Amanda Sullender

Current Position: health reporter

Amanda joined The Spokesman-Review in July 2023 as a health reporter. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a major in political science with a concentration in urban politics and a minor in public policy. She also has a public affair reporting degree. She previously worked at the Springfield News-Leader and interned at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Email: amandas@spokesman.com
Phone: (509) 459-5455

All Stories

News > Health

Christmas boil order in Okanogan after water main break still in effect as of Thursday

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2024

Okanogan, Washington, residents spent Christmas under a boil order after a water main leak earlier this week. As of Thursday, the order is still intact.

News > Health

Difference Makers: Mental health counselor works to bring stability to people in crisis

Thu., Dec. 26, 2024

There is a firefighters’ SUV responding to crises across Spokane, but it does not fight fires. Inside is a mental health counselor tasked with helping Spokanites under mental duress.

News > Transportation

STA gets first double-decker bus for Christmas, rollout on Cheney line next September

Thu., Dec. 26, 2024

Spokane Transit Authority now has its first double-decker bus, but the vehicles will not be ready for service until the second half of 2025.

News > Washington

What to do with holiday trash? Here is what you can and cannot recycle in Spokane

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 23, 2024

While Christmas is a lot of fun, the holiday also leaves you with a lot of trash.

News > Health

Spokane’s unique location and weather can contribute to seasonal depression. Here’s how to fight it

UPDATED: Sat., Dec. 21, 2024

Winter can be difficult in Spokane. Besides the snow and cold, the short days this time of year make many people feel blue.

News > Health

‘I am the happiest person in the world’: Family gets visit from Santa before discharge from NICU

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 17, 2024

Each year, Santa brings holiday memories to the families with babies in MulitCare Deaconess Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

News > Religion

Salvation Army food bank faces shortage ahead of holidays in Spokane

Sat., Dec. 14, 2024

Ahead of the holidays, Salvation Army’s food bank is running dangerously low.

News > Health

Workers, patients share in holiday meal at Deaconess Hospital to lift spirits

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 11, 2024

Mary Cooper did not expect a free meal at Deaconess Hospital during her father’s heart procedure. But the annual tradition provides a small respite for those who find themselves facing hard times at the hospital for the holidays.

News > Weather

Expect freezing rain north and west of Spokane this weekend; sun unlikely anytime soon

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 6, 2024

Spokane drivers should be careful when traveling this weekend, especially on the West Plains or north of Mead.

News > Health

Spokane Board of Health will not outsource treatment services anytime soon

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 5, 2024

The Spokane Regional Health District has been at odds for much of the past year over whether its opioid treatment services should be outsourced to another organization.

News > Crime/Public Safety

COVID fraudster sentenced to more than 16 years for scheming federal government out of more than $16 million

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 5, 2024

An Arkansas man who conspired with businesspeople in Eastern Washington to defraud the federal government of $16.3 million in COVID relief funds received a 16-year sentence Thursday in Spokane.

News > Transportation

Department of Natural Resources defends proposed sale and development in Latah Valley

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 4, 2024

The Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with an exchange of property in Latah Valley. But what might happen to some of Spokane’s last undeveloped land is still up in the air.

News > Health

Whitman County purchases new building in expansion of health department

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 3, 2024

Whitman County Public Health is moving to a new space nearly triple the size of its current offices.

News > Washington

Want to donate locally for Giving Tuesday? Here are some Spokane charities and nonprofits looking for help

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 3, 2024

Giving Tuesday is a way to show thanks the week after Thanksgiving to charities and nonprofits that do good work all year round.

News > World

Pro-Israel sign vandalized for second time at Plymouth Congregational Church

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 2, 2024

A Spokane church was vandalized during the Thanksgiving weekend due to its support for Israel.

News > Family

Historic Looff Carrousel may sing a new tune as repairs planned for band organ

Sat., Nov. 30, 2024

Growing up in Spokane means fond memories riding the Looff Carrousel. But the original music of the iconic Spokane ride has been missing from childhoods of the last 40 years.

News > Local business

With tarot readings and a holiday visit from Krampus, new location for oddity shop Petunia & Loomis helps show ‘weird and fun’ side to downtown Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 29, 2024

Tucked between Boo Radley’s and Atticus Coffee & Gifts, oddity shop Petunia & Loomis’ new storefront will help shoppers find a bit of the macabre for the holidays.

News > Family

Thousands run in Spokane’s annual Turkey Trot before Thanksgiving feast

Fri., Nov. 29, 2024

Thousands of soon-to-be turkey day feasters gathered at Manito Park on Thanksgiving morning to burn off some calories before the day’s festivities.

News > Washington

Tom’s Turkey Drive still making sure every family can have a Thanksgiving feast after 25 years

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 27, 2024

Entering its 25th year, Tom’s Turkey Drive has distributed over 8,500 meal kits this year for families in need of a turkey and more for the holiday.

News > Idaho

Women of the Year: Brooke Wood saved Lake City Playhouse. She also saved a safe space for Coeur d’Alene kids

Sun., Nov. 24, 2024

Brooke Wood kept community theater alive in Coeur d’Alene by reopening Lake City Playhouse. But she also spent years giving the youth of her community a safe space to be themselves.

News > Health

How Washington state’s health secretary is preparing for likely massive shift in federal health policy under RFK Jr.

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 19, 2024

Washington State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said his agency would continue promoting vaccinations as the best defense against the spread of infectious disease as medical and public health experts worry about President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

News > Health

Whooping cough wave hospitalizing Spokane kids has already surpassed 2015 outbreak

Mon., Nov. 18, 2024

Spokane kids are getting sick from whooping cough, and health officials warn the outbreak will likely last into the spring.

News > Health

Local experts express ‘grave concern’ as Trump appoints controversial vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 15, 2024

Editor's note: Robert F Kennedy Jr. founded the anti-vaccine group, Children’s Health Defense. A previous version of this story incorrectly named an organization that is not affiliated with Kennedy or anti-vaccine advocacy.