Tri-Cities DOGE layoffs impact local economy

DOGE-related federal layoffs are straining Tri-Cities by reducing staff at places like the Hanford nuclear site, where job cuts mean less oversight for cleanup work. Debates over Medicaid funding have local leaders concerned for the seniors and disabled who rely on these services.

Demonstrators hold signs Wednesday afternoon while walking on Jadwin Avenue near the Federal Building and Richland City Hall. The event was linked to the 50501 grassroots movement, a nationwide protest against President Trump’s actions during his first two weeks back in office, including proposed cuts to the federal workforce. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 1: ‘OUTRIGHT HOSTILITY.’ 100S OF FED WORKERS FEAR FOR THEIR JOBS AT CONTAMINATED WA NUCLEAR SITE

Here’s how layoffs might roll out for workers overseeing $3 billion cleanup at Hanford. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

Workers at the Hanford Site are cleaning up radioactive and hazardous chemical waste left from the past production of plutonium. Work is overseen by federal employees in Richland, some of whom were laid off on Thursday. By File

NO. 2: FED WORKERS IN TRI-CITIES LOSE JOBS IN 1ST ROUND OF FEDERAL LAYOFFS. NUCLEAR SITE IMPACTED

Hundreds of workers at BPA, which supplies low-cost electricity to Tri-Cities, lose jobs. | Published February 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

Richland Mayor Theresa Richardson provides some comments Oct. 2, 2024, during a ribbon cutting event of the WSU Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures. By Eric Rosane

NO. 3: MAYOR OF EASTERN WA CITY WITH THOUSANDS OF FED-PAID WORKERS CATCHES HEAT FOR DOGE SUPPORT

“It’s just a matter of time until it impacts the people you represent,” one commenter wrote. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Rosane

Hanford workers make progress in 2023 on installing a new ventilation system at the REDOX plant at the Hanford nuclear site to allow continued cleanup in the former plutonium processing facility.

NO. 4: UPDATE: DOGE TO CLOSE HANFORD, PNNL CLAIMS OFFICE, 5 OTHER FEDERAL LEASES IN EASTERN WA

“Trump and Elon are rich enough that they’ve never had to rely on any of the services the federal government provides and they have no idea what it’s like for people who do,” said Sen. Patty Murray. | Published March 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

The Hanford nuclear reservation’s vitrification plant, under construction since 2002, should have its first test run of treating radioactive tank waste this summer.

NO. 5: EASTERN WA NUCLEAR SITE TOP MANAGER RESIGNS. NO. 2 HANFORD LEADER ALREADY IS GONE

They oversaw the $3 billion annual federal cleanup work at the 13,000-worker site. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

The Benton-Franklin Health District offices. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 6: TRUMP CUTS MEAN $500K SUSPENDED FOR PREVENTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN TRI-CITIES

More cuts may be coming. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

NO. 7: FEDERAL CUTS FORCE HEAD START PROGRAM WITH +400 KIDS, 70 JOBS TO CLOSE IN EASTERN WA

There are reports the Trump administration is considering doing away with the federal program altogether. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Rosane

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.