Latest News

Spokane Valley-based online education company grows

Founder looks to expand offerings into new sectors

October 23, 2014

Mick Jackson, who started Spokane Valley-based Virtual Education Software inc. on a $1 bet, says the company has signed 14 new colleges, universities, and other educational centers this year, taking its total to 91, and is expecting six more before the en

Research probes sleep cycle, cancer treatment link

Timing drugs to patient's internal clock could increase efficiency

October 23, 2014

Katie Ross

A researcher at Washington State University Spokane is studying the way the body's biological regulatory system, called the circadian clock, influences skin cancer and the treatments used for it.

Weight loss surgery surge

More insurers now said to be covering procedures

October 23, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Last year at this time, Mari Shay, a registered nurse at the Rockwood Weight Loss Surgery Center in Spokane, weighed in at about 100 pounds heavier than she does today. Shay says she was prediabetic, her cholesterol was rising, and she suffered from hypog

Riverpoint Campus has room for two medical-school programs, Chancellor Brown says

UW separates WWAMI from WSU, plans to keep it here

October 23, 2014

Mike McLean

This state, this town, and even the Riverpoint Campus is big enough for two university medical-school programs, contends Lisa Brown, chancellor at Washington State University Spokane. Brown says there's enough physical space in WSU Spokane's Biomedic

Marijuana retailers in Spokane grapple with pricing

Customers start to roll in; banking issues remain

October 23, 2014

Katie Ross

As the recreational marijuana industry slowly rolls out throughout Washington state, retailers here are reporting modest initial sales. However, several challenges remain. As of Oct. 21, Spokane County has 55 approved marijuana producers, 39 approved

Umpqua Bank gives $420,000 to two organizations here

Grants benefit programs aimed at youth, education

October 23, 2014

Mike McLean

In an initial round of grants to Spokane-area nonprofits, the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded a total of $420,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest and Excelerate Success, says Eve Callahan, an Umpqua spokeswoman.

Quest Aircraft Co. lands in Chinese market

Sandpoint airplane manufacturer inks second Asian contract

October 23, 2014

Mike McLean

Quest Aircraft Co., the Sandpoint-based aerospace manufacturer that produces the rugged Kodiak light airplane, has reached a long-term sales agreement with a Chinese company that also plans eventually to manufacture Kodiak aircraft for the Chinese market.

Tax planners expecting final tweaks after election

Some final rules for 2014 might be written next year

October 23, 2014

Mike McLean

Some tax preparers here say they're expecting a compressed tax season as Congress likely won't consider renewing expired tax breaks until after the Nov. 4 midterm election.

Clearwater Paper posts lower net income

Net sales, however, rise by nearly 5 percent

October 22, 2014

Staff Report

Clearwater Paper Corp., of Spokane, reported this afternoon third-quarter net income of $6.3 million, or 31 cents a diluted share, compared with income of $13.3 million, or 60 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company attributed the declin

Potlatch agrees to buy timberlands for $384 million

Company also reports increase in its net income

October 20, 2014

Staff Report

Potlatch Corp., of Spokane, reported this afternoon that it has agreed to buy 201,000 acres of timberlands in Alabama and Mississippi for $384 million. The land, which Potlatch is acquiring from affiliates of Resource Management Service LLC, will expan