Jonathan Brunt

One of the state’s most powerful politicians shook Spokane’s political landscape and shocked her own party Thursday when she announced she won’t seek re-election to the Legislature. State Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown has represented her central Spokane legislative district since 1992, first in the House and, starting in 1996, the Senate. A staunch Democrat, she has led the Senate for eight years, and her pending departure sent ripples through both sides of the partisan aisle.

Brown's bombshell shakes up Democratic politics

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Sen. Majority Leader Lisa Brown announced Thursday that she won’t run for re-election and will leave her seat in the state Legislature after her term expires at the end of the year. The Spokane Democrat said that after 20 years in the Legislature, she is ready to move on.

Flag designer would be happy to see flag flying again

The board that oversees the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture on Wednesday upheld the firing of the museum’s executive director, a decision that revealed significant division between the board and many museum supporters. After a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly three hours, the MAC Board of Trustees voted 13-7 to terminate Forrest B. Rodgers, who has led the museum since Aug. 1. Board members refused to explain the decision.

The board of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Cultures upheld the firing of the museum’s executive director this afternoon, in a decision that has revealed significant division between the board and many museum supporters.

A plan to remodel the first floor of Spokane City Hall to make it more customer-friendly could cost more than $1.4 million. Moving services to the ground floor that are most often used by citizens has been a goal of Mayor David Condon since he ran for mayor last year, and the cost estimate is included in a draft administrative report for Condon’s “Service First Initiative.”

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture fired its executive director on Tuesday, less than a year after recruiting him to Spokane. Forrest B. Rodgers confirmed that the executive committee of the museum’s board terminated him on Tuesday. It’s unclear if the museum’s full board voted on the termination.

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture fired its executive director on Tuesday, less than a year after recruiting him to Spokane.

Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard announced Tuesday that he will not seek a third term. Richard, 47, announced his decision today in a news conference outside the Spokane County Courthouse with his wife, Wendy Richard, at his side. 

The Spokane City Council late Monday effectively killed a resolution in support of the state’s gay marriage law.

The architect of Spokane City Hall’s controversial handling of the fatal police confrontation with Otto Zehm was fired Monday, marking the latest fallout from the excessive force case that already has led to a federal conviction of a police officer and contributed to the ouster of former Mayor Mary Verner in last November’s election. Assistant City Attorney Rocky Treppiedi was dismissed Monday by City Attorney Nancy Isserlis.

Spokane City Council chambers overflowed Monday as scores of people showed up to debate the state’s new gay marriage law. About 300 people turned out to Monday’s meeting, an overflow crowd not seen at a council meeting in years.