The Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) is hosting a community forum on the pressing geopolitical topic of critical minerals. The event, titled “Digging for Energy: Why Critical Minerals Matter,” will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on March 10, both online and in person at the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland.

The program will feature a four-person panel, including guest speakers from WSU, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and other industry groups. Together, they will discuss the current state of U.S. critical mineral supplies and how those supplies affect domestic energy and technology development. The panel is designed for a non-technical audience, offering clear explanations that break down the complexities of the critical minerals debate.

“The goal of this panel is really to give people an avenue to learn what these critical minerals are, why we want them, where we’re getting them, and also ask questions to help understand the science around the topic,” said Erin Benson, assistant professor of critical minerals for the WSU School of the Environment and an INEF faculty fellow, who will be speaking as one of the panelists.

According to the Energy Act of 2020, a critical mineral is defined as a non-fuel material that is considered essential for economic or national security and susceptible to supply-chain disruption.

In the United States, the most recently published critical minerals list comprises 60 minerals — including all 15 elements known as rare earths. Rare earth elements are crucial for producing high-quality magnets used in large-scale electrical turbines, among other things. Today, an estimated 70 percent of all rare earth elements produced globally come from China.

“China has at times turned off the tap on rare earth elements and just stopped exporting them to anyone,” Benson said. “It’s a known risk.” 

For the March panel, Benson said she hopes to discuss how the U.S. government surveys for potential critical mineral deposits, as well as the risks and tradeoffs associated with domestic mining and production. 

In addition to Benson, the panelists for the forum are Aaron Feaver, WSU’s executive director for the Joint Center for Deployment & Research in Earth Abundant Materials; Nabajit Lahiri, research scientist at PNNL; and Sidney Smith, government affairs manager for the American Exploration and Mining Association. Sean V. O’Brien, director of the Energy Forward Alliance, will serve as moderator.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP online.

Resources
Registration link: https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8AKP6PTiA0wIaV0

​The City of Richland invites Tri-Cities residents, business owners, and community members to share their input through an online survey as part of ongoing updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Systems Plan.
 
The survey opens today, March 2 through April 6, 2026, and is available online at richlandwa.gov/CompPlan.
 
Together, the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Systems Plan evaluate existing conditions and establish a 20-year framework for local infrastructure policy, planning, and investment through the year 2046. Community feedback is a critical part of shaping how Richland plans for growth, mobility, and quality of life.
 
“We want to hear directly from our community,” said Planning Manager, Mike Stevens. “This feedback will help us better understand residents’ priorities, concerns, and daily transportation experiences as we plan for Richland’s future.”
 
The survey includes two components:

• An anonymous survey covering a range of transportation topics, including funding priorities and individual travel habits
• A Pin Map Exercise, which allows participants to leave comments, concerns, or suggestions for specific locations within the City of Richland, such as intersections, corridors, or neighborhoods

 
Community members are encouraged to participate by scanning the QR code featured on outreach materials or by visiting richlandwa.gov/CompPlan. Responses must be submitted by April 6, 2026.

The City of Pasco invites local artists to apply for the 2026/2027 Art in City Hall showcase. This program displays artwork from inside Pasco City Hall to help highlight the region’s creative community. In 2025, the program featured sculpture, photography, and paintings from artists across the area. The City looks forward to featuring additional works in 2026 and 2027.
 
Artists must be at least 13 years old, and residents of Franklin, Benton, or Walla Walla Counties. All visual arts are welcome, and artists of all experience levels are invited to submit applications, including pictures of the art proposed for display. The Pasco Arts & Culture Commission will review submissions and select specific works that will be displayed at Pasco City Hall.
 
Interested artists should email the following materials to [email protected] by Sunday, March 22, 2026:
 
1.      Virtual Artwork Submission
 Artists must submit proposed pieces to be considered by the Arts and Culture Commission; physical pieces will not be accepted. Include title, medium, and year of creation for each piece.
2.      Artist Statement (one page):
A brief bio and description of your artistic practice, including how your work connects to the goals of the Art in City Hall Program.
3.      Contact Information
Name, phone number, email address, and website (if applicable).
 
Submissions are tentatively scheduled to be reviewed by the Pasco Arts & Culture Commission on March 24, 2026. The Commission will select up to six artists, with four alternates named as alternates, to display their work at Pasco City Hall.
 
Artwork displayed at City Hall must be appropriate for a public government facility. Submissions may not include advertising (including purchase prices), religious promotion, sexual content, political partisanship, violent imagery, or other material considered unsuitable for public display.
Find examples of 2025 Art in City Hall displays here: Art in City Hall | Pasco, WA - Official Website
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​The City of Richland is providing advance notice of upcoming construction associated with a new roundabout at the intersection of Reata Road and the future Gage Boulevard extension.
 
The roundabout is being constructed by the developer of Badger Mountain South and will provide a new intersection connection for the Gage Boulevard extension while creating an additional access point to the South Orchard community currently under development. The project is designed to improve traffic circulation, safety, and long-term connectivity in the area.
 
Project Scope
Construction activities will include:

• Roundabout construction
• Installation of sidewalks and ADA-compliant crossings along the north side of the roundabout
• Widening of Reata Road, tapering back to existing roadway east of the project limits
• Installation of City water and storm utilities
• Relocation of a Benton County Irrigation District (BMID) water main
• New streetlights
• New asphalt paving
• New striping and signage

 
Construction Timeline & Traffic Impacts
Construction is anticipated to begin late February to early March 2026, with initial work occurring outside of the existing roadway.
 
In mid-to-late April 2026, construction is expected to shift into the roadway. At that time:

• A full road closure will be implemented on Reata Road between Southgate Way and Badger View Drive
• A signed detour will route traffic via Sagebrush Road to Bermuda Road, south of the project area

 
The contractor will coordinate directly with residents within the work zone to maintain access to homes and properties during detour operations. Access to the South Orchard neighborhood via Southgate Way will remain open during detour operations.
 
Construction is anticipated to be completed in June 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.
 
The City appreciates the public’s patience during construction and will continue to share updates as the project progresses.
 
For additional information or future project updates, visit richlandwa.gov/GageReataRoundabout.

The Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia (CRFMC) is proud to announce the expansion of its Books for Babies program to Prosser Memorial Hospital, ensuring that every newborn in the Prosser community goes home with their very first book, free of charge.

Books for Babies delivers high-quality, bilingual board books directly to new families at the hospital. The program is rooted in a simple and powerful message: reading, talking, and bonding with your baby from birth builds the brain connections children need to learn, grow, and succeed in school and in life.

CRFMC made its first delivery to Prosser Memorial on November 10, bringing 165 books to the birthing center. Every single one has since been placed in the hands of a new family since then.

"Every child deserves to start life with a book," said Leanne Luehrs-Purcell, Executive Director of CRFMC. "Expanding Books for Babies to Prosser Memorial means more families across our region will begin their parenting journey knowing that reading together matters, and that they have the tools and encouragement to do it."
​
Prosser Memorial Hospital joins Kadlec Birthing Center, Trios Birthing Center, and Columbia Birthing Center as Books for Babies program partners, extending the program's reach to families throughout the Mid-Columbia region. All materials are provided in both English and Spanish at no cost to families or to the hospital.

​Port of Kennewick invites the community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Blueberry Bridal Boutique’s opening. Blueberry Bridal is the first commercial business to open within the port’s Vista Field redevelopment site. The 4,800-square-foot wedding boutique began offering bridal appointments in late February and will have limited tours following the ribbon-cutting event.
 
What:  Blueberry Bridal Vista Field Grand Opening event
When: Tuesday, March 10 at 11 a.m.
Where: 625 Crosswind Blvd., Kennewick
 
Blueberry Bridal owner, Amber Keller, was the first to express interest in building at Vista Field. From the start, she has fully embraced the community’s vision and thoughtfully designed the bridal shop as a destination retailer.
 
Keller offers private appointments for wedding dress shopping in her gallery of designer gowns, veils, headpieces, jewelry and shoes. Blueberry Bridal also supplies suit and tuxedo rentals.
 
The shop features picturesque windows to take advantage of the natural light, a mezzanine, viewing and photography areas and limited private event space.
 
Visit BlueberryBridalBoutique.com for more information about the bridal shop’s services or VistaField.com for more details about the emerging regional town center.

The City of Richland is now accepting applications from food and beverage vendors and concessionaires interested in operating within City parks during the 2026 season (April 1-October 31, 2026).
 
Vendors play an important role in enhancing the park experience for residents and visitors, and the City is seeking high-quality, reliable operators who offer services that complement the unique character and use of each park location.
 
The selection process is competitive. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including vendor availability, feedback from provided references, the type of food or beverage services offered, and how well those services align with City standards.

• Applications received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, will receive priority consideration.  
• Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026. 

​
Prospective vendors are encouraged to carefully review available vending locations before applying.  Applications, requirements, park vending locations, and additional details for the 2026 vending season are available online at www.richlandparksandrec.com/ParkVendor.

The Richland Public Library invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of “The Lawn,” a new outdoor gathering space designed to expand library programming beyond its walls and provide a welcoming place for events, play, study, and connection.

The grand opening will take place on Saturday, March 7, beginning with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive. The ceremony will be followed by a full day of free, family-friendly programming on “The Lawn.”

Following the ribbon cutting, the Library will host Story Time on “The Lawn” at 10:15 a.m., offering families a special outdoor storytelling experience. At 1:00 p.m., the community is invited to return for Holi: Festival of Colors, a vibrant cultural celebration marking the arrival of spring and emphasizing joy, unity, and renewal.

“The Lawn creates new opportunities for the Richland Public Library to bring people together in meaningful ways,” said Chris Nulph, Library Manager. “This space allows us to offer programs that encourage learning, creativity, and community connection in an open, accessible outdoor setting. In addition to hosting events, it provides a place for families to play, students to study, and community members to gather. We’d like to extend special appreciation to the Richland Library Foundation for their financial contribution, which helped make this project a reality.”

Designed as a flexible, multi-use space, “The Lawn” features outdoor lawn games available for children and families, as well as tables and seating with access to power and Wi-Fi, supporting everything from casual play and reading to studying and small group activities. The space will support a wide range of Library programs, events, and partnerships throughout the year, reinforcing the Library’s role as a community hub.

All events are free and open to the public. No registration is required.

For more information about the project, visit www.myrichlandlibrary.org/TheLawn.

The City of Pasco announces the retirement of Police Chief Ken Roske, effective Friday, March 27, 2026, concluding a distinguished 39.5-year career in public safety service to the community.

Chief Roske began his career with the Pasco Police Department on September 2, 1986, as a Police Officer. Over the decades, he rose through the ranks, serving as Sergeant, Captain, and Deputy Police Chief before ultimately becoming Police Chief on October 7, 2019.

Throughout his career, Chief Roske demonstrated dedication to professional excellence and completed the FBI Academy. Early in his tenure, he received an Exceptional Performance Citation on May 16, 1988, recognizing courageous, outstanding, or unusual performance of duty.

During his time as Chief, Roske helped guide the department through significant progress, including strengthening professional standards, maintaining accreditation, spearheading the launch of regional academies through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission with the Southeast Regional Campus, modernizing operations, and continuing to build trust with the community. He also prioritized succession planning and leadership development to ensure long-term organizational stability.

“On behalf of the community of Pasco, I want to thank Chief Roske for his decades of dedicated service,” said City Manager Harold Stewart. “He has helped shape a department that sets a high professional standard and earns the trust of the residents it serves. We wish him the very best but will greatly miss his experience and leadership.”

Reflecting on his career, Chief Roske shared that serving the City of Pasco has been one of the greatest honors of his professional life and expressed confidence that the department is well positioned for continued success through the strength of its leadership team, internal systems, and culture of accountability and service.

Chief Roske will continue working with City leadership to support a smooth and thoughtful transition ahead of his retirement.
​
The City of Pasco extends its sincere appreciation to Chief Roske for nearly four decades of commitment to public safety and service to the community.

​Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) has hired contracted security officers to patrol transit centers and ride randomly selected bus routes beginning Monday, February 23, 2026. The transit security officers will be responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for employees, passengers, and community members. They will conduct visible patrols of transit centers, buses, and surrounding BFT properties to deter criminal activity, identify safety concerns, and respond promptly to incidents. Ben Franklin Transit staff want to ensure the public understands that these are not federal ICE officers, but security officers employed under a contract with Phoenix Security Corporation, a local company.

A primary focus of their duties will be conflict prevention and de-escalation. The transit security officers are expected to engage individuals respectfully while maintaining authority and professionalism. Ben Franklin Transit staff believe that deploying security officers will contribute to a secure transit system that promotes public trust, employee confidence, and rider safety throughout the BFT network. Security personnel are widely used in the transit industry, particularly among larger transit providers.