All things business in Tri-Cities, Washington, and beyond.
Business
WA State Dems Propose State Worker Pay Cuts
Different plans proposed for cutting budget due to defecit.
Could New Feature on the Google Pixel 3 Watch Save Lives?
A new feature detects a loss of pulse on wearer.
WA’s latest budget outlook shows $845M decline in projected revenue through 2029
(The Center Square) – The good news: Washington state is expecting a $54 million increase in anticipated revenue for the remainder of the current 2023-2025 budget cycle.
The bad news: Revenue for the 2025-2027 and 2027-2029 budget cycles are down $479 million and $420 million, respectively, from the previous forecast in November.
T...
Seattle City Council OKs residential housing near stadiums despite pushback
(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council has approved a bill to allow residential housing near Seattle’s professional sports venues despite pushback from council members.
Council Bill 120933 amends the city’s land use code to allow for workforce housing in the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District, which encompasses Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park.
The district ...
Attitudes mixed about proposed fixes to WA’s Clean Fuel Standard
(The Center Square) – Recently, the Washington State Legislature enacted a Clean Fuel Standard program, which directs fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity in their products such as gasoline and diesel. Now, the original bill sponsor for that program wants to modify it in a way that supporters believe will improve implementation.
H...
'Breaking Bad' Spokane Man Nailed for Deadly Drug Lab
The man's rental home where the drug lab was located very close to a middle school and Gonzaga Prep HS.
WA Dairy Worker Charged in $122K Worker's Comp Scam
The man had returned to work without telling Labor and Industries.
Spokane may put Aquifer Protection Area on August ballot with $15 residential fees
(The Center Square) – Despite cutting ties more than two decades ago, Spokane may ask voters in August to rejoin an Aquifer Protection Area to preserve the city’s sole water source.
State law allows municipalities to authorize Aquifer Protection Areas, or APAs, with fees for pulling water and/or sewage disposal. Spokane Co...
Legenary Seattle Science Center Facing Uncertain Future
The Center is part of the attractions from the World's Fair of 1962, which includes the monorail downtown.
Spokane County braces for $20M deficit, potential hiring freeze, cutting vacancies
(The Center Square) - Providing what he called a “reality check” on Monday, Jeff McMorris, senior director of Spokane County’s Finance and Administration Division, warned of a $20 million deficit heading into 2026.
McMorris, the brother of former U.S. Rep. Cathy McM...