4,000+ people filed for unemployment in the Tri-Cities last week
TRI-CITIES, Wash. – The Employment Security Department of Washington state is getting flooded with unemployment claims. Last week, Washingtonians submitted 133,464 new claims…
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Coronavirus screening and testing drive-thru opens in Walla Walla
WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Providence Medical Group is offering drive-thru screening and testing at their urgent care facility in Walla Walla for people with symptoms of COVID-19. According to Providence St. Mary Medical Center's Facebook page, there is a COVID-19…
USGS: Magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes north of Boise
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A large earthquake struck north of Boise, Idaho, Tuesday evening, with people across a large area reporting shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the magnitude 6.5 temblor struck just before 5 p.m. It was centered 73…
Washington statewide snowpack 104% of normal as of March 30
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Irrigation water has begun flowing at lower Yakima Valley farms, and there should be plenty through the growing season because of better than normal snowpack in the Cascade Range. Moderate drought last year resulted in restrictions…
YPD: Boy missing from Yakima, in need of important medications
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Police Department is attempting to locate a 14-year-old boy who is believed to have run away from home. Police said Elijah Buckner-Lopez was last seen in the West Valley area on Saturday, March. 28. He…
A landspout tornado touched down outside Richland, NWS confirms
RICHLAND, Wash. -- A landspout tornado touched down outside Richland on Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Pendleton confirmed. NWS Meteorologist Joe Solomon said based on footage and other data, the tornado appears to have formed around 2:30…
Amazon fires warehouse worker who staged walkout
NEW YORK -- Amazon fired a worker who organized a walkout at a New York warehouse to demand greater protection against the new coronavirus, saying the employee himself flouted distancing rules and put others at risk. The decision prompted a…
Yakima Valley authorities don't plan to enforce Inslee's stay-at-home order just yet
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. -- Both the City of Yakima's police department and the Yakima County Sheriff's Office said they do not plan to enforce Gov. Jay Inslee's stay-at-home order at this time. On Monday, Inslee, along with Attorney General Bob…
Sixth virus death in Tri-Cities area as confirmed case count hits 167
TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- The Benton-Franklin Health District reported a sixth coronavirus death Tuesday as the number of confirmed cases reached 167. The most recent death involved a Benton County woman in her 70s. Four of the deaths are related to…
Singer Lizzo sends lunch to healthcare workers at UW
SEATTLE, Wash. — Turns out, Lizzo is 100 percent that caring and generous. The “Truth Hurts” singer has been sending meals to healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, she sent meals to the University…
Chase hits 129 mph before driver ditches car in Kennewick, troopers say
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- A driver led troopers on a high-speed chase Tuesday that reached 129 miles per hour abandoning his car in Kennewick Tuesday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers attempted to pull over the driver just after…
Yakima firefighters respond to seven fires overnight, six believed to be arson
YAKIMA, Wash. - The Yakima Fire Department had their hands full overnight - responding to seven fires in a span of about six hours. Six of the seven fires involved dumpster or rubbish fires, the Yakima Fire Department said, all…
59-year-old man arrested for DUI after a multiple vehicle crash in Kennewick
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Kennewick Police arrested a man after crashing into multiple cars Monday night in the 800 block of S. Juniper Street. 59-year-old Robert Sunford crashed his vehicle into a parked trailer and car before backing up and hitting…
Yakima brewery keeping community connected while social distancing
YAKIMA, Wash. — A local brewery is looking to keep Yakima County residents connected while social distancing. Single Hill Brewery has started 'Hillside Chats', a weekly podcast featuring guests from across the Yakima Valley; the most recent episode featured Virginia…
State may borrow shut-down Yakima hospital, add 214 beds to treat COVID-19 patients
YAKIMA, Wash. — As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Yakima County, concern about the availability of hospital beds has increased Many have asked if the recently closed Astria Regional Medical Center could be temporarily reopened to…
Health officials report 161 coronavirus cases in Yakima County; number doubles in three days
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Health officials on Monday reported 161 cases of the coronavirus in Yakima County -- nearly twice as many as they reported three days earlier. Of those cases, three people have died and nine others are hospitalized, according…
'Take the corona back you ******': Yakima police investigate racist graffiti at Asian buffet
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima police are investigating the vandalization of a local Asian buffet after someone left spray-painted racist graffiti on their…
Good Samaritan calls 911 on Pasco burglary suspects, leading to arrests
PASCO, Wash. -- Police arrested two burglary suspects in Pasco thanks to a vigilant citizen who called 911 on them Sunday evening. Police said the…
I-90 EB closed due to crashes, snowy conditions
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. -- I-90 eastbound closed near Snoqualmie Pass for the second time Monday because of crashes blocking the roadway. The closure is at milepost 47 about five miles west of the summit. WSDOT said it has been snowing…
Kadlec emergency department tent ready to be utilized, if necessary
RICHLAND, Wash. – Kadlec Regional Medical Center has set up a tent outside of their emergency department. However, they said they haven’t had to use it since putting it up about a week ago. The hospital said it’s set up…
Tri-Cities loses $4.3 million in visitor spending in March
TRI-CITIES, Wash. – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit every aspect of our society – including the economy. According to Visit Tri-Cities, $4.3 million in visitor spending has been lost since March. This is due to convention, conference and sports…
Eastern Oregon man arrested for causing life-threatening injuries to infant
MORROW COUNTY, Ore. -- An eastern Oregon man is accused of brutally assaulting a 2-month-old infant over the weekend. On Saturday, Morrow County duties were notified by the Spokane Police Department of an infant with severe, life-threatening injuries who was…
Trump administration rules gun shops ‘essential’ amid virus
The Trump administration has ruled that gun shops are considered “essential” businesses that should remain open as other businesses are closed to try to stop the spread of coronavirus. Gun control groups are balking, calling it a policy that puts…
Gov. Inslee, law enforcement announce measures to enforce WA stay-at-home order
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee, along with Attorney General Bob Ferguson and state police chiefs, announced steps that will be taken by local…
