Becky Kramer

All Stories

News >  Spokane

Spokane metro area employers created 6,200 jobs last year

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 23, 2019

Education and health care were drivers of job growth in 2018.

News >  Business

Avista, Hydro One abandon plans for sale

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 23, 2019

Wednesday’s decision by the two companies came after regulators in Washington and Idaho denied approval of the $5.3 billion sale of the Avista to the Canadian utility.

News >  Business

Itron’s Mezey announces retirement, recruitment for new CEO underway

Wed., Jan. 23, 2019

Philip Mezey will retire from Itron Inc. this year, prompting the Liberty Lake company to begin the search for a new president and chief executive.

News >  Business

Kalispel Tribe seeks to eliminate high-interest auto loans for members with used car lot

Sat., Jan. 19, 2019

Kalispel Auto Sales began 18 months ago to help members of the Kalispel Tribe buy reliable, used vehicles without high-interest loans. The dealership in Pend Oreille County also sells to the public.

News >  Spokane

Working without pay, federal workers in Spokane start taking loans to pay bills

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 18, 2019

Joshua McPhee still reports to his federal air traffic controller job at the Spokane International Airport, but he isn’t getting a paycheck. Nothing on the national news makes the couple hopeful. Instead of movement toward passage of a federal budget, they see a stalemate, with politicians from either side digging in.

News >  Spokane

Gleason Neuroscience Institute to open at WSU-Spokane

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 16, 2019

Improving the lives of people with debilitating brain diseases is the focus of the new Steve Gleason Neuroscience Institute at Washington State University-Spokane.

News >  Business

Spokane-area home prices rose 12 percent in 2018

Mon., Jan. 14, 2019

Spokane-area home prices rose in 2018 as a strong seller’s market persisted. The average sales price was $255,931.

News >  Business

The Dirt: Construction of Avista parking garage to begin

Sun., Jan. 13, 2019

Avista will begin construction of a five-story parking garage with 500 stalls near its Mission Avenue headquarters, according to city permit data.

News >  Business

Former Shilo Inn in Coeur d’Alene gets extensive remodel: Kootenai River Inn’s rooms updated

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 11, 2019

Two North Idaho hotels have wrapped up extensive renovations.

News >  Business

Etailz reduces staff following parent company losses

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 10, 2019

Etailz has reduced its staff by 20 percent after its parent company reported $14 million in losses during the third quarter.

News >  Business

Edmund Schweitzer to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for power grid advancements

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 11, 2019

Edmund Schweitzer will claim a spot in prestigious company when he’s inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame during a May ceremony in Washington, D.C.

News >  Spokane

Idaho regulators deny sale of Avista to Canadian utility

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 3, 2019

Avista Corp.’s proposed $5.3 billion sale to a Canadian utility took another hit Thursday, when a second state moved to block the sale.

News >  Spokane

Key Tronic will open Vietnam factory as hedge in U.S.-Chinese trade war

Wed., Jan. 2, 2019

Spokane Valley electronics manufacturer company Key Tronic will open a factory in Vietnam this year as a hedge against the potential for a protracted U.S. trade dispute with China.

News >  Spokane

Spokane County’s unemployment rate at 4.9 percent in November

Tue., Jan. 1, 2019

Spokane County’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in November, but officials expect that number to drop as preliminary estimates are firmed up.

News >  Business

Avista, Amazon fulfillment dominate local business coverage in 2018

Sat., Dec. 29, 2018

Avista’s proposed sale to a Canadian utility and Amazon’s fulfillment center in the West Plains dominated local business news in 2018.

News >  Business

Wagstaff Inc. recognized as Employer of the Year for creative recruitment and retention programs

Sun., Dec. 23, 2018

Wagstaff Inc. was named the 2018 Employer of the Year by the Association of Washington Business. The statewide award recognized the company’s efforts to recruit and retain employees through competitive wages and benefits, profit-sharing bonuses and perks like an on-site gym and personal finance sessions.

News >  Spokane

Difference Makers: Chris DeForest helps property owners protect their legacy and their land

Sun., Dec. 23, 2018

About 17,000 acres has been preserved as open spaces through the efforts of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy – most of it under Chris DeForest’s leadership.

News >  Spokane

Housing shortage looms on Spokane’s West Plains

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 19, 2018

Job growth will bring thousands of new residents to the West Plains over the next two years. Finding places for them to live will be a challenge.

News >  Business

Avista, Hydro One say Washington regulators erred in blocking $5.3 billion sale

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 17, 2018

Washington regulators erred when they blocked Avista Corp.’s sale to Hydro One Ltd. by exaggerating the political risks to Avista’s customers from the province of Ontario’s ownership in Hydro One, the two companies argued Monday.

News >  Idaho

Reviving the Bunker Hill: Company betting on historic mine runs into financial troubles

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 18, 2018

The Trump administration announced a deal in March that would allow the long-closed Bunker Hill Mine to reopen. But the Canadian company trying to restart mining operations has financial troubles, and one of its major investors is facing fraud charges.

News >  Business

Seaview Global, maker of mounts for marine electronics, opens Liberty Lake office

Sun., Dec. 16, 2018

Seaview Global has opened an office and warehouse in Liberty Lake, employing five people. The company designs and makes mounts for marine electronics on vessels, including radars, satellites, GPS, and navigation lights and searchlights. The office is at 2225 N. Molter Road, Suite 105.

News >  Business

Seaview Global, maker of mounts for marine electronics, opens Liberty Lake office

Sat., Dec. 15, 2018

Seaview Global has opened an office and warehouse in Liberty Lake, employing five people. The company designs and makes mounts for marine electronics on vessels.

News >  Business

Campfire Couture opens in downtown Sandpoint

Sat., Dec. 15, 2018

Kimberly Stoddard has opened Campfire Couture in Sandpoint. The shop at 319 First Ave. sells heirloom quality clothing and accessories from independent designers and local artists.

News >  Business

Spokane Tribe gets language about tribal Promise Zones into the farm bill

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 14, 2018

The Spokane Tribe worked with the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma to get language into the farm bill strengthening Promise Zones on tribal lands.

News >  Idaho

Illegal harvest of Doug firs ‘blatant,’ BLM official says

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 17, 2018

Thieves have been helping themselves to Douglas fir trees on federal land near Pinehurst, Idaho. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the successful prosecution of the person or individuals responsible.