If you had a beer over the weekend, pat yourself on the back. You helped out the state economy.A recent press release says beer has nearly a $3 billion impact on Washington's economy, supports 33,000 jobs and generates nearly $230 million in federal, state and…
Robert Wheeler sat on a lawn chair in his front yard across from Corbin Park and watched the city’s new garbage truck strut its stuff by picking up cans on either side of the 33,000-pound vehicle.“So this is the future of alley pickup?” Wheeler asked.It…
It's such a nice day that anyone with time on their hands Wednesday morning should consider stopping by Corbin Park at 11 a.m., where the city plans to show off one of its newest vehicles.A new garbage truck that can pick up cans on either…
This little ditty about the economy isn't bad for the first 90 seconds, although it does get a bit repetitive. In the old American Bandstand lingo, I'd give it an 85: some of the words aren't much, but it's got a good beat...
What happened Tuesday, in a nutshell, from the folks at TalkingPointsMemo.
Spokane County voters will be asked to extend a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax for criminal justice programs in the August primary rather than May. County commissioners, who had scheduled a May special election last month, rescheduled it for two reasons on Tuesday: to…
If you slept in Sunday, or went to church, and forgot to tape the talking head shows, don't feel bad. TalkingPointsMemo boils them down for you.
Follow the money. That's what Deep Throat told Bob Woodward during Watergate. Or at least, that's what Hal Holbrook told Robert Redford in the Hollywood version.People have been repeating the admonition ever since. And the National Institute on Money in State Politics has borrowed it…
On Thursday, Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick gathered with other city officials and about 100 of officers and civilian employees to talk about how the department might have to cut about $2 million in 2010. Tomorrow, Sen. Maria Cantwell will meet with about a dozen…
The only safe prediction to make is that you really can't predict things.Still, people keep making predictions. Now there's Wrong Tomorrow, a Web site that attempts to hold feet to the fire for pundits, authors, politicians and anyone else so sure of himself or herself…
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker will not file charges in the death of a woman who died when her car broke through a parking garage barrier and plunged five stories onto the ramp below. Tucker said Friday he is closing the investigation of the death…
Thursday in 100 seconds, from the always creative folks at TalkingPointsMemo.
Spokane Police were told Thursday to begin thinking creatively about a cut to their budget next year which could top $2 million. Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, Mayor Mary Verner and Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley held a closed-door meeting with more than 100 members of the…
The Spokane Park Board has banned smoking in city parks.. Sort of. It might change its mind next Thursday after a public hearing on whether to ban smoking in city parks...But don’t count on it. If the ban holds, a person who lights up in…
In the battle of the populists, who speaks for the folks, and who speaks for the faux? Stephen Colbert sends up Glen Beck in this segment.The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cThe 10/31 Projectcomedycentral.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorNASA Name Contest
Tax protesters in Spokane will hold their own "tea party" this month as they try to mobilize and create a new citizens' movement.The Spokane Tea Party, described on its Web site as "a peaceful protest to the massive spending of dollars we do not have",…
This video is a bit overdone, and the acting a bit underdone, but it is topical. Submitted for your approval: If the office basketball pool were run like the AIG bailout, wouldn't we all be winners?'
Sunday's Spokesman-Review will have a special feature in the Today Section on Obama and guns.Not Barack Obama and his stance on gun control.Michelle Obama and her "guns". (Psst. That's her upper arms for those of you who are wondering "Shotguns, pistols or rifles?")It features a…
From TalkingPointsMemo, a look-in at Friday, and Obama's stance on the 'Stans.
Sen. Maria Cantwell got a mention from President Obama Friday in his speech about Afghanistan and Pakistan.She was one of three members of Congress cited by the president as he backed their idea on economic development for the war-torn region. Cantwell, Reps. Chris Van Hollen…
When a sports team from around here plays in a big contest with a team from elsewhere, Washington politicians usually have to have something riding on the outcome.In 2007, when the Seahawks played the Chicago Bears in the NFL playoffs, Gov. Chris Gregoire bet salmon…
The crisis in the financial markets is a “bipartisan mess” involving both of Barack Obama’s immediate predecessors, Congresses over the past 10 years and people who thought housing prices would always go up, Washington’s attorney general said Thursday. Rob McKenna told the Washington Realtors Conference…
A previous post may have seemed snide for noting the Washington Legislature is considering naming the Olympic marmot as the state mammal. And a certain amount of snideness was intended.But the Legislature seems to be a piker on wasting time compared to its governmental "big…
If you were busy with other stuff on Wednesday, here's what you missed, courtesy of TalkingPointsMemo:
Note to Legislature: Handle the big stuffIn Olympia, one might argue, not very busy.The State Senate has passed a bill making the Olympic marmot the state mammal. The proposal is now before a House committee.As is typical with such proposal, it started with a grade…
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