The issue of Native American mascots and imagery in sports was thrust into the headlines again over the summer when the Washington, D.C., NFL team decided to change the name of its team from a dictionary-defined slang term and removed all Native American terms and imagery from its branding.

A little more than 25 years ago, Charlie Butts never would have imagined himself getting to play the national anthem in front of thousands of fans for any major Spokane sporting event. And it was even more unimaginable to think of himself as becoming a staple of Spokane sporting events in general.

He had broken his left arm in a mishap at church camp and was shackled with the standard wrist-to-elbow cast.

In his retirement, fate sent Dave Vaughn into a second career: recovery.

In the days and weeks following the killing of George Floyd and subsequent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the campaign to rid society of racist language and images, the use of Native American terms and imagery in sports has once again become a national headline.

The Curtiss “Seagull” hydroplane (float plane) on Lake Coeur d’Alene was caught by a sudden gust of wind as it swooped in for landing on the lake.

For decades, certain sports teams – professional, college and high school – have resisted changing their nicknames and branding from Native American terms and imagery.But with the recent climate of change sweeping the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd and the resulting national protests against racism, a couple of the more prominent – and historically most resistant – professional teams have been pressured by activists and investors to reevaluate the situation.

With the cancellation of the 2020 MiLB season, the Spokane Indians have had to find alternative ways to bring their fans out to the ballpark. This week, the Indians Infield Cafe has brought fans out onto the field to enjoy some of their favorite stadium foods

Spokane will have Fourth of July fireworks this year, despite nearly every other community in the area canceling festivities. At four locations in the city, residents will be able to enjoy fireworks from their cars.

On Tuesday, officials with Minor League Baseball confirmed the 2020 MiLB season has been officially canceled after a conference call between MLB’s board of trustees. 

SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Indians fans will have to wait a little longer to watch their team hit the field. The Northwest League has announced a postponement of its 2020 season.

With its scheduled opening day looming next week, the Northwest League issued a statement on Friday officially – and indefinitely – delaying the start of its season.

The Spokane Indians’ Ballpark Dinner to Go was such a home run last week – it was a sellout, according to the baseball team – that the organization is now offering a second family meal option,

The organization offered 200 orders of stadium fare – two hotdogs, two German sausages, two burgers, potato salad, chips, cookies and souvenir cups – on Thursday and they sold out of all 200 of them at $40 a pop.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and stay-home order, the Spokane Indians have announced a Ballpark Dinner to Go meal ready for pick-up from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 21. The meal is available for purchase for $40, plus tax, and feeds four.

MLB wants to drastically streamline the minor league and how franchises operate, as soon as next season. The Spokane Indians figure to be impacted as much as anyone.

Minor League Baseball is prepared to agree to a drastic reduction in its number of affiliated teams in order to ratify a new agreement with Major League Baseball.

In Spokane, it’s possible that while there could be fewer baseball games this year, there could be more in 2021 and beyond.

Do you enjoy the smell of freshly popped popcorn or do you like the sound of thousands of screaming baseball fans? If so, then the Spokane Indians are for you. Otto Klein stopped by our studio to give you some insight into how to join their team!