Latest News

Extender act, election lull lend certainty to tax filers

Preparers this year don't have to wait on Congress

October 20, 2016

Permanent tax breaks enacted last December, coupled with an election-year lull in new tax laws, are enabling tax preparers and their clients here to implement strategies with more time and certainty than they've had in recent years, some tax planners he

Annual health plan enrollment brings familiar stress

Insurance decisions often involve increasing costs

October 20, 2016

Guest Commentary

Besides colder weather and pumpkin carving, October also brings the beginning of the employee benefits open enrollment season. Nearly 40 percent of Washington state employers renew their employee benefit plans on Jan. 1, causing an intense surge in huma

Spokane office of BDO USA locks in growth mode

Accounting firm looks to add 10 CPAs in next year

October 20, 2016

Linn Parish

The Spokane office of BDO USA LLP plans to hire about 10 more people in the next 12 months, says Paul Bridge, the office's managing partner. The office here, one of 60 operated by the Chicago-based international public accounting firm, has had some big

Inland Northwest Community Foundation shoots for a quarter of a billion in assets

CEO is optimistic that organization will hit that mark one day

October 20, 2016

With a recent bequest of $3 million pushing its philanthropic assets above $100 million, Inland Northwest Community Foundation President and CEO Mark Hurtubise says the foundation now has its sights set on reaching $250 million. In the last 30 months, th

Humana adds hearing aid benefit to Medicare plans

Insurer beefs up Advantage offerings in six counties

October 20, 2016

Staff Report

Humana Inc., the Louisville, Ky.-based health insurance company, says it's teaming up with a hearing aid company to provide Medicare beneficiaries in Spokane County and five other counties in Washington state with better access to hearing exams and affo

Tacoma's Multicare offers online health services here

System using billboards to draw local consumers

October 20, 2016

Kim Crompton

MultiCare Health System, a Tacoma-based provider network, is using billboards here to market health care services that Spokane-area consumers can access online. 'Online healthcare when and where you need it. Visit multicare.ecare.com,â€ says the messa

New digestive center launched in Post Falls

Comprehensive approach is focus at hospital facility

October 20, 2016

Samantha Peone

Northwest Specialty Hospital in Post Falls has opened the Northwest Institute for Digestive Surgery, says Dr. John L. Pennings, founder and director of the institute. Located at 750 N. Syringa, the digestive center occupies about 10,000 square feet and i

Premera Blue Cross adopts new customer-service focus

Big health insurer invests in tech, patient research

October 20, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

With open enrollment periods for health insurance starting next month, consumers once again find themselves navigating the complexities of health care plans. Because of those complexities, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.-based Premera Blue Cross says it has be

South Hill senior apartment complex to undergo renovation

$4 million plan to improve all Canterbury Court units

October 20, 2016

Mike McLean

The owner of Canterbury Court, a low-income senior apartment complex at 1010 S. Rockwood Blvd., is planning a $4 million, multiphase renovation project, says Shannon Meagher, of Spokane-based Kiemle & Hagood Co. Meagher heads up development and special p

ROW buys Cd'A building, plans to move in November

Company grows with diverse adventure tours

October 20, 2016

Mike McLean

Silver Stream Diversified LLC, an affiliate of longtime Coeur d'Alene outdoor tour operator ROW Adventures, has bought a 5,900-square-foot building in downtown Coeur d'Alene, where ROW plans to move from smaller, leased quarters, says ROW co-founder P