Classroom flags, CEO ousted and other top Tri-City politics stories

April brought major shake-ups across Tri-Cities government, from a controversial classroom flag policy to the firing of a transit CEO.

Here’s a roundup of the top politics and government stories from the region.

Click the links to read each article.

• The Kennewick School Board passed a 3-2 policy restricting non-U.S. flags in classrooms, with critics calling it “political theater” and supporters saying it keeps classrooms apolitical. Story by Eric Rosane.

• The Tri-Cities area’s first public recovery center has opened, but disagreements among county leaders is throwing a wrench into how the facility will operate. Story by Cory McCoy.

• Watch as Hanford workers place the first 7.5-ton container of vitrified radioactive waste into a permanent disposal landfill, a pivotal step toward cleaning up 56 million gallons of tank waste. Story by Annette Cary.

• Pasco Parks and Recreation Director resigned following a city investigation into a complaint. Story by Larissa Babiak.

• Ben Franklin Transit’s board unanimously fired CEO Thomas Drozt with no severance after an investigation into allegations of financial wrongdoing. Story by Cory McCoy.

• A new study found the Tri-Cities is the most expensive area in Eastern Washington and the 85th most expensive metro in the U.S., with a family of three needing nearly $98,700 annually. Story by Cory McCoy.

• The Trump administration proposed cutting roughly $400 million from Hanford’s budget, prompting Sen. Patty Murray to call it “a slap in the face” to the Tri-Cities. Story by Annette Cary.

• U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the four lower Snake River dams and sharply criticized environmentalists pushing for their removal. Story by Annette Cary.

• A barge, crane and dive team installed a barrier near the cable bridge after Kennewick officials reported sediment levels six to eight times higher than usual at the city’s water plant. Story by Annette Cary.

• A new Washington law expands property tax relief starting in 2027, lowering the disability threshold for veterans to 40% and raising income eligibility limits for seniors and disabled homeowners. Story by Cory McCoy.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by Cory McCoy. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.