The most clicked story on our website this year was a news brief that was seven sentences long about Benton County ranking at the top of one online financial advisory firm’s rankings for best places to raise a family in the state. 

Restaurant news always tops our most-read online stories of the year so we decided to break them out into their own top 10 list. We’ve summarized the most popular ones below.

Our most-read news stories ranged from layoffs to land sales and featured longtime community members as well as new projects on the move.

Together, these stories paint a picture of our economy, where opportunity and challenge exist side by side.

1. Costco: Two stories about the Tri-Cities’ long-awaited Costco in Richland topped 2025’s most-read stories. The retailer announced in June that its new warehouse would open in August, and the Richland location – nearly 30,000 square feet larger than the Kennewick warehouse – officially opened its doors Aug. 8.

Photo by Nathan Finke

2. Federal layoffs: In February, hundreds of probationary employees across Bonneville Power Administration, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy were laid off as part of cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency. In June, PNNL faced the potential of significant layoffs pending approval of President Donald Trump’s proposed budget. By the end of 2025, the lab had shed about 400 workers.

3. Company with Gates ties buys huge swath of Benton County farmland: In June, an investment company linked to Microsoft founder Bill Gates bought 8,080 acres of farmland in southern Benton County for roughly $131.4 million.

4. Solgen to lay off employees, wind down WA operations in 2026: Solgen Power, a solar installation company that started in Pasco and was once on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, is now permanently closed. The company began winding down its operations in November, with 106 jobs expected to be lost in the Tri-Cities.

Solgen completed its $6.2 million headquarters at 5715 Bedford St. in Pasco in 2021.

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File photo

5. This shop has been weird (and wonderful) in Richland for nearly 50 years: A September story featured Octopus’ Garden, a quirky shop that’s been a staple of Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center for nearly 50 years, and its owner Gus Sako.

A plant store that grew up to be a gift shop has remained in Richland for nearly five decades, with the same owner at the helm and often at the register. Owner Gus Sako said Octopus’ Gardens celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

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Photo by Robin Wojtanik

6. Plans for ambitious multimillion-dollar sports complex take shape: In December, a development group went public with plans for a massive multimillion-dollar athletic complex south of Badger Mountain they hope will break ground next summer. The enormous activity center is set for nearly 200 acres south of the parking area for Badger Mountain’s Westgate Trailhead off Dallas Road.

7.Wallula plant to close paper machine resulting in loss of 200 jobs: Packaging Corporation of America, the long-operating packaging manufacturing plant in Wallula, will cut 200 jobs by the end of March 2026 as it permanently shutters part of the facility to cut production costs, the company announced in December.

8.‘House Hunters’ episode shines spotlight on Kennewick: This Tri-Citian checked off being a reality TV star from her bucket list after she and her husband appeared on a January episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters.” The couple toured and selected their Kennewick home in front of cameras after visiting other homes for sale in Richland and Pasco.

Josh and Holly Boyce’s purchase of their Kennewick home was featured on HGTV’s hit show, “House Hunters,” in January.

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Courtesy Holly Boyce

9. New entertainment center will bring the fun to Pasco: In February, two Tri-City couples were preparing to take their Knockerball franchise to the next level with their first indoor location in Pasco. Knockerball Tri-Cities launched KBTC Family Fun Zone off of Chapel Hill Boulevard, featuring bumper cars, virtual reality simulators, arcade games, food, from grilled cheese to ice cream – and of course, knockerballs.

The new KBTC Family Fun Zone on Chapel Hill Boulevard in Pasco will include bumper cars, knockerballs, virtual reality simulators, arcade games and more.

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Photo by Nathan Finke

10.At 91, this Tri-Cities custom homebuilder is still going strong: Retirement didn’t seem to be in the future just yet when we wrote about 91-year-old AJ Wade, a Pasco man who has built homes throughout the Tri-Cities, including ones featured in the Parade of Homes, with his one-man business AJ’s Classic Homes. 

Homebuilder AJ Wade of Pasco stands outside one of the Pasco homes he built that features arched windows. He is still doing the work he loves at the age of 91.

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Photo by Rachel Visick

Top restaurant stories

From local eateries to chain locations, here were the stories you feasted on the most:

1. New tenant for former Fat Olives closes books less than a year after opening: Public House 255 announced via social media in December 2025 that it would close due to financial difficulties. The building at 255 Williams Blvd. in Richland, once home to Italian restaurant Fat Olives, will be up for lease.

Maigh and Will Willingham are closing Public House 255 less than a year after launching the restaurant.

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Photo by Rachel Visick

2. Yakima Valley restaurateur departs Tri-Cities after eight months: Javi’s Chicken and Churros welcomed diners to the location of Pasco’s formerly longest continuously operating restaurant beginning in March 2025. But in November, its owners announced it would close, putting the restaurant at 1520 N. Fourth Ave. up for sale or lease.

3. Burger chain to bring local flavor to familiar spot:A popular Washington state fast food chain confirmed in July 2025 that it is coming to the Tri-Cities with plans to set up shop in the former Sonic Drive-In locations, starting with the one located on Gage Boulevard in Kennewick. It has begun recruiting for a store manager.

4. Popular Mexican food chain closes Richland location: Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill, a Utah-based chain, permanently closed its restaurant on Gage Boulevard in Richland at the end of April, according to a social media post.

5. This longtime Kennewick restaurant is looking for a new, bigger home:A Tri-City restaurateur whose father started the family’s diner legacy announced in July 2025 that she is preparing for the business’ next chapter. The Kennewick location of Sterling’s Restaurants on Clearwater Avenue was put up for sale as its owner looks for a new spot to build a new and bigger restaurant.

Saber Sterling Kingham says Sterling’s Restaurant is looking to start the next chapter for its Kennewick restaurant. The building on Clearwater Avenue was recently listed for sale as Sterling Kingham looks for a new location to build a new and bigger restaurant to serve its Kennewick patrons.

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Photo by Ty Beaver

6. Busy Richland corner welcomes new restaurant: A prominent location in central Richland got its third tenant in May 2025. After months of renovations, Hyde hopes ‘third time’s the charm’ for success with its promise of quality food, service and cocktails.

Owners Lissette Alvarez, from left, and Patrick Canizal, stand with Stephen Glover, managing partner, inside Hyde Tap and Lounge at 502 Swift Blvd. in Richland.

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Photo by Robin Wojtanik

7. 21-year-old popcorn business calls it quits in Richland:Owner Jeramy Schulz announced the closure of Popcorn Northwest, located in the Park Place retail development near the intersection of George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue, in mid-December 2025. The closure also impacted his associated businesses offering locally-popped varieties of kettle corn.

8. Richland restaurant known for its fish dishes has closed: A Richland location of a restaurant chain known for its Bang Bang Shrimp dish closed abruptly in mid-December 2025. The closure of Bonefish Grill – located in a strip mall at 133 W. Gage Blvd. – appeared to be related to its parent company’s efforts to turn around its operations.

Bonefish Grill at 133 W. Gage Blvd. in Richland permanently closed Dec. 17.

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Photo by Nathan Finke

9. National sandwich chain expanding in Tri-Cities: Jersey Mike’s has plans for a fourth location in the Tri-Cities, roughly four years after opening its first in Richland.

10. Tri-Cities restaurant operator breaks record with third Franchisee of the Year award: The IHOP franchise owner for Kennewick and Pasco was once again lauded by the company for the success of her restaurants and leadership. Susan Mendenhall received the 2024 Franchisee of the Year award from breakfast diner chain in September 2025. She’s the first franchisee to win the award three times, having previously won in 2018 and 2022.