Latest News

Washington Trust parent reports rise in earnings

Loans, deposits up year-over-year for W.T.B. Financial Corp.

July 18, 2025

W.T.B. Financial Corp., the Spokane-based holding company for Washington Trust Bank, posted second-quarter net income of about $19.6 million, or $7.91 per diluted share, an increase over the year-earlier quarter’s net income of about $11.7 million, or $4.69 per share.

Spokane Transit Authority selects new CEO

Karl Otterstrom to assume role in August

July 18, 2025

Journal of Business Staff

The Spokane Transit Authority board of directors voted July 17 to confirm Karl Otterstrom as the agency’s next CEO.

Northwest Specialty Hospital adds new operating rooms

Expansion expected to reduce surgery delays at Post Falls facility

July 18, 2025

Journal of Business Staff

Northwest Specialty Hospital opened its 11th and 12th operating rooms this week, expanding surgical capacity at the Post Falls medical facility.

Azteca to close North Spokane restaurant

Valley location to remain open, spokesperson says

July 17, 2025

Dylan Harris

The Azteca Mexican Restaurant in North Spokane will close July 20, the restaurant chain announced on social media this week.

Pair of Spokane law firms announce merger

Carlisle Byers Casey aims to serve clients better with combined resources

July 17, 2025

Dylan Harris

A pair of Spokane law firms, Carlisle + Byers and Casey Law Offices, have merged to form Carlisle Byers Casey PLLC.

Massive industrial park envisioned near airport

Project would include 40 buildings on 93 acres

July 17, 2025

Tina Sulzle

A longtime Spokane area-developer took the initial steps to build an industrial park on the West Plains, a State Environmental Policy Act checklist filed with Spokane County shows.

Circle K eyed at former Denny's site in Valley

Convenience store, gas station, car wash proposed at Sprague and Pines

July 17, 2025

Dylan Harris

A Circle K Stores Inc. convenience store, gas station, and car wash has been proposed at the northeast corner of Sprague Avenue and Pines Road where a Denny’s restaurant stood for decades, records submitted to the city of Spokane Valley show.

Converting church: Faith orgs look to fill underutilized spaces

Declining attendance could lead to increased repurposing opportunities

July 17, 2025

Erica Bullock

Great potential exists to address affordable housing, childcare, and other community needs if even a fraction of church-owned properties are repurposed in Spokane County, according to some faith-based leaders.

Five Takeaways: Aerospace & Innovation

with Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance executive director Mark Norton

July 17, 2025

Linn Parish

Earlier this month, the Journal of Business hosted Mark Norton, executive director of the Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance, for its most recent Elevating The Conversation podcast about Aerospace & Innovation in the Inland Northwest.

Inland Power strategically expands underground

Electric co-op to invest about $41M annually to bury power lines

July 17, 2025

Erica Bullock

In response to growing safety concerns and improving reliability standards, Spokane-based electric cooperative Inland Power & Light Co. is preparing to significantly expand its underground power distribution system.