Slices of Wenatchee

Wenatchee High School senior Ben Madson capped off his swimming career with a state title, a broken record, and a near win in one of the sport’s fastest events. We look at the training, team culture, and technical focus that powered his historic performance—and what comes next as he heads to the collegiate level.

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The deaths of three young sisters in Wenatchee have left a community grieving and a mother calling for change. As the search for Travis Decker continues, Whitney Decker is pushing for reforms to Washington’s Amber Alert system and expanded mental health support.

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As wildfire risk grows across North Central Washington, homeowners in Chelan and Douglas counties are facing rising premiums, dropped coverage, and tough choices. We explore why insurers are pulling back, what factors raise red flags, and what options remain for those living in fire-prone areas.

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As Washington’s wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, Spanish-speaking communities, many made up of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, are still being left out of critical safety messaging. In this episode, we follow Maria Blancas, a researcher who grew up in Quincy, and local advocates like Yesenia Perez from CAFÉ, as they work to clos...

Proposed federal Medicaid cuts could have major consequences for rural communities in North Central Washington. Lawmakers and local care providers warn that reductions in funding could force nursing homes to close, eliminate in-home care services, and put added strain on families and emergency services. With Medicaid covering more than half the cost of long...

When Anna Gullickson and her partner Eric spotted a 300-pound goat stranded near Stevens Pass, they had no idea he would change their lives. That rescue led to the creation of Ridge 2 River, a sanctuary in the hills above Cashmere where farm animals and people learn side by side. In this episode, we explore how one unexpected moment became the catalyst for ...

Wenatchee World reporter Jessica Drake recently sat down with Paula Poundstone for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from her upcoming tour and regional humor to interviewing techniques, banned books, politics, and more.

Find tickets: https://numericapac.org/events/paula-poundstone-2/

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Students from Wenatchee and Eastmont High are teaming up for a unique performance of “Sign Idol,” using American Sign Language to interpret songs from hit films like Barbie and Wicked. But this collaboration is about more than music, it’s a celebration of Deaf culture, community, and the power of expression ...

The new state budget eliminates funding for the Imagination Library of Washington, a program that mailed free books each month to kids from birth to age five. The decision affects more than 121,000 children statewide, including over 2,300 in North Central Washington. In this episode, we hear how local groups like CDCSA are responding, what the cuts mean for families, and what’s being done to t...

The Alano Club of Wenatchee recently hosted an open house and barbecue to showcase its expanded recovery services. Once known mainly for 12-step meetings, the club now offers a wide range of support including detox transportation, résumé help, peer coaching, and sober social events like art classes and karaoke. With over 3,300 visitors in three months and services like free Narcan and ...

A new seven-story apartment complex is breaking ground in downtown Wenatchee—and it’s doing more than adding housing. The Majestic Apartments will bring 212 new homes, retail space, and a creative reuse of the city’s 132-year-old jailhouse, blending historic preservation with a bold vision for the city’s future.

Feature: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/weidner-b...

Around 60 people gathered in downtown Wenatchee for a moving march honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People. Led by a group of Indigenous women organizers, the event featured red handprints, handmade signs, and a banner listing over 140 missing individuals from Washington. With stories of personal loss and a call for justice, the march brought visibility to a crisis often overlooke...

Button Jewelers, an independently owned jewelry store that opened in 1945, will close its doors in July, just shy of its 80th anniversary. Owners Joe and Jaimi Delagrave said they are retiring and shutting down the business ahead of the milestone.

Read more: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/button-jewelers-to-close-after-nearly-80-years-in-wenatchee-begins-liquidation/article_2624c8b4-a36e-451a-8940-b65d7b88c04d.html&nb...