Like so many other states, the teacher shortage is hitting Washington hard.Staffing shortages in our schools have resulted in multiple cancellations of classes, leaving students and families to navigate shifting schedules and academic interruptions.The crisis has led the state to approve 10% more emergency substitute certificates, according to state schools...

A California couple sold their home and moved to the Tri-Cities to open an electric bike shop in Richland.The empty nesters wanted a new adventure after their daughters grew up and left home, so they began scouting places to launch a Pedego e-bike franchise.Troy and Erin Franzen had never been...

Kennewick’s Jordan DeVoir absolutely loves baseball.He loves everything about it. Playing it. Coaching it. Watching it.But perhaps making baseball products is where he’ll make his biggest mark in the game.DeVoir founded DeVo Bat Company in 2008. He makes wooden baseball bats for players ages 10 up to adults.Give him a...

The Kennewick, Prosser and Finley school districts face significant budget challenges after voters appeared to reject Feb. 8 ballot requests to renew the local property tax levies that supplement state funding to pay for basics such as building maintenance and educational programs.The districts could  hold another election this year to...

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington broke ground Feb. 3 on Pasco Haven, a 60-unit complex that will provide housing and other services to the chronically homeless in the Tri-Cities.The site is not in eastern Pasco where it once envisioned building Haven, but to the west at a spot not far from...

Pasco voters will get a fresh shot at building an aquatics center in April when they’ll be asked to raise the local sales tax by two-tenths of a percent.The Pasco Public Facilities District is putting the $40 million project on the April 26 ballot, nearly a decade after a similar...

Licensed real estate brokers and managing brokers are required to undergo training on fair housing requirements under a law that takes effect on June 1.The 2021 Legislature passed SB 5378, requiring continuing education to ensure real estate professionals receive training on fair housing requirements for new and renewed licenses.The state...

 A Portland company has run into two big snags in its plan to convert prominent Tri-City hotels into microapartments catering to working professionals, retirees and everyone in between.While Fortify Holdings LLC has closed several local purchases, its plans for the Riverfront Hotel in Richland and the Clover Island Inn in...

The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco will see its business center as well as taxiways updated courtesy a $3 million loan and grant issued by the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board.Solgen Power LLC is partnering with the project to invest $5 million to expand solar power operations.The financial package includes...

Ron Swanby is putting down roots for his barbecue business at Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village, courtesy a $37,000 deal to buy a 4,631-square-foot sliver of land on Columbia Drive.Swanby is partnering with Pipeworks LLC to purchase the site from the Port of Kennewick, which developed the wine-oriented...