Requests for assistance paying utility bills have essentially doubled in Spokane, according to Carol Weltz, director of community action at community service nonprofit Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners.

The city of Spokane Valley has issued permits for the $18.7 million third phase of the Bella Tess apartments. When complete, the project will add 156 living units in five, three-story buildings to the multifamily complex, building permit application

As more custom paperboard packaging manufacturers are bought out by large conglomerates, Spokane-based Sonderen Packaging Inc. intends to stick to its vision of remaining 'fiercely independent,” says principal and co-owner Keva Sonderen.

Custom sign maker Mountain Dog Sign Co. isn't making many signs in the midst of a viral pandemic. The company has been manufacturing face shields and counter barriers-transparent partitions that separate customers from cashiers-to sell or donate to

Spokane-area manufacturers that serve the aerospace industry say they're staying aloft for now and feeling somewhat optimistic about the long term, even as new orders for aircraft and components have taken a nosedive.

Despite efforts nationwide to encourage people to donate their federal stimulus checks to nonprofits, Spokane-area organizations have largely avoided such campaigns.

Several Spokane-area manufacturers say most of their employees are in environments where being at a distance from each other has been the norm because of already established workplace configurations.

The reopening of Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest stores in Idaho is a welcome relief to the organization, says CEO Clark Brekke. With most of its operations in Washington state, however, the Spokane-based organization still faces a myriad

Longtime Spokane electronics retailer Huppin's Hi-Fi, Photo & Video Inc. is reimagining its north Spokane store to embrace a more experiential retail model, says Murray Huppin, president and owner.

Though money for research has risen steadily in recent years at Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, officials are concerned a prolonged global pandemic could have a compromising effect on future funding.