Slices of Wenatchee

Today - Some longtime businesses on South Wenatchee Avenue say customer traffic is the slowest they’ve seen in decades — and they’re pointing to everything from inflation to industry shifts to safety concerns right outside their doors.

Today - Wenatchee schools brace for major cuts as the district prepares to shrink its budget by more than $5 million next year.

Today - A $5 million jury award to a former East Wenatchee Water District employee has been overturned by a federal judge.

Today - A New Year’s arrival comes with a special title — Chelan County’s very first baby of 2026.

Today - Federal rural health funding could bring big changes for Chelan and Douglas counties — but local hospitals are still waiting to find out just how much they’ll get.

Today - Wenatchee residents gathered at Memorial Park to protest President Trump’s strike on Venezuela, calling it a dangerous precedent for U.S. military intervention.

In this episode, we step inside HoneyHour Market at The Side Street Cashmere, a new grocery, café and wine lounge built around small producers and everyday community connection. Through narration, we explore the market floor, the shared Cottage Kitchen and the Velvet Den wine bar.

Today - A Wenatchee man will serve 17 years in prison after being convicted on serious drug trafficking and firearm charges — we’ll walk you through what investigators found and how the case unfolded.

Today - A new tax financing district near Malaga moves ahead despite strong opposition from Chelan County leaders and residents.

When U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Snyder visits 85-year-old Vietnam veteran Don Welter at home in Wenatchee, a simple knock on the door becomes a rare moment of recognition, honor, and brotherhood that Alzheimer’s can’t erase.

Today - A beloved Wenatchee tradition returns to the stage, showing how a volunteer-run fundraiser has quietly shaped generations of community giving.

Today - Leavenworth’s lights are back on, but behind the glow is a story of grit, generosity, and a holiday season like no other.

Today - A multigenerational pear orchard in Cashmere is beginning the long road to recovery after devastating flooding — and they’re not alone across Chelan County.

Today - A mid-afternoon construction mishap forced evacuations and street closures in Wenatchee this week, after a gas line was struck near downtown — briefly disrupting traffic and daily routines before crews brought the situation under control.

Today - A Washington town is cut off as landslides and flooding force evacuations and raise new concerns for recovery.

Today - Most power has been restored around Leavenworth, but crews are still clearing debris and repairing lines as Chelan County enters the weekend with a cautious eye on the forecast.

Today - A major funding loss looms for the Wenatchee School District, with staff and student programs likely to feel the impact.

Today - A failing HVAC system left students and staff at Wenatchee High School struggling through smoke-filled classrooms this fall, as wildfires intensified across North Central Washington.

Today - A changing retail landscape brings fresh energy to Wenatchee Valley Mall, thanks to a new wave of women- and minority-owned businesses redefining the mall experience.

Today - A father-son Boy Scout project planted the seeds of a family legacy—one that’s now marking 60 years of Christmas tree traditions in Cashmere.

Today - Leavenworth lights up for the holidays, and behind the sparkle is a carefully built economy that thrives on winter tourism and festive spending.

Today - As harvest season winds down in North Central Washington, new data shows just how much agriculture is driving the economy in Chelan and Douglas counties.

Today: Downtown Wenatchee embraced a festive shade of pink last week as dozens of local shops kicked off the holiday season with a growing national event focused on supporting small businesses.

Today - A Wenatchee teen traveled across the world to reunite with the bone marrow donor who saved her life — and found family on the other side.

Today - Coming soon to downtown Wenatchee: a dessert shop expansion with a twist — Zully’s is adding a family-friendly gaming zone just in time for the holidays.

Today - Ageless love blossomed at East Wenatchee Senior Living, where two residents found each other late in life, and just tied the knot at 83 and 90.

Today - A Wenatchee jeweler leaves the city behind to build a business rooted in sustainability, creativity, and mountain views.

Today - A familiar voice, a timeless mission — today we celebrate Dave Herald’s remarkable 50-year career behind the mic and at the heart of his community.

Today - One Army veteran’s road from six-figure success to homelessness — and how he’s rebuilding his life in East Wenatchee — highlights the power of local support systems.

Today - Today, a longtime college access program for migrant students has come to an unexpected halt — and the loss of support could ripple far beyond the classroom.

Today - Food banks across Washington are seeing an overwhelming surge in demand as SNAP benefits stall during the prolonged government shutdown.

Today - A new WSU research facility and a massive water reservoir project are both under review in the Wenatchee Valley.

Today - Chelan County moves forward with a $62 million preliminary budget, despite a lingering deficit — and introduces a hiring freeze to tighten the reins.

Today - Wenatchee schools are bracing for a steep enrollment drop in the years ahead — and officials say it could reshape the district for the next decade.

In just one year, 24-year-old Haley Pond transitioned from social media manager to full-time tattoo artist and opened her own studio, Manuka and Moon Tattoo, in Cashmere. Inspired by nature and guided by an inclusive, self-taught philosophy, Pond has quickly built a clientele drawn to her black-and-gray botanical designs and welcoming approach to body art.

Today - As Día de los Muertos approaches, families in the Wenatchee Valley are keeping tradition alive—despite fear, grief, and the long shadow of immigration enforcement.

Today - After a devastating flood forced seven businesses out of the Midtown-Halbert building, tenants are now picking up the pieces — and moving forward with grit, gratitude, and community support.

Today - A packed house at Eastmont Junior High signals deep community concern — as East Wenatchee’s City Council presses pause on a controversial banner policy change.

Today - More than 1,500 people gathered in Wenatchee this weekend for a high-energy rally that’s part protest, part call to action — and all about rejecting political overreach.

Today - A favorite Leavenworth brewery is expanding across the river, bringing creativity, community, and a little neon nostalgia to downtown Wenatchee.

Today - Wenatchee High School’s phone-free policy is creating louder hallways, better attendance, and a surprising boost in student connection.

Kelly Thompson has served on the Pybus Foundation for seven years, shaping its direction. She became president in January after chairing the business development and leasing committee.

Today - A game-changing $4 million donation is propelling the Lake Chelan Community Center into its next phase of development — and inviting the community to help double the impact.

Representatives from Weidner Apartment Homes presented preliminary designs for its Streetscape project last week. If approved, public infrastructure improvements and street enhancements along the South Wenatchee Avenue right-of-way from Orondo Avenue to Kittitas Street could begin as early as February.

Today - Fire officials say the Lower Sugarloaf and Labor Mountain fires won’t be fully out until fall rains arrive — and that may still be weeks away.

Today - After the Lighthouse soup kitchen closed its doors, local organizations are stepping up — but the strain is starting to show.

Today - It's time for another installment of Rotten Apples — our regular movie review. Our team will talk about the latest film releases, what they loved, what fell flat, and whether it’s worth your time.

Today - The newly rehabbed runway at Pangborn Memorial Airport is ready for takeoff — but not before the community gets one last chance to walk, run, or roll down it.

Today - The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Travis Decker after he murdered his three daughters has come to a grim conclusion, bringing both closure and lingering questions for the Wenatchee Valley community.

Today - As immigration policies shift, domestic farmworkers in Washington’s agricultural heartland are feeling the squeeze — caught between fear, lost hours, and a growing reliance on foreign guest workers.