Rich Hadley, who for 21 years led the region's business chamber now called Greater Spokane Incorporated, died on Sunday. Hadley is credited by many Spokane leaders for his vision and partnerships that created the University District and Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. A former U.S. Navy air intelligence officer during the Vietnam War, Hadley also forged a strong relationship with Air Force officials, becoming one of the region’s foremost advocates for protecting Fairchild Air Force Base and boosting its future role.

Spokane County Library District offers "Lego Stop-Motion Animation" for children ages 8-12 to learn using a free animation app for smart devices in storytelling videos of Lego characters moving, jumping and talking to each other.

More than 100 students applied for 40 seats in Eastern Washington University's new four-year nursing program's upper division classes that start in August. In 2022, the state Legislature funded $6.1 million for EWU to expand to a full four-year program. Leaders cited the need to train more nurses, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened shortages. But other issues that limit admitting more students to regional BSN programs include faculty recruitment and hospital training availability, educators say.

Local leaders also describe the same wave of reported trauma among children and adolescents as highlighted in a mid-February federal analysis showing increases in rape and sexual violence among teen girls, as well as their record levels of feeling sad or hopeless. 

A recent statewide survey found that food insecurity remains high among low-income residents as they face increased food prices and ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. University of Washington and Washington State University professors tapped more than 5,000 people, with nearly half reporting they experienced food insecurity. In Spokane County, 48% among about 400 people reported using food assistance in the past month.

Community Cancer Fund has turned assists on the basketball court into an assist for local cancer patients, by teaming up with five Gonzaga players: Rasir Bolton, Nolan Hickman, Malachi Smith, Hunter Sallis and Julian Strawther in a community pledge drive to support local cancer patients in its "CCF Assists Program." The players on Monday visited children in the pediatric cancer wing at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, as well as touring in other pediatric units.