Laura Kostad

Laura Kostad is a freelance reporter for the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times. After completing her bachelor’s degree in creative writing at the University of Washington in 2015, she moved to Kennewick to pursue new opportunities and launch her career. She has been with the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business since 2017 and has enjoyed getting to know her new community through journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys working on the many book ideas she has and the occasional poem.

Tri-City charity thrift stores support variety of causes

November 15, 2017

Laura Kostad

Tri-City thrift store shoppers can check out Kennewick’s newest shop, Tri-Cities Autism Thrift.The new store provides job skills training opportunities for those with autism and other cognitive disabilities.“I had been praying a long time for there to be a place for my 24-year-old daughter — who has high-functioning autism —...

Recruiters do check social media feeds to find, screen candidates

November 15, 2017

Laura Kostad

Experts say maintaining professional online presence is important for job seekersSeventy percent. That’s the percentage of employment recruiters using social media to screen candidates, according to a recent CareerBuilder study.The online employment company’s study surveyed 2,380 private sector hiring and human resource professionals selected from a variety of industries and...

Macaron mania keeps Kennewick bakery’s business booming

November 14, 2017

Laura Kostad

Artfetti moves away from custom cakes to focus on petite sweetsThe demand for Artfetti’s delectable macarons has prompted the small Kennewick bakery to expand its offerings.“Some days we sell out by 4 p.m.,” said co-owner José Garcia, who opened Artfetti with his wife, Silvia, in June 2016.Not to be confused with...

AWB bus crisscrosses state, visits Tri-City manufacturing companies

October 12, 2017

Laura Kostad

Association of Washington Business’ bus rolled into Tri-Cities earlier this month as a part of its inaugural, statewide bus tour in support of the state’s manufacturers.The Tri-City stops included Delta High School, Lampson International and Barnard Griffin Winery.It makes sense the region was included in the statewide showcase as Benton...

Meet Port of Pasco’s new commissioner

October 12, 2017

Laura Kostad

The Port of Pasco’s newest commissioner is a longtime community leader wanting to help develop long-term projects to create jobs and enhance the port district’s tax base. Vickie GordonVicki Gordon was appointed to the seat Aug. 24 following the death of commission President Ron Reimann on July 30.Reimann, 74, died...

Tri-City restaurants now deliver, thanks to UberEats couriers

October 12, 2017

Laura Kostad

About 20 eateries participating in Uber’s meal-delivery programWant to enjoy food from a favorite Tri-City restaurant without having to leave the house?Request delivery from UberEats, a standalone meal courier service now offered by the popular ride-share service Uber.The new meal service comes eight months after Uber debuted in Kennewick last...

Kennewick considers turning parking spots into dining spaces

October 12, 2017

Laura Kostad

Visitors to Seattle, Portland, Europe or Wenatchee may have noticed the popularity of a new type of urban, outdoor dining space: the streatery.The transformation of parking spots into outdoor patios is coming next spring to Kennewick Avenue.After dining at the McGlinn’s Public House streatery in Wenatchee, Rockabilly Roasting Co. owner...

Bechtel offers real-world experience to college students

September 14, 2017

Laura Kostad

Bechtel National Inc.’s radioactive waste treatment plant project has provided more than 330 internship opportunities for college students seeking real-world experience in their fields of study since 2006.From engineering, construction, procurement, environmental, safety, and information technology, to the human resources and public communications departments, interns receive unique opportunities to directly...