Crime/Safety

Firefighters stop towering brush fire from spreading to structures at Honeywell plant in Spokane Valley

UPDATED: Wed., May 24, 2017, 9:21 p.m.

• updated 3 killed, at least 7 injured in Grant County crash
• South Hill residents concerned after Manito Park shootings; Spokane police say patrols will increase
• Two arrested after ramming Department of Transportation truck on I-90
• Spokane man suspected of multiple stalking incidents arrested after standoff with police
• Teen who tried to shoot sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 13 years in prison

Local government

Brian Schaeffer named Spokane fire chief by Mayor David Condon

UPDATED: Wed., May 24, 2017, 10:48 p.m.

• Spokane agrees to settle sexual harassment lawsuit by former wastewater employee for $875K
• Spokane City Council shoots down speculation on ‘soda tax’ to pay for police
• Bans on Browne’s Addition demolition, moving billboards continue with City Council approval
• To keep up with federal law, Spokane City Hall dedicates room for nursing mothers
• Spokane region’s short-term rental regulations uneven

Local business

Spokane’s first McDonald’s on North Monroe coming down to make way for a new one

UPDATED: Wed., May 24, 2017, 8:21 p.m.

• Worker who lost arm in accident tells teens to know their rights, demand safety training
• Spokane County unemployment rate drops to 5.2 percent
• Front & Center: Real estate photographer is virtual tour guide
• The Dirt: Green’s Fresh Market to open in Hillyard
• Lookout Pass wins approval to add chairlifts, expand terrain for skiers and snowboarders

National business

United CEO to investors: We’ll be more focused on customers

Wed., May 24, 2017, 1:39 p.m.

• McDonald’s shareholder meeting brings roar of protests but few surprises
• Home sales fell in April amid supply squeeze
• Deutsche Bank is asked for files on Trump family loans
• 23 million more uninsured with GOP health bill, analysts say
• Oregon self-service gas bill heads to governor’s desk

Nation

If Gianforte wins in Montana, the House likely has no choice but to welcome him

Thu., May 25, 2017, 9:02 a.m.

• new Fox News crew ‘watched in disbelief’ as Montana’s Greg Gianforte ‘slammed’ and ‘punched’ reporter
• updated Latest viral Trump video: Did Trump push the Montenegro prime minister?
• new Gianforte endorsements rescinded after assault charge
• updated Trump vows to crack down on leaks, chastises NATO
• new House Speaker Ryan calls violence during Erdogan visit ‘indefensible’

World

On the Syrian border, Haley confronts civil war’s reality

Wed., May 24, 2017, 2:33 p.m.

• new House Speaker Ryan calls violence during Erdogan visit ‘indefensible’
• new Queen Elizabeth visits young survivors of concert blast
• new Brazil president revokes order deploying troops in capital
• updated Trump vows to crack down on leaks, chastises NATO
• new Senate panel OKs new sanctions on Iran; nuclear deal remains

Washington

Agriculture museum in Pomeroy showcases Eastern Washington’s wheat farming past with help from Spokane man’s collection

UPDATED: Thu., May 25, 2017, 6:59 a.m.

• new Top-paid CEO in Washington last year was head of Starbucks
• updated 3 killed, at least 7 injured in Grant County crash
• Wildfire forces evacuations at Washington state tourism spot
• updated Superintendent of schools unveils six-year plan for schools
• Washington state lawmakers want review of Hanford cleanup

Idaho

Huckleberries: Yellowstone visitor offers proof that California drivers are worst

Thu., May 25, 2017, midnight

• Army veteran paints mural for his former elementary school
• Idaho Rep. Labrador’s immigration crackdown bill clears U.S. House committee
• Huckleberries: Harrison will celebrate 1917 fire that destroy town because, well, it survived
• Idaho wants to identify veterans monuments, memorials
• Idaho man killed in police-involved shooting identified

Wash. government

Superintendent of schools unveils six-year plan for schools

UPDATED: Thu., May 25, 2017, 9:28 a.m.

• Washington Legislature’s first special session ends, second starts
• Washington state lawmakers want review of Hanford cleanup
• CBO score on ‘Trumpcare’ should be warning to Senate GOP, Murray says
• Washington lawmakers heading into second special session
• McMorris Rodgers: Trump budget ‘just a proposal’

Idaho government

Idaho lawmakers’ 2017 session travel expenses came to $107K; Rep. Vito Barbieri’s tab was highest

UPDATED: Wed., May 24, 2017, 10:37 p.m.

• Rep. Labrador's immigration enforcement crackdown bill clears House panel on party-line vote
• With Memorial Day approaching, Idaho launches living history site on Idaho veterans' monuments
• Idaho Supreme Court limits issues in grocery tax case
• Eye on Boise: GOP still posting strong numbers in Idaho
• Idaho Rep. Labrador presses immigration crackdown bill in Congress

Education: K-12

Worker who lost arm in accident tells teens to know their rights, demand safety training

Wed., May 24, 2017, 5:30 a.m.

• Spokane Valley High building playhouse for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
• Education notebook: Shaw murals project ready to be painted at Harmon Skate Park
• Project Hope expands mission under new name
• Inspired by windstorm, Spokane teen reaches out to homeless
• Seven teachers will be honored for Lilac Festival

Higher education

WSU task force recommends changes to student conduct code

UPDATED: Wed., May 24, 2017, 9:45 p.m.

• Acquitted of assault, former WSU lineman Robert Barber ‘hoping to get on with his life and into the NFL’
• SFCC president stepping down to lead college in Virginia
• Spokane family donates 1926 Star sedan to Spokane Community College automotive program
• Regents OK multiple WSU construction projects; approve Doctor of Medicine degree at WSU Spokane
• 100 years ago in Pullman: As men head to front lines of World War I, enrollment dips at Washington State

Health

Hundreds bring fears of Airway Heights water contamination to meeting with Fairchild officials

UPDATED: Tue., May 23, 2017, 11:20 p.m.

• Everett counters OxyContin maker’s call to have lawsuit tossed
• South Dakota girl with cancer prevented from graduating
• 23 million more uninsured with GOP health bill, analysts say
• Ryan on GOP health care bill: ‘We will get hit for this’
• To keep up with federal law, Spokane City Hall dedicates room for nursing mothers

Science & Tech

Marijuana extract helps some kids with epilepsy, study says

Wed., May 24, 2017, 2:42 p.m.

• Spacewalking astronauts tackle urgent repairs to International Space Station
• EPA sets aside $12 million for employee buyouts in FY 2017
• New science standards hope to appease Idaho lawmakers
• China says no mining in its immediate plans for Antarctica
• NASA orders up urgent spacewalking repairs at space station

local

Volunteers needed to smoke pot for science

UPDATED: Fri., May 19, 2017, 7:51 p.m.

• Vermont Legislature first in U.S. to vote to legalize recreational marijuana
• Washington puts strict limits on pot billboards
• Idaho business defends plan to sell marijuana extract oil
• Montana man gets 5 years on Idaho marijuana charge
• Congressional spending compromise includes protection for Washington’s marijuana industry

Military

Airway Heights residents warned not to drink tap water amid chemical contamination findings from Fairchild AFB

UPDATED: Wed., May 17, 2017, 1:54 p.m.

• Former Spokane VA officer says he was ordered to stop investigation into Thurman and Marshall deaths
• Spokane gears up for Navy Week on May 15-21
• Iraq, U.S. in talks to keep American troops after Islamic State fight done
• Testing confirms chemical contamination in residential wells near Fairchild Air Force Base
• Pentagon: blast kills US service member outside Mosul

Columnists

Doug Clark: Nesting hummingbird is a tiny terror threatening summer bliss

Thu., May 25, 2017, midnight

• Huckleberries: Yellowstone visitor offers proof that California drivers are worst
• 100 years ago in Spokane: As men leave to serve in World War I, women fill railroad jobs at home
• Front Porch: Sexism in society lingers behind a smile, Stefanie Pettit writes
• Shawn Vestal: Legislature collects another F over school funding
• Huckleberries: Harrison will celebrate 1917 fire that destroy town because, well, it survived

Religion

Pope embraces those with Huntington’s disease in effort to end stigma

Thu., May 18, 2017, 8:19 a.m.

• Vandals scribbled on walls, poured wine and candle wax in church in West Central Spokane
• Pope heads to Egypt with peace and mercy message for Muslims and Christians
• Pope warns powerful to act humbly or risk ruin in TED talk
• Trump administration keeps defending contraception mandate
• Faith and Values: A matter of alignment?

Outdoors

Biking Iron Horse Trail featured by Washington State Parks blog

Thu., May 25, 2017, 8 a.m.

• new Man survives 1,000-foot fall into Oregon crater
• Outdoors ripe for a memorable holiday weekend outing
• Spring weather brings on bicycling events
• Reader photo: Final reflections on winter
• Alan Liere’s fish and game report for May 25