February 12, 2013 in City Spokane voters easily approved a City Charter amendment giving the police ombudsman more authority and a tax to ensure that branch libraries won’t close. 15

February 12, 2013 in City Multiple agencies assisted Spokane Tribal Police Tuesday to locate a suspect who escaped their custody. 4

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World LOS ANGELES — Comcast said today that it’s buying General Electric’s 49 percent stake in the NBCUniversal joint venture for $16.7 billion several years early, as the company takes advantage … 2

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World WASHINGTON — A bitterly divided Senate panel today voted to approve President Barack Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel to be the nation’s defense secretary at a time of turmoil for … 6

February 12, 2013 in City Northwest Trailways, based in Spokane, has been fined $800 for overloading a bus traveling from Leavenworth to Monroe, forcing eight passengers to stand in the aisle for the 85-mile trip. 10

February 12, 2013 in Region SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines is adding daily, nonstop flights this summer between Fairbanks and Portland. Service starts June 9 and continues through Sept. 2. 1

February 12, 2013 in City The Spokane sheriff’s office says it’s seeing more incidents where security guards or citizens confront shoplifters or robbers. 74

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World PARIS (AP) — France’s lower house of parliament has approved a sweeping bill to legalize gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt children. President Francois Hollande’s Socialists have pushed … 6

February 12, 2013 in City on Page A1 My first reaction on hearing of the Holy Father’s decision to resign effective February 28, 2013, was one of sadness. I recall from my days of studying for the priesthood … 4

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World on Page A1 KABUL, Afghanistan – The United States began its withdrawal from Afghanistan in earnest, officials said Monday, sending the first of what will be tens of thousands of containers home through … 5

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World on Page A2 GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Scholars say shark attacks in the U.S. reached their highest level in a decade last year. The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File released on Monday … 1

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World on Page A2 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Want to name Pluto’s two tiniest moons? Then you’ll need to dig deep into mythology. Astronomers announced a contest Monday to name the two itty-bitty moons … 4

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World on Page A3 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – The Pentagon for the first time is considering scaling back the massive buildup of drones it has overseen in the past few years, both …

February 12, 2013 in Nation/World on Page A3 RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A fugitive ex-Los Angeles police officer was charged Monday with murdering a Riverside officer in a potential death penalty case, but hundreds of tips triggered by a … 1