Stories by Adam Shanks for the Spokesman-Review

News > Local Government

Longtime Spokane City Attorney Jim Sloane remembered as ‘outstanding person’

Wed., Aug. 4, 2021

It was born as all good ideas are: over a lunch of tacos and tostadas.

News > Local Government

Bingle leads in Northeast Spokane; Zappone, Lish poised to move forward in Northwest

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

Conservative and progressive choices advanced in both Spokane City Council races on the ballot in Tuesday’s primary.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council backs slate of housing incentives to ease affordable housing shortage

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

The Spokane City Council endorsed a slate of financial incentives for housing developers Monday.

News > Local Government

Consultant could help city of Spokane electrify vehicle fleet

Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

The future of the city of Spokane’s fleet of vehicles is green.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council candidate LeMasters offers defense against questions about his residency

Mon., Aug. 2, 2021

In an email to The Spokesman-Review thislast week, the candidate said he is both a qualified resident and voter within District 2, and that any claim otherwise is “categorically false.” LeMasters provided The Spokesman-Review with a photo of his driver’s license, which was issued in 2019 and shows a South Hill address.

News > Local Government

Natural gas debate heading to Spokane ballots in November

UPDATED: Sat., July 31, 2021

A pre-emptive effort to protect natural gas hookups in Spokane is officially heading to the November ballot.

News > Local Government

Residents and their pets can get a free ride to cooling centers as Spokane breaks another heat record

UPDATED: Fri., July 30, 2021

Spokane had its hottest July on record, but relief may be in sight in the form of rain and free rides to cooling centers before it could start to fall.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council holds off on in-person meetings; status quo continues

UPDATED: Fri., July 30, 2021

The state has reopened, but Spokane City Council chambers will remain closed for now.

News > Local Government

Chief explains what will – and won’t – change for Spokane police under new laws

UPDATED: Sat., July 31, 2021

One by one, Spokane police Chief Craig Meidl reviewed the myriad police reforms adopted by the state Legislature this year.

News > Local Government

Spokane’s cooling plans debated again as city expects return of triple-digit heat this week

Thu., July 29, 2021

It might not shatter records, but temperatures are expected to reach triple digits again in Spokane.

News > Local Government

Catholic Charities eyes Boulevard Motel as shelter for homeless families

UPDATED: Tue., July 27, 2021

The Boulevard Motel could soon be a transitional homeless shelter for families.

News

Beggs to take medical leave from City Hall for cancer treatment

UPDATED: Mon., July 26, 2021

Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs will step back from his duties while he undergoes cancer treatment.

News

Spokane mayor declares housing emergency; City Council adopts Housing Action Plan

UPDATED: Mon., July 26, 2021

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward declared a housing emergency on Monday, while the Spokane City Council endorsed a series of policy changes meant to quickly spur housing development.

News > Local Government

Council sets new standards for homeless shelter funding, data reporting

UPDATED: Tue., July 27, 2021

The Spokane City Council set new requirements for the funding and administration of homeless shelters on Monday.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council wants your thoughts on how to spend $81 million in COVID relief

UPDATED: Fri., July 23, 2021

The Spokane City Council has launched an online survey to gather ideas on how to spend $81 million in federal coronavirus relief funds.

News > Local Government

Does Spokane City Council candidate Tyler LeMasters meet the office’s residency requirement?

UPDATED: Sat., July 24, 2021

Spokane City Council candidate Tyler LeMasters was beaming when he began recording an Instagram video on Nov. 3, 2020.

Spokane City Council eyes second round of changes to homeless shelter laws as mayor, councilor remain at odds

UPDATED: Fri., July 23, 2021

Mayor Nadine Woodward and Spokane City Councilwoman Lori Kinnear both bristle at the thought of a person camping on public property.

News > WA Government

Realtors pump big campaign money into Spokane City Council races ahead of August primary

UPDATED: Thu., July 22, 2021

The Spokane Association of Realtors is putting big money into two Spokane City Council races on the Aug. 3 primary ballot.

News > Local Government

Following brush fire, Spokane plans landscaping, safety improvements near Intermodal Center

UPDATED: Tue., July 20, 2021

The city of Spokane plans to make landscaping changes in the wake of a brush fire near the Spokane Intermodal Center earlier this year.

News

COPS funding

Tue., July 20, 2021

The Spokane City Council wants to fund two victim advocate positions at the nonprofit Spokane COPS.

News

With more than $80 million to spend, city to gather public input on American Rescue Plan priorities

UPDATED: Mon., July 19, 2021

It’s the type of money that could have a generational effect on the Spokane region, so the message from leaders Monday was clear: Let’s not mess this up.