Good morning, Yakima.

Yakima is hosting the Pacific Northwest Animal Welfare Conference with over 130 animal welfare professionals for the first time since 2017.

The two-day event will focus on updating animal control laws and improving access to spay and neuter services—efforts aimed at easing shelter burdens in Eastern Washington.

Yakima Rotary officials will deliver empty paper bags to residents by 8:00 a.m. on October 11 to collect non-perishable food for distribution to nine local food banks—this food drive helps prepare families for winter.

This weekend, Yakima Valley will host Archaeology Days at Wanapum Heritage Center on Wednesday and Thursday—Fresh Func at Single Hill Brewing on Friday—Vintiques Unrun, an outdoor fall market and a DECA haunted barn on Saturday—and stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer will perform at the SunDome on Sunday.

Gasoline prices in Yakima went up 1.5 cents per gallon from September 22 to September 29, reaching an average of $4.29.

They are 21.2 cents higher than last month and 62.7 cents higher than at this time last year—showing a clear upward trend at local stations.

The Department of Education has reopened the application process for $270 million in mental health grants for schools—this funding, which was canceled last spring, supports school psychologists and administrative entities.

Applications are now available as districts work to boost student mental health services.

Heritage University will lose about $1.5M in federal funds after the Department of Education changed its policy on Minority-Serving Institutions—this loss threatens key programs like CAMP and HEP and may lead to minimal downsizing if new funding is not secured by the end of the calendar year. State officials and the governor are already working to help preserve services for the university’s many first-generation students.

The Department of Ecology has expanded a drought declaration for Yakima and nearby watersheds—including Snohomish, King, Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Okanagan, Chelan, Clallam, Jefferson and Ferry counties—as the Roza Irrigation District will shut off water deliveries almost a month early due to ongoing drought concerns ahead of fall season. More details will be covered in the 5 and 6 p.m. news.

Researchers from the Allen Institute found that people with a rheumatoid arthritis marker showed signs of widespread inflammation and changed immune cells long before any joint pain appeared—16 of the 45 tracked later developed the disease, a finding that may help doctors predict and prevent RA.

A study found that golf cart injuries among children increased in the past few years, with nearly 53,900 injuries recorded between 2010 and 2023 — most accidents involved collisions or carts overturning, and experts urged better safety measures for kids riding these vehicles.

Federal health officials expanded their probe after tests linked listeria in frozen meals sold at Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s to four deaths and nearly 20 hospitalizations.

Consumers are urged to discard or return products with specific Best By dates while the investigation continues—especially for Brands like Marketside and Trader Joe’s.

A clinical trial published Wednesday showed that VER-01—a specially developed cannabis extract—cut chronic lower back pain by 1.9 points after 12 weeks and 2.9 points after six months for more than 800 participants who did not get relief from non-opioid drugs.

The study also noted better sleep, physical function and quality of life with only brief side effects and stressed that these results do not prove all cannabis extracts work the same.

Washington Esther Conference 2025

6 PM – 6 PM — Life Church Yakima — Separate payments required — A two-day event empowering young women to be beautifully rooted in faith and purpose.

Warrior Run 2025

8 a.m. — Pacific Northwest University-Health Sciences — Suggested donation of $15 — Conquer a 5k obstacle course and let the kids join the fun with a modified Little Warriors run.

LEGACY 19

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Sarg Hubbard Park — Free entry — Celebrate fitness and community at this exciting local event for all ages.

Art in the House: Artist and Vendor Event

6:00 p.m. — Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood Association — Donations welcome — Support homeless teens by providing meal donations for Rod's House.

Yakima Halloween Trolley

3-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Yakima Valley Trolleys — $5/person — Enjoy a spooky ride with games, treats, and free pumpkins for the first kids aboard.