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Hey Tri Cities, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A nuclear reactor simulator, a World Cup FanZone, and a cannoli class + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around the Tri Cities protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Preparing tomorrow’s nuclear workforce: Energy Northwest, Columbia Basin College, and Washington State University Tri-Cities introduced a small modular reactor simulator in Richland to train students on X-energy’s Xe-100 technology, aiming to grow energy careers — see how the simulator trains.

Infrastructure projects gain momentum: The Washington House approved the 2026 supplemental transportation budget, funding SR 240 in Richland, the Red Mountain area, and Ben Franklin Transit hubs, while the Senate already passed its version — see what’s in the budget.

Local fandom takes center stage: Pasco was named a World Cup FanZone by SeattleFWC26, bringing big screen match viewing, live entertainment, and family fun to Gesa Stadium and the Pasco Sporting Complex for four games — see where to watch.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• International Women’s Day talk on African allyship
• Create beaded plants with friends
• Craft authentic Sicilian cannoli from scratch

🫶 We got your back

Sandwich fix, solved: When midday hunger hits, Graze ‘A Place to Eat’delivers a fresh, fast lineup of crave-worthy sandwiches, hot paninis, and bright salads. It’s perfect for quick stops between errands, letting you get back to life with something far better than desk snacks.

Riverfront reset, anyone? Craving fresh air without the haul? Howard Amon Park delivers with wide paths along the Columbia, shady lawns for low-key hangs, and a refreshed playground. It’s an easy win for a midweek stroll, quick scooter lap, or picnic, all with river views and room to breathe.

Toy hunt meets nostalgia: From plushies and puzzles to model kits, comics, and board games, Adventures Underground is a sprawling, locally loved rabbit hole where kids go wide-eyed and grown-ups ‘just browsing’ remember they still love toys. Great for last-minute gifts or a midweek mood lift.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎷 Rob Scheps: Coltrane at 100 @ The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge (Richland) | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats live jazz with dinner, especially when Oregon’s Rob Scheps salutes Coltrane at 100. He leads on sax and flute, with Randy Halberstadt on piano and Phil Sparks on bass. An all ages, free dinner show that nourishes ears, souls, and your jazz nerd.

🍷 Read Between the Vines @ Tagaris (Richland) | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Patio weather calls for pages and pours at Tagaris in Richland, all Mediterranean vibes and award-winning wines, plus a low-key group read. Bring your Kindle, paperback, or audiobook, mingle a bit, it is a winery, not a library, so headphones help, no purchase required.

🎣 Walleye Fishing Classes @ D’s Fishin’ Spot (Pasco) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Trade weekend errands for free, all-day walleye classes taught by folks who know what they’re doing. Learn a few tricks, talk gear, and maybe snag free swag from Mack’s Lure, Lamiglas, Fillet Away Fish Mats, and Daiichi, if you stick around to the end.

🏃 Lucky Run @ The Pacific Clinic (Kennewick) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Unleash the little tornadoes at the Lucky Run, a lap-for-prizes sprintfest for ages 6-13 where more laps mean bigger prizes, and you get some blessed silence. Free for members, and register at the service desk or on the app.

🌱 The Art of Perennial Dividing @ Kennewick Branch – Mid-Columbia Libraries | Saturday (3/14) at 10:30 AM – Give those overgrown hostas and daylilies a respectful time-out, and learn to divide perennials with our Master Gardeners. Free, no-RSVP class at Mid-Columbia Library by the Demonstration Garden, great for reviving beds, multiplying favorites, and making more plants without a nursery run.

🎶 Mary Lou and Friends @ The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge (Richland) | Saturday (3/14) at 5:30 PM – Iconic local Mary Lou Gnoza is back holding court with Brian Swearingen on keys, Jimi Beeler on guitar, and Gary Danielson on sax, a proper dinner show. All ages, no cover, goes down easy with a glass of red. Reserve a table, thank me later.

🎤 Rachel Montgomery @ Solar Spirits Distillery | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Whether you’ve followed Rachel Montgomery since open mics or just need an excuse to sit, enjoy good acoustics and better cocktails, Solar Spirits on the Parkway has you covered. Soulful indie-folk, cozy lounge vibes, no cover, and a solid pour. Consider it therapy, only tastier.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Tri Cities report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 52°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 8%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy. Low around 39, with temperatures rising to around 41 overnight. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 59°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 39%

A chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Washington but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

The Laurelhurst is an entertainer’s dream with two levels of thoughtful living and an included 3-car garage. A double-door den opens to a great room and one of New Tradition’s largest kitchens, featuring a huge island, eating bar, and slider to a covered patio with optional fireplace. A main-level guest suite, upstairs flex room, and spa-like owner’s retreat elevate ease.

Take a peek inside →