Information Technology

Washington college grads adapt to AI-era job market

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Software development consistently ranks among the jobs that artificial intelligence is most likely to displace over the next decade, with customer service, graphic design, accounting and data entry also topping the vulnerability lists. Entry-level workers and those in Generation Z — people in their teens and 20s today — also could be hit hard, as experts predict AI will most easily automate the type of repetitive work they tend to do starting out.

PNNL, partners release guide for data center development

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400

As data centers increasingly dominate conversations around the country, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two partners have published a one-stop shop to help guide development.

Data centers are driving demand for gas from Northwest utilities, reports find

abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston is one of six utilities across Washington and Oregon that have absorbed the bulk of energy demands of data centers in the region. A growing number of utilities are using booming data center demand to justify skirting climate rules in both states that mostly ban the build-out of new gas infrastructure, citing the need for regional energy reliability.

National construction spending, hiring up slightly thanks to data centers

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A construction trades group is sounding the alarm on more communities restricting data center projects when such projects have boosted construction spending and hiring, shoring up declines in other parts of the building sector.

Report: Nearly half of Americans oppose data centers in their communities

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of daily life but the infrastructure that supports it is something many Americans want no part of.

Cantwell: Medicare AI initiative hurting seniors

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A report from a member of Washington state’s congressional delegation is blasting the Trump administration for an AI pilot program that significantly increased wait times for seniors to receive health care and has prioritized care denials over a patient’s doctor’s recommendation.

State officials seek comment on potential energy impacts of data centers

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Have thoughts on how data centers could impact electric resources and consumers in Washington state? State officials want to hear from you.

Amazon plans another data center southwest of Tri-Cities

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Planning officials in Oregon’s Morrow County recently approved a proposal from Amazon to build a data center campus with buildings encompassing 816,000 square feet just east of the Boardman Airport.

Microsoft selects Kennewick schools for AI workforce initiative

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kennewick School District is one of 10 Washington school districts selected for a Microsoft program to expand artificial intelligence skills among the state’s future workforce.

More PNNL cuts possible under Trump’s proposed 2027 budget

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Research programs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may be facing more belt tightening if President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year is implemented.

Amazon to pay $20.5 million settlement over northeast Oregon nitrate pollution

abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Tech giant Amazon will pay $20.5 million to settle with northeast Oregonians living with contaminated groundwater in exchange for no admission of guilt in the polluting.

AI gets a D: WSU study shows inaccuracies, inconsistency in ChatGPT answers

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The findings, published in the Rutgers Business Review, reinforce the need to apply skepticism and caution when using AI for critical tasks, especially those that involve nuance or complicated reasoning.

Data center tax break close to getting zapped by WA Legislature

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

As it stands, data center operators in most Washington counties do not pay the 6.5% sales tax on server equipment. That equipment is typically replaced every three to five years, and current law exempts sales tax on purchasing new or replacing old server equipment. It also doesn’t apply sales tax to labor hired to install the equipment.

It’s lights out for WA Legislature’s effort to regulate data centers

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Big technology companies scored a win in Olympia on March 2, as a sweeping bill to regulate data centers lapsed in the Washington state Legislature.

How WA lawmakers are trying to regulate data centers

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

With data centers expected to become the largest source of electricity demand in the Pacific Northwest, Washington legislators are pressing ahead with a bill aimed at protecting the grid and offsetting potential hikes for utility ratepayers.

Report: WA most expensive state for staying connected

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

No, it’s not just you thinking your phone and internet bills are getting out of hand.

Wonder who has your data? There’s a list for that

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:39:45 -0500

The three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Transunion and Experian – aren't the only companies collecting and selling access to people’s data. The latest list of consumer reporting companies from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information on how people can dispute inaccurate information and request a block so third parties can’t access their data.

Opportunity to acquire IT skills abundant throughout Tri-Cities

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:47:59 -0400

It’s Thursday night and a diverse group of participants have gathered at Brandcraft Media on Gage Boulevard. in Richland to hear Sara and Brendan Quinn of Squid & Crow, a local web development firm, talk about creating template-based websites using Wordpress.Wordpress Tri-Cities, a monthly meet-up group organized the event. The...

JMK Tech’s Kasparek all about helping people use technology

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:42:58 -0400

By Jeff Morrow for TCAJOBJustin Kasparek has always known what he wanted to do.“I knew since I was 7 that I wanted to run a business,” he said.[blockquote quote="Smart home technology is in its rebellious teenage stage. But I believe it will be in every home, some form of it,...

Protect your data by properly training your employees on cyber safety

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:28:15 -0400

By Paul Carlisle for TCAJOBMany large-scale manufacturers, construction, and fabrication companies integrate a safety program into their everyday operations — from morning safety meetings, ongoing worker training, to rewards systems for practicing safety measures. But many businesses, both large and small, fail to create even the most basic IT security...

Software development firm Wildland embraces rapid growth

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:24:30 -0400

Wildland, a software development agency in Richland, is young, but its all-star team of programmers, designers, and project managers have taken on ambitious projects and the company is growing at a steady rate.[blockquote quote="We’re always looking for partners who want to get a software to market, but don’t have the...