News
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After some rough years, apple market may be improving in 2026
OTHELLO — It’s been a rough few years for apple and pear growers, but 2026 looks like it could bring better news. …
Washington unions join in support of climate-friendly jobs
MOSES LAKE — Six Washington-based unions are teaming up to take advantage of Washington’s legislative environment and the need for workers to fill environmenta…
ICAP Launch program builds rural business through collaboration
SEATTLE — Everything works better when people work together. That’s the premise behind the Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program, the Washington State Department of Commerce program aimed at boosting Washington…
Smart Orchard: Field Day showcases agricultural research from three-year project
GRANDVIEW – After three years of research on the Smart Orchard project, Innov8.ag, Washington State University Extension and the Washington Tree Fruit Research…
Employment Security Department releases July unemployment rates
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Employment Security Department announced Tuesday county unemployment rates and employment data for July 2023 are now available o…
Building energy: State deadlines for facility efficiency approaching
REDMOND — The Washington Legislature passed the Clean Building Performance Standard in 2019, and operators of commercial buildings now have set deadlines to en…
Ready to build: Sustainable jet fuel manufacturer breaks ground in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — A facility designed to reuse carbon dioxide and combine it with water to produce other products could be in production by spring 2024. Constructio…
Yakima orchards pay back wages to improperly paid workers
TUMWATER — The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced July 12 that the owners of two Yakima orchards have paid $500,000 in back wages and interest to more than 400 workers. “Farmworkers do…
Port districts support local economies
EASTERN WASHINGTON — The word “port” is a bit misleading when it comes to port districts in Washington. No body of water is required to be considered a port in…
Port of Kennewick’s Kooiker named deputy CEO
KENNEWICK — The Port of Kennewick announced in a news release on July 11 that it had promoted CFO Nick Kooiker to deputy CEO. The release stated that Kooiker w…
Medical facilities find ways to address staffing shortages
MOSES LAKE — Whether the hospital is big or small, public or private, the challenge is the same. “The workforce shortage exists everywhere, and it’s in ever…