Emry Dinman

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A pool for the people: Spokane parks and schools highlight project possible with voter support

UPDATED: Wed., Oct. 1, 2025

Free swim lessons for every Spokane second-grader; a space for high school swim teams to practice year-round; more capacity to teach special needs kids the skills that may one day save their life; a place for the public to swim in the middle of winter without paying some club’s monthly fees.

News >  Local Government

Unions, contractors clash over proposal to require labor equity in Spokane projects

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 18, 2025

Unions and contractors clashed Monday over proposed reforms to major public works projects in Spokane.

News >  Federal Government

Baumgartner ‘paints it red’ with re-election fundraiser alongside guest speaker, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 17, 2025

The din of 200 protesters outside was imperceptible in the Davenport Grand event room, where hundreds of Republican lawmakers and key supporters gathered for the biggest re-election fundraiser yet for freshman Congressman Michael Baumgartner.

Getting There: Spokane’s ‘Complete Streets’ law updated to require more bike and pedestrian infrastructure

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 10, 2025

Pedestrians and bicyclists should get a boost in Spokane in the coming years after the city updated its “complete streets” law, requiring safety and access upgrades when streets are reconstructed.

Zappone will face Savage for Spokane City Council seat in November election

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 5, 2025

The fourth time was the charm for delivery driver Christopher Savage, who along with incumbent Spokane City Councilman Zack Zappone will advance to the November election for a city council seat representing northwest Spokane.

Voters decide tax asks Tuesday and who advances in a number of local elections

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 4, 2025

Tuesday is the last chance for Washington voters to help winnow candidates in local elections.

After Spokane asks to help choose new SCRAPS chief, citing ethical concerns, county says no

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 4, 2025

Spokane County has rejected the city of Spokane’s request to help choose the new head of the regional animal control and shelter service, reiterating that the city is a client, not an equal partner – and in the county’s opinion, the city soon won’t even be a client.

Campaign cash in Spokane elections falls along typical lines — even in race with two Democrats

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 4, 2025

Washington’s primary elections are Tuesday, and while Spokane’s City Council races aren’t yet attracting the kind of big money they did in 2023, hundreds of thousands of dollars are already pouring in.

News >  Spokane

As Spokane’s summer watering restrictions kick in, adapt or kill your lawn

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 4, 2025

It’s summer in Spokane, the temperature is regularly crawling into the 90s, and even the occasional thunderstorm is doing little to water the lawn.

City of Spokane formally asks to weigh in on hiring new SCRAPS chief in letter to county

UPDATED: Tue., July 29, 2025

The city of Spokane has asked to participate in choosing the next executive director of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.

Spokane agrees to $3.7 million settlement with children of Robert Bradley, who police shot and killed in 2022

UPDATED: Mon., July 28, 2025

The city of Spokane and its insurers will pay $3.7 million to the estate of Robert Bradley, who was shot and killed by police in 2022, ending a wrongful death lawsuit against the city while admitting no wrongdoing.

Shelby Lambdin appointed to four-month stint on Spokane City Council

UPDATED: Mon., July 28, 2025

Shelby Lambdin was appointed to a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council Monday, filling a seat representing south Spokane vacated by former Councilwoman Lili Navarrete, who was herself appointed to the seat in early 2024 and resigned effective July 1 citing health concerns.

Giving Back Spokane charity founder Rick Clark accused of embezzlement in police complaint

UPDATED: Mon., July 28, 2025

Local influencer and charity founder Rick Clark has been accused of embezzlement related to his Giving Back Spokane charity in a complaint filed with Spokane police on Friday.

Claiming Spokane is a sanctuary city that severed agreements, county withheld firefighter rescue funds

Mon., July 28, 2025

For months, Spokane County officials have refused to release firefighter rescue team equipment to the city of Spokane, first claiming it was because Spokane was a sanctuary city, then arguing the city needed to re-enter an agreement and make payments to the county, and only recently conceding the city simply needs to confirm it meets federal emergency preparedness standards.

$1 to ride the bus: Plan calls for many STA riders to pay reduced fare

UPDATED: Thu., July 24, 2025

Low-income riders will soon get half-priced fare to ride the bus in Spokane after a vote Thursday by the Spokane Transit Authority to approve a two-year pilot program.

Conservative Spokane council candidates attack liberal majority at church’s candidate forum

UPDATED: Thu., July 24, 2025

Voters got a better look Tuesday at some of the conservatives running for Spokane City Council at a forum hosted by Calvary Spokane, where they were asked about a wide range of topics, including the church’s role in politics and whether buses are worthy public investments.

Spokane police and fire to receive millions in new equipment

UPDATED: Wed., July 23, 2025

The Spokane City Council on Monday approved around $800,000 in purchases of police equipment, $2.5 million for two new fire engines and about $1 million more in services to support both departments.

Shelby Lambdin likely appointee to Spokane City Council

UPDATED: Tue., July 22, 2025

A South Hill resident will soon be appointed to a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council, and it appears nearly certain to be Shelby Lambdin, the population health director at the Community Health Association of Spokane, more commonly known as CHAS Health.

City of Spokane poised to agree to $3.7 million settlement with estate of man killed by police

UPDATED: Mon., July 21, 2025

The city of Spokane and its insurers are poised to pay $3.7 million to the estate of Robert Bradley, who was shot and killed by city police in 2022, ending a wrongful death lawsuit against the city while admitting no wrongdoing.

Spokane urges residents to water lawns less as river diminishes for the summer

UPDATED: Thu., July 17, 2025

Spokane city officials are once again urging residents to limit how much water they use for their lawns as Spokane River levels drop and moderate drought takes hold in the region.

Tiny home village for the homeless planned in Spokane’s West Hills neighborhood

UPDATED: Thu., July 17, 2025

A 30-unit tiny home village for homeless people transitioning out of emergency shelters likely will be built in the West Hills neighborhood on a Sunset Boulevard property owned by the Waters Meet Foundation – formerly known as the Empire Health Foundation, according to President Zeke Smith.

Four applicants vie for appointment to four-month stint on Spokane City Council ahead of July 28 vote

UPDATED: Tue., July 22, 2025

By the end of July, one of four people will be appointed for a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council to fill a seat vacated by former Councilwoman Lili Navarrete, who resigned citing health concerns effective July 1.

Conservationists celebrate as Blue Fern surprisingly backs out of one Thorpe Road development

Tue., July 15, 2025

Local conservationists are celebrating after a Redmond, Washington-based developer unexpectedly pulled out of plans to build 1,000 homes in an undeveloped, wooded area along U.S. Highway 195 near Thorpe Road.

Spokane woman receives $300,000 settlement three years after city employee crashed into her car

UPDATED: Mon., July 14, 2025

A Spokane woman will receive $300,000 from the city of Spokane three years after a city employee ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle.

Northwest Spokane features only City Council race on August primary ballots

Sun., July 13, 2025

There are three seats on the Spokane City Council up for election this year, but only one has enough candidates to appear on ballots for the fast approaching August primary: northwest Spokane.