Addy Hatch

The Chinese have a fondness for naming things using numbers, David Wessel, the economics editor of the Wall Street Journal, told a Spokane audience Tuesday. In a nod to that practice – and because he was stopping in Spokane on his way home from China – Wessel came up with “three challenges, three opportunities and three fears for America” for his keynote speech at Gonzaga University’s 23rd annual economics symposium.

Census: Number of Spokane businesses dropped

Riverfront Park’s annual Easter egg hunt has been canceled because no sponsor stepped forward to host it. The Easter tradition had been hosted for many years by Clear Channel Communications’ KIX-96, a country station.

Warm weather, a sluggish economy and poor results at a subsidiary all contributed to Avista Corp. announcing a 22 percent decline in 2012 earnings. Avista announced early Wednesday that the Spokane-based company had net income of $78.2 million last year, or $1.32 per share. In 2011, Avista had net income of $100.2 million, or $1.72 per share.

Warm weather, a sluggish economy and poor results at a subsidiary all contributed to Avista Corp. announcing a 22 percent decline in 2012 earnings.

Idaho Independent Bank to deregister stock

A higher-education expert kicked off the sixth annual Our Kids: Our Business campaign Friday with this observation: “You have never been more likely to die poor in this country if you were born poor than right now.” Mark Milliron, the event speaker, said one way to reverse that trend is to make postsecondary education available to more people.

You may not have to pay taxes

Inland Crafts has folded after 29 years of hosting a juried fine-crafts exhibition and sale in Spokane. The nonprofit’s board decided hosting the annual show was “more than we felt like we could continue doing,” said Spokane fiber artist Louise Kodis, one of the show’s founders in 1983.

Inland Crafts has folded after 29 years of hosting a juried fine-crafts exhibition and sale in Spokane. The nonprofit’s board decided hosting the annual show was “more than we felt like we could continue doing,” said Spokane fiber artist Louise Kodis, one of the show’s founders in 1983.

Consumer Reports likes Washington wines

Spokane's King Beverage to buy west side distributorship

If you hear a plane flying close to the ground Monday...

Spokane Valley police have found the remnants of what they're calling an "improvised explosive device" that startled many residents on Wednesday night.

Spokane airport offers free Wi-Fi, luggage carts

A fire inside the Lucky Friday Mine last month likely was set by an arsonist, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office. About 170 miners who were working in the shaft where the fire was detected on July 26 are being scheduled for polygraph tests, Sgt. Detective Jeannette Woodard-Ochoa said Friday.

A fire inside the Lucky Friday Mine last month likely was set by an arsonist, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office. About 170 miners who were working in the shaft where the fire was detected on July 26 are being scheduled for polygraph tests, Sgt. Detective Jeannette Woodard-Ochoa said Friday.

Avista Utilities has asked Idaho regulators to lower the bills of electric customers in that state as part of an annual “power cost adjustment” process.

Washington says retailers' tax site improved

DirecTV said Friday evening that its customers in Spokane no longer will be able to view Fox affiliate KAYU-TV after midnight following the breakdown of negotiations between the company and KAYU’s parent, Northwest Broadcasting. El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV said in a press release that it has been unable to reach a deal with Northwest Broadcasting, which owns KAYU as well as stations in Yakima, Medford, Ore., Laredo, Texas and Binghampton, N.Y. The two companies are negotiating the fees DirecTV will pay to carry those stations’ broadcasts.