On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer sits down with Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz to discuss ongoing city projects, current goals, and local water rights issues. Swartz begins by outlining the structure of Moses Lake’s city government and clarifying the responsibilities of the mayor’s position. He then provides a brief update on the Hansen Road Overpass closure before diving into a detailed discussion on water rights in Mae Valley and the greater Moses Lake area. The conversation also highlights collaboration efforts with the Moses Lake School District and other public entities. The episode wraps up with a look at future development plans and infrastructure improvements.

Next Week:
The STUDIO BASIN Podcast will feature Moses Lake School District Board President Kirryn Jensen and Vice-President Paul Hill. They’ll discuss the role of a school board, its responsibilities, and how the district works through challenges.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans Miller, along with reporters Nance Beston, Mike Maynard and Caleb Perez discussed New Year's plans and traditions. Miller is taking it easy with plans to fish and spend time with his wife. Maynard shares a story about scaring the demons away into the new year. Beston talks about passing grapes under the table. Perez plans to spend time with his nephews to ring in the new year. 

Spoiler Warning: Stranger Things season 5 spoilers included, as three of four journalists plan on watching the season finale on New Year's Eve. 

The STUDIO BASIN Podcast wants to thank all of the listeners in the year 2025. We will be back next year with more news, sports and everything Columbia Basin. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Nance Beston and Editor R. Hans Miller discussed the conflicts at the Moses Lake School District, including the budget shortfall, recent teacher contract and financial plans for the future. 

The two discussed what led up to the teachers strike, the strike itself and the new three-year teacher contract.

Sports reporter Mike Maynard gave updates on Royals' State Football Championship, Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School basketball and Quincy Jacks basketball. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Nance Beston invited Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis onto the podcast to discuss promises the district has made to the community in regards to finances and levy spending. This is a follow-up to the Columbia Basin Herald article titled: "MLSD's Lewis addresses levy promises, elementary start time," which can be read at: bit.ly/1025MLSD

Beston and Lewis discuss the history of mistrust surrounding the MLSD and what the district is doing to rebuild that trust. 

Lewis discusses the ongoing conflict regarding elementary start times. The elementary schools are starting at 9:30 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. because of the budget shortfall and double levy failure that happened in the 2023-24 school year. The district had to take cost-cutting measures to pass a balanced budget, with plans of reinstating the start time by the 2026-27 school year.

To learn more about what MLSD is planning for the future of the district, from a leader of the district, listen to this week's episode. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer opens the episode talking about Sila's new facility in Moses Lake. 

Then reporter Nance Beston talks about the ongoing lawsuit with Fowler Construction and Moses Lake School District, along with how repairs at Groff Elementary are coming along. 

To conclude the news section, Schweizer talked about the new roundabout coming to Ephrata in the coming years. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer talks about the construction updates at the new Samaritan Hospital. The hospital is on schedule and on budget. 

Then reporter Nance Beston talked about the conversations that have happened between Moses Lake Educators Association and the district at the last board meeting. Educators brought up concerns around reduced educational time of 30 minutes daily and reduced activity time including library, music and physical education. The district said these are working on being reinstated, however, financial stipulations are restricting the district until the 2026-27 school year. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer runs through the results of the primary election. General election season is coming soon, with ballots due Nov. 4. 

Then reporter Nance Beston talked about allegations made by a former Grant County Jail inmate about the quality of medical care at the facility and claiming several deaths had occurred within the jail during his stay. However, after reviewing jail records and talking with officials, it turns out that there has only been one death in the jail. Then, according to Chief Deputy of Corrections Phillip Coats, the care exceeds federal standards, even without around clock care. The jail is working on establishing a medical company in the new jail, where 24/7 care would be accessible. 

To conclude the news section, Schweizer talked about the Adams County Jail and how they are looking to reopen the facility.

Reporter Caleb Perez led the sports section today and although it's a slow season for sports, he said he and Mike Maynard are working on finding local stories. This week Perez talked about the upgrades to the Ephrata Baseball Field, the opening of Sun City Cycle and Alli Kay Tatum competing in the BMX Racing World Championships.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Editor R. Hans Miller discusses the upcoming Columbia Basin Hospital bond for the primary election in Ephrata. Miller talks about history of upgrades the hospital has had, planned upgrades with the bond package and what that will cost voters. Then reporter Caleb Perez talks about how Grant County hired a new prosecuting attorney last week. Miller than threw reporter Nance Beston into the hot seat asking them what they have learned during their first year as a reporter. Tune into this episode of the Studio Basin podcast to learn more. 

For the sports segment, Perez talked about the upgrades the BMX scene will be getting. He and Miller also gave previews for the upcoming rodeo and fair season in Grant County. Tune into the Basin Box Score for more information on sporting events in the area. 

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discusses the potential of the Columbia Basin Railroad being sold. The railroad runs from Connell to Ephrata, going through Warden and Moses Lake. Then Schweizer talked about REC Silicon and what the company may be doing with the Moses Lake building. Next, Reporter Nance Beston talked about Moses Lake School District preliminary finances for the 2025-26 school year. The district has concerns about  federal funding, but overall, the superintendent and business manager are feeling confident going into next year. Schweizer ended the news section with an update on the QPlex, the field house in Lauzier Park. The Quincy Valley Parks and Recreation commissioners have reconsidered the design and have decided to pause designing until further research comes in. 

For the sports segment, both CBH sports reporters, Caleb Perez and Mike Maynard, joined the podcast today. Maynard began by talking about Othello Baseball Alum reflecting on his high school career. Then, he recapped Freewind Martial Arts seminars that happened last week. Before passing it over to Perez, he gave a brief recap on Central Washington Sixers Baseball. Perez discussed Almira/Coulee-Hartline American Legion 18 U entering playoffs. Then, he ended the episode with the Moses Lake Softball championships. 

On this special episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Editor R. Hans Miller asks both Ephrata mayoral candidates policy based questions. Incumbent Bruce Reim and candidate Steve Oliver received the questions about ten minutes prior to filming. The candidates answered six questions with a special final question from Nance Beston, producer of the Studio Basin. 

This issue of the Studio Basin was also live streamed to Facebook and a video will be uploaded to our YouTube channel.