Local News

Mid-Columbia jobs market in a bit of a funk

Thu, 07 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Tri-Cities continues to see the typical seasonal drop in its unemployment rate as the weather warms, but the job market isn’t what it was a year ago.

Graduation weekend arrives for WSU Tri-Cities, Heritage students

Thu, 07 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Graduation season kicks off this weekend as the Class of 2026 from Washington State University Tri-Cities and Heritage University turn their tassels.

WA’s public option grows as overall healthcare enrollment shrinks

Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state’s public option for healthcare is growing, even as fewer people are signing up for health insurance overall, according to new data from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

Drought drives new statewide initiative, water monitoring tools

Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

As irrigators around the state wrestle with another year of drought, state officials have launched an effort to brainstorm solutions with communities along with a new tool to help Yakima Valley property owners track water restrictions.

Feds sign off on expanded license for Framatome’s Richland plant

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A nuclear fuel manufacturing facility north of Richland is continuing its march to be on the front line of providing advanced fuels and technologies to the burgeoning U.S. nuclear energy industry.

Banner Bank parent acquires WA commercial bank

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The parent company of Walla Walla-based Banner Bank is bringing another Washington state financial institution into its fold.

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.

Farmers markets beginning to open

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

Farmers market season kicks off this month with Pasco welcoming vendors and patrons alike to its downtown mercado.

Ste. Michelle names new CEO, CCO

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Another round of leadership changes are happening at Washington state’s largest wine producer.

Donated professional attire collected for WSU Tri-Cities students

Sun, 03 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new resource at Washington State University Tri-Cities is available to help students dress for success.

Temporary irrigation cutoff coming for many Kennewick residents

Sun, 03 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Nearly all customers of Kennewick Irrigation District will be without irrigation water for up to 10 days as the pumping facility that supplies its canals undergoes repairs.

Startup supporter and philanthropist named Tri-Citian of the Year

Sun, 03 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400

One of the Mid-Columbia’s leading boosters for the region’s business community and entrepreneurs, is the 2026 Tri-Citian of the Year.

New bus line to link Tri-Cities and Spokane

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re tired of getting behind the wheel to get up to and back from the greater Spokane region, you now have an option to kick back and let someone else do the driving for you.

Pasco to consider new additional sales tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Pasco City Council will consider on May 4 whether to impose a new 0.1% sales tax to pay for maintaining its roads, further securing its position in the region as the municipality with the highest overall sales tax rate.

X-energy goes public

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

You can now buy stock in the company planning to build the next generation of nuclear reactors north of Richland in partnership with Amazon and Energy Northwest.

BFT offers Cinco de Mayo parking shuttles

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If you’re planning to attend Pasco’s annual Cinco de Mayo Festival this weekend, Ben Franklin Transit can help save you some frustration when it comes to finding parking.

HAAP awards $230K in scholarships

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Forty graduating seniors from across the greater Tri-Cities area with career aspirations ranging from business and finance to STEM and law recently received $230,000 in scholarships from a long-running academic program.

Tri-Cities VA clinic site selected

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:00:00 -0400

The federal government has selected the site for a long-planned VA outpatient clinic and filed plans for a 124,000- to 130,000-square-foot facility that would be staffed by nearly 50 doctors and dentists and employ as many as 250 people.

Settlement reached in Walla Walla gas station leak

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The owners of a Walla Walla Chevron gas station have reached a settlement with state ecology officials regarding penalties and cleanup costs for a 2023 gasoline leak that contaminated groundwater and led to the evacuation of the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Pasco schools levy passing

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:48:51 -0400

Second time was the charm for Pasco School District to secure voter approval for renewal of its operations levy.

Longtime lawmaker with Tri-Cities ties dies at age 83

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:46:02 -0400

A statewide civic leader, longtime legislator and sitting member of the WSU Board of Regents died April 25 of complications from leukemia. He served as a Pasco City Council member and taught at Pasco High School.

Aid available for Benton County businesses impacted by drought

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Small Business Administration is making low-interest loans available to Benton County businesses in response to the ongoing drought, but not all are eligible.

WA sues Albertsons over ‘deceptive’ buy one, get one free deals

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state has sued Albertsons over allegations it has been overcharging customers for years via buy one, get one free offers.

Special election ballots due today

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Two Mid-Columbia school districts have renewal levies on the ballot for the April 28 special election. And for those Benton County voters already thinking about the November general election, there will be a special item included with each ballot, courtesy of a Finley high school student.

Mid-Columbia residents among fallen workers to be honored at state ceremony

ty@tcjournal.biz — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A man who died from an illness resulting from his work as a concrete fabricator and a 21-year-old crushed by a front loader at a Richland construction site are among the 115 fallen workers state officials will honor Tuesday.

WSU researchers find cheaper means to unlock the power of sewage

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A team of Washington State University researchers, including some based at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, have found a new method to treat sewage that reduces the costs of wastewater treatment while also creating renewable natural gas.

Game on: Dave & Buster’s planning Tri-Cities location

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Another option for a fun night out with friends and family has plans to come to the Mid-Columbia.

Richland to share updates on one-way street plan

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city of Richland has been making progress on its plan to turn two major roads into one-way streets, and residents who want to learn more are encouraged to attend an April 28 city council workshop where staff will provide updates on the project.

New construction contract help? Builders group broadens access to contracts package

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Vista Field’s first restaurant is now open

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Looking for a new spot for Japanese cuisine? Vista Field’s first restaurant opened on April 20 with limited seating.