Daily editionFriday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Kennewick.
The Daily Kennewick Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
Community
As 2025 ended, Communities In Schools of Benton-Franklin expressed gratitude for support from its student support coordinators and board, with Executive Director Lupe Mares-Rojas noting how staff addressed trauma and food insecurity in schools and homes.
She said the group is hopeful for 2026 + appreciates community help.
NBC Tri-CitiesRead more
Two Giving Machines at Queensgate Fairchild Cinema raised over $300,000 for local nonprofits from more than 2,800 donations in late November and early December.
Organizers (city leads) hope the machines return early spring as final totals will be announced later this month.
NBC Tri-CitiesRead more
Business
A new Ross Dress for Less will open soon at the former Rite Aid on 20th Avenue next to Safeway, giving east Pasco residents an affordable shopping option.
City leaders say the store is part of a broader retail push aimed at job creation and repurposing vacant sites, while Kennewick recently welcomed a second Ross location.
Apple Valley News NowRead more
Ross Dress for Less is coming to Pasco as city leaders say its opening will be part of a larger retail expansion—boosting local business activity.
Apple Valley News NowRead more
Environment
Hanford workers began using a new metal coating process that uses a remotely controlled robot to apply a metal patch on double-shell tanks; testing shows the technology may extend tank life to support the cleanup mission plus waste-to-glass efforts.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
Government
Benton County Fire District 2 has upgraded its emergency vehicles with Safety Cloud, a system that gives drivers a 30-second warning via apps like Waze and Apple Maps.
The system, active since June, has already alerted around 6,000 local drivers to help keep first responders and motorists safe.
NBC Tri-CitiesRead more
Washington state has enacted a new law increasing taxes on all nicotine products (prices are expected to nearly double), affecting items that were previously exempt.
The law is now in effect and may lead to higher consumer costs statewide.
KEPR TVRead more
Lifestyle
Trista and Ryan Lewis of Pasco welcomed their son Cooper, the first baby of 2026, at a Tri-Cities hospital on Dec. 31 + his birth marks a fresh start for local families.
Apple Valley News NowRead more