Becky Kramer

All Stories

News >  Spokane

Superfund cleanups not affected by EPA freeze on new contracts, officials say

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 25, 2017

From nuclear waste on the Hanford Reservation to toxic mining pollution in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, the federal government is in charge of multiple cleanups of highly polluted sites across the region.

News >  Spokane

Demand for urban living creates hot market for downtown Spokane apartments

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 24, 2017

Downtown Spokane has become one the region’s hottest apartment markets, with vacancy rates hovering around 2 percent. Following national trends, much of the demand is coming from empty nesters and milennials.

News >  Business

Spokane’s 770-acre University District searching for new director

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 20, 2017

Spokane’s University District is advertising for a new executive to carry out a vision of education, research and urban living for the 770-acre district east of downtown.

News >  Business

Oil trains moved 14 million barrels of crude through Washington in fourth quarter

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 19, 2017

Oil trains transported about 14 million barrels of crude through Washington during the fourth quarter of 2016.

News >  Business

Coeur d’Alene contractor fined for failing to control lead dust during home renovation

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 19, 2017

A Coeur d’Alene contractor was fined $9,800 for not following proper procedures to control lead dust during renovations on a 95-year-old house. Stricter rules for dust control took effect in 2010, but many violations still occur.

News >  Spokane

Former hospital association CEO Rich Umbdenstock: ‘You can’t lay all of the problems on Obamacare’

Thu., Jan. 19, 2017

As a Republican-controlled Congress and the Trump Administration start discussing plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, the former chief executive of the American Hospital Association has some advice to offer.

News >  Business

Social media expert Mike Ellis helps Spokane companies with branding

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 17, 2017

Mike Ellis is a social media manager and influence marketer. He helps local companies get positive messages out about their businesses on Facebook and Twitter.

News >  Spokane

New effort in Spokane County aims to help workers finish higher education

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 13, 2017

Across Spokane County, about 86,000 working adults have some college credits, but no degree or professional certificate. Business leaders and educators have launched an initiative called “Greater Minds” to help those workers return to school and increase their job skills.

News >  Business

Broker: Expansion of medical education will spur downtown Spokane development

Tue., Jan. 10, 2017

Washington State University’s new medical school in Spokane and the growth of other higher education opportunities will be an ongoing catalyst for downtown development, a real estate broker predicts.

News >  Business

Albertsons will close two Spokane grocery stores next month

Mon., Jan. 9, 2017

Albertsons will close two grocery stores in Spokane next month as a result of lower than desired sales.

News >  Spokane

Homes prices creep up in Spokane County, but lots of choices under $200,000 remain

Fri., Jan. 6, 2017

Spokane remains an affordable place to buy a house, with a median sales price of $195,000 in 2016. Across the state line in Kootenai County, the median price was higher at $220,000.

News >  Business

Spokane native Phil Jones will not seek third term on state utilities commission

Thu., Jan. 5, 2017

Spokane native Phil Jones will not seek a third term on Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission, which oversees the state’s regulated utilities, including Avista Corp.

News >  Spokane

Dozens hospitalized for flu in Spokane County, deaths reported in Western Washington

Thu., Jan. 5, 2017

Flu season is underway in Spokane County, with reports of at least 43 people hospitalized for flu-related symptoms.

News >  Business

Coeur d’Alene’s Jobs Plus rebrands itself with new name

Wed., Jan. 4, 2017

Jobs Plus is rebranding itself with the new name: the Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Agency.

News >  Spokane

Providence opens express clinic in Lincoln Heights shopping center

Tue., Jan. 3, 2017

As soon as the “Providence Express Care – Coming Soon” sign went up at the Lincoln Heights shopping mall, clinic managers started getting inquiries. People stopped by with twisted ankles, dog bites, sore throats and even bruises from a fall in the parking lot.

News >  Spokane

Employers say higher state minimum wage hard on child care, food service, nonprofits

Mon., Jan. 2, 2017

Under the new law, Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $11.50 in 2018, $12 in 2019 and $13.50 in 2020. Workers younger than 16 years old can be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, which is $9.35 per hour this year.

News >  Idaho

Idaho approves Avista electricity rate hike

Thu., Dec. 29, 2016

Idaho customers of Avista Utilities will pay more for electricity in 2017. For a typical household, electric bills will increase 3.1 percent to an average of $87.15 per month.

News >  Business

Avista’s ‘swipe charge’ on debit and credit card payments will end in March

Tue., Dec. 20, 2016

Avista Utilities plans to eliminate a $3.50 transaction charge on debit and credit card payments, but the fee will continue until the end of March.

News >  Business

Retail hiring in Spokane area grows ahead of the holiday season

Tue., Dec. 20, 2016

Retail hiring added a little bit of cheer to the local economy last month, with stores adding about 500 new workers in advance of the busy holiday season.

News >  Business

Avista ready to appeal rejection of higher rates for electricity and natural gas

Mon., Dec. 19, 2016

Avista Utilities will ask state regulators to reconsider last week’s decision to deny the company’s request for higher rates in 2017, and will take its appeal to court, if necessary, company officials said.

News >  Business

Hecla leads local stocks with strong price gain in 2016

Thu., Dec. 15, 2016

2016 is ending on a strong note for 10 local, publicly traded companies. Led by Hecla Mining Co., their share prices are up an average of 46 percent.

News >  Spokane

Avista denied Washington rate hike for 2017

Thu., Dec. 15, 2016

Avista customers won’t pay more for electricity or natural gas in 2017. The Washington Utilities Commission rejected the Spokane-based utility’s request for higher rates, saying the company failed to show that its current rates aren’t producing enough revenue.

News >  Business

Omak plywood plant will close at the end of January, putting 217 out of work

Tue., Dec. 13, 2016

More than 200 people will lose their jobs when a Omak plywood plant closes at the end of January.

News >  Business

Buyback program offers $25 million to private landowners on Colville Reservation

Mon., Dec. 12, 2016

Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have received offers worth $25 million to sell their ownership in private land on the reservation back to the tribe’s government.

News >  Idaho

Northern Idaho Crisis Center logs more than 1,000 visits during first year of operation

Mon., Dec. 12, 2016

It’s been a busy first year at the Northern Idaho Crisis Center, which opened last December. The center provides help for people who are experiencing crises related to mental health issues and substance abuse.