Avista Corp., stung by criticism of its latest rate-increase request, says it must raise its electric and natural gas rates to catch up on capital investment in its infrastructure, to provide sufficient return to investors to maintain status, and a

With few exceptions, the news in the retail sector here these days ranges from bad to awful.Major national retailers are closing their doors, others are filing for protection from creditors, and most are slashing prices to try to attract "It's

A ban on high-phosphorus automatic-dishwasher detergents imposed last July 1 in Spokane County triggered a consumer backlash that lingers today, but appears in early data to be having the desired effect of reducing the amount of the nettlesome into

Architects and engineers here mostly say a normally steadily flowing pipeline of projects has slowed markedly, as the recession takes its toll on private investment, and public entities hold off on some work while awaiting word on possible federal

Wilbert Precast Inc., a longtime Spokane-based manufacturer of concrete products, says it's holding its own amidst a tough economy because it has been quick to expand its offerings as opportunities arise, giving it a diverse product line upon which

Two federally funded organizations that assist manufacturers here say the tough economy is driving more such companies to seek their help because of diminishing sales.The two organizations, Mukilteo, Wash.-based Washington Manufacturing which an