Local News

Think you can build a better city budget? Give it a try

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

As Pasco works to address a $12.5 million budget gap in 2027, the city invites the community to test their own budget scenarios using a new tool and share their feedback.

‘Blood on board’ program launches in Richland

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A new program intended to help save lives has been launched by Richland’s Fire and Emergency Services department, and an upcoming blood drive is planned to help support it.

Amazon layoffs affect Pasco operations

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Management-level positions at one of Amazon’s Pasco distribution facilities are among those being cut in the latest round of layoffs for the online retailer.

Richland seeks applications for park partnership program

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

The city of Richland is looking for partners to help with improvements to parks, trails, open spaces and recreational facilities and there’s a pot of money to help those projects happen.

Port holds interviews for commission seat

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

The Port of Kennewick is holding public interviews today for four finalists for its vacant commission seat.

As WA open enrollment begins, far fewer than expected have lost coverage

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Starting Nov. 1, Washingtonians who need to buy health insurance through the state’s online marketplace can enroll in or change their plans, but they face another major cost increase to maintain coverage.

Amazon announces plans for West Richland data center

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 14:08:54 -0500

The tech giant recently confirmed it bought 1,000 acres and is considering an initial three-building data center in West Richland.

Nine insurers approved to provide healthcare plans to WA small businesses

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Small businesses planning to offer health insurance to their employees have up to nine insurers to choose from in the new year, and all are planning to bump their rates up.

Plan for detour if heading to Hanford site from the west

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Workers commuting to Framatome, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Hanford site via Horn Rapids Road will need to take an alternate route for the next two weeks.

Kennewick Man, Woman of the Year nominations open

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 20:00:00 -0500

An annual awards program that celebrates Kennewick residents for their community service, leadership and commitment to the city is accepting nominations.

Groundbreaking for Kennewick VA clinic announced

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

On the cusp of Veterans Day, officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Walla Walla will come to the Tri-Cities to officially break ground on the planned outpatient clinic in Kennewick.

Historic Preservation Grant application window open

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Agencies and organizations pursuing historic preservation projects or programs in Benton County are encouraged to apply for a grant from the county’s Historical Preservation Fund.

Hanford marks new record for pre-treating tank waste

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The system that removes nearly all the radioactivity from tank waste stored at Hanford before it is stabilized in glass processed the most waste ever in a single run in September.

WSU Tri-Cities grad named head of WSU College of Nursing

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A two-time WSU Tri-Cities alumna who has led the WSU system’s College of Nursing on an interim basis for the past year now has the job permanently.

Numerica to merge with Oregon credit union

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union will merge with Oregon’s SELCO Community Credit Union, creating an institution with $8 billion in assets, nearly 40 branches and more than 325,000 members across three states.

Ironman Foundation donates to Tri-City organizations

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The philanthropic arm of global organization that has brought the Ironman triathlon to the Tri-Cities for the past three years provided $18,000 in grants to organizations that volunteered at the 2026 competition.

Avian influenza detected in Benton County dairy herd

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State agriculture officials announced they have found highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a Benton County dairy herd, marking a new county where the virus has spread to.

Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural high school students to pursue four-year nursing degrees.

Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had been nearly a decade since medical experts diagnosed him with a neurological disease they attributed to his exposure to chemicals at work. In the time since, he had acquired a stutter, begun limping and lost several teeth biting into a banana.

Survey: Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again

jshutt@statesnewsroom.com — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many people must pay before those plans begin covering most healthcare costs, according to a survey released Oct. 22 by the nonpartisan health organization KFF.

Banner Bank announces third quarter results

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Walla Walla-based Banner Bank saw its net income decline but its net interest income climb as it completed its acquisition of Western Washington bank.

Tri-City unemployment hits three-year low

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The percentage and number of workers claiming unemployment benefits in Benton and Franklin counties in September was at its lowest level in years, according to the state.

Umatilla declares emergency over lost revenue from data center permit pause

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

An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center development, saying it could cost the city millions in direct financial losses.

Amazon announces hundreds of seasonal jobs in the Tri-Cities

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Looking for a job, potentially something part time to help pay for your holiday celebrations? Amazon has opportunities.

Hispanic chamber announces annual award winners

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Members of the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have spoken and selected their 2026 Annual Gala Awards winners.

Pasco High grad named top teacher in Nevada

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A Pasco High School graduate will compete to be the nation’s best teacher after being named 2027 Teacher of the Year in Nevada.

Invasive beetle arrives in Eastern Washington, threatens ash trees

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The emerald ash borer, one of the most destructive invasive pests in the nation, has been detected in multiple trees outside of Walla Walla in Eastern Washington.

County learns about cloud seeding in response to drought

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Benton County commissioners are considering a cloud seeding pilot project for the Horse Heaven Hills in response to the persistent drought that is affecting the region.

Wildhorse selects firm for high-tech concert hall

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State-of-the-art auditorium space and seating is coming to Pendleton’s Wildhorse Resort & Casino in its bid to grow the variety and scale of performances and events it hosts.

Chamber offers business-focused voter guide for 2026 general election

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Business owners wanting to know where candidates for Congress, the state Legislature and Richland City Council stand on economic issues can review the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s online voting guide.