Community-Funded Journalism

News >  K-12 education

Class of COVID-19: This year’s graduating class started high school in lockdown. Here are their stories

UPDATED: Tue., June 4, 2024

Hallye Matherly woke up early the morning of her first day of freshman year at Ferris High School.

News >  K-12 education

West Bonner School District hires new superintendent

UPDATED: Wed., June 5, 2024

After more than two years of leadership turnover at West Bonner School District, the school board offered a job to another superintendent Tuesday night.

News >  K-12 education

North Central and Ridgeline High School duke it out in ‘nail-biter’ civics bowl competition

UPDATED: Mon., June 3, 2024

Dozens of parents and teachers filled bleachers, their eyes glued on their students from Ridgeline and North Central high schools fiercely dueling for a trophy. The competition was tight, and the lead volleys between the North Central Wolfpack and Ridgeline Falcons, spurred hushed murmurs from the parents in the audience.

News >  K-12 education

West Bonner considers school closures after levy fail

UPDATED: Thu., June 6, 2024

Update: West Bonner School Board votes to close junior high

News >  WA Government

Mainstream Washington Republicans talk policy, not Trump

UPDATED: Mon., June 3, 2024

Mainstream Republicans of Washington's annual conference took place over the weekend in Yakima. Political hopefuls, elected officials and activists discussed the fentanyl epidemic and energy policy with almost zero mention of Donald Trump.

News >  K-12 education

Teens sell baked goods out of Central Library in first Great Startup Bakeoff

Mon., June 3, 2024

If you stopped in the Central Library on Sunday, perhaps you could smell rosemary wafting from the third floor.

News >  ID Government

Kootenai County GOP re-elects Brent Regan as chairman

UPDATED: Fri., May 31, 2024

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee narrowly re-elected longtime chairman Brent Regan Thursday night over a more moderate challenger.

News >  K-12 education

Moses Lake School District to cut 85 more staff during budget crisis

UPDATED: Thu., May 30, 2024

The Moses Lake School District will cut 85 classified staff positions in a second wave of layoffs announced Wednesday as the district reckons with a $20 million deficit.

News >  WA Government

Local politicians, law experts chime in on first criminal conviction of a president in U.S. history

UPDATED: Thu., May 30, 2024

When news broke Thursday that the first president in U.S. history was convicted of a crime, animated responses rang out from politicians and legal experts all across Washington state.

News >  WA Government

As insurance rates spike, companies will soon be required to explain rate hikes to policyholders

Thu., May 30, 2024

Starting June 1, the state will require Washington insurance companies to inform customers the reason behind all future rate hikes. The state insurance commissioner’s office announced its new rule this week, in the wake of insurance rate spikes and a reported buildup of consumer complaints. 

A&E >  Food

Great Startup Bakeoff offers students a chance to flaunt their baking, entrepreneurial skills; plus the public gets a tasty benefit

UPDATED: Thu., May 30, 2024

The owner of Sweetbox Delivery and River City Kitchen believes it is essential to educate and “nurture” the younger generation that is entering the food industry. Clay Cerna’s work as a Sparks Weekend organizer – an entrepreneurial competition – sparked an idea: an entrepreneurial baking competition for teens.

A&E >  Dining

There’s many Pizza Hut locations in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area. But there’s only a few left that have the true ‘90s dining experience – Tiffany lamps, red cups, salad bar and all.

Wed., May 29, 2024

Some generations, notably millennials, may fondly remember the Pizza Huts of the 1990s, with red pebble tumbler cups, video games, catchy playlists, the Book It! Book Club and Tiffany-style lamps.

News >  K-12 education

Leveling the playing field: Spokane Public Schools to offer tackle football to two middle schools this summer

UPDATED: Sun., June 2, 2024

Middle -schoolers, strap on your shoulder pads.

News >  WA Government

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee travels to Europe and meets with officials at Porsche and other companies

UPDATED: Tue., May 28, 2024

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee used state money to fly to Germany over the weekend for a three-day work trip to learn about electric cars before he embarks on a 10-day European vacation with his wife. 

News >  Washington

Welcome to Reardan: New signs installed ahead of Mule Days

Tue., May 28, 2024

REARDAN, Wash. – Bright new signs recently installed on U.S. Highway 2 welcome drivers to Reardan as the small town just 20 miles west of Spokane prepares to host its 120th Mule Days celebration this Saturday.

News >  Transportation

WSP trooper suffers medical emergency on Interstate 90, collides with another vehicle

UPDATED: Mon., May 27, 2024

A Washington State Patrol trooper had a medical emergency while driving a patrol car Monday, causing him to collide with another vehicle on Interstate 90 sending both drivers to the hospital with minor injuries.

News >  Military

‘They are at peace’: Families and veterans gather at Fairmount Memorial Park for annual ceremony for passed loved ones

UPDATED: Mon., May 27, 2024

Hundreds of flags dotted the headstones at Fairmount Memorial Park, coming alive in unison across the cemetery with each gust of wind.

News >  Weather

Brace for thunder, Inland Northwest. Temperate Memorial Day weather ends with storms Tuesday

Mon., May 27, 2024

Mild weather forecast for Memorial Day may end there, with skies taking a stormy turn on Tuesday across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

News >  Transportation

Roadwork to watch for in Spokane this week

Mon., May 27, 2024

Chip seals, grind and overlay, night markets, oh my! Below is a list of streets closing in Spokane this week for various projects and events.

News >  Military

VA has approved 1 million claims under landmark toxic exposure law, but more veterans and survivors are eligible

Sun., May 26, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In less than two years since Congress passed a landmark bill to expand benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxins in the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs said last week that it passed a milestone of 1 million claims approved under the new law, including more than 22,500 in Washington state and nearly 6,500 in Idaho.