Government https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Richland launches community survey The city of Richland is looking for feedback from its residents on quality of life, city services and priorities for the future. The city of Richland is looking for feedback from its residents on quality of life, city services and priorities for the future. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8153 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-launches-community-survey Richland City Hall Effort to end AI-driven Medicare program fails ty@tcjournal.biz A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. A Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions will continue to be used in Washington state for the time being. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8152 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/effort-to-end-ai-driven-medicare-program-fails Hospital-Stock Weigh in on pending energy code changes for housing, other construction projects 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8151 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8151-weigh-in-on-pending-energy-code-changes-for-housing-other-construction-projects Electric meters Kraken CEO: ‘Fear in the business community’ 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8150 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/kraken-ceo-fear-in-the-business-community Capitol It’s official: WA voters will get to weigh in on new income tax 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. 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.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8147 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/its-official-wa-voters-will-get-to-weigh-in-on-new-income-tax Tax-Signature Pasco names new police chief The city of Pasco has announced that a 36-year veteran of its police department will be the next to lead the agency. The city of Pasco has announced that a 36-year veteran of its police department will be the next to lead the agency.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8146 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-names-new-police-chief Brent Cook US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8143 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/us-house-passes-bipartisan-bill-to-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent US Capitol Washington moves up in national business rankings 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8142 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8142-wa-moves-up-in-national-business-rankings Washington State Flag Legislators recognized for small business support A national small business association has recognized Washington state legislators who support small businesses, including several in the Mid-Columbia. A national small business association has recognized Washington state legislators who support small businesses, including several in the Mid-Columbia.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8141 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8141-legislators-recognized-for-small-business-support Olympia WA governor wants to require FAFSA for high school graduation High school seniors in Washington would need to complete student aid paperwork to graduate, under a proposal recently announced by Gov. Bob Ferguson. High school seniors in Washington would need to complete student aid paperwork to graduate, under a proposal recently announced by Gov. Bob Ferguson.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8140 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8140-wa-governor-wants-to-require-fafsa-for-grads Bob-Ferguson-FAFSA Design West reaches $1.85 million settlement in Moses Lake school dispute ty@tcjournal.biz 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8138 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8138-design-west-reaches-settlement-in-moses-lake-school-dispute Moses-Lake-Groff Public invited to comment on plan to possibly triple logging in eastern Oregon national forests abaumhardt@americanpublicmedia.org http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8137 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/public-invited-to-comment-on-plan-to-possibly-triple-logging-in-eastern-oregon-national-forests Logging Supreme Court ruling allows port recall effort to proceed rachel@tcjournal.biz 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. 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.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8111 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8111-supreme-court-port-recall Port-of-Benton-Office Port HR consultant flags unfinished work in exit report rachel@tcjournal.biz 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. 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.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8103 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8103-port-hr-consultant-exit-report Port-of-Benton-Office Kennewick council zeroes in on City Hall site, putting museum at risk ty@tcjournal.biz Kennewick council members are leaning toward a City Hall site that could displace the Museum at Keewaydin. It’s the latest development in the city’s ongoing search for a new home. Kennewick council members are leaning toward a City Hall site that could displace the Museum at Keewaydin. It’s the latest development in the city’s ongoing search for a new home.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8095 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8095-kennewick-council-zeroes-in-on-city-hall-site-putting-museum-at-risk Kennewick-Town-Hall County misstated finances by hundreds of millions, state audit finds ty@tcjournal.biz Turnover and a compressed timeline led to financial reporting errors at Benton County, a new state audit finds, including a 2024 report that contained 2022 data. Turnover and a compressed timeline led to financial reporting errors at Benton County, a new state audit finds, including a 2024 report that contained 2022 data.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8094 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8094-county-audit Audit Stock Fired BFT CEO ruled eligible for unemployment benefits ty@tcjournal.biz Ben Franklin Transit won’t contest unemployment benefits for its fired CEO after the state found no misconduct in his termination. Ben Franklin Transit won’t contest unemployment benefits for its fired CEO after the state found no misconduct in his termination.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8093 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/drozt-unemployment-benefits Thomas Drotz Feature As America turns 250, contest renews focus on civics awareness In a milestone year for American democracy, the National Civics Bee is encouraging students nationwide to understand how government – and citizenship – really works. It’s a good lesson for all us. In a milestone year for American democracy, the National Civics Bee is encouraging students nationwide to understand how government – and citizenship – really works. It’s a good lesson for all us.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8083 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/awb-july-2026 KrisJohnson_2026.jpg Port of Pasco declares emergency over deteriorating rail crossing ty@tcjournal.biz An engineering assessment found the Port of Pasco's Oregon Avenue rail crossing is deteriorating, prompting an emergency declaration to speed up repairs.

An engineering assessment found the Port of Pasco's Oregon Avenue rail crossing is deteriorating, prompting an emergency declaration to speed up repairs.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8081 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/port-of-pasco-declares-emergency Railroad-Crossing Pasco offers Volunteer Park, $13M for sports complex ty@tcjournal.biz The city of Pasco is keen to secure its continued access to the Pasco Sporting Complex, which it built on Franklin County land more than 30 years ago, and appears willing to give up another park to get it. The city of Pasco is keen to secure its continued access to the Pasco Sporting Complex, which it built on Franklin County land more than 30 years ago, and appears willing to give up another park to get it.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8080 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8080-pasco-offers-volunteer-park-13m-for-sports-complex Pasco-Sporting Richland Public Facilities District taps veteran community leader as director ty@tcjournal.biz The Richland Public Facilities District has named a new executive director with more than two decades of experience in community development and public policy. The Richland Public Facilities District has named a new executive director with more than two decades of experience in community development and public policy.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8079 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/rpfd-new-executive-director Davin Diaz $51.3M deal advances Atlas Agro’s fertilizer plant, data center plans rachel@tcjournal.biz A Swiss company’s plans for a zero-carbon fertilizer plant and a data center north of Richland are moving forward despite citizens voicing concerns about the projects. A Swiss company’s plans for a zero-carbon fertilizer plant and a data center north of Richland are moving forward despite citizens voicing concerns about the projects. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8066 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/deal-advances-atlas-agros-fertilizer-plant Atlas-Agro-fertilizer-plant-rendering A rare look at the lab driving Hanford’s cleanup rachel@tcjournal.biz Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract. Hanford’s 222-S Laboratory celebrates 75 years as nuclear waste cleanup accelerates and DOE moves toward a new operating contract.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8065 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/222-s-lab-turns-75 222S-Laboratory Pasco adopts rules for short-term rentals ty@tcjournal.biz Pasco property owners offering unused guest rooms or homes as short-term rentals will face some standard operating requirements from the city starting Jan. 1. Pasco property owners offering unused guest rooms or homes as short-term rentals will face some standard operating requirements from the city starting Jan. 1.


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8063 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-short-term-rentals Pasco Short Term Rentals 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 Richland recognized for excellent financial management The city of Richland has received an award for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting for its fiscal year 2024. The city of Richland has received an award for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting for its fiscal year 2024.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8133 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-recognized-for-excellent-financial-management Richland City Hall WA ecology officials laud Kennewick affordable housing project An affordable housing project in east Kennewick is among a handful state ecology officials are lifting up as an example of the good that comes from redeveloping formerly contaminated land. An affordable housing project in east Kennewick is among a handful state ecology officials are lifting up as an example of the good that comes from redeveloping formerly contaminated land. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8112 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-ecology-officials-laud-kennewick-affordable-housing-project Hammer-Lofts-affordable-housing These 3 WA communities now need state approval for election rule changes jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com For the first time, three Washington state local governments, including Pasco, will need the state’s OK before implementing new voting policies due to their histories of diluting the power of Latino voters. For the first time, three Washington state local governments, including Pasco, will need the state’s OK before implementing new voting policies due to their histories of diluting the power of Latino voters. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8105 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/these-3-wa-communities-now-need-state-approval-for-election-rule-changes Pasco-City-Hall Pasco seeks farmers market, specialty kitchen operator The city of Pasco is seeking proposals for the management and operation of two city-owned programs and facilities. The city of Pasco is seeking proposals for the management and operation of two city-owned programs and facilities.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8098 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-seeks-farmers-market-specialty-kitchen-operator Pasco Farmers Market AWB releases 2026 legislative endorsements The state’s leading business advocacy organization has identified the current and hopeful state lawmakers for the Mid-Columbia it believes will best serve employers. The state’s leading business advocacy organization has identified the current and hopeful state lawmakers for the Mid-Columbia it believes will best serve employers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8091 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/awb-releases-2026-legislative-endorsements Olympia