Laurel Demkovich

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News

More than 1,100 new COVID-19 cases reported in Inland NW on Tuesday

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 8, 2020

The district's previous record was 499 new cases of the virus on Nov. 23. Tuesday's cases put the district just 50 new cases away from 20,000 total COVID-19 cases. 

News

COVID-19 cases spiking across region as Grant County investigates deaths possibly linked to wedding

Tue., Dec. 8, 2020

Eastern Washington and North Idaho are continuing to struggle with the COVID-19 virus as outbreaks move quickly across the area, including long term care facilities and the Airway Heights Corrections Center.

News

Lawmakers look to introduce sweeping police reform legislative package in January

Tue., Dec. 8, 2020

A year after Initiative 940 and its amendments passed the Washington State Legislature, lawmakers are again proposing a sweeping police reform package that would include a deescalation process, an independent investigative body for use of deadly force and a ban on certain police tactics.

News

Bonner County can’t defund health district until budget process despite commissioners’ disappointment in mask mandate

Wed., Dec. 2, 2020

Although no formal response was taken in Tuesday's meeting, commissioners still discussed other action that could be done to show their disdain with what they agreed was an "overreach" of power by the health district.

News

In aftermath of Lutz firing, pressure builds to revamp health boards in Washington

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 2, 2020

With state law requiring that elected officials make up the majority of local health boards, a lack of funding statewide and locally, and diverse rules nationally for public health boards, it's not surprising to many officials how such politicization happened.

News

Snow Monday won’t last long with dry conditions expected throughout week

UPDATED: Mon., Nov. 30, 2020

Spokane saw some snow Monday morning, but with little accumulation and a dry week ahead, it won't stay around long. 

News >  WA Government

The Supreme Court blocked New York’s COVID-19 restrictions for places of worship. What does that mean for Washington?

Sat., Nov. 28, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court late Wednesday night blocked New York's COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings, marking a shift in the court that could lead to similar decisions in lawsuits in other states but will likely leave Washington unaffected as of now.

News >  Washington

With COVID-19 hospitalizations rising, Inslee warns of ‘catastrophic loss’ from current trajectory

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 25, 2020

In a news conference just two days before Thanksgiving, Inslee and other health officials again urged residents of the importance of not gathering, as hospitals may not be able to handle it.

News

513 new COVID-19 cases reported in Spokane; virus blamed for child’s death

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 24, 2020

The Spokane Regional Health District reported 513 new cases of the virus on Monday and more than 1,000 new cases in the last three days.

Local pharmacists stress importance of community-based stores amid Amazon announcement of online pharmacy

Mon., Nov. 23, 2020

Amazon's announcement this week that it was opening an online pharmacy worried local pharmacists about the future of independently-owned chains and stores. But owners are trying to remind the community that their value can't be replaced.

News >  WA Government

Inslee announces $135 million in economic relief for businesses affected by COVID-19 closures

UPDATED: Sat., Nov. 21, 2020

Amid backlash for new COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Jay Inslee announced additional economic support for businesses affected by closures.

News >  Spokane

Another 414 COVID-19 cases confirmed Thursday in Spokane County

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 19, 2020

The Spokane Regional Health District reported 414 new cases of the virus on Thursday, marking the second time in a week that the daily rates topped 400. It's the second highest daily rate during the pandemic, after the health district reported 422 new cases on Nov. 14.

News >  Idaho

Masks now required in North Idaho as Panhandle health board passes 5-county mandate

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 19, 2020

The board voted 4-2 to pass the mandate, with one member, Walt Kirby, of Boundary County, abstaining. 

News

Ritzville wedding with 300 guests becomes COVID-19 super-spreader event

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 18, 2020

A 300-person wedding near Ritzville has led to nearly 40 COVID-19 cases — and likely more — in Grant and Adams counties.

News

More than 400 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Inland NW on Tuesday as daily rates remain high

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 18, 2020

More than 400 new cases were reported in Spokane and North Idaho on Tuesday alone.

‘A microcosm of the country’: How one Washington county became America’s new bellwether

Tue., Nov. 17, 2020

Clallam County — the most northwest county in the country — has managed to correctly elect presidential winners. It now has the longest streak in the country, having chosen each president correctly since 1980.

Baptist church in Brewster burns soon after attempted arson at Catholic church one block away

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 17, 2020

A fire that occurred at New Testament Baptist Church early Sunday left the building with extensive damage while another attempted fire at Sacred Heart Catholic Church left the building with minimal damage.

News >  ID Government

Idaho moves back to Phase 2, with exceptions; Little mobilizes national guard as COVID-19 cases rise

UPDATED: Sat., Nov. 14, 2020

With Thanksgiving just weeks away and COVID-19 cases surging, Gov. Brad Little pleaded with Idaho residents Friday to take "personal responsibility" and limit social gatherings, announcing the state will move back to a modified Phase 2 in its reopening plan.

News

Many veterans already struggle with isolation. Now, there’s COVID-19

Thu., Nov. 12, 2020

With a Veterans Day unlike any other, veterans agree it's especially important to come together and honor those who served, as many are struggling right now.

News >  Education

Referendum 90 passed: What’s next for school districts and its opponents?

Mon., Nov. 9, 2020

School districts will begin phasing in the new requirements in the 2021-2022 school year, but for opponents of the bill, the fight is still not over. 

Washington politicians say Kamala Harris should only be the start of women in high office

UPDATED: Sat., Nov. 7, 2020

After a close election that left many Americans wondering for days who would be elected president, Harris made history Friday by being elected the first woman, Black person and South Asian American person elected to vice president. For women politicians in Spokane, Harris is inspiring, surprising and, to some, disappointing.

News >  WA Government

Kim Wyman wins re-election as Washington secretary of state

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 6, 2020

Wyman defeated state Rep. Gael Tarleton in Tuesday's election with about a six-point lead as of Friday. Tarleton, who will retire in her role as state representative this year, officially conceded Friday.

News >  WA Government

Legislators are trying to figure out why a constitutional amendment involving long-term care funds failed

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 6, 2020

A constitutional amendment that would have allowed public money set aside for long-term care to be invested in private stocks has failed, and legislators are trying to figure out why.

News

Democrat Denny Heck will be Washington’s next lieutenant governor

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Denny Heck is leading Tuesday in the lieutenant governor's race, which pitted two Democrats against each other.

News

Democratic incumbents capture new terms for Washington attorney general, auditor land commissioner, insurance commissioner

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 3, 2020

In down-ballot statewide executive races, Democrat incumbents prevailed on Tuesday night.