Community-Funded Journalism

News >  Local Government

In a bid at ‘keeping child care on the agenda,’ Murray talks funding in Olympia

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 18, 2023

As Congress reconvenes this year, Murray will serve as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as the first woman to serve as president pro tempore, which is third in line for the presidency. 

News >  Obituaries

Smoker Marchand, sculptor of ‘The Salmon Chief’ at Spokane Falls, dies at 71

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 18, 2023

A Colville Tribe member who crafted landmark sculptures of Native Americans in Spokane and throughout the West, died Friday.

News >  Washington

How Stephy Nobles-Beans inspires others to make change: ‘We each have a responsibility to make a difference’

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 16, 2023

Stephy Nobles-Beans was born during Jim Crow segregation in Dallas, Texas. She grew up hearing freedom songs of the civil rights movement that she now sings spontaneously in her speeches, including the impassioned keynote on being an agent of change that she gave at Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. rally in Spokane.

News >  Education

Washington Legislature looks to set up state-run apprenticeship programs for students

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 16, 2023

As the Legislature looks to tackle workforce shortages this session, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, would set up a high school apprenticeship pilot program run by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the state's regional educational service districts. 

News >  Washington

‘You be the change’: Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally and march returns in person to Spokane

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 16, 2023

Hundreds filled a ballroom inside the Spokane Convention Center on Monday to remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. after the COVID-19 pandemic put a two-year halt on the in-person event.

News >  Education

Community School Drummers keep African percussion alive: ‘If people forget it, it’s gone’

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 17, 2023

When a high school's African percussion group performs at Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Spokane Convention Center, they will drum joyful rhythms as people return from the march through downtown.

News >  ID Government

We the People: ‘You can’t throw bombs’: Russ Fulcher has learned influence in Congress comes by building strong relationships

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 24, 2023

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

News

MLK Day events to return in person Monday: ‘They need to hear his message of love’

Sat., Jan. 14, 2023

After a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Rally and March in downtown Spokane will return Monday.

News >  Nation/World

White House calls on Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers to work together to rein in ‘Big Tech’

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 12, 2023

WASHINGTON – The White House on Thursday called on two powerful Washington lawmakers to work together to limit the way “Big Tech” companies collect and use data on Americans, one of the few issues where Republicans and Democrats could make bipartisan progress in a divided government this year.

News >  Health

Native American veterans wouldn’t face copays for health care under new VA rule

Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs would waive copays for Native American veterans at VA hospitals and clinics under a new rule the agency proposed Wednesday, fulfilling a bipartisan mandate Congress enacted more than two years earlier.

News >  WA Government

Local delegation blasts Inslee’s proposed transportation budget that includes North Spokane Corridor pause as ‘almost unconscionable’

Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed transportation budget could pause construction on the North Spokane Corridor, pushing the completion date back another six years. 

News >  Obituaries

‘A true visionary’: Longtime Coeur d’Alene Tribe leader David Matheson dies at 71

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

Coeur d’Alene Tribe councilman David Matheson died suddenly Tuesday morning, the tribe announced, calling it “a profound loss of a revered, accomplished and visionary leader.”

News >  WA Government

‘Boldness and ambition’: Inslee calls on Legislature to make big investments in housing, behavioral health

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 10, 2023

OLYMPIA – Washington needs bold and inclusive leadership and action this session to address housing, behavioral health and education crises across the state, Gov. Jay Inslee said.

News >  Pacific NW

Hope Street Restoration provides jobs for Colville homeless

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 10, 2023

COLVILLE – Two weeks after leaving prison, Russ Ogg got a job restoring homes. A year and a half later, he has held the job longer than any other he’s had in his adult life.

News >  WA Government

After two remote sessions, Legislature opens Monday fully in person

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 9, 2023

Loud applause, cheers and hugs spread throughout the House chamber as members walked onto the floor for the Washington State Legislature's first in-person session since 2020, following back-to-back sessions of mostly remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

News >  Education

North Idaho College responds to accrediting agency’s warning letter after controversial decisions by Board of Trustees

Sun., Jan. 8, 2023

Decisions by a divided North Idaho College board of trustees over the last month have spurred lawsuits, complaints and further risks of losing accreditation.

News >  WA Government

The Legislature convenes Monday for its 2023 session. Here are the issues to watch:

Sun., Jan. 8, 2023

The Washington State Legislature will meet on Monday for their first in-person session in two years. 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

More treatment or more jail? Washington lawmakers must approve new drug sentence rules or eliminate jail time for drug possession

Sun., Jan. 8, 2023

The decision in 2021 left lawmakers scrambling to come up with a fix by the end of the legislative session. 

News >  Nation/World

Northwest lawmakers reflect on second anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol riot

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 6, 2023

WASHINGTON – When the House of Representatives convened at noon Friday, the ongoing struggle to elect a speaker wasn’t the only thing on the minds of those in the chamber.

News >  Nation/World

‘Can’t we just take the win?’: Northwest lawmakers grow frustrated as House fails to elect speaker for third straight day

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 5, 2023

WASHINGTON – Northwest lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday as House Republicans failed for the third straight day to pick a speaker to lead their new majority in the chamber despite leading candidate Kevin McCarthy making major concessions to a small group of GOP holdouts who continued to oppose him.