Alaska Airlines to offer nonstop route to this popular destination from Seattle
Tri-City travelers will be only a hop and a skip from taking in the sights, sounds and cuisine of Italy next year.
Alaska Airlines recently announced that it will begin offering nonstop service between its hub at Seattle and Rome in May 2026, with tickets able to be booked beginning this fall. It will be the first time Seattle and Rome have been connected by a nonstop flight.
Alaska Airlines currently has four flights daily between the Tri-Cities Airport and Seattle.
Flights between the two cities will occur four times per week via a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which can carry nearly 300 passengers.
The planes’ “innovative interiors provide spacious cabins, better views with the largest windows available on any wide-body commercial jet today, and cabin enhancements that allow passengers to arrive to their destinations feeling more refreshed,” according to Boeing’s website.
Ezra Eckhardt, STCU part ways
Ezra Eckhardt is no longer with Spokane Teachers Credit Union and will pursue other endeavors after serving as president and CEO of the Liberty Lake-based credit union for more than seven years, according to a statement from the organization.
Lindsey Myhre, STCU’s executive vice president and CFO, will serve as interim CEO, in addition to her CFO duties, while the credit union’s board of directors considers next steps. Myhre has been with the organization for 25 years.
A Spokane native, Eckhardt assumed the role of president and CEO in 2018, succeeding Tom Johnson, who retired after holding that position for about eight years.
Under Eckhardt’s leadership, STCU has grown to 300,000 members from 170,000 members when he took the reins.
STCU has more than 900 employees and 49 branches across Eastern Washington, including in Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick, north Idaho, and eastern Oregon.
Pasco makes Forbes list for best places to retire
Pasco is getting a national reputation as a place to spend your sunset years.
The city was one of only two cities in Washington state to make the Best Places to Retire in 2025 list recently released by Forbes magazine. Its median home price of $406,000 – just above the national average – and slightly lower than average cost of living were cited as reasons for its selection.
Other retiree-friendly benefits noted by Forbes included the number of primary care physicians, air quality, climate, low crime rate compared to national average, strong economy and tax climate. The city was critiqued for not being particularly walkable or bike-friendly.
Spokane was the only other Washington city to make the Forbes list.
PNNL discovery could lead to better, cheaper batteries
Battery technology developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is coming to market thanks to a partnership with a U.S. materials company.
The lab has entered into an exclusive option agreement with Ampcera to further develop technology that improves lithium battery performance, according to a release. Researchers say the new technology also has the potential of lowering battery manufacturing costs.
The PNNL-developed technology includes a new solid-state electrolyte material that provides an ideal interface when in contact with lithium or silicon anodes. The material even performs well at high currents and temperatures, researchers say.
The technology, which lab operator Battelle has filed multiple patents for, was developed with support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office.
Over the next year, PNNL and Ampcera will work to further refine the material and scale up the manufacturing process.
Ampcera develops solid-state electrolyte materials and scalable manufacturing processes for next-generation solid-state batteries. The company is headquartered in Milpitas, California, with research and manufacturing facilities in Tucson, Arizona.
Longtime Lampson employee dies at age 74
A longtime worker at Lampson International LLC recently died.
Russell “Rusty” Rutherford died May 19 at the age of 74. He spent more than 50 years as a crane operator and equipment manager at Lampson International, contributing to numerous projects around the world.
Rutherford was born in Richland in 1951 and was a graduate of Kennewick High School. He married Janice Pearson in 1973, and they were married for more than 51 years. Rutherford enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating and sports, and he spent time coaching his children.
A celebration of life will be held from 3-9 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Zintel Creek Golf Club, 314 N. Underwood St., Kennewick.
Gesa Stadium in running for best ballpark recognition
The Tri-City Dust Devils were in the middle of the pack in Northwest League standings as June began, but they’re hoping fans put them at the top of the leaderboard in another competition.
Gesa Stadium is one of 15 stadiums under consideration as Newsweek’s Best Single-A Ballpark. The Dust Devils’ home field is one of three venues from the West in the lineup, and the only one in the Pacific Northwest.
“Gesa Stadium’s unique southern alignment delivers amazing views of mountain peaks and epic sunsets,” according to Newsweek’s description of the ballpark. “An expansive sunshade keeps things cool as you cheer on your team. Hit up Dusty’s Deck for all-you-can-eat BBQ, then snag a selfie with Erik the Peanut Guy, the unofficial mascot and all-around crowd favorite.”
Newsweek selected the ballparks based on input from journalists and sports fans, with the final list determined by the magazine’s editors.
Vote for Gesa Stadium or another ballpark once per day until polls close at 9 a.m. June 25. Winners will be announced July 2. Go to: bit.ly/best-ballpark.
Tri-City unemployment continues seasonal decline
Workers filled thousands of jobs in the Tri-Cities between March and April as the region’s labor force engagement continues its seasonal climb.
Out of a workforce of 145,430 people, 139,128 were employed in April, according to data from the state Employment Security Department. Both those numbers are up from March’s 143,301-member workforce with 136,255 employed.
The number of unemployed persons also dropped from 7,046 in March to 6,302 in April. That sent the unemployment rate down from 4.9% to 4.3%.
Those numbers are counter to what the state is seeing. The state’s unemployment rate remained at 4.4% between March and April. However, the state reported an estimated 5,800 fewer jobs in April, the third consecutive monthly decline.
At the state-level, April employment data showed nonfarm employment decreased by 5,200 and government employment decreased by 700. The largest one-month sector level gains in private industry were in education and health services (up 3,900), professional and business services (up 2,200), and wholesale trade (up 700).
“Payroll estimates remain above the tally for last April, but only by 1,200 jobs or 0.03%,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, ESD’s chief labor economist.
Salmon fishing season set to begin in the Hanford Reach
Salmon fishing season in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River opens June 16 and there are some things you need to know before you cast a line.
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife recently released details on the conditions for this summer’s season, which runs through July 31.
The agency defines the Hanford Reach as the stretch of river from just below Priest Rapids Dam to Columbia Point in Richland. Fishing is permitted in the area between Columbia Point and the Interstate 182 bridge from June 16 to July 15. From July 16 until the end of the season, fishermen can cast their lines in the waters between the I-182 bridge and Priest Rapids Dam.
Season rules include:
Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye. Anglers can use two poles when fishing for salmon with the two-pole endorsement. Night closure in effect for salmon.
Additionally, during the first portion of the season, the area between the bridge and Columbia Point is open only to bank fishing with hand-cast lines from shore on the Richland side of the river. Angling for salmon from a vessel and fishing from shore on the Pasco side of the river is closed.
Barbless hooks are not required when fishing for salmon in this area of the Columbia River.
With the exception of the “bank fishing only” areas, all waters from the blue bridge to the I-182 bridge are closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead during the summer salmon fishery.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.
$6.2 million device expands treatment options
A new $6.2 million treatment device at Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center is expected to expand cancer and non-cancer health care options in the region and offer more efficient and individualized care.
The new Varian TrueBeam Hypersight Linear Accelerator combines computer tomography (CT) scanning with radiation treatment technology, according to a release. The new device is part of an investment by Providence, Kadlec’s owner, that also included the cost of construction to house it at the cancer center, as well as an update to another radiation treatment machine.
Among the machine’s multiple benefits for patients:
CT scans to assess treatment process can be captured during treatment. More precise targeting of tumors, even to the point that the machine will stop and reposition during treatment if a patient moves slightly. Shorter treatment times, even for patients with multiple tumors.
The machine also will be able to treat non-cancerous conditions such as osteoarthritis. Low dose radiation treatment has been found successful in treating the condition in those for whom medications or injections no longer work.
Insurers seek 21.2% average rate increase for 2026
Health insurers providing coverage to more than 305,000 customers across Washington state have filed requests with the state to raise the rates of their health plans in 2026 from between 9.6% and 37.3%.
The state Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced the requested rate changes submitted by 14 insurers. The rate increases are based on insurer forecasts on what services their customers will use and how much that will cost, according to a release. The insurance commissioner’s office is currently reviewing those requests.
Those impacted are mostly Washingtonians who do not receive health benefits through employment and buy coverage via the individual market.
The rate increases could lead tens of thousands to drop coverage, state insurance officials said. A federal tax credit first offered in 2021 that helped those making up to $62,600 a year pay for coverage is set to expire at the end of 2025 unless renewed by Congress.
The insurance commissioner’s office said insurers took the tax credit into account when creating their request for 2026 and renewing the tax credits could reduce the proposed rate changes by as much as 6.4%.
“These tax credits are how many people afford critical coverage that protects themselves and their families,” said state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, in a statement. “I know many members of Congress understand this and hopefully, they will prevail in these negotiations. Thousands of people in Washington state and millions across the country depend on the individual market and can’t afford to see prices rise unnecessarily.”
Commerce announces new flexible loan program
A new small loan program from the state Department of Commerce will make up to $13 million in capital available to small business owners with a “pay as you earn” repayment model.
The Revenue-Based Financing Fund, or RBF, comes from the $163 million the U.S. Department of the Treasury puts into the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), according to a release. The state is partnering with economic development nonprofit Grow America to administer the fund.
Unlike a traditional bank loan, RBF loans will offer highly customized repayments that are tailored to a business’s needs and adjust to the business’s net income as it changes. State officials say they expect the loans to be especially helpful for seasonal businesses, such as event venues, florists, caterers and tourism-focused enterprises.
Borrowers can apply for this program through Washington’s Revenue-Based Financing Fund – Grow America. More information about all of Washington’s SSBCI programs can be found at bit.ly/wa-finance.
Report: Most Tri-City workers have higher wages than national average
Most professions in the Tri-Cities pay average wages higher than the national average for those roles, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The overall average wage in the Kennewick-Richland metropolitan statistical area was an average of $34.43 per hour in May 2024, according to the report issued on May 15. Of the identified categories, those working in management have the best average salary at $74.21 per hour, about $6 more than the national average.
Many other professions, ranging from office and administrative support to construction workers, also enjoy wages higher than the national average, usually by at least a dollar or two.
Three sectors in the region have wages roughly on par with the national average: those working in computer and mathematical jobs receive $56.95 per hour on average, less than a $1 above the national rate. Transportation workers only get 21 cents more than $23.44 per hour on average nationally. And local farmers and foresters are on par with their colleagues across the country at an average of $20.10 per hour.
And then there are those working in professions paying less than the national average. Salespeople earn about $1.50 below the national average of $26 per hour. Graphic designers, videographers and others working in media earn on average $33.69 per hour, about $3 below the national average.
Lawyers, though, have the greatest gap between what they make on average in the Tri-Cities versus the rest of the country. While still among the highest paid professions at $53.12 per hour, legal professionals make nearly $13 less on average per hour compared to the national average.
New WSU Tri-Cities program paves path from high school to college for aspiring nurses
Tri-Tech Skills Center has sent its first cohort of students on to Washington State University Tri-Cities as part of a new joint program supporting those pursuing a nursing career.
The university welcomed the 10 Tri-Tech students participating in the Nursing Bridge program during a recent awards ceremony, according to a release. Those students have earned their certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification and now will pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Richland campus.
The WSU College of Nursing, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Trios Health, Lourdes Health are also collaborating with the program alongside public-private partner Career Connect Washington Program Builders, which is funding the initiative.
Students selected for the Nursing Bridge program will complete the first two years of pre-nursing courses while gaining two years of paid CNA experience at one of the participating hospitals. Upon meeting all admission requirements, they will receive direct admission to the WSU Tri-Cities College of Nursing to begin the pre-licensure BSN program.
For more information about applying to the WSU Tri-Cities Nursing Bridge program, including eligibility requirements and application steps, go to: bit.ly/wsu-nurse.
Incyte Diagnostics to lay off 310 workers
Incyte Diagnostics will layoff 310 of its staff as it moves forward with a recent deal with national lab services provider Labcorp as it acquires specific assets of Incyte’s business, including Incyte’s Richland lab.
A worker adjustment and retraining notice, or WARN, alert from the state’s Employment Security Department announced the layoff on May 23. Laid off workers will separate from the company on Aug. 4, according to the notice.
Dr. Jon Rittenbach, Incyte’s board chairman, told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business in a statement that the layoff notice is required under state law when employees are to transition from one entity to another, which includes staff at the Richland lab.
“The lab will continue to operate after the sale as usual and there is a goal for all staff at this location to either continue work with Incyte or Labcorp,” Rittenbach said.
North Carolina-based Labcorp is acquiring portions of Incyte’s clinical testing and anatomic pathology business in a deal that is expected to close later this year. That included Incyte’s main anatomic pathology laboratory in Spokane and its labs in Richland, Tukwila and Missoula.
However, with the anatomic pathology business, Incyte’s pathologists are expected to continue providing services examining and interpreting tissue samples, while Labcorp will provide tissue processing and slide preparation services.
Incyte invested $1.6 million to remodel its building at 221 Wellsian Way for its Richland laboratory seven years ago.
