Community-Funded Journalism

Political scientists and researchers agree that America is in an "extraordinary" time, but most think democracy can prevail.

WASHINGTON – When Patty Murray got to the Senate in 1993, one of a then-unprecedented seven women in the 100-member body, she made access to abortion a top legislative priority.

Chauncey Jones understands that, as an advocate for equitable housing access, he must rest on the legacy of others.

While the decision was heralded by some Republican lawmakers as a victory for the separation of powers, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee and state lawmakers said it should spur legislators to do more to address climate change at all levels of government. 

WASHINGTON – In sworn testimony on Tuesday to the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, an aide to President Donald Trump’s chief of staff told lawmakers an “irate” Trump wanted to march to the Capitol with his supporters despite knowing many of them were armed.

Sen. Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital on Sunday, the same day a Russian missile struck the city – killing at least one person and wounding several others, according to Ukrainian officials – after weeks of relative calm as fighting has been concentrated in the country's east.

COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years old were recently approved.

Warm, sunny weather greeted 2,132 athletes Sunday as they swam, pedaled and ran through Coeur d’Alene in the Ironman 70.3.

On the corner of Stevens and Sprague, something is cooking to a crisp.

Thousands are expected to compete in the Ironman 70.3 race in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday.

Brandon Bolt of Spokane Valley scored a rare hole-in-one – and $10,000 – at Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course’s famous 14th hole, “The Floating Green” on Friday.

WASHINGTON – In response to a draft watchdog report’s claim that a computer system at Spokane’s VA hospital harmed scores of veterans, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough said Wednesday his confidence in the system has been shaken.

Riley Hillestad was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for the 2020 killing of Jason Fox.

Republicans Suzanne Schmidt and MJ Bolt and Democrat Ted Cummings are running this year in the 4th District. They will face off in the Aug. 2 primary where the top two will move on to the November general election.

WASHINGTON – Two Washington lawmakers expressed outrage Sunday and Monday over findings that a flawed computer system has harmed scores of veterans since the Department of Veterans Affairs began piloting it in the Inland Northwest in October 2020.

Groundwork for a new building is expected to begin this week on the site of the former school. The administration hopes it will be ready for students as soon as the fall of 2023.

WASHINGTON – A computer system at Spokane’s VA hospital has caused harm to at least 148 veterans in the Inland Northwest, a draft report by a federal watchdog agency reveals.