The Long Ear Compact Discs & Tapes, an independent music store in Coeur d'Alene, has seen music formats go by the wayside, supposedly replaced by something better. Now, with the growth of music downloads, the store is relying on its deep CD and of

Cases filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here jumped 44 percent during the first half of this year, compared with the same period last year, and observers say this year's total could hit 8,000 cases, pushing the level closer to the peaks seen in 2004 a

Due heavily to falling advertising revenues, the Spokane-area news media industry and related industry subsectors have shed 500 jobs since peaking in 2006, with the most precipitous decline occurring over the last 12 months, figures show. Some of

Elected leaders of Spokane County and the city of Spokane Valley have been feuding over everything from snow removal to law enforcement to sewage treatment, but now say there are signs their relationship is improving.The spat hit a fevered pitch

Despite a spate of big recreation-related projects here, those who work in that industry say still more public investment in ball fields, swimming pools, gyms, and other sports facilities is needed to meet tremendous growth in demand.In Spokane,

Soaring Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. premiums have delivered a body slam to Spokane-area banks, which already were grappling with the costs of dealing with problem loans.The FDIC hiked its deposit-insurance premium rates in 2008 and again as

When the region has a big wheat crop, and prices are high, John Sharp and Allen Hatley naturally are happy, they say. This year, though, an average crop is expected, and they're merely upbeat.The farm-bred executives of Sharp & Hatley Inc., of I