Government

WA judge rejects bid to ditch description of income tax initiative’s budget effects

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Tax outlook webinar planned

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Four statewide business advocacy groups will host a virtual briefing on potential tax issues expected in the 2027 legislative session.

Latest WA economic report still leaves some uneasy

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:00:00 -0400

The state’s latest revenue forecast is a mixed bag and has some observers concerned about what future budget pressures could bring to bear.

Check the first count of primary election results

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:00:00 -0400

Learn which candidates for federal, state and local offices will advance to the general election and if voters approved two fire district levies.

Poor air quality postpones local National Night Out events

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Unhealthy air quality has prompted Kennewick and Richland to postpone their National Night Out events, both set for Aug. 4.

Washington’s ‘incredibly frustrated’ public employees call for walkout

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Public employees represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees have announced plans for a statewide walkout on Aug. 31 in response to what they called subpar pay and program cuts.

As river temps climb, dam helps keep salmon moving

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400

The Snake River is simmering in the summer heat as it winds across western Idaho and southeastern Washington – and that’s something salmon can’t tolerate, literally.

Primary ballots due tomorrow

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Voters in Benton and Franklin counties have until 8 p.m. Aug. 4 to get their August primary ballot into a drop box and have their vote counted.

Egg facility inspections in WA still falling short of state requirements

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s Department of Agriculture did not complete hundreds of mandated inspections at egg production and packing plants for the past two years, posing health risks to consumers, according to a new state audit.

Completed student aid applications hit new high mark with WA’s Class of 2026

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The achievement marks back-to-back years that Washington high schoolers set a record for the number of completed financial aid applications.

Hanford site team, partners complete melter test ahead of schedule

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Hanford site contractors, U.S. Department of Energy officials and other partners recently completed a test of technology for the still-under-construction High-Level Waste Facility of the site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant two months ahead of schedule.

WA postal workers unite for Day of Action to protect the USPS

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

Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization.

Pasco’s beloved park namesake honored with statue

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

The city of Pasco is unveiling a new statue at Peanuts Park tomorrow, honoring Noburo “Peanuts” Fukuda.

Washington’s Board of Education proposes new high school graduation requirements

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

High school students in Washington may soon have more options to connect coursework with their career plans.

New effort underway to understand WA’s budget shortfalls

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Workforce development council seeks new partners for services

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Has your organization developed an innovative way to help individuals develop workforce skills? The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council wants to hear from you.

Richland launches community survey

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city of Richland is looking for feedback from its residents on quality of life, city services and priorities for the future.

Effort to end AI-driven Medicare program fails

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being.

Weigh in on pending energy code changes for housing, other construction projects

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

One of the state’s leading construction industry advocates is encouraging its members to weigh in on the good and the bad in the latest update of the state’s 2024 energy code before it’s adopted.

Kraken CEO: ‘Fear in the business community’

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushingto return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished up some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on July 16.

It’s official: WA voters will get to weigh in on new income tax

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington voters will get their chance in November to embrace or reject the state’s new income tax on households with earnings greater than a million dollars a year.

Pasco names new police chief

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city of Pasco has announced that a 36-year veteran of its police department will be the next to lead the agency.

US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington moves up in national business rankings

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

After a low point last year, Washington has climbed three spots in the national rankings of the best states for business. But it remains less competitive than it was in the past.

Legislators recognized for small business support

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A national small business association has recognized Washington state legislators who support small businesses, including several in the Mid-Columbia.

WA governor wants to require FAFSA for high school graduation

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

High school seniors in Washington would need to complete student aid paperwork to graduate, under a proposal recently announced by Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Design West reaches $1.85 million settlement in Moses Lake school dispute

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Tri-Cities architecture firm sued by Moses Lake School District over the construction of the district’s newest elementary school will pay $1.85 million to help cover the cost of fixing problems with the building.

Public invited to comment on plan to possibly triple logging in eastern Oregon national forests

abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Supreme Court ruling allows port recall effort to proceed

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

A recall targeting all three Port of Benton commissioners moves forward after a Supreme Court ruling. The attorney for the port's executive director on paid leave since January alleges retaliation.

Port HR consultant flags unfinished work in exit report

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Benton’s contract with an HR consultant has ended, and the consultant’s exit report highlights both progress made in strengthening the port’s culture and processes, and changes still needed.