This story continues below.
Olympia superintendent recommends closure of three elementary schools Original
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy is recommending the closure of three elementary schools — L.P. Brown, Madison, and McKenny — at the end of the current school year, citing a declining student population. The closures, if approved by the Olympia School Board, would save the district $3.1 million a year beginning in the 2027-28 school year, said Murphy. This story continues below.
Berry farm owners in Olympia looking to city council to keep stand open Original
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Spooner Berry Farms is looking to the Olympia City Council for help keeping the farm's busiest berry stand open. The Yelm Highway stand first opened in 1983. The Spooner family leases the property from the city, but since 2018, the city of Olympia has had plans to turn the land the berry into a multi-use park. This story continues below. More in Local The project could break ground as soon as this fall.
Puyallup firefighters reflect on NYFD bond, 25 years after 9/11
PUYALLUP, Wash. — The entire nation wanted to help the New York City Fire Department in the days following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The then-Puyallup Fire Department answered that call and ensured the support continued after that year. After 343 New York City firefighters died in the attacks, the FDNY put a call out to agencies across the country for backup so surviving firefighters could attend the funerals of their fallen colleagues. This story continues below.
Widow sues Longview pulp mill, alleging company knew tank was doomed to fail before blast killed 11 workers Original
LONGVIEW, Wash. — A woman whose husband died in the May implosion at a Longview pulp mill is suing her husband’s employer, accusing the company of negligence. Jared Ammons left for work early on the morning of May 26 so he could get off in time for an ultrasound appointment — his and his wife Mackenzie's first look at their unborn child. This story continues below.
Thurston County woman booked after taser deployment, chase
A Thurston County Sheriff's deputy arrested a woman early Saturday morning after a check on a fire escalated into a stun gun deployment and a brief vehicle pursuit that ended when a second patrol unit forced her car off the road, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. The incident began when a deputy patrolling the "Handicap Hole," a state-owned fishing spot that closes at dusk, spotted a fire burning in the area.
Thurston County woman booked after taser deployment, chase
THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A Thurston County Sheriff's deputy arrested a woman early Saturday morning after a check on a fire escalated into a stun gun deployment and a brief vehicle pursuit that ended when a second patrol unit forced her car off the road, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. The incident began when a deputy patrolling the "Handicap Hole," a state-owned fishing spot that closes at dusk, spotted a fire burning in the area.
Thurston County woman booked after taser deployment, chase
Follow Thurston County woman booked after taser deployment, chase Updated Mon, September 7, 2026 at 7:54 PM EDT Thurston County woman booked after taser deployment, chase Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Cougs and Huskies say it’s changed, but it’s still the Apple Cup
SEATTLE, Wash. — There was no snow, nor conference title, on the line for this Apple Cup. Instead of a crisp fall Saturday, the 2026 version of the longtime rivalry game between the University of Washington and Washington State University fell on a sunny summer Sunday, marking the first time the game served as the season opener for both teams. The Huskies defeated the Cougars 24-10 in a game that felt closer than the final score. UW rallied in the fourth quarter to end WSU's upset threat.
Cougs and Huskies say it’s changed, but it’s still the Apple Cup
Cougs and Huskies say it’s changed, but it’s still the Apple Cup There was no snow, nor conference title, on the line for this Apple Cup. Instead of a crisp fall Saturday, the 2026 version of the longtime rivalry game between the University of Washington and Washington State University fell on a sunny summer Sunday, marking the first time the game served as the season opener for both teams. The Huskies defeated the Cougars 24-10 in a game that felt closer than the final score.
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