Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Where are legal documents related to West recall?

The Spokesman-Review

Question: Re: “Complete coverage” at spokanesmanreview.com.

How come not all of the legal documents are published, such as the original petition, the amicus curiae by Beggs, etc. It says “complete.” I was just curious?

How about a link to the recall RCW for those folks who can’t or are too lazy to look it up?

The paper mentioned 35 or so recalls that failed in the history of Washington state. Any links to those documents? – Marshall Smith

Answer: Good observation. Thanks for bringing this oversight to our attention. It’s been our intent since the beginning of the West coverage to publish as many source documents as possible online.

We’re gathering up those documents now and will be posting them online in coming days, beginning with Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Shannon Sullivan’s recall petition and six other related court documents. – Ken Sands, online publisher

Where’s Idaho Vandals coverage?

Question: I am an avid sports fan and longtime Spokesman-Review subscriber and am very interested in coverage of our local athletic teams. I was wondering why your paper does not cover the Idaho Vandals.

We get excellent coverage of WSU sports, fair coverage of EWU and fair coverage of the UW, even though I do not consider them regional because they are on the other side of the state.

I will be attending several WSU and University of Idaho games this fall but do not have much background on the Vandals since The Spokesman-Review does not choose provide them with adequate coverage.

Why is that? I am very curious! – Bill LaRue, Valleyford

Answer: There are two parts to the answer. First, while Idaho is a regional school, the fan following is smaller than the other schools cited. Sports coverage isn’t tied entirely to fan base, but it does matter as we apportion our limited staff resources.

The second part of the answer involves our coverage of Seahawks training camp in Cheney. Jim Meehan, our Vandals reporter, covers camp, meaning preseason Vandals coverage takes a hit.

As of this week, the Seahawks have moved back west, and you’ll see more Idaho coverage in our paper. In fact, there was an article Wednesday about the UI quarterback competition. – Steve Smith, editor

Why mention type of home?

Question: In the article on the crash of the ultralight on Page 1 of Sunday’s Region section, it was stated that Patricia Chamberlain looked out on the wreckage from her manufactured home. I don’t see what relevance her type of home has to the article. I’ve never seen stories in the paper telling that such and such happened in front of a “stick-built” rancher, or a two-story condominium.

In my opinion, that adjective was totally unnecessary. Why was it added? And since many people regard a manufactured home as a lesser abode than the stick-built, that description could cause an adverse reaction to her and her choice of home. – Alice Taylor

Answer: The reference wasn’t needed. Reporters try to include detail in their reports to help bring stories alive and give them real-world context. This detail clearly struck the reporter so it was included. But the story certainly would have been fine without it. It wasn’t intended as a negative.

As one whose parents live in a manufactured home, I would be the last to regard one as a lesser abode. I would hope our readers would agree. – Steve Smith, editor