Cougar men's basketball announces WCC slate

PULLMAN – The Washington State men's basketball team announced its 2024-25 West Coast Conference schedule. The Cougars, who joined the WCC for the season as affiliate members alongside Oregon State, will renew a historic regional series with Gonzaga as part of the 18-game schedule, culminating in the 2025 WCC Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Senior events calendar for Aug. 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN – The weather may be warm, but that’s no reason to stay home. Here are some things seniors might enjoy going to this month.

AI on display in Wenatchee on Aug. 21

WENATCHEE — The fourth annual Artificial Intelligence Expo will take place in Wenatchee Aug. 21, according to an announcement from the North Central Washington Tech Alliance.

Ephrata schools focus on summer repairs, obtains new special needs bus

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District’s Board of Directors approved more than $200,000 of maintenance projects for completion over the summer, as well as the purchase of a new special education bus for about $181,000, according to an ESD press release.

FIRE REPORT: Washington’s largest fire 90% contained

MOSES LAKE – The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning at 11:30 p.m. on July 17, is Washington's largest active blaze, consuming approximately 53,400 acres. However, the fire went from 70% containment on Saturday to 90% on Monday.

Officers close down two Ephrata area marijuana operations

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it had shut down two large illegal marijuana growing operations on Thursday. “Detectives say the sites were part of a large and organized illegal drug enterprise,” The announcement read.

Ephrata schools opt to lock up phones

EPHRATA – Students at the Ephrata High and Ephrata Middle schools will be securing their phones in locked boxes during classes starting this fall. Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray said the move is to help students focus in class.

FIRE REPORT: Triple-digit temperatures blaze through Washington

MOSES LAKE – On Friday, record-breaking triple-digit temperatures swept across Washington, ushering in extreme heat and a heightened risk for wildfires according to a National Weather Service press release.

Legals for August, 5 2024

OFM corrects overstated revenue loss if capital gains tax repeal passes

(The Center Square) – Opponents of Initiative 2109 to repeal Washington state's capital gains tax are adjusting their marketing materials after a recent correction from the Office of Financial Management.

STUDIO BASIN: Digital literacy, AI incoming and summer baseball wrap-up

STUDIO BASIN: Digital literacy, AI incoming and summer baseball wrap-up

Making connections

National Night Out brings cops and community together

COLUMBIA BASIN — For some people, the only time they interact with the local police is when they’re asked for their license and registration. Several law enforcement agencies are out to change that next week at National Night Out, when law enforcement and other first responders take the opportunity to mingle with the public they serve at an outdoor celebration.

Cantwell says FAA oversight of Boeing lacking

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has requested the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a root cause analysis of its oversight of aviation manufacturers, according to an announcement from Cantwell’s office.

ROAD REPORT: Soap Lake streets projects underway

Other transportation projects continue statewide

SOAP LAKE — Curbs and gutters are going in along a section of Soap Lake streets that provide access to East Beach Park. The curbs and sidewalks are part of an upgrade to the streets next to the park, which includes paving sections of First Avenue Northeast and North Canna Street.

Othello pool issue requires transparency, committee chair says

OTHELLO — Chris Dorow said he wants the process followed by the community group looking at options for a possible new Othello swimming pool to be as transparent as possible. Dorow is the chair of the “Aquatic Task Force,” which was formed after city officials announced the pool would not open in 2024 due to damage that may have been caused by faulty construction. The damage was discovered in April.

116th Air Refueling Squadron to celebrate centennial Sunday

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – One of the oldest Air National Guard units is turning 100 this year.

Columbia Basin events calendar for August 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN – The weather is hot. The fun is too. There’s plenty to do in Grant and Adams counties this month and people are set to have a good time. The events below are a wide variety of what the Basin has in store

FIRE REPORT: Two more fires contained before WA heat wave

MOSES LAKE -- Two fires were contained in Washington on Thursday including the South Columbia Basin Fire and the Black Canyon Fire.

New Richland PNW Hydrogen Hub begins initial phase

RICHLAND -- The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub project in Richland, Washington has received a Phase 1 award from the U.S. Department of Energy, with Washington State University Tri-Cities playing a key role according to an announcement from WSU. The project aims to establish the Pacific Northwest as a national leader in green hydrogen production.

MCL to celebrate 75 years of service

KENNEWICK — Mid‐Columbia Libraries will celebrate 75 years of service in Kennewick on Aug. 3, according to an announcement from MCL. The event will take place 1-3 p.m. at the Kennewick library, located at 1620 S. Union St.