Owner of Trios, Lourdes is acquiring another hospital

The for-profit company that runs two of the Tri-Cities’ three acute-care hospitals will soon add another Pacific Northwest hospital to its portfolio.

Lifepoint Health, which is based in Tennessee, will acquire St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, as part of a deal with ScionHealth for eight of its facilities, according to a release. The companies are currently moving through the regulatory process to finalize the sale, which is expected to be completed by early June.

“Lifepoint knows these hospitals and their communities well and looks forward to helping them continue to serve their patients, create new opportunities for their teams, and partner with others to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live across their regions,” said David Dill, chairman and chief executive officer of Lifepoint Health, in a statement. “We believe we have great opportunities to grow together with these facilities and advance our mission of making communities healthier – both today and for generations to come.”

Lifepoint took over Kennewick’s Trios Health and Pasco’s Lourdes Health in 2018 when the care provider merged with RCCH Healthcare. Combined, both hospitals have 146 beds, more than 1,000 employees and had more than 6,600 admissions in 2024, according to the latest edition of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ Book of Lists.

Lifepoint has nearly 55,000 employees working at 60 community hospital campuses, more than 70 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 300 additional sites of care throughout the country, most of them in the Sun Belt region.

Lamb Weston sees competition, soft international markets

It was a mixed bag for Lamb Weston in its latest quarterly report, where company officials noted net sales increased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year but net income declined. 

Net sales increased $44.3 million, about 3%, to $1.6 billion versus the prior year quarter, according to a company release. Net sales for the current fiscal year to date were up 1% to $4.8 billion compared to the same point in the last fiscal year. 

However, net income declined $92 million from the prior year quarter to $54 million, a 63% decline. Net income for the current fiscal year to date came in at $180 million, a 24% decline.  

Lamb Weston officials noted there were price/mix challenges in the latest quarter and consumer shifts toward value-oriented brands. There was also softer industry demand in key international markets as well as increased industry competition. 

“We are taking proactive steps to better align supply and demand, and we are acting with urgency to navigate the competitive international environment,” said Mike Smith, Lamb Weston president and CEO, in a statement. 

There are silver linings: the company noted growth in volume was driven by its North America market, where it had struggled in recent years, with the company notching a higher share of the market and retaining customers. Its cost reduction efforts are also continuing.

X-energy announces intention to go public

The nuclear company behind the small modular reactors planned for north of Richland has launched the process to sell common stock in the company via the Nasdaq stock exchange. 

It’s unclear when X-energy’s initial public offering will launch, as the company’s plans have yet to be reviewed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a release. The number of shares to be offered and potential pricing was not released.  

The Cascade Advanced Energy Facility is a joint venture of Energy Northwest, Amazon and X-energy.  

The project, announced in late 2024, calls for construction of four of X-energy’s Xe-100 SMRs, capable of generating 320 megawatts of power, which Amazon will have claim to. Renderings released by Amazon several months ago show what the facility would look like at full build-out, generating 960 megawatts that would contribute to the region’s power grid.  

Construction is anticipated to begin in the next five years. Energy Northwest named Cascade Nuclear Partners – a joint venture made up of Black & Veatch, Aecon and Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. – as the builder for the project.

WA hunting, fishing licenses moving toward digital

Outdoor enthusiasts may need to have their smartphones on them while sitting in their blind or casting lines beginning later this year. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will no longer issue hunting and fishing licenses or similar permits on waterproof, tear-resistant paper beginning July 8. Instead, hunters and anglers will be encouraged to have access to their license via the agency’s smartphone app, MyWDFW, or the Fish Washington app. 

Paper license products, including catch record cards, will remain available but licenses will look different than in the past as they will only be printed on standard copy paper, either at home or at a WDFW office or license dealer.  

Anglers can begin using electronic catch record cards (eCRCs) through the MyWDFW and Fish Washington apps to record and report salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut catch.  

Benton County among sites for newly recorded bee species in Washington survey

Benton County is among the locations where the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Washington Bee Atlas identified a bee species never before recorded in the state.  

The survey also found new and rare species in other counties, including Grant, Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, Clark, Stevens, Clallam, Walla Walla, Klickitat, Lincoln, Whitman, Garfield, Spokane and Thurston. 

After completing its second full year, the Washington Bee Atlas has collected nearly 30 new or rare bee species statewide. Seventeen of these are considered new state records – meaning they had not previously been documented in Washington. One of those, Coelioxys apacheorum, was found in Benton, Clark and Kittitas counties. 

The program also identified 12 species that had not been recorded in the state for at least 50 years, including one last documented in 1882. Volunteers collected specimens from 2023-25 and submitted them to WSDA’s Pollinator Program for identification, a process that can take months or longer depending on the species. 

Officials said understanding native bee populations is important for conservation and agriculture. Reliance on honey bees alone presents risks to food production, and native pollinators can improve crop yields for certain plants. 

The bee atlas, launched in 2023, is the first coordinated statewide effort to survey native bees since the early 1900s. The program has grown with state funding, partnerships with Oregon State University and Washington State University and more than 150 trained volunteers. 

Several of the newly recorded species were found on a mix of public and private lands, including areas managed by Benton County Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and other public and private landowners. 

Program officials said access to land remains critical for documenting bees and are encouraging additional landowners to participate. Volunteers continue to be sought to help survey native bees and their host plants across the state.

WSU Tri-Cities researchers receive funding from university president initiative

Projects aimed at nuclear energy and education at Washington State University Tri-Cities are among the 10 projects to receive inaugural awards from a research initiative from WSU President Betsy Cantwell. 

More than 140 applications were submitted for the President’s Big Ideas Initiative, launched earlier this year to bolster high-impact science and enhance WSU’s role as the state’s public research lab, according to a release.  

The winning WSU Tri-Cities projects are: 

• $300,000 to The OneNuclear Initiative, an effort to coordinate research, development and education related to the industry across the WSU system. The project is led by Noel Schulz at WSU Tri-Cities’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures. 

• $75,000 to Professional Educator Pathways, an effort aimed at creating a system of microcredentials and certificates to help K-12 educators confidently build skills and ethically integrate artificial intelligence, assistive technology and other advanced teaching methods into their classrooms. Jonah Firestone, a WSU Tri-Cities associate professor in the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, is a co-lead researcher on the project.

Innovative ag producer secures additional funding

An indoor agriculture company with greenhouses in Pasco has secured an additional $15 million in financing as it looks to grow its operations. 

Montana-based Local Bounti announced the new funding from one of its existing investors on March 17. 

“We are pleased to continue to have the strong support of our financing partners as we execute on our growth strategy,” said Kathleen Valiasek, the company’s president and CEO, in a statement, adding that the new funding provides Local Bounti “with the financial flexibility to invest in our operations and drive long-term value creation.” 

Local Bounti opened its Pasco facility in May 2024 and employs more than 40 people. It has seen regular growth in sales of its produce, which includes salad kits.

Mercer acquires four wine brands, grows winemaking team

One of the Mid-Columbia’s oldest wineries is growing its portfolio and pool of expert winemakers. 

Mercer Wine Estates of Prosser recently announced it has acquired four wine brands from Woodinville-based Avallé. The acquisition also will bring the team of Avallé winemakers behind those brands into Mercer with another company executive also joining Mercer to lead its wine division. 

“We believe Washington has some of the most compelling vineyards and winemaking talent in the world, and this acquisition shows our commitment to that future,” said Rob Mercer, president of Mercer Ranches. “We know these vineyards, we know these wines, and we believe strongly in the teams behind them.” 

The four Avallé brands going to Mercer are Matthews, Tenor, Jaine and Single Barrel. While Single Barrel is built around wines throughout Washington state viticulture, the other three are all produced via the Columbia Valley. The team currently behind them – Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson and Andy Ferguson – will bring their decades of combined experience to Mercer while Jen Bell, who has served as chief operating officer at Avallé since 2024, will contribute her expertise in portfolio strategy and wine operations. 

“Maintaining continuity was critical,” Mercer said. “The people behind these wines matter. This transition allows us to preserve what works while giving the brands a strong foundation for the future.” 

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Capital gains tax deadline extended, 2022 unclaimed refunds up for grabs

Taxpayers in the higher tax brackets now have a little breathing room to get at least some of their 2025 taxes filed.  

However, those who did not file a 2022 tax return must submit their paperwork to the IRS by April 15 if they want to claim any of the $34.7 million in unclaimed refunds owed to Washingtonians. 

The IRS has extended the tax filing and payment deadlines to May 1 for capital gains for the 2025 tax year for those affected by the December flooding on the west side of the state, according to a release.  

As a result, state tax officials have opted to extend the due date for all capital gains tax returns and payments for Washingtonians to May 1. A filing extension may still be requested, but state capital gains taxes must be paid by May 1. 

No such extension is available for those who have yet to file for the 2022 tax year. The IRS estimates that more than 37,000 Washingtonians have unclaimed tax refunds from that tax year. 

Under the law, taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim their tax refunds. If they do not file within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. 

Current and prior year tax forms, such as the tax year 2022 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR, and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms & Instructions page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Annual breakfast raises $55K to support Kadlec programs 

From specialized medical equipment to scholarships, a recent fundraising breakfast for the Kadlec Foundation secured donations to support Kadlec Regional Medical Center and help it serve the region’s health care needs.  

Nearly 400 attended the March 26 breakfast at the HAPO Center in Pasco, according to a release. The event, which raised $55,000, highlighted the foundation’s support for cardiology patients, including blood pressure cuffs and scales to monitor their health, as well as an echocardiogram purchased with donor gifts to increase access to heart scans. It also showcased Kadlec’s trauma support program.  

“The Tri-Cities and surrounding communities rely on Kadlec for the higher level of care we can provide. Donor investments in our organization strengthen our communities and help ensure every patient who walks through our doors receives the care they deserve,” said Lacey Perry, chief philanthropy officer for the Kadlec Foundation, in a statement. “We are profoundly grateful for everyone who showed up, gave generously and stood with us in building a healthier future for all.”  

In 2025, the foundation reported using its resources to:   

Provide more than 200 people with financial assistance for prescriptions and transportation to receive care.  

Serve more than 550 people with monthly outreach assistance for meals and navigating care.  

Bring about 80 high school students into a weeklong program introducing them to health care careers. 

The foundation generated more than $4 million in revenue in 2024, according to tax documents.  

Local eatery opens at Howard Amon Park location 

A popular West Richland restaurant has moved into the space most recently occupied by a brewery near Richland’s Howard Amon Park.  

Endive Eatery announced on March 8 via social media that it has opened its new “friterie” at 94 Lee Blvd. The restaurant is known for its seasonal menus that include sandwiches, soups, salads, bowls and more.  

Chef and owner Edward Shoemaker opened Endive in West Richland in 2019.  

Moonshot Brewery operated in the Lee Boulevard space for three years until announcing last October that it would close it and seek someone else to take on the lease.  

The Richland restaurant’s hours are 3-9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.