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Dan Hansen

Dan Hansen is a reporter for The Spokesman-Review in the Local news department. He covers K-12 education for the region, specifically Spokane Public Schools, as well as higher education issues, including coverage of regional colleges and universities. He also takes on former responsibilities as deputy city editor when needed.

How to contact Dan

Email: danh@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-3938
Fax: 509-459-5482

Recent stories by Dan

Education funding at crossroads

January 25, 2009 in City on Page A1 This was supposed to be the year for schools. After years of struggling with an increasingly inadequate and complex system of funding education – “system” is perhaps too charitable a …
Education plans vanish in budget crisis

January 24, 2009 in News This was supposed to be the year for schools. After years of struggling with an increasingly inadequate and complex system of funding education – “system” is perhaps too charitable a …
WASL’s days numbered

January 22, 2009 in City on Page A1 Washington schoolchildren may have to find something new to hate. A week after taking office, the state’s newly elected top educator is making good on a campaign promise, saying he’ll …
Spokane has history of its own zoo troubles

January 18, 2009 in Business on Page E1 Spokane knows a little something about the tough economics of zoo management. Walk in the Wild, a zoo that was run by the nonprofit Inland Northwest Zoological Society, shut down …
Plans to make up snow days in works

January 14, 2009 in City on Page A1 For the second consecutive winter, Inland Northwest schools must decide how – and whether – to make up the days that were missed because of snow. Most districts canceled school …
EWU’s leader extends leave

January 13, 2009 in City on Page A5 As his colleagues tackle the worst budget crisis in decades, the president of Eastern Washington University remains on leave, continuing his own medical battle. President Rodolfo Arevalo announced Dec. 1 …
Other cities not as forgiving toward those who don’t clear sidewalks

January 12, 2009 in City on Page A1 It’s no secret: Spokane’s sidewalks are a mess. Even after last week’s meltdown, miles of pedestrian pavement are buried under icy berms pushed up by snowplows. The result is a … 1
Schools battle loads of snow

January 7, 2009 in City on Page A5 Uncleared sidewalks were the biggest problem for schools that opened Tuesday in Spokane. And roofs were the issue for some that didn’t. Many districts canceled classes Tuesday – extending winter … 1
Split decision on schools

January 6, 2009 in City on Page A1 Education officials say they were ready to start school Monday and weren’t consulted before the Spokane County sheriff publicly called on them to extend winter break by an extra day. … 1
Clearing snow, ice can cause damage to natural gas pipes

January 3, 2009 in City on Page A5 Natural gas leaks have become as common as lost gloves as the snow piles up in the Inland Northwest. While collapsing roofs often break gas pipes or meters, more problems …
Snow piling up, piling on

December 31, 2008 in City on Page A1 Prompted by reports of roofs collapsing under the weight of snow, many Spokane residents got an elevated look at the landscape Tuesday, as they began clearing their own homes or …
Cost of gasoline has gone a long way

December 28, 2008 in City on Page B1 Call it the “Whopper Index.” During Whopper Wednesdays at the Burger King on Argonne Road, customers can get a burger for $1.69.
Market slide hurting colleges

December 21, 2008 in City on Page A1 It’s not just Joe Average who’s watching hard-won investments shrink. Joe College is having trouble, too.
Budget better than colleges feared

December 20, 2008 in City on Page B1 News that would have sent panic through community colleges a year ago is instead being met with a bit of relief. When Gov. Chris Gregoire released her proposed budget Thursday, …
Brief break offers chance to head out

December 19, 2008 in City on Page A13 Hoping to make the Battle in Seattle? Then you’d better skedaddle.
Area resorts warn skiers to heed avalanche advisory

December 19, 2008 in City on Page A13 It probably comes as no surprise that the region’s ski areas are, as the Web site for Schweitzer Mountain Resort proclaims, “a winter wonderland!” But Schweitzer warned of extreme avalanche …
After 50 years, chemist still loves a good interaction

December 16, 2008 in City on Page A6 PULLMAN – It wasn’t Washington State University that hired Don Matteson to teach. In the fall of 1958, the school on the Palouse was still known as Washington State College.
Keeping their heads up

December 15, 2008 in City on Page A1 PULLMAN – It was cloudy when Washington State University held its May commencement ceremony – the showers on the Palouse matching the chill in the national economy. That was nothing …
Teachers’ new status earns them raises

December 10, 2008 in City on Page B2 More than 900 Washington teachers will get pay raises of $5,000 or $10,000 a year because they’ve passed a rigorous national certification process designed to produce better educators. Only two …
Friendship stars in lead role

December 6, 2008 in City on Page B1 Watching students from Gonzaga University practice lines with developmentally disabled adults won’t solve the world’s problems. The economy was still tanking after play rehearsal this week. Winter was still coming. …