PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Washington wolf population climbs to record high after 17% annual increase
OLYMPIA — Washington’s gray wolf population grew by more than 17% in 2025, reaching its highest level since wolves…
List of mandated reporters for vulnerable adults may expand
OLYMPIA - More people working in public sector jobs would be required to report suspected abuse of senior adults under a bill now being debated in the state Legislature. “Typically, the first idea that we have t…
Deadline approaching to remove studded tires
OLYMPIA — With the arrival of Spring, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that Friday, March 31, is the deadline to remove studded tires from cars and trucks, according to a WSDO…
WDFW app keeps anglers up to date
OLYMPIA — Fishing limits, regulations and more are just a phone signal away. In 2021, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rolled out its FishWA f…
Olympia considering regulatory updates
OLYMPIA - Only a small handful of bills in the legislature this session relate to fishing, while not all will survive, it is important to know what is being co…
AMR announces Grant departure
EPHRATA – American Medical Response, which handles much of the ambulance services in Grant County, announced last week that it will be ceasing operations in th…
Airport siting bill passes WA House, gets Senate hearing
OLYMPIA – A bill that would replace the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission established in 2019 to recommend possible locations for a new airport had a…
Bill targets use of pill presses to make counterfeit drugs
OLYMPIA – A bill targeting people using pill presses to make fake pills that contain controlled substances had an executive session this week in the Washington…
Farming still crucial to Basin employment
MOSES LAKE — Despite the rise of manufacturing in the Columbia Basin, farming is still the base for all economic activity in the region. “I think about the …
Sales tax exemption for seniors’ meals passes WA House
OLYMPIA – Washington House Bill 1431, sponsored by Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham), would provide a sales tax relief for residents of senior living communities…
USDA grants aim to help plan and prevent wildfires
ASHLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Forest Service announced it is giving nearly $25 million in grants to help plan for and prevent wildfires across Washington, according to a USFS press release. The grants are part of the F…
Search leads to catalytic converter seizure
KENNEWICK — Hundreds of catalytic converters were seized from a Kennewick business a day after the search of a Moses Lake business and home by officers with th…
Big Bend looks to increase Mattawa offerings
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College is looking at expanding the college’s offerings in Mattawa, according to President Sara Thompson Tweedy during a meetin…
Newhouse hears from Central WA constituents about priorities for Farm Bill
BENTON CITY – Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Yakima, held three roundtable discussions in Central Washington this week to discuss priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill from …
State wealth tax bill garners support in WA Senate hearing
OLYMPIA – A bill currently before the Washington State Senate would levy a special wealth tax on financial assets with an assessed value of more than $250 million. “We have an upside-down tax code that’s deeply …
WA Senate passes bill to create battery recycling program
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Legislature is looking at a measure that legislators hope will increase battery recycling in the state. “We know that the use of batteries will continue to increase and it’s urgent…