https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump nominated Pete Serrano, a former state attorney general candidate from Pasco, to be the next U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Sept. 14. In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump nominated Pete Serrano, a former state attorney general candidate from Pasco, to be the next U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Sept. 14.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8398 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/trump-nominates-pete-serrano-for-us-attorney-in-western-wa Pete Serrano An Olympia-based company will pay more than $520,000 and cease operations to settle allegations it sought to deceive businesses across the state with what looked like bills from a government agency. An Olympia-based company will pay more than $520,000 and cease operations to settle allegations it sought to deceive businesses across the state with what looked like bills from a government agency. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8389 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/company-settles-with-ag-to-resolve-deceptive-practices-allegations Capitol-in-Olympia-with-Sun rachel@tcjournal.biz A Benton County judge has temporarily blocked Port of Benton Commission President Bill O’Neil and the port’s law firm from overseeing an investigation into suspended Executive Director Diahann Howard, a case now tangled with the separate effort to recall three port commissioners. A Benton County judge has temporarily blocked Port of Benton Commission President Bill O’Neil and the port’s law firm from overseeing an investigation into suspended Executive Director Diahann Howard, a case now tangled with the separate effort to recall three port commissioners. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8358 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/court-halts-port-probe-as-recall-drive-continues Port-of-Benton-Office ty@tcjournal.biz A settlement has been reached in a years-long legal dispute over a townhome project at the Horn Rapids community northwest of Richland has reached a settlement that will reportedly not saddle any of the community’s residents with legal fees. A settlement has been reached in a years-long legal dispute over a townhome project at the Horn Rapids community northwest of Richland has reached a settlement that will reportedly not saddle any of the community’s residents with legal fees.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8328 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8328-settlement-reached-in-horn-rapids-lawsuit Horn-Rapids-1 A national kidney dialysis provider with a location in Richland will compensate millions of its clients to settle a proposed class action lawsuit after private client data, including Social Security numbers and pictures of checks to pay for services, were released by hackers. A national kidney dialysis provider with a location in Richland will compensate millions of its clients to settle a proposed class action lawsuit after private client data, including Social Security numbers and pictures of checks to pay for services, were released by hackers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8372 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/davita-to-pay-15m-to-settle-data-breach-lawsuit Artificial-intelligence-AI A new set of worker protections take effect Oct. 1, and state justice officials and business groups are advising business owners to learn what their new obligations are under the law. A new set of worker protections take effect Oct. 1, and state justice officials and business groups are advising business owners to learn what their new obligations are under the law. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8357 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/immigrant-worker-protections-slated-to-begin-oct-1 Shrinking wine industry - Workers When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers. When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8355 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wildfire-risks-are-driving-up-costs-for-northwest-utilities Power Pole A last-ditch legal effort nearly succeeded Sept. 3 to knock a statement off ballots that characterizes how repealing Washington’s new income tax on high earners would affect the state budget. A last-ditch legal effort nearly succeeded Sept. 3 to knock a statement off ballots that characterizes how repealing Washington’s new income tax on high earners would affect the state budget.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8354 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/voters-will-see-statement-on-wa-income-tax-measures-budget-effects Income tax initiatives If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. If you use an Android device, the Washington state attorney general and a coalition of other state justice officials may have just secured you a few bucks of compensation. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8287 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ag-700m-settlement-reached-in-google-antitrust-lawsuit stock-market investing retirement ty@tcjournal.biz The hundreds of homeowners living in the Horn Rapids community in Richland could be liable for thousands of dollars each in legal fees over a lawsuit filed in 2025. The hundreds of homeowners living in the Horn Rapids community in Richland could be liable for thousands of dollars each in legal fees over a lawsuit filed in 2025.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8233 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/horn-rapids-lawsuit Horn-Rapids-1 ty@tcjournal.biz The developer the Port of Pasco dismissed after failing for years to break ground on its planned vision for Osprey Pointe says in court documents the port’s current executive director is the reason it was forced out. The developer the Port of Pasco dismissed after failing for years to break ground on its planned vision for Osprey Pointe says in court documents the port’s current executive director is the reason it was forced out.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8223 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8223-developer-sues-port-over-osprey-pointe-project Osprey-Pointe-Sign ty@tcjournal.biz A homebuilder with projects throughout the Mid-Columbia will pay $1.6 million as part of a settlement with the Washington Attorney General’s Office, but the company is pushing back against justice officials’ characterization of the dispute. A homebuilder with projects throughout the Mid-Columbia will pay $1.6 million as part of a settlement with the Washington Attorney General’s Office, but the company is pushing back against justice officials’ characterization of the dispute.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8216 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8216-homebuilder-agrees-to-16m-settlement Hayden Homes ty@tcjournal.biz A former Benton County Superior Court judge and a prominent financial advisor and attorney have found new roles in the Washington Attorney General’s Office after relocating to the west side of the Cascade Mountains. A former Benton County Superior Court judge and a prominent financial advisor and attorney have found new roles in the Washington Attorney General’s Office after relocating to the west side of the Cascade Mountains.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8212 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8212-tri-cities-couple-lands-new-roles-with-state-ag Small business owners should think beyond their individual needs and consider whether they should make specific arrangements to ensure that their incapacity doesn’t incapacitate their business. Small business owners should think beyond their individual needs and consider whether they should make specific arrangements to ensure that their incapacity doesn’t incapacitate their business.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8197 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/meehan-aug-2026 SheaMeehan.jpg ty@tcjournal.biz The number of people losing their homes and facing those dire circumstances is up in the Mid-Columbia. The number of people losing their homes and facing those dire circumstances is up in the Mid-Columbia.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8196 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8196-evictions-foreclosures-on-rise-in-mid-columbia-across-state ty@tcjournal.biz What does a U.S. Air Force base on the Pacific island of Guam have to do with the Hanford site? Enough that Washington's attorney general joined a Supreme Court brief over it. What does a U.S. Air Force base on the Pacific island of Guam have to do with the Hanford site? Enough that Washington's attorney general joined a Supreme Court brief over it.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8190 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8190-brown-joins-coalition-backing-hanford-linked-supreme-court-brief Hanford-Guam-lawsuit One of 17 defendants in a lawsuit over nitrate-contaminated groundwater in Oregon’s Umatilla and Morrow counties will pay $6.2 million to resolve legal claims against it. One of 17 defendants in a lawsuit over nitrate-contaminated groundwater in Oregon’s Umatilla and Morrow counties will pay $6.2 million to resolve legal claims against it. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8252 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8252-ag-operator-settles-oregon-nitrate-claims Amazon-Oregon-Plant A law firm and a wealth management company based in the Tri-Cities once again have made a list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the country. A law firm and a wealth management company based in the Tri-Cities once again have made a list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the country. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8247 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/two-tri-city-companies-among-fastest-growing-us-companies Awards.jpg A Thurston County judge on Aug. 7 upheld a one-sentence statement that will appear on ballots describing the budgetary consequences of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high earners. A Thurston County judge on Aug. 7 upheld a one-sentence statement that will appear on ballots describing the budgetary consequences of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high earners.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8242 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-judge-rejects-bid-to-ditch-description-of-income-tax-initiatives-budget-effects Income tax initiatives Be careful what you ask AI, because what you ask and what AI answers may come back to bite you later. Be careful what you ask AI, because what you ask and what AI answers may come back to bite you later.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8056 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/meehan-july-2026 SheaMeehan.jpg A popular smartphone app used for sending and receiving money will pay nearly $22 million to settle investigations regarding fraudulent unemployment benefit deposits and failures to protect consumers from fraud. A popular smartphone app used for sending and receiving money will pay nearly $22 million to settle investigations regarding fraudulent unemployment benefit deposits and failures to protect consumers from fraud. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8134 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-ag-settles-with-cash-app-over-unemployment-benefits-fraud glasses-1052023_1280 (1).jpg ty@tcjournal.biz A farm labor contracting company that manages workers at farms in Benton and Franklin counties, and connected to two other operations under state and federal scrutiny, is facing $700,000 in fines for farmworker violations. A farm labor contracting company that manages workers at farms in Benton and Franklin counties, and connected to two other operations under state and federal scrutiny, is facing $700,000 in fines for farmworker violations. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8077 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/farm-labor-contractor-faces-fines-for-worker-violations Farm worker The former CEO of a Wenatchee-based company that manages payments for health clinics across the state, including two serving the Mid-Columbia, has pleaded guilty to embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his firm. The former CEO of a Wenatchee-based company that manages payments for health clinics across the state, including two serving the Mid-Columbia, has pleaded guilty to embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his firm. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8053 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ceo-embezzled-30m-to-fund-ill-advised-investment-scheme Washington state has banned noncompetition agreements effective about a year from now, and businesses need to start preparing now. Washington state has banned noncompetition agreements effective about a year from now, and businesses need to start preparing now.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7963 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/meehan-june-2026 SheaMeehan.jpg Business owners may want to review any job descriptions and hiring policies as new state rules regarding hiring and job posting practices are now in force. Business owners may want to review any job descriptions and hiring policies as new state rules regarding hiring and job posting practices are now in force. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7902 Mon, 25 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-rules-around-hiring-job-postings-for-wa-businesses Regulations Documents Compliance Rules Taxes ty@tcjournal.biz The Washington state Attorney General’s Office is suing the owner and operator of Kadlec Regional Medical Center for allegedly repeatedly failing to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees working throughout its hospitals. The Washington state Attorney General’s Office is suing the owner and operator of Kadlec Regional Medical Center for allegedly repeatedly failing to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees working throughout its hospitals. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7879 Thu, 14 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-sues-providence-alleging-it-failed-to-accommodate-pregnant-nursing-workers rachel@tcjournal.biz Pasco High School students with an interest in criminal justice careers now have the option to get more exposure to the field before graduating high school. Pasco High School students with an interest in criminal justice careers now have the option to get more exposure to the field before graduating high school.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7813 Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-high-law-public-safety-program Law-and-Public-Safety-student State attorneys general are having to pick up the slack in protecting consumers as President Donald Trump’s administration neglects corporate oversight, says Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown. State attorneys general are having to pick up the slack in protecting consumers as President Donald Trump’s administration neglects corporate oversight, says Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7852 Tue, 12 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/as-feds-pull-back-on-corporate-oversight-state-ags-warn-of-enforcement-gaps jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com Washington’s Supreme Court on May 4 denied a conservative political committee’s request to pursue an attempt to repeal the state’s new income tax law with a referendum this fall. Washington’s Supreme Court on May 4 denied a conservative political committee’s request to pursue an attempt to repeal the state’s new income tax law with a referendum this fall.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7796 Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-supreme-court-bats-down-referendum-attempt-targeting-income-tax jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com Washington state has sued Albertsons over allegations it has been overcharging customers for years via buy one, get one free offers. Washington state has sued Albertsons over allegations it has been overcharging customers for years via buy one, get one free offers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7770 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-sues-albertsons-over-deceptive-buy-one-get-one-free-deals