Good morning, Yakima.

On May 5, Yakama Nation hosted its third annual symposium at the Legends Casino Event Center in Toppenish where families shared stories about missing and murdered loved ones—attesting to unresolved cases such as Mona Renee Vallo's hit-and-run and urging further federal action.

Attorney Darlene Gomez and affected family members explained delays in case updates and a $10,000 reward offered for information, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice.

At a Yakima party on April 20, 18-year-old Garfield High student Salvador “Junior” Granillo was fatally shot while trying to break up a fight, and 21-year-old Isreal Barriga Vargas was arrested and charged with second-degree murder—he is held on $500,000 bail and will face trial on June 30.

A new study will be published Friday in Nature Communications Earth and Environment that finds wildfires driven by climate change contributed to nearly 15,000 deaths from wildfire smoke PM2.5 exposure from 2006 to 2020 across the U.S. The research estimates an economic cost of about $160 billion and notes that risks are 30 to 50 percent higher in some western states + experts warn that without reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the threat will worsen.

The Washington Department of Ecology has approved a grant of over $1 million to fund methane control projects at two Yakima County landfills, Cheyne and Terrace Heights, which will install new gas collection systems to meet state regulations — easing cost increases for local customers. The funding from the Climate Commitment Act supports efforts to monitor and reduce methane emissions statewide.

A finance website Advance America ranked Yakima as the top city in Washington for bang for your buck by noting its 12% below average cost of living and its easy access to outdoor activities—Yakima ranked 54th out of 130 U.S. cities while Longview and Moses Lake ranked 120th and 123rd, respectively.

Sixty-five candidates have filed for 56 local positions across Yakima County to serve in 2026 city and county government, school boards and sewer districts—giving voters many choices for the future.

Filing stays open until Friday afternoon with a primary set for August 5 and a general election on November 4.

A study tracking nearly 1.3 million older people found that those who got the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower risk of heart problems such as stroke, heart attack and heart failure—benefits that lasted at least eight years.

Researchers say the vaccine may lower inflammation and blood clots, which help reduce heart disease risk.

Researchers found that young adults who underwent conversion therapy were nearly three times as likely to have high blood pressure and higher inflammation markers—supporting calls to ban this discredited practice—and the study’s results warn of long-term heart risks.

Alpine Bloom Painting Event

6-8 p.m. — Mickey's Pub — Ticket required — Unleash your creativity while enjoying food and drinks at this guided painting session.

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Yakima

3 PM – 12 AM — Uptown Yakima — Ticket purchase required — Explore historic landmarks and engage in fun challenges with friends during a thrilling scavenger hunt.

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Yakima

3 PM – 12 AM — 27 N Front St, Yakima, WA — Ticket purchase required — Explore Yakima's historic sites in a fun-filled self-guided scavenger hunt.