Journal editor Linn Parish and reporter Kevin Blocker compare their top five Spokane business stories of 2017.

Journal reporter LeAnn Bjerken discusses demand for workplace sexual harassment training

A New York-based technology company has acquired all outstanding equity interest in Spokane Valley-based artificial intelligence company Next It Corp. and its Next IT Innovation Labs LLC affiliate for close to $30 million in cash. A Next IT representat

An emerging trend fueled by the nation's consumers has apple growers in Washington state producing nontraditional varieties of apples at an unprecedented rate, says Todd Fryover, president of the Wenatchee, Wash.-based Washington Apple Commission. 'I

Laura Skaer, executive director of Spokane-based American Exploration & Mining Association, says capital is returning to the U.S. mining industry, and investors and mining concerns are putting ventures together to back new projects. Skaer, fresh from the

As technology becomes increasingly more influential in daily life, the tech industry here is growing, some industry professionals say. Thomas Simpson, president of the startup investment group Spokane Angel Alliance, says the group invested a total of $1

Some observers of the wood products industry are expecting to see modest growth in U.S. housing starts in 2018, which would drive demand for timber and forestry products and services. Joel White, executive officer of the Spokane Home Builders Association

Strong activity in the real estate sector will continue on into 2018, some industry professionals say. Larry Soehren, president and CEO of Spokane-based commercial real estate and property management company Kiemle & Hagood Co., says the overall commerci

Following the trend of recent years, retailers here are again predicting sales growth for 2018. However, with income growth for the region remaining low, some industry representatives and observers remain skeptical as to how long this period of gains will