Laurel Demkovich

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As COVID-19 numbers among youth concern health officials, young people may face barriers to vaccination without parental consent

UPDATED: Thu., June 10, 2021

OLYMPIA – Although vaccines are now available to children 12 and older, hesitant parents could be keeping vaccination rates among youth low – a worriesome scenario that health officials say is putting young people in the hospital.

News >  ID Government

Bonner County Republican party attempts to oust state senator for backing GOP governor

UPDATED: Tue., June 8, 2021

The resolution from the Bonner County Republican Central Committee and Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin's announcement last month to run against current Gov. Brad Little could lead to a broader rift in the Republican party ahead of the 2022 election cycle.

News >  Business

Avista isn’t planning to shut off power to prevent wildfires

UPDATED: Sun., June 6, 2021

As the state prepares for a difficult wildfire season, Avista Utilities has said it doesn’t currently plan to shut off power in efforts to prevent fires.

News >  WA Government

Inslee: Vaccinated residents could win $1 million, other prizes with new incentive lotto program

UPDATED: Fri., June 4, 2021

All Washington residents who receive a vaccine will be entered into a lottery with four weekly drawings of $250,000 and one final $1 million prize, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.

News >  K-12 education

‘Love Dad’ and basketball: Lakeside (Plummer-Worley) senior Kenyon Spotted Horse racks up accolades while keeping father’s memory near

UPDATED: Fri., June 4, 2021

On the basketball court, Kenyon Spotted Horse’s shoes carry a special message: “Love Dad.”

Northwest Christian Home-School student looks to graduation after brain surgery

Thu., June 3, 2021

Any time Theo Turner goes to class for Northwest Christian Schools’ home-schooling program, he does so in a full cowboy outfit.

News >  Business

Spokane Valley coffee shop fined $126,000 for COVID-19 violations in first three months of 2021; Sacred Heart among businesses cited

UPDATED: Sun., May 23, 2021

Some chose to stay open despite regulations because they feared losing business. Others failed to offer proper social distancing for employees or signs to customers about wearing masks. 

News >  Nation

We the People: How many seats are on the Supreme Court? And how did we get there?

Sun., May 23, 2021

Each week, The Spokesman-Review examines one question from the Naturalization Test immigrants must pass to become United States citizens.

News >  Local Government

Candidate list for Spokane County, city elections finalized

UPDATED: Tue., May 25, 2021

Candidates had until 4 p.m. Friday to file paperwork to appear on the Aug. 3 ballot. 

News

Inslee signs major climate bills, but not without partial vetoes; Legislative leadership threaten lawsuit

UPDATED: Mon., May 17, 2021

After years of fighting for statewide climate policies, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed into law five bills that aim to fight climate change in Washington, but not without vetoing key language tying two bills to a new transportation package.

News >  WA Government

It’s time to make sure your phone will get Washington’s new ShakeAlert early earthquake warnings

UPDATED: Mon., May 17, 2021

With Washington's launch last week, all three west coast states now use the U.S. Geological Survey's ShakeAlert system for earthquake early warning. 

News >  Local Government

Spokane County, city will have to reach agreement in dispatch feud, according to bill signed by Inslee

Sat., May 15, 2021

The city of Spokane and the county-led Spokane Regional Emergency Communications agency now have until next July to reach an agreement on how to form one emergency communications agency, after a Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law this week. 

News >  Health

Inslee: Washington could fully reopen by June 30

UPDATED: Thu., May 13, 2021

With COVID-19 cases on the decline, Inslee said current projections show most spaces, including restaurants and businesses, could return to full capacity by the end of next month.

News >  WA Government

As DNR awaits new wildfire prevention funds from Legislature, officials warn people of record-breaking wildfire season to come

Thu., May 13, 2021

OLYMPIA – After several years of devastating wildfires across Washington, lawmakers this year agreed to make a major investment in wildfire prevention and forest health.

News >  WA Government

Open carry at capitol, demonstrations now prohibited after Inslee signs bill into law

UPDATED: Wed., May 12, 2021

The new law bans open carry within 250 feet of public permitted demonstrations and at the state capitol. It does not apply to concealed-carry rules in the Capitol, which is allowed with the correct license.

News

Big changes coming for statewide public health system and local boards

Tue., May 11, 2021

The state's public health system may soon get big chances after Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law Monday that would require local health boards to change their makeup. 

News >  WA Government

Capital gains tax: A look at how Washington got here and what’s still to come

Mon., May 10, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law last week authorizing a tax on the sale of stocks, bonds, businesses and other investments. But if history is any indication, the law is likely to face stiff opposition before any taxes can be collected. 

‘A dramatic shift’: Inslee signs legislation to address child care shortages into law

UPDATED: Fri., May 7, 2021

The bill, which Spokane providers say was desperately needed after the COVID-19 pandemic, creates a new funding account for child care and early learning.

News

Inslee signs capital gains tax into law

UPDATED: Tue., May 4, 2021

A 7% tax on capital gains is now law after Gov. Jay Inslee signed the long-awaited bill on Tuesday, but there could still be a long way to go until it is implemented.

News >  Washington

Most counties, including Spokane and King, will stay at Phase 3, Inslee announces

UPDATED: Wed., May 5, 2021

Setting aside previous guidelines on COVID-19, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that numerous counties that were headed to stricter pandemic rules, including Spokane and King, will not have to roll back to Phase 2 for at least two weeks.

News

‘You’re on mute’: How a virtual session changed the dynamic in the 2021 Legislature

UPDATED: Tue., May 4, 2021

OLYMPIA – When lawmakers began thinking about the 2021 Legislature, they had no idea if a virtual session was even possible.

News

Inslee signs bill to give tax relief to those rebuilding after natural disaster

UPDATED: Mon., May 3, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Monday that provides some tax exemptions for those rebuilding or improving a single-family dwelling damaged by a natural disaster.

News >  Local business

Spokane-area restaurants reflect on the ‘really disheartening’ threat of going back to Phase 2

UPDATED: Thu., April 29, 2021

A return to Phase 2 could cause significant financial pain for some restaurants and businesses. 

News

Former DSHS lead to become first woman to head state Department of Corrections

UPDATED: Thu., April 29, 2021

Cheryl Strange will become the new Department of Corrections secretary, the first woman to ever hold the position, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.

News

Inslee finally gets what he wants: Legislature passed tax on capital gains and bill to fight climate change

Tue., April 27, 2021

OLYMPIA – After campaigning on carbon restrictions and pushing for a capital gains tax for two terms, Gov. Jay Inslee scored big wins in the Legislature this year.