By Paul G. NeifferFarm couples can be worth about $11 million and not owe any federal estate tax. However, farmers in Washington state are subject to a state estate tax which starts at a little more than $2 million of net worth and the tax rate reaches 20 percent at...

By Michelle DuplerBenton County and Washington state marijuana retail sales bloomed in fiscal year 2016, and the high appears to have continued into 2017, according to data from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.[blockquote quote="We’re your grandma’s cannabis store." source="Steve Lee, owner of Green2Go" align="right" max_width="300px"]Retail sales in Benton...

By Marilou SheaThis column is exclusively about one of our universally favorite things: food. Marilou Shea,Pasco Specialty KitchenIt contributes to our economy in all kinds of ways, from agriculture, processing and manufacturers, to talented entrepreneurs, cultural heritage, restaurants, food trucks, farmers markets and farm-to-table efforts.Farm-to-table is a cool concept but...

By Aaron SparksIn a tight agricultural labor market, many Washington state farmers and fruit growers struggle to find workers during harvest season. In Washington, of course, much of the discussion revolves around apples, the state’s top crop, which, at $2.4 billion, accounts for nearly 25 percent of the state’s agricultural...

By Wine News ServiceNorway doesn’t have much of a winemaking history, but that doesn’t stand in the way of Kyle Welch, owner of tiny Longship Cellars in Richland.[blockquote quote="Here I am, wine industry, I’m coming for you!" source="Kyle Welch, owner of tiny Longship Cellars" align="right" max_width="300px"]Welch grew up in Pasco,...

By Andy PerdueEvery day since I suffered a stroke on Nov. 12 has been part of my long journey back to recovery.It wasn’t a massive stoke — my doctor gave it a seven on the 1-10 scale — but it left the left side of my body all but useless.Kadlec’s...

By Robin WojtanikTri-Cities’ real-life “Property Brothers,” David and Nathan Croskrey have found success as a team, building, buying and selling properties around the area for decades.[blockquote quote="We wouldn’t do it if it was not fun." source="Nathan Croskrey" align="right" max_width="300px"]But it’s not a business model they would recommend for everyone.The identical...

By Eleanor CumminsPreparing for retirement isn’t just about getting finances in order. Faith-based financial advisers, whose ranks are rapidly expanding in the Tri-Cities and across the country, say retirement is also a time to reaffirm commitments to family, friends and the causes you believe in.[blockquote quote="You can leave your money...

By Benjamin MessingerMy favorite economics professor started our first class by asking: “What is the purpose of a business?” A classmate called out, “To make a profit.” Our professor replied, “Wrong! The purpose of a business is to MAXIMIZE profit! Making a profit leads to golfing in Ritzville. Maximizing profit...