The federal government shutdown is exacerbating an already strained economy, according to one survey. 

The Trump administration’s top official at the U.S. Department of Energy has reportedly told a Washington senator that he is stalling operations at a critical Hanford site facility that is weeks away from beginning operations – though his office says otherwise.

Washington’s grocery prices could grow more than 16% if President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs are allowed to continue, predicts a new state report released Thursday. 

The latest survey of hundreds of employers across Washington state indicates they remain tense in light of increased state taxes, impacts from tariffs and other issues. 

For the first time in more than a decade, Washington state has dropped out of the top 10 on CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states for business. 

The latest state salmon report highlights some bright spots in salmon and steelhead populations, and local officials hope it helps initiate conversations that lead to a more unified and broad approach to recovery efforts.

Washington is among the most trade-dependent states in the nation, with more than $58 billion in exports in 2024 and 40% of jobs tied to trade. According to the governor’s office, new and retaliatory tariffs could cost the state’s agriculture sector $7.5 billion, with significant hits expected to apples, cherries, potatoes, wheat and dairy. 

Of the 444 respondents to the Association of Washington Business’ quarterly survey of employers, 44% say they expect the state to enter a recession in the next year. That’s up from 17% in the prior survey. 

An economic development effort that has pumped tens of millions of dollars into the Tri-City economy for more than 30 years is changing how it does business due to a past legal dispute with a prospective recipient of one of its loans.