Good morning, Yakima.

Washington officials and Yakima growers said new tariffs and paused retaliatory measures are set to hurt the state’s agriculture economy as they struggle to maintain market share in export markets.

Experts noted that rising costs and flat grower returns mean that even when retail prices climb, local farmers risk losing profits — forcing them to adjust pricing strategies.

The Yakima Federal Savings and Loan is offering $217,500 in scholarships for graduating seniors who rank in the top 10% in Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, and Franklin counties — students must submit a one-page letter of motivation by Monday, April 18 to be considered for a $2,500 award each.

Local students with high grades have until Monday, April 18 to send in their applications for Yakima Federal Savings and Loan’s scholarship program—applicants must live in Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, or Franklin counties and rank in the top 10 percent.

The program offers $2,500 scholarships to each senior and will provide up to $217,500 when students enroll for fall.

Beginning April 22, Yakima County will launch its 911 Nurse Navigation Program to help non-urgent calls by guiding them to urgent care clinics or telehealth providers instead of sending an ambulance.

The program, developed with American Medical Response and Global Medical Response, will operate 24 hours a day—reducing emergency room crowding and lowering healthcare costs—making Yakima County the sixth county in Washington to adopt the system.

Union members and local state officials protested the planned closure of the Yakima re-entry center and Yakima Valley School in Selah on April 9, warning that the cuts would cost several hundred jobs and hurt the community’s re-entry efforts — union leader Micah Cooper and state Rep. Jeremie Dufault stressed that such changes would be a disinvestment in local workers. State legislators will propose amendments to the state budget bills before the session ends on April 27 — aiming to delay or adjust the closures if possible.

Yakima County will launch the 911 Nurse Navigation program on April 22 to help 911 callers find the right care option—nurse navigators will guide callers to appointments, virtual care, urgent care, or alternative transport.

The program, developed with American Medical Response and Global Medical Response, aims to reduce ER wait times and free up ambulances for life-threatening emergencies.

A new study finds that heavy drinkers who have eight or more drinks a week face a higher risk of brain lesions that can lead to memory and thinking problems—research from nearly 1,800 brain autopsies also showed more tau tangles linked to Alzheimer’s among heavy drinkers.

The study further revealed that heavy drinkers died 13 years earlier than those who did not drink.

Daisy May Painting Event

6-8 p.m. — Hoops — $29.00 — Unleash creativity in a guided painting session while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.

The Snares with Pannonica

7:30-10 p.m. — Bearded Monkey Music — Check the latest psych-garage rock sounds from Sacramento and local favorites in a night filled with energetic performances.

Lili Zetina & Grupo ZL Live Concert

9 p.m. — Los Patitos Sports Bar & Grill — Ticket purchase required — Experience the thrilling energy of live regional music with Lili Zetina and Grupo ZL.

Yakima Enological Society's Annual Platinum Dinner and Auction

5:30-10 p.m. — Yakima Country Club — $175 — Experience a night of exquisite wines featuring new and returning wineries from the Pacific Northwest.