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.

How do heirs come to better understand learn the thinking behind mom or dad’s estate plan? One common solution is an ethical will.

Washington state’s new requirement for farms to post public notice of routine seasonal layoffs is more than an added nuisance for farmers. It’s yet another threat to the survival of already-struggling farms.