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News >  Washington

Rumors of library closure spur outcry in Okanogan County as mayor assures public negotiations are underway

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 9, 2026

The Omak City Council meeting Monday night was packed with concerned constituents following rumors of a possible closure of the Omak Library.

News >  K-12 education

Head Start programs can continue diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a federal judge rules, upending Trump executive orders

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 8, 2026

A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration’s efforts to expunge so-called diversity, equity and inclusion from Head Start programs around the country.

News >  Federal Government

After Trump says U.S. could ‘run’ Venezuela for years, Senate clears way for vote to limit his war powers

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 8, 2026

WASHINGTON – Five Republicans voted with Democrats as the Senate on Thursday cleared a path for a vote next week that could block President Donald Trump from using further military force against Venezuela, after he said the United States could “run” the South American country for years.

News >  Federal Government

Jan. 6 defendants pardoned by Trump march across D.C. to ‘rewrite history’ 5 years after Capitol riot

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 8, 2026

WASHINGTON – A procession of Democratic lawmakers took to the Senate floor on Tuesday in commemoration of what happened on this day five years earlier, when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to reverse the outcome of an election Trump lost.

News >  Washington

Funeral home gaining new life as childcare center in small town of Pomeroy, where families have to drive 30 minutes for day care

UPDATED: Sat., Jan. 10, 2026

For years, families in Pomeroy have driven at least 30 minutes to find child care.

News >  K-12 education

Under the desk: New UW study sheds light on student phone use during school

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 6, 2026

It’s no secret teens spend a lot of time in front of screens – something like eight and a half hours daily, according to a 2021 survey.

News >  Washington

Getting There: Latino-led nonprofit launches bilingual driving school aiming to bridge language barriers, expand access

Mon., Jan. 5, 2026

After years as its most requested service, a local Latino-led nonprofit officially launched its long-awaited bilingual driving school.

News >  Federal Government

Congressmen Michael Baumgartner, Adam Smith react after U.S. military attacks Venezuela, captures its president

UPDATED: Sun., Jan. 4, 2026

Baumgartner, of Spokane, praised Trump for toppling an "anti-American, communist, narco-terrorism, narco-trafficking regime." Smith, of Bellevue, said the unintended consequences of Nicolás Maduro's ouster could spark years of American military involvement, increased violence and instability.

News >  Washington

Venezuelans in Spokane express optimism about overthrow of Maduro

UPDATED: Sat., Jan. 3, 2026

Miguel Tamburini got a call from his mother last night, after bombs began hitting Venezuela just blocks away from her home.

News >  Federal Government

Another government shutdown? Here’s a look at what’s ahead as Congress deals with unfinished business

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 30, 2025

WASHINGTON – The Capitol is quiet this week, with Congress out of town for its end-of-year recess, but lawmakers are gearing up for what promises to be a hectic few weeks of work when the Senate returns on Monday and the House a day later.

News >  Spokane

Nonprofit to bring Haitian Independence Day for the first time to Spokane amid TPS uncertainty: ‘Get to know us’

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 29, 2025

For the first time, a nonprofit that serves Spokane’s Haitian community, is combining its New Year’s celebration with Haitian Independence Day.

News >  Federal Government

Rank-and-file House members are going around leaders to force votes at unprecedented rate. What does that mean for Congress in 2026?

Sun., Dec. 28, 2025

WASHINGTON – In October 2015, dozens of Republicans joined a minor revolt led by then-Rep. Denny Heck and the House’s Democratic minority to go around the GOP chairman of the Financial Services Committee and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, a federal agency that finances foreign purchases from Boeing and other U.S. companies.

News >  K-12 education

In her own holiday tradition, 12-year-old high schooler busks for tips to donate to local organizations

Fri., Dec. 26, 2025

Every year, as the days darken earlier and temperatures decrease, 12-year-old Aviela Gordon begins to plot which local charity will reap the rewards of her piano-playing prowess.

News >  Local Government

Spokane County directs $200,000 to ongoing wildfire recovery efforts in Medical Lake and Elk

Fri., Dec. 26, 2025

Spokane County will send $200,000 to aid in rebuilding efforts in Elk and Medical Lake after the devastating wildfires of 2023.

News >  Washington

A couple in northeast Washington spent 30 years restoring a neglected tree farm. Last month, they donated it for research

Wed., Dec. 24, 2025

CHEWELAH – In 1992, Lynn and Becky Miner bought 100 acres of land with plans to build a log home and start a tree farm – despite not knowing anything about forestry.

News >  Washington

Newport hospital assessment shows need for more space as demand grows

Tue., Dec. 23, 2025

Newport’s hospital has expanded its services in recent months, but a new market assessment shows additional needs to better support rural residents in northeast Washington and North Idaho.

News >  Weather

Power is officially restored for all Avista customers after Wednesday’s windstorm

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 22, 2025

Six days since a record-breaking windstorm tore through the region, power has been restored in all homes and businesses that were affected, according to a news release from Avista Utilities.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Potential human remains discovered outside Colfax

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 22, 2025

Whitman County law enforcement found possible human remains in a remote area outside of Colfax early Monday morning.

News >  Washington

Difference Makers: A former farmworker’s mission to help her community

Mon., Dec. 22, 2025

Esmeralda Sandoval remembers being just 5 years old, squeezed between the dusty bins in Florida’s fields, trying not to be seen while her parents worked under the hot sun picking oranges.

News >  Federal Government

Michael Baumgartner visits Nigeria to highlight violence against Christians, after Trump threatens military intervention in the country

Sun., Dec. 21, 2025

WASHINGTON – Rep. Michael Baumgartner was expected to land in Nigeria’s capital on Saturday for what he called a “Christmas week mission,” meeting with local leaders to urge the country’s government to do more to protect Christians from violence in Africa’s most populous nation.