Total employment in the Spokane-Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 500 jobs for the 12 months ending in March, according to preliminary data from the Washington state Employment Security Department.

Visit Spokane will host the Washington Education Association Representative Assembly this week, from April 24-26, at the Spokane Convention Center.

W.T.B. Financial Corp. has reported first-quarter net income of about $17.1 million, an increase of about $5.7 million over the year-earlier quarter, but a decrease of about $3.8 million from Q4 last year.

A new survey of over 400 Washington employers shows rising fears of a possible recession, concerns over tariffs, and ongoing challenges from state taxes and regulations.

Washington state employers added 25,100 jobs during the 12 months ending in March, preliminary data from the Washington state Employment Security Department shows.

LaunchNW, an initiative of Spokane-based Innovia Foundation, has awarded $920,000 in grants to support high school education post-graduation in rural communities across Eastern Washington.

Global Federal Credit Union has acquired First Financial Northwest Inc., the parent company of First Financial Northwest Bank.