Ag & Business
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 89
These industries had the biggest swings in job openings
Job openings are at some of their lowest levels nationally since April 2021, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. In January 2024, there were 8.9 million open jobs by the end of... — Updated 3/13/2024
Industries that laid off the most workers in January
The new year kicked off with a slew of layoff announcements from major employers across the country. People placed a heightened focus on layoff news, rooted in fear of an uncertain... — Updated 3/13/2024
Inflation of goods vs. gold: How these costs have changed over time
Gold has historically played an essential role as a store of value in economies worldwide. The U.S. dollar used to be backed by gold, meaning money was exchangeable for an amount... — Updated 3/13/2024
Leak assessment delays West Canal watering
EPHRATA — A leak in an irrigation canal below Pinto Dam may delay delivery of water to farmers downstream of the West Canal. According to the federal Department of Reclamation, routine monitoring showed a higher-than-normal rate... — Updated 3/13/2024
Winds of change
ROSALIA – The winds of change are blowing across the region, with multiple developers pushing for prime agricultural land to become home to wind turbines. And the push for the... — Updated 3/13/2024
How a national shortage of truck parking impacts more than just truckers
In 2023, a Greyhound bus exiting an Illinois highway collided with three semi-trucks parked along an exit ramp, killing three bus passengers. That same year, a woman in Modesto, Cal... — Updated 2/29/2024
The county receiving the most Small Business Administration loans in each state
The Small Business Administration backed loans worth $27.5 billion through its primary lending program in 2023—rising well above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels as government... — Updated 2/29/2024
The US airlines most likely to arrive on time in the last year
Picture the scene: Your alarm wakes you at the crack of dawn. The suitcase you packed the night before stands accusingly in the corner. You brace yourself for the long ride to the... — Updated 2/29/2024
States where the most workers are quitting their jobs
Low pay, minimal opportunities for growth, and disrespectful work environments are just a handful of the top reasons employees quit their jobs, according to a Pew Research Center... — Updated 2/23/2024
Pesticide safety bill passes Senate
OLYMPIA — A bill extending the Pesticide Application Safety Committee unanimously passed the Senate, 49-0, on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Senate Bill 6166, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, extends the provisions of the... — Updated 2/14/2024
Easement grants still available
SPOKANE VALLEY – USDA’s Natural Resource and Conservations Service in Washington is opening a second application batching period for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program – Agricultural Land Easements. While... — Updated 2/14/2024
Low snowpack could bring water deficit
SPRAGUE – The current water supply outlook for Washington is an early assessment, but it shows little snowpack through December. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natura... — Updated 1/17/2024
New recourse against wolves
There are at least 216 gray wolves in 37 packs in our state. Thirty-one of those gray wolf packs are in North-Central and Northeastern Washington. Senate Bill 5939 – relating to... — Updated 1/17/2024
Beef cow type: Then and now
This month’s article isn’t so much a Mythbuster, but a retrospective on where we’ve been with cow type and the implications of the changes over time. As I write these lines it’s only several days before Thanksgiving. It is... — Updated 1/3/2024
Rebel Flat trestle dedicated
WINONA — The new Rebel Flat Cree trestle on the Palouse-Coulee City railroad line was dedicated Thursday morning, Nov. 2. Speakers included 9th Legislative District Sen. Mark... — Updated 11/7/2023
Area solar projects receive grants
OTHELLO – More than $1 million has been earmarked to help four area businesses develop and maintain solar arrays to generate power for agricultural use. The USDA has announced Othello-based Basin Farmworks, Weyns Farm and Sage... — Updated 11/7/2023
USDA: Supplant Odessa aquifer use
OTHELLO – The USDA is moving ahead with a plan to draw water out of the Columbia River for irrigation in an effort to curtail aquifer groundwater depletion. In an announcement Wednesday, Nov. 1, the agency said it will accept... — Updated 11/7/2023
USDA earmarks $40 million for ground water diversion
OTHELLO – The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing $40 million in grants to three projects designed to divert Columbia River water into irrigation canals... — Updated 11/7/2023
Trestle back in operation
WINONA — Trains are running over Rebel Flat Creek only two months after the Winona Fire destroyed the train trestle here. On Friday, Oct. 20, state officials announced that the... — Updated 11/1/2023
State secures $112 million for railroad
FOUR LAKES – The railway system serving Eastern Washington's wheat industry in Adams, Lincoln, Whitman and southern Spokane Counties will be getting a facelift, thanks to $112... — Updated 10/4/2023
Are mRNA vaccines used in cattle?
It’s been a pretty nice season to go to the fairs around the region—in most cases not too hot and not too cool. Always nice to be able to connect with both our adult and youth producers. The fairs are certainly an American... — Updated 9/26/2023
Conservation project applications due Oct. 20
SPOKANE VALLEY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s deadline for environmental incentives applications is Oct. 20. The environmental incentives program is a voluntary, technical and... — Updated 8/15/2023
Commodity prices rising, but not as fast as costs
ELTOPIA - With world politics and economics unstable, agriculture leaders are noting the value of local commodities has increased, but so have costs. The U.S. Wheat Association... — Updated 7/26/2023
School ag program tops state
RITZVILLE — The local middle and high school agriculture program has received a statewide honor. The Lind-Ritzville middle and high school agricultural program was recently selected by the Washington Association of Agricultural... — Updated 7/6/2023
Beaton joins news team
RITZVILLE – A Pasco woman has been hired as a reporter for Free Press Publishing. Abigail Beaton, 19, of Pasco, began Monday, June 12. She will cover Franklin County and southern... — Updated 6/15/2023