Good morning, Pasco.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office continues its outreach by mentoring students, supporting families and hosting its holiday program *Cops and Kids* where children shop for gifts with help from deputies.

The Sheriff's Foundation funds these efforts to build trust and strengthen community ties.

A residential fire in a West Richland home began in a garage and was quickly contained — most damage stayed there; the two occupants left safely while all dogs were rescued and the cats remain missing.

USPS, FedEx, and UPS have released final shipping cutoffs to ensure packages arrive by Christmas.

In Pasco, residents should check USPS guidelines for drop-off dates (e.g., Dec. 17 for First-Class and Ground Advantage) and review UPS and FedEx websites for more details.

Washington's minimum wage will rise by 47 cents to $17.16 per hour effective January 1, 2026 + teens earning 85% of the base wage will make $14.58 per hour.

Employers with 15 or more employees must update job postings within five business days if required details are missing.

Pasco residents are planning ahead by using early holiday deals and personalized bundles from local retailers—extending discounts to help manage rising costs.

Shoppers can use these strategies today as they prepare for a less stressful December.

Kennewick School District will ask voters to renew its Educational Programs & Operations and Safety, Security and Information Technology levies in a Feb.

10 special election to secure local funding for programs and safety services; ballots mail Jan. 21, and the EP&O levy, if approved, adds $16M in state funds.

Residents are cutting holiday waste by planning grocery trips, reusing gift wrap, and composting leftovers as they face a 25% increase in trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

Simple changes help keep disposal fees lower and celebrations less cluttered.

The BLM is offering families in Washington & Oregon a $1 fee for firewood and Christmas trees to make the holiday season more affordable.

Local offices are opening new cutting areas immediately to help reduce wildfire risk and provide easy access to resources.

On Dec. 4, DOE Secretary Chris Wright visited Ice Harbor Lock and Dam in the Tri-Cities to highlight regional hydro power advantages and toured PNNL to unveil an AI driven Genesis Mission.

He visited Hanford Site on Dec. 5 and will visit Idaho National Laboratory on Dec. 8.

Guidelines from the American Cancer Society released Dec.

4 now support self-swab HPV tests that let women collect samples at home for cervical cancer screening every three years if negative + women with 10 years of negative results can end screening at 65.