Trending News

Chelan Upward Mobility

Chelan's Equity in Action

The Urban Institute's Upward Mobility Initiative is a national effort that gives local communities tools to boost long term economic well-being, racial equality, and opportunity through a foundation of clear, accurate data. Their work is done across the United States and can be found here. Their indicators are into six categories...

Business Applications in the US

Washington State Far in the Lead

The US has shown a marked increase in the number of business applications filed following the pandemic, but that trend has seemed to falter between 2024 and 2025. Numbers were stable after a spike in 2021, but they appear to have fallen into a spiral now...

Global Life Expectancy

Longer Living Around the World

In the past hundred years, life expectancy has undergone an incredible transformation. The average global life expectancy as recently as 1900 was barely over 30 years, and over the past century into the present it's gone up to...

The Local Economy is Slowly Diversifying

Diversification is Strength; Chelan-Douglas Economy Shows

Over the past two decades, the economy in Chelan and Douglas Counties has become a bit more diversified. That is the main takeaway from viewing Trends indicator Concentration of Employment in the Top Five, 2-digit NAICS sectors. This indicator adds up the annual average number of workers in these five sectors and expresses their total as a percentage of the entire workforce. Over the past two decades, this ratio has moved from approximately...

Economic Growth in Chelan and Douglas

Last year will go down in the books as the best on record for the local economy. At least as measured by taxable retail sales. Data just released from Washington’s Department of Revenue put total sales in the two counties in 2024 at about...

Many in Chelan and Douglas Counties without medical insurance

Access to health care is vital to public health, as insured residents are more likely to seek preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and receive timely treatment. This leads to healthier populations and less spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, health insurance allows people to stay productive in work and school and protects families from catastrophic medical bills. This financial security can...

Cameron Burns

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Major: Computer Science

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027

Post-graduation plans: Start a career designing computer systems.

After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
My favorite part of work is how the data we use reflects real people and communities. It's satisfying knowing the work we do goes to people who use it to make a difference.

Malina Weigel

Hometown: Okanogan, WA

Major: Economics Major w/ a minor in business administration

Expected Graduation Date: June 2026

Post-graduation plans: I’m hoping to go to graduate school for Economics or Data Science!

After a few months of working on the Trends project, my favorite thing so far:
In the time I’ve been working here my favorite thing is definitely being challenged to learn new topics I haven’t had experience with before.