Good morning, Pasco.

On Thursday morning, a hot air balloon made an emergency landing at Chiawana High School in Pasco, causing an unusual start to the day + the crew packed up after reporting technical difficulties with no injuries to students, staff, or passengers.

On May 1st, a hot air balloon landed unexpectedly at Chiawana High School when wind shifts diverted it from its planned site in Kahlotus—its pilot had contacted the school in advance—and school security cleared the parking lot to protect students and staff with no one hurt.

A new law passed by the state legislature on Sunday will increase littering fines this summer, raising penalties from $50 to $125 for cubic foot or less of trash and up to $218 for litter on state highways+The law also extends the deadline for retailers to offer thicker, 4 mil plastic bags at a higher cost from Jan. 1, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2028.

In 2024, Hanford tested a new method that separated low-level radioactive waste from higher-level waste and grouted the liquid—showing this technique could save billions and speed up emptying 167 waste tanks.

DOE officials said the test started with a three-gallon experiment before treating 2,000 gallons—proving the process works more efficiently than vitrification.

CES Innovation On The Move – PNW

5 AM – 2 PM — Three Rivers Convention Center — Check website for costs — Explore cutting-edge Automation and IoT solutions with industry experts and hands-on labs.

Big River Race

8-11 a.m. — Chiawana Park — Various entry fees — Experience a scenic run along the Columbia River with options for the whole family.