PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Capital gains tax surge eases but doesn’t solve WA budget woes
A windfall of capital gains tax payments is providing temporary relief for Washington’s budget, but other collecti…
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…
Safety concern: Adams Co. Jail in need of repairs, staffing to reopen
RITZVILLE — Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said the situation facing Adams County in its efforts to reopen and maintain the county jail is not unique. “Th…
WA Senate passes police pursuit bill
OLYMPIA – Senate Bill 5352, a bill related to vehicular pursuits, passed the State Senate floor last week and moved on to the House. Local police and legislato…
‘The very concerned zone’
MOSES LAKE — It’s Moses Lake Municipal Services Director Kirk Holmes’ job to make sure that everyone in Moses Lake has enough water to drink. Making sure th…