Legal https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Who needs an attorney when you’ve got AI? 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 WA AG settles with Cash App over unemployment benefits 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. 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 Farm labor contractor faces fines for worker violations 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 CEO guilty of embezzling $30M to fund ill-advised investment scheme 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 Noncompetes are going away. Is your business ready? 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 New rules around hiring, job postings for WA businesses 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 WA sues Providence, alleging it failed to accommodate pregnant, nursing workers 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 New Pasco High program connects students to law, public safety careers 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 As feds pull back on corporate oversight, state AGs warn of enforcement gaps 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 WA Supreme Court bats down referendum attempt targeting income tax 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 WA sues Albertsons over ‘deceptive’ buy one, get one free deals 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 US Justice Department downgrades risk of state-licensed medicinal marijuana jfischler@statesnewsroom.com http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7768 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/us-justice-department-downgrades-risk-of-state-licensed-medicinal-marijuana Marijuana.jpg New construction contract help? Builders group broadens access to contracts package If you’re a homebuilder and member of the Tri-Cities Home Builders Association, a resource to help protect your business is now free for you to use. If you’re a homebuilder and member of the Tri-Cities Home Builders Association, a resource to help protect your business is now free for you to use. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7757 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-construction-contract-help-builders-group-broadens-access-to-contracts-package Parade of Homes flag Businesses line up for $166B in tariff refunds amurray@statesnewsroom.com The U.S. Customs and Border Protection tariff refund system went live April 20, marking what small business advocates call a “complex” first step for entrepreneurs to recoup $166 billion in import taxes accrued under President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in February. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection tariff refund system went live April 20, marking what small business advocates call a “complex” first step for entrepreneurs to recoup $166 billion in import taxes accrued under President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in February. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7755 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/businesses-line-up-for-166b-in-tariff-refunds Seattle-Port---Difficulties-ahead Ferguson appoints new Benton-Franklin Superior Court judge A career public servant who has spent his entire legal career in the region will be the newest member of the bench for Benton-Franklin Superior Court. A career public servant who has spent his entire legal career in the region will be the newest member of the bench for Benton-Franklin Superior Court. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7743 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ferguson-appoints-new-benton-franklin-superior-court-judge Andrew Howell Federal funding for state energy projects to be restored The Trump administration has dropped its appeal to a federal court ruling that blocked its cap on federal reimbursement for state energy programs, threatening projects ranging from energy efficiency and grid resilience to wildfire mitigation. The Trump administration has dropped its appeal to a federal court ruling that blocked its cap on federal reimbursement for state energy programs, threatening projects ranging from energy efficiency and grid resilience to wildfire mitigation. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7739 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/federal-funding-for-state-energy-projects-to-be-restored Court battle ignites over Washington’s new income tax Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners filed a lawsuit April 9, arguing the controversial law is unconstitutional and in conflict with nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent. Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners filed a lawsuit April 9, arguing the controversial law is unconstitutional and in conflict with nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7733 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/court-battle-ignites-over-washingtons-new-income-tax Amazon to pay $20.5 million settlement over northeast Oregon nitrate pollution abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org 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. 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.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7677 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-to-pay-205-million-settlement-over-northeast-oregon-nitrate-pollution Amazon-Oregon-Plant Trump’s tariffs were ruled illegal. Where’s the refund of $166 billion — plus interest? amurray@statesnewsroom.com How the government will refund the roughly $166 billion in tariffs Trump triggered under a 1970s emergency economic powers statute is slowly coming to light in court documents. How the government will refund the roughly $166 billion in tariffs Trump triggered under a 1970s emergency economic powers statute is slowly coming to light in court documents. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7627 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/trumps-tariffs-were-ruled-illegal-wheres-the-refund-of-166-billion-plus-interest Seattle-Port---Difficulties-ahead Solgen assets worth $7M going on the auction block ty@tcjournal.biz Everything from uninstalled solar panels and fleet vehicles to computers and office furniture will be up for the taking beginning March 25 as liquidators clear inventory and equipment of a former Pasco-based solar company that went bankrupt at the end of 2025. Everything from uninstalled solar panels and fleet vehicles to computers and office furniture will be up for the taking beginning March 25 as liquidators clear inventory and equipment of a former Pasco-based solar company that went bankrupt at the end of 2025. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7607 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/solgen-assets-worth-7m-going-on-the-auction-block Purlight Solgen auction Prosecutors allege exploitation of foreign workers brought to Mid-Columbia through fraud Three Tri-City residents are among four individuals indicted for allegedly obtaining temporary work visas under false pretenses and bringing 500 workers from Mexico to Eastern Washington between 2022-24. Three Tri-City residents are among four individuals indicted for allegedly obtaining temporary work visas under false pretenses and bringing 500 workers from Mexico to Eastern Washington between 2022-24. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7484 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/exploited-foreign-workers Box of apples generic farmworker WA sues feds for pulling funding for hydrogen hub, WSU ty@tcjournal.biz A lawsuit being co-led by the Washington State Attorney General argues that federal agencies illegally canceled funding for clean energy projects, including the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, to punish Democrat-led states. A lawsuit being co-led by the Washington State Attorney General argues that federal agencies illegally canceled funding for clean energy projects, including the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, to punish Democrat-led states. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7472 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-sues-feds-for-pulling-funding-for-hydrogen-hub-wsu Atlas-Agro-fertilizer-plant-rendering As pennies disappear, Washington must address how retailers make change When the federal government stopped making pennies, it left it up to states to decide how retailers deal with the change.In Washington, lawmakers are trying to come up with a uniform approach for merchants that is easy to understand for consumers. When the federal government stopped making pennies, it left it up to states to decide how retailers deal with the change.

In Washington, lawmakers are trying to come up with a uniform approach for merchants that is easy to understand for consumers.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7433 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/as-pennies-disappear-washington-must-address-how-retailers-make-change State continues studying potential impacts of Snake River dam removal ty@tcjournal.biz The federal government may have pulled out of an agreement that could have led to removal of the four Lower Snake River dams, but the state continues to evaluate how their removal in the future could impact transportation networks. The federal government may have pulled out of an agreement that could have led to removal of the four Lower Snake River dams, but the state continues to evaluate how their removal in the future could impact transportation networks. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7435 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/state-continues-studying-snake-river-dam-removal Ice Harbor Dam Lower drunk driving limit approved by WA Senate If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7372 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/lower-drunk-driving-limit-approved-by-wa-senate State Supreme Court to hear challenge to natural gas initiative The Washington State Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments this week in a case challenging the constitutionality of Initiative 2066, a voter-approved measure that protects natural gas as an energy option in the state. The Washington State Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments this week in a case challenging the constitutionality of Initiative 2066, a voter-approved measure that protects natural gas as an energy option in the state. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7341 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/state-supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-to-natural-gas-initiative Meter install Architect, contractor insurer push back in defective school lawsuit ty@tcjournal.biz The insurer for a Tri-City architect firm and construction contractor sued by Moses Lake School District over the new elementary school that suddenly closed in spring 2025 are denying responsibility. They argue that the school district knew about potential problems and took actions that limit the insurers’ liability. The insurer for a Tri-City architect firm and construction contractor sued by Moses Lake School District over the new elementary school that suddenly closed in spring 2025 are denying responsibility. They argue that the school district knew about potential problems and took actions that limit the insurers’ liability.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7310 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/fowler-lawsuit-insurer Moses-Lake-Groff Rising bankruptcies signal ongoing financial strain in Tri-Cities rachel@tcjournal.biz Bankruptcies have been on the rise in Benton and Franklin counties and across Eastern Washington since a low point in 2022, and the rate doesn’t look like it will come down just yet. Bankruptcies have been on the rise in Benton and Franklin counties and across Eastern Washington since a low point in 2022, and the rate doesn’t look like it will come down just yet. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7308 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/rising-bankruptcies Bankruptcy Delay pushes back decision on appeal for wind farm project ty@tcjournal.biz The wheels of progress on a proposed wind farm project that would stretch across dozens of miles southwest of the Tri-Cities are grinding slower after a judge recently delayed deadlines in lawsuits challenging the project. The wheels of progress on a proposed wind farm project that would stretch across dozens of miles southwest of the Tri-Cities are grinding slower after a judge recently delayed deadlines in lawsuits challenging the project.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7287 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wind-farm-decision-delay Scout Energy Turbines.jpeg New bill would shield WA immigrant workers from surprise raids In response to increased immigration detentions across the state, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and other state lawmakers have introduced the Immigrant Worker Protection Act for the 2026 session. In response to increased immigration detentions across the state, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and other state lawmakers have introduced the Immigrant Worker Protection Act for the 2026 session.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7314 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-bill-would-shield-wa-immigrant-workers-from-surprise-raids