As lawmakers go about their work this session, let’s hope they understand that they can’t make Washington more affordable by making it more expensive.

As businesses grow and mature, compensation strategies often become complex, especially when new owners join or founders plan to step back.

This column’s summary of the region’s key economic factors is a mixed bag. My hunch is that a read of the 2026 greater Tri-Cities economy is likely to retain this ambivalence.

As you begin 2026, what new routines do you want to incorporate? 

The holiday season arrives each year with a familiar mix of celebration, reflection and renewed connection.

Rather than converting farmland to solar facilities, we could build solar arrays and continue growing crops and raising livestock beneath the gentle shade of the panels. This approach is called “agrivoltaics,” and it could be one way to ease competition between the agriculture and solar energy sectors.

If you have young children, creating a will isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential. 

There are many examples illustrating how businesses of all sizes are pillars of their communities. Unfortunately, there are forces undermining those pillars.

As a state joint operating agency, we are uniquely positioned to address the regional challenges ahead. We are responding to what our public power members and the region are asking for: greater coordination and more carbon-free power. 

The way you manage your stress today is teaching your team how to handle theirs tomorrow.