Latest News

Former Northwestern Mutual adviser pleads guilty to wire fraud

John Charles Hanson said to have taken millions

November 5, 2015

A former Spokane-based financial adviser with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services pleaded guilty last month to operating a Ponzi scheme and stealing nearly $2.5 million from his clients. John Charles Hanson pleaded guilty to wire fraud before a U.S.

Largest county taxpayers see rise in their annual bills

Avista holds top ranking among property owners

November 5, 2015

Tax bills levied on the top 50 property owners in Spokane County for 2015 totaled $49.5 million, up 6.4 percent from last year, county records show. That compares with a 4.4 percent increase in 2014, compared with the prior year's total tax bill for th

Inland Northwest ski areas aim for 'average'

Some resorts forge ahead with projects, growth plans

November 5, 2015

Mike McLean

Coming off a severe snow drought, Inland Northwest ski areas are expecting average snow accumulations for the upcoming seasons, and average would be good enough for them. A few resorts have big projects planned or underway. They include plans to open up

ADM considers $200 million mill expansion

Conglomerate now questions, however, its initial cost estimate

November 5, 2015

Mike McLean

Archer Daniels Midland, the Chicago-based agricultural and commodities conglomerate, is considering expanding storage, milling, and shipping capacity at its mill complex in the industrial portion of east Spokane, preliminary planning and environmental doc

Trio of SBA veterans form consulting company

Three women plan to teach system to lenders

November 5, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Coralie Myers and Pat Johnson, of Spokane, along with Lisa Lerner, of Phoenix, have formed a new national company here called SBA Simplified LLC, with the goal of advising lenders on how best to use new lending software.

Southern Idaho credit union extends its reach to Cd'A

ICCU takes over at former Public Employees branch

November 5, 2015

Mike McLean

Southeast Idaho-based Idaho Central Credit Union is operating its first North Idaho branch after having recently absorbed the assets and liabilities of Public Employees Credit Union of Coeur d'Alene.

Federal Reserve action stirs policy error concerns

Timeline for raising rates has become more murky

November 5, 2015

Steve Scranton

Much anticipation and discussion swirled throughout the summer regarding when the Federal Reserve would begin the process to normalize interest rates, with economists and forecasters pretty evenly split between whether or not the Fed would start in Septem

Inspirus works to boost membership in Spokane

Credit union dedicated funds to local schools

November 5, 2015

Seattle-based Inspirus Credit Union has stepped up its efforts to add new members in the Spokane area as part of an ongoing effort to reach out beyond its traditionally teacher-based membership, located mostly on the West Side.

Economic statistics don't tell the market's entire story

Some indicators might have become antiquated

November 5, 2015

Michael Maehl

As I review the daily market news and read the economic comments from various sources, it occurs to me that the current measurements being used don't really show the true strength of our total economy.