Jody Lawrence-Turner

Jody Lawrence-Turner covers education in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

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Email: jodyl@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5593
Fax: 509-459-5482

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Recent stories by Jody

College Bound program helps students focus on education

June 10, 2013 in City on Page A1 Study after study shows that a college degree is the best chance for low-income students to improve their lives. But those students may feel powerless to make college a reality. … 5
Choices made leave two families forever altered

May 30, 2013 in City on Page A1 Life can change in a flash – a truth that two families are coping with in the aftermath of a shooting on March 25 in northeast Spokane. One man’s decision … 73
Restoration of funding means opportunities for schools

May 26, 2013 in City on Page A1 These are righteous times for Washington school districts. The first spoils from a lawsuit requiring the state to fund basic education will help launch all-day kindergarten across Spokane, hire more … 37
WSU head criticizes UW recruiting for med school

May 21, 2013 in City on Page A1 Spokane will have a four-year medical program with or without the help of the University of Washington, said Elson Floyd, president of Washington State University. Floyd’s resolve comes on the … 28
Spokane expands full-day kindergarten to all schools

May 16, 2013 in City on Page A1 Spokane Public Schools’ board decided Wednesday to offer full-day kindergarten in all 34 of its elementary schools starting this fall. While there are many other budget items left to discuss, … 30
Health care benefits offer divisive in teacher talks

May 15, 2013 in City on Page A5 Contract negotiations between the Coeur d’Alene School District administration and its teachers union were tense Tuesday night as the two battled about health care benefits. The district’s proposal would double … 64
Area around WSU-owned property has violent history

May 10, 2013 in City on Page A1 Bodies on a packed dance floor start to bounce as techno music pulsates from stacked speakers; bikini-clad women spin down poles and a DJ exhorts the crowd, “If you’re not … 44
Gonzaga bids farewell to old student center

May 9, 2013 in City on Page A5 Gonzaga University students, staff and alumni wrote their goodbyes on the pillars of the COG building Wednesday as officials revealed the design of a $60 million university center planned to … 8
North Central alumni take long route to prom

May 5, 2013 in City on Page B1 When Dave Snyder and Barbara Kolbet were seniors at North Central High School in 1971, she turned him down for a date to the prom. She wanted to be faithful … 4
WSU Spokane first to honor grads

May 3, 2013 in City on Page A5 Washington State University Spokane chose five graduates to feature at its commencement today, all of whom demonstrate how life experiences can influence career paths. Melissa Jensen, for example, has stuttered …
Gonzaga president overturns Knights of Columbus decision

May 1, 2013 in City on Page A5 Gonzaga University’s president has overturned a decision to deny the Knights of Columbus – an all-male, all-Catholic student club – recognition as a sponsored organization on campus. “This sponsorship is … 45
Spokane Symphony partners with schools for concerts

May 1, 2013 in City on Page A5 The first day the small group of Garfield Elementary students gathered in the music room, their teacher told them they’d been hired by the Spokane Symphony for a special performance. …
Gonzaga president allows Knights of Columbus chapter

April 30, 2013 Gonzaga University’s president has decided to allow the Knights of Columbus St. Aloysius Gonzaga Council #12583 to be approved as a sponsored organization, reversing a decision made in March. “This … 58
Jefferson students looking forward to new school

April 29, 2013 in City on Page A1 Fifth-graders at Jefferson Elementary School can’t wait to roam the halls of their new school next year, where they will become the first graduating class of the school in its … 4
Spokane Public Schools pursues charter schools

April 28, 2013 in City on Page A1 Visions of the kinds of charter schools that could open in Spokane are emerging: a dual-language elementary or middle school; a high school that incorporates two years of college; an … 85
Top scientist brings education to life at NC

April 23, 2013 in City on Page A5 Renowned scientist Dr. Leroy Hood spoke casually with North Central High School students about mitochondrial DNA and planning for a future in science as he toured the school’s Institute of … 3
Gerlach shooting probe nearly complete

April 19, 2013 in City on Page A5 Nearly four weeks after northeast Spokane resident Gail Gerlach shot and killed a man who was stealing his Chevrolet Suburban, the investigation into a possible murder charge is not yet … 141
Straub promises safe race

April 16, 2013 in City on Page A7 Spokane police Chief Frank Straub made a bold promise Monday afternoon: Bloomsday will be safe. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, and the foiled plot to explode a … 26
Students heading to El Salvador to enrich other kids’ lives

April 15, 2013 in City on Page A1 Emily Christianson spends her afternoons and weekends aerating lawns to raise money. The high school freshman doesn’t want fancy clothes or fast food; she’s raising money for a trip to … 5
WSU Spokane medical school students sticking around

April 13, 2013 in City on Page B1 Washington State University Spokane will be ready to receive its first group of second-year medical students in the fall, and 15 of the 20 first-year students have decided to stay … 12