John Stucke

John Stucke is a reporter for The Spokesman-Review in the Local news department. He reports on health care and agriculture.

Contact John

Email: johnst@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5419
Fax: 509-459-5482

Recent stories by John

Encouraging signs emerging from Great Recession

February 12, 2012 in City on Page A1 Manufacturers are hiring in Spokane and selling goods across the globe, igniting hopes of an economic recovery. From airplane parts to medical devices, cookware, pharmaceuticals and mining equipment, factories across … 80
Hospital agreement allows shift of 75 beds

February 7, 2012 in City on Page A1 Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center will be allowed to add 75 new patient beds under a legal settlement reached Monday. The beds will come at the expense of Holy Family …
Ruling reduces Providence property tax bill by about one-third

February 5, 2012 in City on Page B1 Providence Health Care is shaving $550,000 from its Spokane property tax bill each year as nonprofit hospitals across the state take advantage of a court ruling that extended them new … 8
Sterling posts $39 million profit

January 26, 2012 in City on Page A8 Sterling Financial Corp. earned a $39.1 million profit in 2011, continuing its turnaround from near-collapse during the height of the nation’s financial crisis. According to financial reports released Wednesday, Sterling’s … 2
Area jobs fell in December

January 25, 2012 in City on Page A10 Job losses in retail trade and food services pushed Spokane’s unemployment rate to 9 percent in December. That’s up from 7.9 percent in November and the highest since August. Economists … 4
A final $1 million gift will help children in need

January 23, 2012 in City on Page A1 When Spokane businessman James W. Crow died last year, he left a million-dollar legacy that will help thousands of children. It was a quiet act of generosity from a man … 7
Life Flight expands service

January 21, 2012 in City on Page A5 Competition among medical helicopter companies continues to sharpen across the Inland Northwest as Life Flight Network opens its second northern Idaho base in two years – a region that for … 2
Unemployment rate drops in both Washington, Idaho

January 21, 2012 in Business on Page A1 Kootenai County’s unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point in December to 9.8 percent – breaking a string of 19 months in which the jobless rate was stuck in double … 11
Washington, Idaho jobless rates fall again

January 20, 2012 in Business Conflicting data continues to cloud Washington’s economic outlook and jobless rates. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said today that unemployment dropped to 8.5 percent in December from 8.7 percent … 5
Proactive employers encourage workers to get out of seats

January 15, 2012 in City on Page A1 A few years ago Jenni Lindsey waited with dread to board a rollercoaster at Silverwood Theme Park. It wasn’t because of the stomach-churning drops: Lindsey worried about fitting into one … 7
Auction leaves parts of Ridpath with bank

January 7, 2012 in City on Page A5 A Spokane bank has inherited large pieces of the shuttered Ridpath Hotel in a move that some hope can begin to untangle ownership problems surrounding the downtown icon and lead …
Spokane stockbroker named in fraud case

December 22, 2011 in Business on Page A12 A Spokane stockbroker has been implicated in a penny stock scheme that cheated investors out millions of dollars in part by leveraging the fame of a former Chicago Bears football …
Providence layoffs reach 172

December 20, 2011 in City on Page A5 Providence Health Care has accepted 172 voluntary layoffs as part of its move to cut $61 million from its operating budget next year. Most of the employees worked at Sacred …
Talk at federal, state levels alarms rural hospitals for future

December 18, 2011 in City on Page A1 Many of Eastern Washington’s small hospitals are bracing for cutbacks as federal and state governments look to save money. Consider Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Chewelah: On any given day … 22
State commission approves Avista rate increases

December 17, 2011 in City on Page A6 Avista Corp. received state approval to raise rates starting Jan. 1. The utility’s Washington ratepayers will pay 4.6 percent more for electricity. That’s about $3.10 more per month, raising the … 9
Health insurance ranks fall further

December 13, 2011 in City on Page A5 About 1 million people across Washington now lack health insurance, according to a new state report released Monday. It’s a trend that’s been on the rise for years, forcing families … 1
Rose Parade has gift reminder

December 10, 2011 in City on Page B1 The memory of Drew Swank will be celebrated in the New Year amid a whirl of flowers and tears. His death in the aftermath of a 2009 high school football …
Providence bringing billing jobs to Spokane

December 7, 2011 in City on Page A1 Providence Health & Services is moving 250 medical billing jobs to Spokane from its headquarters in Renton, Wash. It’s the largest influx of new jobs by a single employer in … 6
Report details safety errors in Lucky Friday cave-in

December 3, 2011 in City on Page A1 Federal mine safety regulators have accused Hecla Mining Co. of safety failures that led to the death of a Lucky Friday miner in April. Hecla chief executive officer Phil Baker … 2
Clinic staff, patients rally against cuts to health services

December 1, 2011 in City on Page A6 Medical clinics for the poor are fighting proposed government funding cuts that they say will undo basic health care services and send thousands more people to emergency rooms. “We’re down …