Latest News

Experian tool scores risky businesses

Model meant to help users identify client accounts that are most likely to fail

January 5, 2012

Experian, a global information services company, announced in mid-December the launch of a new tool, called the Financial Stability Risk Score, that allows credit and lending professionals to identify accounts at the highest risk of business of a

Low mortgage rates buoy Spokane-area title, escrow companies

Refis, seller financings, foreclosures keep closers working

January 5, 2012

Chey Scott

With home loan interest rates remaining at all-time lows, professionals here who handle the closing of real estate transactions expect to see slight improvements in the real estate lending market during 2012, although they agree that a long-term of

Inland Northwest commercial lenders say businesses are still largely hesitant to borrow money

Lenders say some business owners delay growth plans to avoid taking on debt

January 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Some commercial lenders here say overall demand for business loans remains weak because their customers are holding off on growth plans due to uncertainties over the economy and future tax and regulatory issues.Bright spots in the arena, though,

Breast reduction problems common in older women

Greater rate of infections, other issues attributed to changes in hormones

January 5, 2012

News Wise

Complications following breast reduction surgery—particularly infections—are more common in women older than 50, reports a study in the December issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American of

Sacred Heart genetics clinic sees more referrals

Sacred Heart arm here gives test-option advice for inherited conditions

January 5, 2012

Mike McLean

With ongoing advances in genetic screening and discoveries in hereditary links to diseases and abnormalities ranging from cancer to birth defects, the number of people being referred to Providence Genetics Clinic is on the rise.The clinic's and

Study: Women with lupus can have healthy pregnancies

Carrying a baby full term complication-free is likely when the disease is stable

January 5, 2012

News Wise

A new study presented in November at the American College of Rheumatology's annual scientific meeting in Chicago offers reassurances for women with stable lupus who are considering pregnancy.Systemic lupus erythematosus, also called SLE or is a

Women with Alzheimer's research eyed

Females said twice as likely to develop disease as men; multiple risk factors cited

January 5, 2012

News Wise

Costing $172 billion a year for health care and research funding, Alzheimer's disease affects one in three families and has a widespread impact on our economy and aging population. Most notably, it plagues women twice as much as men. At a held a

Inland Northwest ob-gyns on front lines in heart disease watch

Guidelines say physicians that women see regularly can monitor for risks, educate

January 5, 2012

Treva Lind

Many Spokane-area obstetricians-gynecologists are far ahead of newer guidelines that encourage them to screen for heart disease risk factors among the women they see for annual Pap tests and wellness exams, observers here say.A National of for a

Thermography stirs debate among Spokane breast cancer screening experts

Advocates, detractors argue its role in breast cancer detection; both laud mammograms

January 5, 2012

Chey Scott

A lesser-known form of body imaging called thermography, which has been said in some cases to help doctors detect early-stage cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in a patient's breasts, has seen fluctuations in usage during the last several years to

ActiveWest Builders wins national award for LEED homes

ActiveWest recognized for its Meadow Ranch project in Coeur d'Alene

January 5, 2012

Mike McLean

The U.S. Green Building Council says it has awarded Coeur d'Alene-based construction and development company ActiveWest Builders LLC the council's top national award for home production using Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design the & Expo a