Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 27 years

for Victimizing Minors Online and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material

Former CEO Pleads Guilty to $24,000,000 Embezzlement Scheme

Repeat Offender Sentenced To 180 Months In Prison For Drug Trafficking

Defendant Sentenced to 78 Months for sourcing Spokane-Area IPO Blood Criminal Street Gang

Kelso School District has been recognized as a "District on the Rise" for reading achievement by Education Scorecard, a national research initiative led by researchers at Harvard and Stanford Universities. The designation highlights districts whose student achievement has improved significantly more than closely matched peer districts since the pandemic.

The recognition comes as student achievement growth has remained largely flat across Washington state. While statewide average test scores have shown little improvement since 2022, Kelso students have demonstrated accelerated growth in both reading and mathematics.

According to the report, Kelso's reading achievement increased by approximately one-quarter of a grade level between 2022 and 2025, placing the district in the 87th percentile nationally for reading growth. During the same period, Kelso students gained approximately 0.65 grade levels in mathematics. Together, Kelso students averaged 1.13 years of learning growth per year, exceeding both the Washington state average of 0.98 years and the national average of 0.96 years.

"Being named a 'District on the Rise' matters because it is really about students learning at higher levels," said Superintendent Mary Beth Tack. "Our students are making significant gains in reading and math, and that translates into more opportunities and brighter futures."

District leaders believe the recognition reflects years of focused and intentional work to improve student outcomes following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We made a commitment we would not simply recover, we would improve," Tack said. "We stayed focused on what matters most, remained disciplined in our approach, and continued the strategic investment in what we knew would make a difference for students."

Kelso attributes its academic growth to four key districtwide investments:

• Early Learning – Expanded preschool and Transition to Kindergarten opportunities help ensure students enter school ready to learn and reduce learning gaps before kindergarten.
• Social-Emotional Learning – Elementary students receive daily social-emotional learning instruction designed to help them feel safe, connected, and ready to engage in learning.
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) – Kelso educators collaborate around essential learning standards, common assessments, and timely interventions to ensure every student receives high-quality instruction and support.
• Science of Reading – The district has maintained a long-term commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction, including explicit teaching of foundational reading skills, language development, and comprehension strategies.

"When strong systems come together, strong outcomes follow," Tack said. "This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our entire district team and the extraordinary work happening in classrooms every single day."

District leaders emphasize that while the recognition is encouraging, it is not a finish line.

"We are proud of this progress, but we know our work is not done," Tack said. "Our scores are improving, yet we remain focused on helping every student reach their full potential. This recognition tells us we're moving in the right direction, and we're committed to building on that momentum."

The district's long-term goal remains unchanged: ensuring 100% of Kelso students graduate prepared for their next step, whether that is a two-year college, four-year university, apprenticeship, military service, or career pathway.

"Districts don't rise—students do," Tack said. "This recognition tells us our students are rising, our staff are making a difference, and our community should be proud of what we're accomplishing together."

About the Education Scorecard
The Education Scorecard is a collaborative project led by researchers from Harvard University and Stanford University that tracks student academic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. The project analyzes student achievement data from districts across the United States and identifies districts demonstrating exceptional academic growth compared to similar peer districts.

About Kelso School District

Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

TACOMA, Wash., (June 25, 2026) – Nearly two-thirds of Washington businesses say they are prioritizing investment over cost-cutting, according to new data released today by Columbia Bank. While half of Washington business leaders will continue to monitor inflation, tariffs and broader economic conditions before making major investment decisions, most remain focused on growth opportunities with the expectation that demand, revenue and profitability will increase over the next 12 months.

The findings are from Columbia Bank’s 2026 Business Barometer, an annual study examining the outlook, priorities and decision-making of nearly 1,200 small and midsize enterprises across the United States, including businesses with significant sales, employees and operations in Washington.

Top Regional Priorities: What is Driving Decision-Making for Washington Businesses?

Washington business leaders express a measured but growth-oriented outlook for the year ahead, balancing economic concerns with continued investment in expansion.

• Most Washington businesses are more focused on growth rather than cost-cutting, with 64% saying they are prioritizing investment, compared with 33% who are focused primarily on reducing expenses. At the same time, 54% say they plan to wait at least six months before making major business decisions.
• Despite being less optimistic about revenue expectations (59% compared to 67% nationally), Washington businesses continue to report strong expectations for growth. Nearly eight in 10 businesses (79%) expect demand to increase over the next year, while 59% expect profitability to improve.
• Washington businesses are relatively inclined to invest in their business compared to the national average, with local leaders saying they are very or somewhat likely to borrow to invest in expansion (74%) and acquire another business (52%).
• Washington businesses are less inclined to increase headcount over the next 12 months (37%) than most businesses (51% nationally). 

Recent advances in AI capabilities are in part driving the 12-month outlook. Washington businesses are more optimistic about the impact of AI than most businesses, with 77% saying it will strengthen their business. More than four in five Washington businesses (78%) expect AI to help with employee satisfaction and retention.

While tariff impact has fallen out of as a top concern for many businesses since last year, it still ranks as a top three concern for Washington businesses. Input from business leaders indicates that the unpredictability of tariff implementation has been more challenging than direct tariff costs, as delays, exemptions and shifting percentage amounts have made planning difficult.

• 46% expect trade volatility, tariff impacts to last one to two years.
• 58% will seek tariff refunds.

To download Columbia Bank's 2026 Business Barometer, visit: www.columbiabank.com/business-barometer.

Survey Methodology
The Columbia Bank 2026 Business Barometer, conducted annually, surveyed 1,186 owners, executives and financial decision-makers from U.S. small and middle market businesses. The online survey was conducted in partnership with DHM Research, a public policy and business research firm, and targeted leaders at companies with $500,000 to $500 million in annual revenue. The survey, which did not filter for Columbia Bank customers, has a 2.7% margin of error and was fielded from April 28 to May 7, 2026.

About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management.

TACOMA, Wash., (June 25, 2026) – Nearly two-thirds of Washington businesses say they are prioritizing investment over cost-cutting, according to new data released today by Columbia Bank. While half of Washington business leaders will continue to monitor inflation, tariffs and broader economic conditions before making major investment decisions, most remain focused on growth opportunities with the expectation that demand, revenue and profitability will increase over the next 12 months.

The findings are from Columbia Bank’s 2026 Business Barometer, an annual study examining the outlook, priorities and decision-making of nearly 1,200 small and midsize enterprises across the United States, including businesses with significant sales, employees and operations in Washington.

Top Regional Priorities: What is Driving Decision-Making for Washington Businesses?

Washington business leaders express a measured but growth-oriented outlook for the year ahead, balancing economic concerns with continued investment in expansion.

• Most Washington businesses are more focused on growth rather than cost-cutting, with 64% saying they are prioritizing investment, compared with 33% who are focused primarily on reducing expenses. At the same time, 54% say they plan to wait at least six months before making major business decisions.
• Despite being less optimistic about revenue expectations (59% compared to 67% nationally), Washington businesses continue to report strong expectations for growth. Nearly eight in 10 businesses (79%) expect demand to increase over the next year, while 59% expect profitability to improve.
• Washington businesses are relatively inclined to invest in their business compared to the national average, with local leaders saying they are very or somewhat likely to borrow to invest in expansion (74%) and acquire another business (52%).
• Washington businesses are less inclined to increase headcount over the next 12 months (37%) than most businesses (51% nationally). 

Recent advances in AI capabilities are in part driving the 12-month outlook. Washington businesses are more optimistic about the impact of AI than most businesses, with 77% saying it will strengthen their business. More than four in five Washington businesses (78%) expect AI to help with employee satisfaction and retention.

While tariff impact has fallen out of as a top concern for many businesses since last year, it still ranks as a top three concern for Washington businesses. Input from business leaders indicates that the unpredictability of tariff implementation has been more challenging than direct tariff costs, as delays, exemptions and shifting percentage amounts have made planning difficult.

• 46% expect trade volatility, tariff impacts to last one to two years.
• 58% will seek tariff refunds.

To download Columbia Bank's 2026 Business Barometer, visit: www.columbiabank.com/business-barometer.

Survey Methodology
The Columbia Bank 2026 Business Barometer, conducted annually, surveyed 1,186 owners, executives and financial decision-makers from U.S. small and middle market businesses. The online survey was conducted in partnership with DHM Research, a public policy and business research firm, and targeted leaders at companies with $500,000 to $500 million in annual revenue. The survey, which did not filter for Columbia Bank customers, has a 2.7% margin of error and was fielded from April 28 to May 7, 2026.

About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is an award-winning preeminent regional bank with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. It combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management.

PR 02-26

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2026
CONTACT: DOENews@hq.doe.gov

DOE Announces Travis Kavulla as BPA Administrator

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued the following statement today announcing Travis Kavulla as Administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration. Kavulla will oversee BPA’s vital mission of delivering affordable, reliable, and secure power to the Pacific Northwest. 

“Travis Kavulla’s extensive experience in the energy sector will strengthen Bonneville’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize energy infrastructure and ensure regional grid reliability,” said Secretary Wright. “I look forward to partnering with Bonneville as it builds on its legacy as the region’s leading provider of wholesale power and works to secure a prosperous future for the people of the Pacific Northwest and our nation.”  

Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit will swear in Kavulla at Bonneville’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, on June 29.

About BPA The Bonneville Power Administration is a federal non-profit power marketing administration that delivers reliable, low-cost hydropower produced in the Columbia River Basin as well as the output from the region’s only nuclear plant to communities across the Northwest. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission lines. More information about these and other activities is available on our Media Relations page.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of all active restrictions and closures as warmer weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

“Every individual's choices directly impact community safety,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Just one spark can start a wildfire.”

Visitors should research their destinations in advance, as restrictions vary by location and jurisdiction. The use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns remain prohibited. Many local restrictions address questions of when visitors can use power tools, what kinds of stoves or campfires are allowed, and what type of safety equipment to have on hand.

“Preventing human caused fires is one of the best ways we can all work together to keep our firefighters and our communities safe,” added Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

Looking for more ways to prepare for fire season?

Create defensible space around homes

Divide the area around your home into strategic, tiered zones. Start with a zero-fuel buffer immediately around your house and gradually reduce vegetation outwards. This dramatically reduces wildfire intensity, stops rapid flame spread, and protects your property from wind-blown embers. Learn more on the Firewise website.

Assemble a Go-Bag and evacuation plan

Gather essential documents, medications, food, and water for each family member in a portable bag. Pre-determine multiple evacuation routes out of your neighborhood and establish a family communication plan in case local cell towers lose power.

For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
 

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.