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Guest Commentary: It's time to go big or go home on Washington's housing crisis

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March 16, 2023

Washington's housing affordability crisis hurts every corner of the state. We've all heard stories. Nurses and grocery store employees can't afford to live where they work. Young people are priced out of their hometowns. First-time homebuyers

The Journal's View: Entrepreneurial ecosystem shines bright in Spokane

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March 16, 2023

Staff Report

A recent event in downtown Spokane showed just how far Spokane's entrepreneurial ecosystem has come-and provided a glimpse into its promising potential for the future. Literally standing room only, a crowd of investors, entrepreneurs, and others

Crypto donations are unpopular as giving strategy

Digital money's volatility, speculative nature raises concerns among advisers

March 16, 2023

Erica Bullock

Some financial advisers here say they're uninterested in recommending or servicing cryptocurrencies as planned giving strategies due to the speculative nature of cryptocurrency valuations coupled with a lack of regulation.

Inslee's climate tax on gas could be election issue

Drop in fuel prices initially hid charges for carbon program

March 16, 2023

Mike Flynn

Gov. Jay Inslee hasn't indicated publicly whether he will seek an unprecedented fourth term. But on the issue he hopes will be his legacy, he may have sidestepped a negative public reaction that might have tempted one of the three Democrats waiting in

Tractor Beverage launches sustainability tracker

Craft soda company expands services, tools

March 16, 2023

Karina Elias

Tractor Beverages Inc., a Hayden-based soft drink maker, has launched an Organic Impact Tracker, which is intended to quantify benefits of sourcing organic ingredients. The tracker was launched the first week of March and is already being used by two

Freeform buys office furniture store in Tri-Cities

Acquisition said to link efficiently to operations in Spokane, Boise offices

March 16, 2023

Sara Schilling

Richland, Washington, office furniture and supply store Brutzman's Office Solutions has been acquired recently by a company with Spokane roots. Brutzman's changed hands March 1, having been sold to Freeform, a Boise, Idaho-based commercial interior

Donor-advised funds are useful for strategic giving

Tax-advantaged tool assists in enhancing philanthropic impact

March 16, 2023

Casia Chappell

In the midst of tax season, charitably inclined people who itemize their deductions will, at some point, endure the hassle of checking folders, emails, and letters to track down a year's worth of donation receipts to provide to their tax professionals.

Some tactics can reduce liabilities for passing wealth

Gifts to future generations aided with efficient plans

March 16, 2023

Michael Maehl

When it comes to gifting assets to future generations, many families are rightfully concerned about the potential tax effect. In other words, how and when should they pass down their assets to ensure that the greatest amount possible actually gets to

Cancer Care Fund's fundraising goes into full swing

8-year-old organization supports cancer patients, families in INW

March 16, 2023

Keith Erickson

At 8 years old, Mason Diamond, of Spokane, was like a lot of kids. The active youngster loved playing sports, hanging out with friends, and spending time with his doting parents and carefree siblings. But Mason's world took a daunting turn on Sept. 3

Parting Thoughts with Lydig Construction's Mark Bray

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March 16, 2023

Karina Elias

Mark Bray, 61, retired from his chief financial officer role from Spokane Valley-based Lydig Construction Inc. on Dec. 31. Bray joined Lydig Construction in June of 1994 as the company's controller. In 1998, two years after the company's founder