Government

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.

Court orders new investigation

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Benton’s suspended executive director scored a win in a recent court order that determined the port must restart its investigation relating to her suspension.

Cannabis industry veterans plan west Pasco dispensary

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

After years of operating cannabis businesses and training retail workers across the country, two industry veterans are planning a new dispensary in west Pasco.

Hanford grout’s clay-like appearance draws scrutiny

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Photos of clay-like grouted waste at Hanford have raised questions among watchdogs, but federal officials say the material meets applicable transportation safety requirements.

Data center debates heat up before projects arrive

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Tri-Cities residents are calling for restrictions on data centers even though no projects have been formally proposed locally, prompting heated discussions at city council meetings.

New state retirement program prepares for 2027 launch

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

An effort to make retirement savings available to more Washington workers is moving forward as its July 2027 launch date approaches.

State lawmakers tour Tri-Cities to examine housing challenges

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The state is in a housing crisis and it needs innovative solutions to the problem. That’s why Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and a bipartisan cadre of state lawmakers visited the Tri-Cities in early October.

Richland neighborhood selected for federal investment program

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A plan to transform a central Richland neighborhood is one of nearly 100 such projects around the state selected for a federal economic development program.

Benton County communities receive public works loans, grants

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The cities of Richland and Prosser will get a helping hand from state to the tune of more than $10 million to improve their sewer systems while West Richland received money to help it recover from last December’s flooding.

With election pressure mounting, states move to suspend fuel taxes

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

With Election Day less than a month away, lawmakers in several states are suspending gas taxes or rolling back regulations on diesel fuel as voters grow increasingly frustrated with rising fuel costs amid President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

Amazon’s Walla Walla data center plan sparks tension between protesters, local officials

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

More than 400 Washingtonians across 19 locations took to the streets Oct. 4 to demand a statewide moratorium on data centers.

Prediction markets spend millions to influence state, federal governments

khardy@stateline.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kalshi, Polymarket and the Coalition for Prediction Markets have spent at least $3 million this year on lobbying and campaign contributions across the federal and state levels, according to a new report from the government watchdog group OpenSecrets.

Weigh in on proposed updates to Richland’s comprehensive plan

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Curious what Richland city leaders have put together for a roadmap for the city’s future development? Now’s your chance to learn and weigh in.

Feds provide guidance on new federal K-12 scholarship tax credit program

rsequeira@stateline.org — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released new guidance for participating states, scholarship-granting organizations and taxpayers as the federal scholarship tax credit program prepares to take effect in January.

Legislative staff in WA state Senate reject new contract

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The union representing staff of Democratic state senators in Washington has overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract, citing its lack of adequate protections for workers facing termination.

WA’s nation-high minimum wage rising to nearly $18 an hour in 2027

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state’s minimum wage will grow by 60 cents per hour in 2027, reflecting the continuing impact of inflation and other cost-of-living increases on workers.

WA state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on healthcare and other benefits.

Data centers proposed on federal land in eastern Oregon, western states

abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new data center campus could soon be coming to federal land near Hermiston in eastern Oregon.

Community invited to lawmaker forum focused on disability

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Mid-Columbia organizations advocating for those with disabilities are encouraging others in the community to attend an upcoming event to join in their efforts.

With tax receipts flat, budget hurdles remain for WA leaders

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The latest forecast of state tax collections released Friday did nothing to brighten Washington’s budget outlook.

Brown eyes utility costs, tort liability as 2027 legislative priorities

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown says rising utility costs and the state’s escalating liability expenses are emerging as priorities as his office develops its agenda for the 2027 Legislature, while other high-profile issues may not produce attorney general-request legislation.

L&I proposes workers’ comp rate increase

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% rate increase in 2027. Hearings are scheduled for public input.

State recognizes wastewater treatment plants

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Three Mid-Columbia wastewater treatment facilities are among those being celebrated by state ecology officials for protecting water quality and public health.

BPA proposing rate hike, citing court order

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

Bonneville Power Administration is seeking to collect an additional $125 million from its ratepayers over the next two years, reportedly to recover its costs in meeting a court order to spill more water from its hydroelectric dams.

Tri-Cities Airport receives $8.3M for deicing facility

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A collection of recently-awarded federal grants is expected to allow the Tri-Cities Airport to improve operations and reduce delays for aircraft during the winter travel season.

Trump nominates Pete Serrano for US attorney in western WA

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

DOE launches new program to support builders

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new program from the U.S. Department of Energy aims to help builders cut expenses and build more quickly at a time when the costs for construction labor and materials are skyrocketing.

Port of Kennewick to host state commission

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Port of Kennewick is set to host a board meeting of Washington’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

Company settles with AG to resolve deceptive practices allegations

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Court halts port probe as recall drive continues

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.