The bank sold nearly $1 billion in multifamily real estate loans at the end of December in a bid to return to profitability. The effort was driven by its failed merger with FirstSun Capital Bancorp, which the institutions called off after regulators halted it. 

A proposed bill aims to update Washington laws so insurance companies follow standard care guidelines while easing administrative hassles and financial risks for providers. 

Washington State University Tri-Cities’ chancellor is part of a team of university administrators tracking how recent decisions by the new U.S. presidential administration may impact the university’s federal funding for current and future research as well as the availability of reports and data. 

The state’s lack of a corporate income tax rate and strong business growth in 2024 earned a top spot in rankings developed by an online business publication. 

Bills to allow backyard cottages in new areas, to expand where developers can receive tax breaks for building apartments and to let property owners split their plots are all making their way through the legislative process. 

The research team’s findings could ultimately make it easier to harness hydrogen’s potential as a high energy and zero emissions fuel source. 

The large Franklin County operation reported high numbers of sudden death in their chickens at one of its farms on Jan. 22. Other birds were lethargic and showing additional signs of illness, prompting an investigation by state and federal veterinarians. 

Fees to use a credit card for purchases cost the average family more than $1,000 a year and also increase costs for businesses while banks and credit card companies see record profits from collecting those fees with each swipe. 

Despite a wet winter so far, the drought declared in April 2024 is still in effect, state ecology officials say. Experts are still watching for definitive evidence of sustained drought recovery, such as improved snowpack, streamflows and soil moisture. 

Walla Walla-based Banner Corp. reported a net income of $46.4 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, leading the company to announce a quarterly cash dividend of 48 cents per share.