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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control Jonathan Brunt

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 2012

GOP comes to McLaughlin's aid after campaign misstep 

Nancy McLaughlin's campaign for state Senate greatly exaggerated her opponent's stance on income taxes. So much so, that she apologized to Democrat Andy Billig for the falsehoods her campaign used in literature during the primary after a complaint was filed with the state's Public Disclosure…

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 2012

Council will consider repeal of beer restrictions 

The West Central Neighborhood Council wanted restrictions on the sale of high-octane beer and now it doesn’t. But while council members used the council’s support as a reason to create a voluntary Alcohol Impact Area in West Central, the neighborhood’s change of heart won’t make…

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MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 2012

Spokane shrinks tax subsidy area

It will be harder next year to qualify for tax subsidies to build apartments and condos in Spokane. The Spokane City Council on Monday reauthorized Spokane’s multifamily tax exemption for another five years. The decision significantly reduced the areas that will qualify for the subsidy…

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 2012

McMorris Rodgers backed national park at Hanford

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, on Thursday backed a proposal creating a national park at three sites central to the creation of atomic weapons, including Hanford. The vote was bipartisan in its support and opposition. It failed 237-180. It needed supermajority support to move…

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2012

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 2012

Frank Straub answers questions on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at his first press conference since he was named Spokane's Director of Law Enforcement by the Spokane City Council on Monday. (Jonathan Brunt)

What if Straub doesn't get commissioned? 

If the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission today doesn’t grant the new leader of the Spokane Police Department’s request to waive a requirement to join the state police academy, it’s unclear if the city will bother making him the chief. City officials are confident…

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2012

MONDAY, SEPT. 10, 2012

FRIDAY, AUG. 31, 2012

McLaughlin to Billig: I'm sorry 

Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin publicly apologized this week to her opponent in her race for state Senate for using false information on a campaign mailer she sent before last month’s primary. Her apology was made as the state Public Disclosure Commission began inquiring about…

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THURSDAY, AUG. 30, 2012

FRIDAY, AUG. 24, 2012

McMorris Rodgers agrees to two debates 

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has decided to debate her Democratic opponent twice before the November election. After this month's primary, Democrat Rich Cowan challenged McMorris Rodgers to debate him in each of the 5th Congressional District's 10 counties. After her town hall meeting on…

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MONDAY, AUG. 20, 2012

GOP chair now wants Shea photo removed 

It may have started as a joke but the controversial photo of state Rep. Matt Shea standing on his Democratic challenger’s property has become a political hot potato for Republicans. The chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party, who was characterized in The Spokesman-Review and…

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FRIDAY, AUG. 17, 2012

GOP leader backs Shea's decision to post photo 

The chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party is standing behind state Rep. Matt Shea’s decision to post a picture of himself standing on his election opponent’s property on Facebook. But Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, a Republican, says he wishes Shea would have pulled…

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Council may fight Condon on Burns' dismissal 

The Spokane City Council appears ready to challenge Mayor David Condon’s decision to release the city’s police ombudsman. Condon has decided not to renew Ombudsman Tim Burns’ three-year contract. His last day is Oct. 31, though he’ll be using up vacation for the last month.…

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TUESDAY, AUG. 14, 2012

THURSDAY, AUG. 9, 2012


WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8, 2012

Thousands left to count in Spokane House race

About 24,000 people voted in Spokane's 3rd Legislative District in Tuesday's primary election, according to election statistics that include ballots received in today's mail. So far, about 17,000 of those votes have been counted. That means the second-place battle for state House among Democrats Bob…

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MONDAY, AUG. 6, 2012


FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2012

Congressional candidates take stand on 15 topics

We have posted the answers to a Spokesman-Review candidate questionnaire from each of the four candidates for the Congressional seat representing Eastern Washington. You can read the candidates' opinions on 15 topics, including taxes, same-sex marriage, immigration, marijuana, abortion and the North Spokane freeway at…

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THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2012

Stuckart: I support Billig 

Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart said Thursday that he didn't give City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin permission to use a picture of him on a campaign mailer for state Senate. McLaughlin, a Repbulican, is running for state Senate seat that represents central Spokane against Democratic…

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TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012

Spokane Mayor, David Condon listens to questions from the media after hosting a public Facebook chat from City Hall on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at City Hall in Spokane, Wash. The Facebook chat aimed to reach out to voters about the 2012 budget. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Condon boosts City Hall outreach

Early in his term, Mayor David Condon appeared frustrated with the city’s ability to stay in touch with its citizens. “It should be easier to contact the mayor and to get back to you,” Condon said in a televised call-in show with the mayor and…

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THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

About 250 attend Jindal event for McKenna

More than 250 people attended a fundraiser for Republican candidate for governer Rob McKenna in Spokane County Wednesday evening. The event featured Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and was held at the home of Mike and Pam Senske, who live southeast of the city of Spokane,…

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Jonathan Brunt
Jonathan Brunt joined The Spokesman-Review in 2004. He is the government editor. He previously was a reporter who covered Spokane City Hall, Spokane County government and public safety.

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