The state insurance commissioner’s office says companies are reducing their risk in certain areas of the state by not renewing the policies on some homes, likely due to fire risk. The agency is also collecting data on how many policies insurers are not renewing to get a better picture of the market and potential government intervention.

The state is seeking companies from industries ranging from food and beverage processing to metal fabrication to apply for funding for a state internship program, which will provide $8,500 stipends for interns working on projects and efforts such as reducing emissions, water conservation, finding safer chemical alternatives for industry applications and more.

Officials with the Associated General Contractors say the Trump administration’s recent executive order to freeze funding to federal infrastructure projects could stall the construction industry’s growth.

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. 

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. 

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.