Government

Spokane County is trying something new to attract potential employees to the region’s public safety system, while ending a yearslong effort that awarded tens of thousands to new hires.

The race for a commissioner’s seat on one of the largest fire districts in Spokane is underscored by a critical issue – staffing.

City officials, joined by eager kids, cut the ribbon on a new sport court at Underhill Park in the East Central neighborhood Thursday morning.

Alejandro Barrientos, chief operations officer for the SCAFCO Steel Stud Company, is making a bid for the Spokane City Council.

Washington will have $6.8 billion more to spend on roads and other transportation projects over the next four years, thanks to a gas tax increase and other fees.

An orange cat’s now-viral appearance in a pride flag-adorned Spokane Fire Department fire truck sparked cheers at the city’s Pride parade on June 14, spawning dozens of articles and viral videos that swept the nation and racked up millions of views.

Contractors bidding to build Spokane’s city roads, facilities and other public infrastructure may soon have to show that one-fifth of the project’s labor will come from underrepresented or impoverished communities living in the city, as well as ensure affordable day care and other benefits.

Gov. Bob Ferguson does not anticipate calling lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session to address the state’s budget after an updated revenue forecast showed the state will bring in less money than lawmakers anticipated. However, he said Tuesday his office is “closely monitoring developments from the federal government that could force me to revisit that question.”

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that cities could enforce bans on homeless encampments, Boise’s mayor pushed back. The city would continue to focus on increasing access to affordable housing, rather than on ticketing or fining people experiencing homelessness, she said.

The newest member of the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office doesn’t wear a suit to work, lacks relevant legal experience and neglected to go to law school.

Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley announced Monday she has a “health issue” and is taking a “short medical leave” to recover.

When school is in session, ZYN is one of the top sellers at the Mobil gas station on Hamilton Street.

Construction will start Monday on a few-block section of Wellesley Avenue adjacent to East Valley High School.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown is still committed to delivering her Prop 1 replacement camping ordinance.

CHEWELAH, Wash. – City Council members in Chewelah appointed Dorothy Knauss as interim mayor Wednesday evening.

Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is laying off 37 people at the start of July, part of a broader wave of state layoffs that could affect 1,000 jobs across state government.

WASHINGTON – As a candidate, President Donald Trump promised to end wars around the world – or at least end U.S. involvement in them – but the war between Israel and Iran that began last week has prompted a more complicated response from the American leader.

A bipartisan group of federal and state lawmakers is voicing concern over a provision tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would restrict states from “limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating” artificial intelligence for the next decade.

Gov. Brad Little’s office last month told state agency directors to make internal plans for budget “holdbacks,” or midyear cuts in spending. Little also placed limits on budget requests.