December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 We hear that the fiscal cliff is looming. We hear that the United States is $16 trillion in debt. 13

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 Your columnist, Mona Charen, stated in your newspaper on Dec. 11 that “… the top 5 percent of earners earn 37 percent of national income but pay 61 percent of … 5

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 Did I really see this paper in favor of handing over our city to coal trains that cost us infrastructure, rail access and atmospheric pollution? 3

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 It appears that the conservative members of the Spokane City Council are counting on the short memories of their constituents. 2

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 To Mr. Wolfe, regarding his take on the lack of a “war on Christmas,” I beg to differ. While decorated trees and lights were adopted from pagan festivities, Christmas itself … 22

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 Of course Americans favors raising taxes on the 2 percent. They also favor cutting spending until it affects them. Liberals do a great job of selling that. 4

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 At a recent hearing with the Army Corps of Engineers, Spokane citizens, 8 to 1, opposed increasing coal trains going through Spokane on their way to China. Concerns included noise … 3

December 16, 2012 in Letters, Opinion on Page B9 On Dec. 7, I had the pleasure of hearing a quartet of carolers in the STA Plaza. Dressed in top hats and velvet, they sounded professional enough to go up … 18

December 16, 2012 in City, Idaho on Page B10 LEWISTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to dredge the ports of Lewiston in Idaho and Clarkston in Washington state as well as the shipping channel of the …

December 16, 2012 in Region on Page B10 DEPOE BAY, Ore. – Oregon Parks and Recreation officials say the week of Dec. 26-30 is expected to provide the best winter whale watching on the Oregon coast. Interpretive Ranger …

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C2 Kemba Walker Charlotte guard scored 32 points and had seven assists in the Bobcats’ 11th straight NBA loss.

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C2 Tournament MVP Bailey Webster had 14 kills, Haley Eckerman added 12 and third-seeded Texas swept Oregon on Saturday night for its first NCAA volleyball championship since 1988. The Longhorns won …

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C2 The seven Big East schools that don’t play major college football are separating from the conference many of them founded so they can build a league focused on basketball. The …

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C2 Abby Wambach capped the year with another scoring burst. Wambach scored twice to lead the United States to a 4-1 exhibition victory over China on Saturday night before a crowd …

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C3 Opposing goaltenders are by nature regarded as Public Enemy No. 1. Tri-City Americans goalie Eric Comrie had extra villainy added to his status on Saturday night as he stood between …

December 16, 2012 in Sports on Page C3 BOISE – Kerwynn Williams ran for 235 yards and three touchdowns and No. 18 Utah State won a bowl game for the first time in nearly 20 years, beating Toledo …