Jim Camden

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News >  Local Government

4th District candidates scramble after Shea decides not to run

UPDATED: Sat., June 13, 2020

Spokane County’s 4th Legislative District is a reliably Republican stronghold that typically does not draw a crowd of aspiring candidates. But as with so many other things, 2020 has proved atypical.

News >  WA Government

Agencies propose cuts in key programs as state looks at budget woes

UPDATED: Mon., June 8, 2020

Washington residents could see dramatic cuts in road projects, care for seniors and college financial aid next year as state agencies try to adjust to a loss of tax dollars from the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Vandals spray paint graffiti on Capitol steps

Sun., June 7, 2020

When the Legislature is in session, Olympia is often the state’s primary location for people to peaceably assemble – mostly – for redress of grievances. Even with the honorable lawmakers at home, the nationwide demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers brings out the local protesters.

News >  Washington

State urges more people to get tested for COVID-19

UPDATED: Fri., June 5, 2020

People who have the symptoms of COVID-19 – including a cough, high fever or shortness of breath –should get tested, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.

News >  Washington

Inslee’s emergency orders within his authority, court commissioner says

UPDATED: Thu., June 4, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee was within his authority to issue emergency orders in an attempt to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a state Supreme Court commissioner said Thursday.

News >  Washington

Unemployed workers struggle as state fights scam, backlog in claims

UPDATED: Thu., June 4, 2020

The state still faces significant backlogs in processing requests for the payments, which can be a combination of state and federal benefit programs that were expanded because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

News >  WA Government

Inslee says protest leaders helping prevent violence from ‘hijacking’ message

UPDATED: Wed., June 3, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee will meet with some leaders of the protests against police violence and racial injustice, whom he credited with helping reduce the violence at recent demonstrations.

News >  WA Government

State Senate’s top Republican: Special session needed to deal with coming revenue shortfall

UPDATED: Wed., June 3, 2020

The Legislature should meet in special session this month to begin cutting the state budget to adjust for the loss of revenue brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate’s top Republican said Wednesday.

News >  Spokane

New rules allow drive-ins to open, libraries to fill orders

Tue., June 2, 2020

Watching a movie on a big outdoor screen at a drive-in theater could soon be possible in Eastern Washington. Picking up a book from the public library may also be an option, although browsing the shelves for an interesting but unfamiliar selection won’t be happening soon.

News >  Spokane

Smaller, quieter protests in Spokane on Monday night after mayor enacts curfew, police put on high alert

UPDATED: Tue., June 2, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered a statewide activation of the National Guard late Sunday as looting and violence spread to Spokane.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: One benefit of COVID-19 restrictions: Watching court cases from home

Sun., May 31, 2020

While there are many things we are all giving up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “stay home when possible” order has added one thing for the public in general, and reporters in particular: the ability to “attend” court hearings from a distance.

News >  WA Government

Inslee announces stay-home order will be replaced with new, more flexible plan for reopening

UPDATED: Fri., May 29, 2020

Washington will enter a new phase in the state government’s efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing a stay-home order with a new program that will allow counties to have different amounts of business and recreational activity.

News >  Washington

Court considers request to end Inslee’s COVID-19 emergency orders

UPDATED: Fri., May 29, 2020

The state emergency orders over COVID-19 should be ended and local health districts allowed to decide what steps their communities should take in response to the virus, an attorney for some Chelan County residents argued Thursday in a court in Wenatchee.

News >  WA Government

Washington ag workers get new protections from COVID-19

UPDATED: Thu., May 28, 2020

Washington is requiring new safety standards to protect agricultural and food processing workers COVID -19.

News >  Spokane

State orders nursing home residents, staff to be tested for COVID-19

UPDATED: Thu., May 28, 2020

The state is requiring more testing at facilities that house some of its oldest and most medically fragile residents.

News >  WA Government

Restrictions loosened on religious services in Spokane, other Phase 2 counties

UPDATED: Wed., May 27, 2020

Washington is relaxing restrictions on the size of gatherings for religious services put in place some two months ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  Washington

With three dozen running in primary, Washington governor’s race sets statewide record

Sun., May 24, 2020

Washington voters are unlikely to complain about their lack of choices for governor this year. They can choose among 36 people who want the job, a record for a statewide race.

News >  Spokane

Washington lost a half-million jobs in April; unemployment reaches 15%

UPDATED: Wed., May 20, 2020

Washington lost half a million jobs in April, a record drop in employment as the economic vice of the COVID-19 pandemic clamped down.

News >  Business

Inslee decries Spokane businesses violating order

UPDATED: Thu., May 21, 2020

Despite tough talk from Gov. Jay Inslee, some Spokane-area businesses have opened despite not appearing to fit the definition of essential businesses.

News >  Washington

Gregoire: Business leaders shifted focus to fight COVID-19 as the outbreak began to take hold

UPDATED: Tue., May 19, 2020

When COVID-19 began to establish an early foothold in America’s Northwest corner, a group of Seattle-area business executives shifted from its efforts to expand the regional economy to find a way to fight the virus.

News >  Spokane

Spokane County aims to ease limits by Memorial Day under new rules announced Tuesday

UPDATED: Tue., May 19, 2020

Spokane County can reopen parts of its economy and move to Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan – but only if it can meet new guidelines.

News >  Spokane

Inslee criticizes Trump over testing comment, Freedom Foundation questioning of death count

Tue., May 19, 2020

As Washington continues to struggle with getting all the equipment needed to test more possible residents for COVID-19, Gov. Jay Inslee lashed out at comments by President Donald Trump that testing is “overrated.”

News >  Spokane

Medical, dental offices given rules for reopening

UPDATED: Mon., May 18, 2020

Medical and dental offices can reopen in Washington if they can meet certain guidelines for protective gear, hygiene and physical distancing.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Congress Sucks Party may not elect a candidate, but it will express the mood of most voters

Sun., May 17, 2020

There may be nothing more creative than a Washington candidate entering an election for which he or she has no chance of winning and taking a flier when filling in the “party preference” space on the petition for candidacy.

News >  Spokane

Shea won’t run for re-election, leading to shuffle in area races

UPDATED: Fri., May 15, 2020

Embattled Spokane Valley Republican Matt Shea will not seek re-election to the legislative seat he has held for 12 years.