Community-Funded Journalism

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Crews enter fourth day of battling Western Pines fire northeast of Davenport

UPDATED: Sun., July 13, 2025

The Western Pines fire continues to burn in Lincoln County as it nears almost 6,000 acres.

News >  K-12 education

Childcare programs at six county schools in limbo after Trump administration withholds billions in pre-approved education funding

Sat., July 12, 2025

The federal dollars for after-school activities are part of around $6 billion withheld in education grants nationwide that pay for childcare, adult literacy programs, English language learner education, staff training and migrant education.

News >  Local Government

Three candidates seek Cheney City Council seat to address growth, infrastructure and water issues

Sat., July 12, 2025

A United States airman, a retired firefighter and a software engineer are competing for a seat ion the Cheney City Council to tackle issues related to water infrastructure and local economy.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Hope fire near Kettle Falls destroys at least two homes as firefighters work to save others

UPDATED: Sat., July 12, 2025

As the Hope Fire just down the river from Northport raged on Friday, emergency response crews continued to grow, focusing on fire containment and structure protection.

News >  Idaho

Algae bloom prompts health advisory on north end of Hayden Lake

UPDATED: Fri., July 11, 2025

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a public health advisory Friday morning along the northern arm of Hayden Lake near Sportsmans Park due to cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom.

News >  Features

Motor Maids ride into downtown Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., July 11, 2025

Passersby in Riverfront Park area Thursday morning gathered along the roadsides to catch glimpses of a rumbling parade of lady motorcyclists.

News >  Idaho

‘Everybody wants to help’: Firefighters from across Idaho fill in for Coeur d’Alene firefighters during funerals

Fri., July 11, 2025

In the days since the tragedy unfolded on Canfield Mountain, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Justin Capaul has been working nonstop.

News >  K-12 education

Spokane Parks and Recreation, Public Schools propose new indoor tennis facility

UPDATED: Fri., July 11, 2025

Lewis and Clark High School boys tennis coach Scott Wortley knows what it’s like to grow up without the tools to practice your favorite sport.

News >  Washington

Hope fire near Kettle Falls grows to nearly 7,000 acres with no containment

UPDATED: Thu., July 10, 2025

Nearly 7,000 acres have burned between Kettle Falls and Northport, Washington, with no containment of the fire as of Thursday morning, fire officials said.

News >  Idaho

‘How we’re getting through it’: Musicians from across the country flock to Coeur d’Alene to honor fallen Idaho firefighters

Thu., July 10, 2025

The Coeur d’Alene Firefighter Pipes and Drums band is typically composed of just 8 people, maybe 12 on a good day.

With Texas floods and Northwest fire season in mind, Cantwell questions Trump’s NOAA nominee on weather research cuts

UPDATED: Wed., July 9, 2025

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the agency that oversees weather told senators at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that a proposal to cut more than a quarter of the agency’s budget wouldn’t jeopardize its ability to predict severe events like wildfires in the Northwest or the recent deadly flooding in Texas.

News >  Local business

‘Uniquely prepared’: STCU’s Lindsey Myhre to assume roles of president, CEO

UPDATED: Thu., July 10, 2025

The new leader of STCU is no stranger to Spokane’s largest credit union.

News >  Washington

How Latinos in Washington state are coping with ICE crackdowns: ‘I don’t have time for therapy’

Wed., July 9, 2025

Alejandra Guzman-Mercado was just weeks away from graduating college – the first in her family to do so – when a judge denied her father’s request to remain in the United States and ordered his deportation.

News >  Health

SRHD confirms county’s first rabid bat of 2025

Wed., July 9, 2025

For the first time this year, a Spokane County bat has tested positive for rabies.

News >  Washington

Barker steps down as U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington

UPDATED: Tue., July 8, 2025

After only 5 months in office, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Richard Barker stepped down from his roll Monday to return to private practice in Spokane.

News >  Local Government

Staffing, budgets among the concerns of Spokane County Fire District 4 commissioner candidates

UPDATED: Tue., July 8, 2025

The race for a commissioner’s seat on one of the largest fire districts in Spokane is underscored by a critical issue – staffing.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Containment expected soon for fire at Riverside State Park

UPDATED: Mon., July 7, 2025

Fire crews were able to stop the forward progress of a 50-acre fire that began Sunday at Riverside State Park. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Tuesday ‘one of those days’ to be concerned about fires in the Inland Northwest, officials warn

UPDATED: Mon., July 7, 2025

As forecasted temperatures near triple digits and the peak months of fire season approach, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that will be in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday through 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

News >  Nation/World

Nez Perce Tribe asks Congress to ‘avert a financial crisis,’ warns Trump administration is withholding fish hatchery funds

UPDATED: Mon., July 7, 2025

WASHINGTON – Nine months into the fiscal year, the Nez Perce Tribe is still waiting for money Congress approved months ago for contracts to operate fish hatcheries vital to maintaining Northwest salmon runs – and the tribe’s chairman is worried those funds may never arrive.

Sports >  Outdoors

With cuts to U.S. land management, volunteer hikers pick up the slack in local trails

Mon., July 7, 2025

The trail to Lower Stevens Lake is surrounded by a thick wall of tall pine and fir trees. The ground is covered in verdant green and ripe huckleberries. In fact, the whole ground there seems ripe and fertile.