Honestly, if you haven’t looked at the news Tri Cities Washington feed in the last forty-eight hours, you’ve missed a whirlwind. Between a massive federal funding save for Hanford and a bizarre police standoff at a Richland elementary school, the Mid-Columbia is feeling a bit chaotic.
It’s been a weird start to 2026. One minute we’re talking about record-breaking fog causing fatal wrecks on rural highways, and the next, we’re celebrating a $5 billion "save" from the Senate that basically stopped a localized economic heart attack.
The $5 Billion Hanford Lifeline
Let’s get into the big stuff first. Hanford is the elephant in every room in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. If it sneezes, the whole economy catches a cold.
Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray announced that a $5 billion federal funding package cleared the Senate. This isn't just "government money"—it is the literal barrier between the current workforce and massive layoffs. For months, there’s been this low-level panic at the site about budget shortfalls.
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Why it matters: The funding includes about $3.2 billion specifically for Hanford cleanup. That’s a $200 million bump from the previous cycle. Gov. Bob Ferguson called it a "positive step," but let's be real—the Washington Department of Ecology has been screaming that we actually need closer to $6 billion to stay legal with the cleanup milestones. We're still short, but at least people aren't losing their jobs on Monday.
Standoffs and "Secure and Teach"
While the suits were fighting over billions in D.C., things got scary on the ground in Richland. Specifically at a local elementary school.
A SWAT standoff nearby forced a "secure and teach" order that lasted almost the entire school day. If you’ve got kids in the district, you know that "secure and teach" is the "kinda-sorta" version of a lockdown where the doors are locked but class continues. Still, having armored vehicles and guys with rifles right outside the playground isn't exactly a normal Tuesday.
The situation was sparked by a 21-year-old in Kennewick who allegedly shot his brother in the chest. It's the kind of local crime news that makes you double-check your deadbolts.
The Ben Franklin Transit Drama
If you use the bus, things are getting spicy in the boardroom. Managers at Ben Franklin Transit actually called the cops on their own employees and a union rep multiple times.
Basically, there’s this massive rift over "financial wrongdoing" allegations against CEO Thomas Drozt. Things got so heated that the agency called Richland police six times in a single week. They even tried to have the Teamsters rep arrested for being in the building.
The union is now claiming that management is using armed security guards to intimidate workers. It’s a mess. Honestly, it feels less like a transit agency and more like a corporate thriller right now.
Fog, Flu, and Fish
It hasn’t all been politics and crime. The weather has been legitimately dangerous.
- Highway Safety: We’ve had a "stagnant air" warning and dense fog that you could basically cut with a knife. It led to a tragic crash near Prosser that killed an 81-year-old man. If you're driving I-82 early in the morning, just slow down. It's not worth it.
- The Flu Hit: Health officials just confirmed two deaths from the flu in the Tri-Cities. The infection rate here is actually tracking higher than the rest of Washington state.
- Bateman Island: After 85 years, the causeway is finally breached. Water is actually flowing around Bateman Island in Richland for the first time since the 1940s. It’s a huge win for salmon and local ecology, even if it makes some boaters nervous.
What's Next for the Tri-Cities?
There is a lot of "wait and see" happening right now. The $5 billion federal package still needs to be fully implemented, and the Port of Benton is still reeling from the suspension of its executive director.
If you're looking for actionable steps to stay ahead of the curve here:
1. Check the Fog Levels: Seriously, the inversion in the Columbia Basin is no joke this month. Use the WSDOT app before you jump on the blue bridge or head out to Prosser.
2. Watch the Transit Board: If you care about how your tax dollars are spent on public transit, the next board meeting is Thursday at 6 p.m. It's likely going to be another showdown.
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3. Get the Flu Shot: With local rates outstripping the state average, the Benton-Franklin Health District is practically begging people to mask up if they're feeling "off."
The Tri-Cities is growing fast—Vista Field is finally starting to look like a real town center and Target might be coming to Pasco’s Road 68—but we've still got that "small town with big city problems" vibe going on.
Keep an eye on the Hanford budget updates. That $5 billion is a band-aid on a much larger wound, and the 2027 budget talks are already starting to look contentious.