College students are worth big bucks to the communities they're living in. That's only if the schools can educate them on the coming census.

ELLENSBURG- CWU students are bracing for massive tuition increases.

ELLENSBURG -- Young veterans are looking to transition from life as a soldier, to life as a student.

The numbers just don't add up. Central Washington University sells a lot more parking passes than there are actually spaces available. And that has students circling the lots daily. Those operating the lots make hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Action News asked why all that extra cash isn't helping more students find parking.

Crime is nothing new in Ellensburg. In fact, car prowls, burglaries and assaults are escalating. But what is new, is how the cops are handling those cases. And it's putting them heads above other police departments in our state.

A year ago Wednesday, the stimulus bill was created. The idea was simple: more money for projects, more people would be hired to do those projects, and those people would spend their paychecks. Action News finds out if it's making a difference.

ELLENSBURG -- During a recession, hotels often suffer the most.

ELLENSBURG -- As more people scale-back on buying pets, horses are being stung the most.

ELLENSBURG -- After a budget-bruising year, Central Washington University may have found a way to head off future cuts.

ELLENSBURG -- Outside Ellensburg, it's a case of mother nature being restored.

ELLENSBURG -- For veterans, adjusting to life after deployment can be an enormous challenge, and now Central Washington University is trying to help.

The American Red Cross prepares communities for emergencies and keeps people safe in disasters. But this recession has put one local chapter in an emergency of its own. And dwindling donations could close the door on this chapter for good.

ELLENSBURG -- In this bad economy, there's been a lot more pressure on students to find outside sources to pay for college tuition.