Daily editionTuesday, July 15th, 2025
Good morning, Kennewick.
The Daily Kennewick Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 15th of July.
Community
Registration is open for the 5th Annual Veterans Community Golf Classic hosted by Columbia Basin Veterans Center— a nonprofit that raises funds for veteran programs— and is set for August 2.
New Executive Director Kristopher Dahir said the event will host 144 golfers—key to supporting local veteran services— and seeks business sponsorship to boost its programs.
FOX 41 YakimaRead more
Business
Costco will open its new Richland warehouse at 3125 Queensgate Drive on Aug. 8 pending a certificate of occupancy, with work continuing after construction began in late 2024 based on a $24.6 million permit.
Local officials plan traffic improvements — including roundabouts and extra turn lanes — to ease concerns over increasing traffic.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
Education
Washington teachers earn some of the highest salaries in the nation — yet over 60% of students fail to meet grade-level standards in math and reading.
Education experts and lawmakers urge changes that tie pay to performance to help improve learning outcomes.
KONARead more
Environment
The water quality of the Yakima River at Kiona has dropped from the mid-60s to 51 over the past two decades and experts warn it may fall below 40 within twenty years—while good air quality days in Benton and Franklin counties have also declined slightly amid modest improvements in nearby metro areas.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation say they worry about safety and waste if small reactors are built near the Columbia Generating Station—plans by Energy Northwest, Amazon and X-energy that might bring clean power and jobs.
The tribes want a careful review and full input before any work begins, while supporters say the reactors could one day help replace power from the Snake River dams.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more
Government
A federal budget proposal may cut $260 million from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Tri-Cities' largest employer with about 4,000 workers, and could lead to 1,100 layoffs if approved—furthermore, up to 2,500 additional jobs might be lost in the region.
The proposal is under review in the House of Representatives and would take effect in October if approved.
Apple Valley News NowRead more
Health
The Washington State Department of Health reminds parents to update children’s immunizations before school starts this fall — a Certificate of Immunization Status is needed for school entry.
The notice follows a steep rise in whooping cough cases last year while state programs offer free and low-cost vaccines to keep children healthy.
NewsTalk 870Read more
Town Square opened in early June at 825 N. Edison St., Suite 130 in Kennewick as a new adult day center serving seniors 55 and older with cognitive decline.
The 8,500-square-foot facility features themed rooms—such as faux storefronts, a park area, and a diner—to provide support and respite for families.
Tri-Cities Business NewsRead more