http://www.nwchess.com/nwcmag/back_issues.htm
The January 2013 issue with a lot about Elena Donaldson has just been added to website. There are parts of the Feb-April 2013 issues there also.
When/where are the chess tournaments in WA? I haven’t played in a tournament in a while
nwchess.com
It has a calendar of events for events in WA/OR and Idaho
Hmmm. 100% of the tournaments I’ve played in only required USCF membership and noting else…
Many tournaments require either state or sometimes club memberships.
The state federations need income too. Some states requiring memberships will honor membership in other state federations – I know that’s the way Montana does it. Others may offer tournament memberships.
I’ve never known a state chapter affiliate not to offer reciprocity, at least to residents of that other state. I know that the Oklahoma Chess Association explicitly changed its wording to require all Oklahoma residents to have membership after an Oklahoma player tried to get away with Texas Chess Association membership. Also, the Oklahoma Chess Foundation sometimes requires all players to purchase membership, but that is/was a special case, and OCF is not the state chapter affiliate anyway.
Alex Relyea
When I was in HI and NC. I only had to have a USCF membership.
Factoring in travel expenses, you’re still way ahead in Washington. 
Some state affiliates do more than others and therefore need more revenue. I don’t recall Hawaii producing anything like Northwest Chess.
I would imagine that most affiliates that are not state chapter affiliates or running state championship events don’t charge state dues.
Alex Relyea