A casino won’t be good for people in the Tri-Cities | Opinion

Longtime resident fears casino plan

As a longtime committed community leader, I feel compelled to speak out against the proposed casino development in the Tri-Cities.

Having spent most of my life here, I have seen firsthand what makes our community strong, hardworking families, small businesses and a shared commitment to one another’s well-being.

While the casino is being promoted as economic opportunity, I am deeply concerned about the long-term impact it could have on our community.

Developments like this often bring increased financial hardship, addiction and strain on families. These are not just statistics, they are real challenges that affect our neighbors, friends and future generations.

Our community deserves investments that build stability and opportunity in a sustainable way. We should be focusing on projects that strengthen families, support local businesses and create safe, healthy environments for our children.

I believe in the voice of this community, and I urge local leaders to listen. Growth should reflect our values, not compromise them. We must protect the future of Pasco and ensure it remains a place where families can thrive.

Maria Rivera, Pasco

How to fix worries for patient safety

In 2023, I attended a school orientation where an RN instructor explained that medical/surgical patients were increasingly resembling progressive care unit (PCU) patients, and PCU-level patients were becoming more comparable to ICU-level patients.

This reflects the growing acuity levels nurses face in healthcare today. Hospital nurses often care for high-acuity patients while facing staffing shortages and limited support.

The University of Pennsylvania and the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research have long advocated for nurse-to-patient ratios, stating that inadequate nurse staffing increases patient injuries and deaths.

I interviewed many nurses, and about 99% believed that nurse-to-patient ratio laws could reduce burnout, improve quality of care and enhance patient safety. According to yhe 2026 Scrub Report, higher nurse workloads are associated with increased patient mortality risk.

Skilled nursing facilities also continue to face severe staffing shortages, high workloads, and increasing resident acuity levels. RN/LPN’s frequently work with 18-25 residents and have limited support while managing multiple responsibilities.

Overall, ongoing staffing shortages and policy challenges continue to impact healthcare quality and nurse burnout, highlighting the importance of supporting nurse-to-patient ratio legislation in Washington.

Jessica Garcia, West Richland

Rapid growth is harbinger of costs

Recent reporting on overcrowding in Tri-Cities schools and continued expansion in Pasco highlights both an achievement and a warning for our community.

Our region is growing rapidly because families want to live and work here, but our infrastructure is struggling to keep pace.

Teachers are being asked to do more with crowded classrooms, while students compete for limited resources and attention.

New schools help, but they are only temporary solutions if growth continues without long-term planning. We cannot celebrate economic development while ignoring the pressure it places on public education.

The Tri-Cities has always prided itself on being family-oriented and forward-thinking. If that is true, then investing in schools should not be treated as an afterthought.

Strong schools are not just buildings; they are the foundation of a successful community and future workforce.

The question is not whether the Tri-Cities will continue to grow. The real question is whether we are willing to grow responsibly before overcrowding becomes the norm instead of the exception.

Izabella Serrano, Kennewick

Tail wagging the dog?

When looking at the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, a troubling question arises: Is the tail wagging the dog? Are America’s foreign policy objectives being dictated by the government of Israel, rather than the interests and values of the American people?

The sheer scale of human devastation makes this question impossible to ignore. The staggering disparity in lives lost — with the death toll in the Gaza war surging past 72,000, including over 850 killed after Trump’s “ceasefire” alongside thousands killed and over a million displaced in the conflicts in Lebanon — presents a horrific humanitarian crisis. Despite these catastrophic numbers and the clear violations of international stability, and possibility international law, unconditional U.S. military and diplomatic aid continues to flow.

Does our country truly support this level of disproportionate destruction?

A sovereign nation’s foreign policy should reflect its own principles and humanitarian standards, not serve as a blank check for another state’s military campaigns. It is time for Washington to reassess this relationship, assert its own leadership and stop allowing foreign priorities to steer American actions.

Ed Frost, Kennewick

Pride month now: Let’s honor rights

Pride Month, observed every June, honors the contributions, culture and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. First recognized nationally in 1999 as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and later expanded in 2009 to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, it serves as a time to reflect on both historic milestones and the ongoing pursuit of equality and inclusion.

Communities across the United States and around the world celebrate Pride through events that promote visibility, solidarity, and joy. Local activities often include tabletop socials, parades, pub crawls, musical performances, bowling nights and community festivals. These celebrations also highlight the continued human and civil rights challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, reinforcing the importance of advocacy and support.

This Pride Month, we stand with our LGBTQ+ neighbors in the Tri-Cities by participating in resource fairs and community events that uplift and affirm their experiences. If you’d like to get involved, you can reach out to SARC to learn how to become a volunteer with our agency. You can also contact us if you have questions or concerns about someone who may have experienced victimization or discrimination.

Call 509-374-5391 or visit supportadvocacyresourcecenter.org for more information.

Yolanda Stohel, Richland