Good morning, Yakima.

The 4th annual Lovin’ Me 911 body positivity fashion show raised funds for local initiatives and celebrated creative self-expression.

Organizers partnered with nonprofits—donating proceeds to community programs.

Washington superintendents are uniting to make K-12 education funding more equitable as deep budget cuts and disparities force districts to fight for a fair model.

The coalition—led by Trevor Greene and Kelly Aramaki—will meet in November to push for a shift to student-based funding that better supports local needs.

Jessica García and Natalie Shirzad are running for the open Position 2 seat on the West Valley school board.

García, who owns a rehabilitation business and reported receiving $3,008 in cash contributions, and Shirzad, a health care strategy planner, both promise to improve aging school facilities and expand vocational education—focusing on safe buildings and practical learning for students.

Governor Bob Ferguson has directed $700,000 to upgrade a former Seneca Foods site in Sunnyside into an apple processing plant that will soon produce organic juices, sauces and cider vinegar— the project is expected to create about 270 jobs and support local apple growers.

The Yakima Police Department is offering free appointments today to help parents correctly install child safety seats since up to 70% are misused and increase the risk of injury in crashes.

Officers from the Community Services Division urge families to call 575-6200, press 8, for guidance that follows state law + uses rear-facing seats until age two and proper harness settings thereafter.

A study using nearly 405,000 death certificates found that fentanyl overdose deaths among seniors rose 1,470% from 2015 to 2023—while deaths involving fentanyl mixed with stimulants surged 9,000%, nearly reaching levels seen in younger adults.

Health experts urge seniors and their caregivers to discuss overdose prevention and review medication lists due to increased risks from chronic conditions and slower drug processing.

A Stanford study found that premature babies who heard recordings of their mom reading Paddington Bear had more mature language brain connections—shown by MRI scans—than those who did not, as recordings were played in 10-minute segments for 160 minutes each night.

The study suggests that hearing a mom’s voice in the NICU can help boost early language development.

A study found that half of cancer patients had to manage prior authorizations themselves, often spending one to three days on calls and paperwork, with younger patients, men, and those with advanced cancer affected the most—leading to delays, stress, and financial strain.

Yakima County faces a severe fentanyl overdose crisis as many residents must travel over 100 miles for safe, medically supervised detox care—nearly 90% of hospital-discharged patients did not receive follow-up treatment.

Triumph Treatment Services is planning to work with county leaders to open a detox center that will offer safe withdrawal care in the community—efforts aimed at reducing fatal overdoses.

Homeowners in Yakima are turning their lawns into small theaters with interactive Halloween displays that use smartphone-controlled lights and sound effects.

They use fog machines and projection mapping to create detailed scenes—spurring friendly competition and drawing local visitors.

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.

Dreams and Fairy Dust Painting Event

2-4 p.m. — 5th Line Brewing — Ticketed event — Unleash your creativity with a guided painting session while enjoying the brewery's offerings.