Amazon.com Inc. said its holiday season this year was “record breaking” with billions of items shipped and “tens of millions” of Amazon devices like the Echo Dot sold.

The storm roared ashore in Southern California on Christmas, unloading torrential rain in Los Angeles and even triggering a tornado warning near Santa Barbara. This vigorous weather system will charge to the northeast over the next three days, generating headaches for post-holiday travelers from California to the Great Lakes.

Classes might be out for the holiday break, but there is still plenty of high school basketball action across Eastern Washington and North Idaho this weekend.

If attendees were expecting a classic and old-fashioned holiday concert by the Spokane Symphony and guest singer Vanessa Williams on Saturday night, they were instead treated to an early Christmas gift by the talented musicians led by animated and lively musical director James Lowe and the award-winning singer and actress.

The Spokane Symphony, under the direction of James Lowe, and the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox have saved one of its best shows for last to wrap up the holiday season and year. Singer, actress and fashion designer Vanessa Williams headlines the Holiday Pops Concert with the Spokane Symphony at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fox.

There are lots of bargains online during the holidays, but also plenty of ways to get scammed, even at established outlets like Amazon.

Amazon is banning its third-party merchants from using FedEx’s ground service to deliver to Prime members, suggesting it thinks the service is too slow to get packages to their destinations in time for Christmas.

Dips, in general, are perfect party starters because they get everyone mingling and allow guests to nibble without having to put down their drinks. But when a dip is just out of the oven, bubbling and browned, it brings a whole other level of excitement to the room.

Some families pass down jewelry, watches or even recipes. But a Michigan family has its own heirloom: a 141-year-old fruitcake.

While family members often span the miles to visit at holidays, close encounters with relatives from afar can pose a quandary for parents. Should you tell your children to hug and kiss people they’ve met maybe once?

For the 14th consecutive year, the Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival will celebrate the cinema, songs and career of Tacoma-born and Spokane-reared entertainer Bing Crosby at the Bing Crosby Theater on Saturday.

A commercial real estate developer is handing out a total of $10 million in bonuses to its 198 employees.

Gifting a scent is a kind, intimate move, but “the margin for error is wide,” Ourisman said, because of how personal they are. Ourisman and Brocznek advise against this route unless you’re very familiar with the recipient’s taste or are buying a specific item you know they want.

Nearly 10 months out of bankruptcy, Sears is limping into the holiday shopping season.

Strolling through your yard looking for potential materials is half the fun. Greenery from conifers such as pines, firs, spruce, yews and junipers makes an excellent base for wreaths and swags.

For the 29th year, the wineries of the Cork District and Spokane Wine Association are celebrating the Holiday Wine Festival from Friday through Sunday. In its first year, the Holiday Wine Festival featured six wineries; this holiday season, 20 wineries are participating in the festivities.

The lighted Madonna, which adorned the southwest corner of the old Bon Marché building for decades will shine on downtown Spokane this holiday season after a three-year absence.

Faced with the shortest holiday shopping season since 2013, retailers are trying to figure out ways to get into the minds of shoppers sooner