More than 300 graduates will walk at the commencement ceremony, which will begin at 1 p.m. 

The long-awaited space will have tables and seating along with green space and a small open-air theater with artificial turf to serve patrons of all ages. 

Members of the Washington Public Employees Association not receiving those increases work at 14 community colleges, including Columbia Basin College, and in nine state agencies. Among them are the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Revenue, the Liquor and Cannabis Board and Department of Agriculture. 

The Tri-Cities leader will take on the additional role beginning June 1 when the outgoing WSU Vancouver chancellor retires. She also will co-chair the committee that will lead the new search for a permanent chancellor for WSU Vancouver this fall. 

Homeownership rates declined across nearly all age groups over the past year. Compared to the peak of 69.2% in 2004, the homeownership rate is 4.1 percentage points lower and remains below the 25-year average rate of 66.3%. 

Washington state saw a decline of more than 14,000 construction jobs in past year, with Kelso-Longview as the state’s only metro area seeing an increase. The Tri-Cities had one of the smallest declines, both in number and percentage.

City leaders are hoping to combine multiple planning efforts and community input to develop a unified vision for the city’s future. 

The company says more than 60% of clients stay in care for 180+ days, above the national average, while 93% of clients engage in treatment each month.  

Business tax hikes make up more than half of the roughly $9 billion package, which still needs a sign-off from Gov. Bob Ferguson.