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Voter turnout steady so far in Spokane County, despite big increase in spending
Despite the unprecedented spending in this year’s municipal races, and a ballot filled with ideological opposites, the election of 2019 is on course to have the same voter turnout as recent years.
Sound Transit abandons pricey Seattle light rail tunnels
Sound Transit board members have abandoned ideas for a $450 million tunnel into Seattle’s historic central Ballard neighborhood, a $200 million bored tunnel through West Seattle’s Pigeon Point neighborhood, and a fully elevated trackway in Sodo that would have blocked light-rail travel during construction.
Trump’s company exploring sale of marquee Washington hotel
President Donald Trump’s company said Friday it is exploring the sale of its marquee Washington hotel, which has been at the center of nearly three years of ethics complaints and lawsuits accusing him of trying to profit off the presidency.
UK’s Johnson seeks Dec 12 election to break Brexit impasse
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday that the only way to break Britain’s Brexit impasse is a general election, and he will ask Parliament to approve a national poll for Dec. 12.
WSU adding weather stations in Skagit County
Farmers in Skagit County will soon have access to weather data that more closely represents their areas.
Legislative panel urged to restore voting rights to felons sooner
Senate committee considers possible changes to allowing felons to have their voting rights restored sooner.
Rains bring flooding to parts of Western Washington
Flooded rivers are causing problems across parts of Western Washington, and flooding is expected to continue in some low-lying areas into Wednesday.
Canada’s Trudeau wins 2nd term but nation more divided
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won a second term in a stronger-than-expected showing in Canada’s national elections, claiming a “clear mandate” Tuesday despite a Parliament and nation increasingly fractured along regional lines.
State increases size of designated area in Spokane for manufacturer tax breaks, incentives
The designated area in Spokane where manufacturers can qualify for tax breaks and incentives was significantly expanded Monday, after approval by the state Department of Commerce.
Washington tribes awarded more than $4.3 million in federal violence prevention grants
The Yakama Nation was awarded more than $3 million in grants, the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation was awarded $698,000 and the Colville Tribe was awarded $584,000, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Vancouver dental office owner fined $5,000 in death of 4-year-old
Washington’s Dental Quality Assurance Commission has fined an owner of Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver in connection with the death of a 4-year-old Vancouver boy after a dental procedure in March 2017.
Sheriff accuses county of ‘half truths’ to takeover Benton jail. Commissioner fires back
Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher swapped insults with a fellow elected leader Wednesday as he mounted a spirited defense of his stewardship of the county’s 700-plus-bed jail.
Washington reaches 1,000 winery licenses
Washington state’s wine industry reached a major milestone when it surpassed 1,000 active winery licenses recently. In the early 1980s there were only 20 wineries in the state.
Washington unemployment rate remains unchanged in September
The state’s 4.6% unemployment rate in September remained unchanged from August, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Washington State Employment Security Department.
Debate rivals assail Warren as she joins Democrats’ top rank
Elizabeth Warren repeatedly came under attack during the Democratic presidential debate as rivals accused the Massachusetts senator of ducking questions about the cost of Medicare for All and her signature wealth tax plan in an attempt to derail her rising campaign.
Rep. Herrera Beutler calls for impeachment vote
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, has said the U.S. House of Representatives should hold a formal impeachment vote in order to grant bipartisan legitimacy to the investigation of President Donald Trump and grant House Republicans subpoena power.
Pacific Northwest tribes: Remove Columbia River dams
Two Pacific Northwest tribes are demanding the removal of three major hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. The Lummi and Yakama nations said Monday that the U.S. government was in violation of a treaty from 1855 when it built the concrete dams on the lower Columbia River, destroying important native fishing sites and the migration of salmon. The three dams are a critical part of a complex hydroelectric network in Oregon, Washington and Idaho that powers the region.
Washington, D.C., approves emergency measure renaming holiday ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’
City lawmakers have been trying for five years to rename the holiday. They succeeded last week, passing an emergency measure that brings Washington, D.C., in line with several other cities across the country, including Spokane.
Georgen, Morrison differ on funding, security strategies in race for Spokane school board spot
As the election filing deadline approached last spring, it would have been easy for Erin Georgen and Kevin Morrison to take a pass on running for a spot on the Spokane Public Schools board.
Lockwood, Treloar compete for seat on Spokane Public Schools board
For Nikki Lockwood and Katey Treloar, a passion for education began long before either of them decided to run for the Spokane Public Schools board.