Not that this is necessarily the best way to get national recognition for a local news story, but Jay Leno included a mention of one of our hottest topics in his Monday night monologue.With a "How bizarre is this?" lead-in, he mentioned the escape of…
Note to candidates and campaign managers: If you're going after voters in the upcoming election, you may want to target seniors early and hit the Gen Ys after Halloween. At least in Spokane County.That's one of the conclusions of a new study by Eastern Washington…
Tea Party organizations in Spokane and North Idaho had rallies last week on Constitution Day - the first day of Constitution Week - to air their displeasure with government. OK, so some group is always unhappy with government, it's the American way.But sometimes, government does…
Don't start a war, but feel free to speak your mind - in Spanish, if able. Toast the season with something that leaves your head clear.That's because tomorrow is Peace Day. This is also Constitution Week and Alcohol and Addiction Recovery Month and National Hispanic…
Not exactly what every member of Congress aspires to, but Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has a spot in Jon Stewart's opening Wednesday night. She's one of the featured clips in Scoldplay, or Jackass Carrousel, in which Stewart points out that members of both parties seem…
We pause in the middle of this year's election season to bring you a preview of next year's.There's could be an interesting Republican primary in Spokane's 6th Legislative District.Former Rep. John Ahern has talked about wanting a rematch ever since he lost to Democratic challenger…
Shortly after finishing the ACORN post below, the e-mail Inbox had a press release from that national organization explaining changes it's putting in place as a response to a series of video investigations of its practices.It's a press release that all but concedes the actions…
A Tea Party gathering is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Spokane. But don't expect crumpets.This is the kind of Tea Party for folks unhappy with some or all aspects of their government. It will feature syndicated radio host Laurie Roth and some local speakers, some…
There's no ACORN office in the Inland Northwest.Nothing in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Pullman, Colville, Sandpoint, Republic, Metaline Falls, Kellogg...We could go on with the geography lesson, but we suspect you get the drift.Some readers -- some of whom might more accurately be described as FOX…
Rep. Joe Wilson may be having his 15 minutes of fame for yelling "You Lie" during President Obama's speech, but he's not the first person to heckle a president during a speech. (And based on the direction political discourse is headed in America, he won't…
When a president talks, congresspersons listen...and then they talk, too.Such was the case Wednesday night when Barack Obama talked about health care reform, and members of Congress talked about Obama's talk.Go inside the blog to see what the honorables who represent the Inland Northwest had…
Didn't take long for the left and the right to grab onto a two-word outburst during President Obama's speech Wednesday night.Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called the White House to apologize for shouting "You lie," when Obama was talking about health care and illegal immigrants. But…
Democrats apparently like to watch President Obama in groups. The Democratic National Committee, through the Organizing for America campaign operation, is organizing "watch parties" around the country to view Obama's address tonight to a joint session of Congress tonight, including one in Spokane.It's at Toad…
Spokane is smarter than Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue and Salem, but not smarter than Eugene or Seattle.At least, that's what the Natural Resources Defense Council says in its latest lists of "smarter cities," which ranks small, medium and large cities on the environmental intelligence.Spokane ranked sixth…
Southeastern Washington legislative candidate Susan Fagan picked up the endorsement of the Republicans' last two gubernatorial nominees.OK, that was just a chance to see if you were paying attention after a three-day weekend. As anyone with a working knowledge of Washington politics knows, the same…
No matter what the weather people tell you, Monday is the end of summer. The kids are back in school and most adults have burned up their vacation. That should mean the start of serious political campaigning and the end of the summer crazies, which…
Groups seeking to have Spokane Valley voters decide whether to get rid of the city they created earlier this decade are giving up their drive to put disincorporation on the ballot.Susan Scott of Friends of Spokane Valley said this morning that her organization and Citizens…
The state Supreme Court's ruling that district court judges had the right to hear City of Spokane cases is a big relief for the folks at City Hall. But it has a little boost for one of the municipal court judges face election this November,…
Whether Referendum 71 goes on the November ballot may still be in doubt.An opposition group, Washington Families Standing Together, did what a King County Superior Court judge essentially suggested it do Tuesday, filing for an injunction in Thurston County over questions about the validity of…
That big sigh you heard Thursday morning was from City Hall.It was prompted by the state Supreme Court ruling that Spokane County district court judges had the authority to try cases for the city under an agreement between the city and county governments. The decision…
With the post below, Spin Control returns from a (mostly) two-week hiatus during which primary contributor Jim Camden was on vacation and furlough, and Jonathan Brunt was filling in whenever possible.Thanks to everyone who kept the comments going during the period of "light blogging."
Referendum 71 should go on the November ballot. So says Secretary of State Sam Reed. So says King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector.Reed certified the voters' opportunity to repeal the "everything but marriage" law Wednesday. That was pretty much a given because his office…
Spokane City Councilman Al French appears to be readying for a 2010 election, but what that election is, he won't say. "I look forward to serving as long as the public will allow me to serve," French said in an interview on Thursday. Earlier this…
The debate over Municipal Court Judge Tracy Staab’s residency isn’t going away. A memo circulated with local GOP leaders indicates that Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, who is active in the party, has questioned the party’s decision to oppose Staab’s candidacy. Party leaders formally opposed…
Fresh off a fourth-place finish for a City Council seat, former Councilman Steve Eugster said he will run in 2011 for City Council president.Eugster said he was encouraged by his finish: "I got 1,800 votes, and I didn't even spend a nickel," he said in…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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