Ryan Simms

Local & Regional Fewer people ditching jury duty

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT

KEPR discovered stricter rules are forcing fewer people to skip out on jury duty.

Local & Regional A sex offender could be living next to your kid's playground (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:04 PM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM PDT

As your kids gear up for summer break, Action News uncovered which parks have the most sex offenders nearby.

Local & Regional Better security at the Benton County Courthouse

By Ryan Simms Published: May 15, 2013 at 6:56 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 6:56 PM PDT

The Benton County Justice Center is moving forward with a major security upgrade.

Local & Regional Benton County makes teen convicts pay up (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 15, 2013 at 6:54 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 6:54 PM PDT

For a year now, teen convicts have paid a mandatory fee anytime they go to court.

Local & Regional Extra class time in Pendleton

By Ryan Simms Published: May 15, 2013 at 6:49 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 6:49 PM PDT

Classroom time is being extended in Pendleton.

Local & Regional It's not a bird... or a plane... it's a drone! (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 15, 2013 at 6:46 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 6:46 PM PDT

For the first time ever, The Oregon National Guard is using drones to prepare members for combat.

Local & Regional Crossing party lines: KEPR looks into which lawmakers voted against their own party (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 8, 2013 at 6:29 PM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 7:49 AM PDT

KEPR is looking into which lawmakers crossed party lines during the regular session.

Local & Regional Richland gets two new code officers

By Ryan Simms Published: May 7, 2013 at 6:24 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 6:24 PM PDT

Cleaning up messy yards is the focus of two new code enforcement officers in Richland.

Local & Regional Cheeseburger grease clogs up local sewers! (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 7, 2013 at 6:20 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 6:20 PM PDT

Grease from your favorite cheeseburger restaurant isn't just clogging your arteries, it's filling up our local sewers.

Local & Regional KEPR tracks which lawmakers missed the most votes

By Ryan Simms Published: May 6, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT

As we get ready for a special session, KEPR discovered our local lawmakers did a good job at attending votes during the regular session.

Politics Governor Inslee appoints the Tri-Cities' first-ever Hispanic judge

By Ryan Simms Published: May 6, 2013 at 5:50 PM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT

The effort to improve our courts brought Governor Inslee to the Tri-Cities.

Local & Regional Kennewick officer stops rape attempt outside city hall (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 1, 2013 at 9:33 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 8:03 AM PDT

A homeless man is in jail on attempted rape charges after police say he attacked a woman outside the Kennewick Police Department.

Local & Regional Despite population boom, Pasco Fire responds to emergencies faster

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 24, 2013 at 6:28 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 24, 2013 at 6:28 PM PDT

It's no secret the Tri-Cities has seen quite a population boom in recent years, causing Pasco fire to get creative.

Local & Regional SAFER TIMES: Crime down in Hermiston

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 23, 2013 at 7:10 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 23, 2013 at 7:10 PM PDT

After a tough year, KEPR learned crime is finally going down in Hermiston.

Local & Regional Rising food prices hurt the Tri-Cities food bank

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 8, 2013 at 3:47 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 8, 2013 at 3:47 PM PDT

Rising food prices means the Tri-Cities food bank is having a harder time feeding people in need.

Local & Regional Renumbered fire trucks could save lives

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 8, 2013 at 3:41 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 9, 2013 at 11:10 AM PDT

A change to local fire departments could help rescuers get to your emergency faster

Local & Regional One man... 50,000 homes to maintain (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 3, 2013 at 6:33 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 4, 2013 at 12:19 AM PDT

If it seems like there are more eyesores around your neighborhood, it's for good reason. Budget cuts means Richland code enforcement is stretched to the max.

Local & Regional Block watch boom in Richland

By Ryan Simms Published: Apr 1, 2013 at 12:57 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 1, 2013 at 12:57 PM PDT

Action News discovered there's been an explosion of block watch programs in Richland, and it's led to a big drop in crime.

Local & Regional Dozens of gay couples married in Tri-Cities

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:48 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:48 PM PDT

KEPR learned plenty of same sex couples have tied knot here in the Tri-Cities.

Local & Regional New technology aims to cut down on road damage

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:47 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:47 PM PDT

KEPR learned new technology could help Washington save money for road repairs.

Local & Regional Studded tire damage cost taxpayers $25 million each year (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:44 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:44 PM PDT

A new report says studded tires cause millions of damage on state roads.

Local & Regional Remembering a local philanthropist (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:31 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:40 PM PDT

Ray Whitlow often took cases pro bono, but his generosity went far beyond the courtroom.

Local & Regional Franklin County still prosecuting people for Marijuana possession

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 13, 2013 at 6:08 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 14, 2013 at 9:25 AM PDT

KEPR learned no pending marijuana cases have been dismissed since weed was legalized December.

Local & Regional Local jails grapple with rising food prices

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM PDT

KEPR checked in at how rising food costs are affecting local jails.

Local & Regional Higher food prices aren't hurting Richland Schools (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: Mar 13, 2013 at 5:55 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 14, 2013 at 10:40 AM PDT

Cafeteria food may bring you back to your childhood, but it's giving Richland schools room to celebrate.