Following the trend of recent years, retailers here are again predicting sales growth for 2016. However, not all of those interviewed are confident this period of gains will last.

Tourism has been strong here this year, thanks in part to an expanded Spokane Convention Center that's attracting new events and larger groups to the downtown area, experts and other observers say. They say they anticipate the looming redevelopment of R

Health care, advanced manufacturing, and real estate are expected to remain steady growth industries in Kootenai County through 2016, sources there say.

Activity in most real estate sectors will remain steady or continue to grow in 2016, some market monitors here say.

Construction industry observers here predict the improving economy and an uptick in construction backlog will provide momentum to lift the industry through 2016.

Bank and credit union executives here say they anticipate healthy growth in loans and deposits in the coming year, although perhaps slightly softer gains than they've seen this year as historically low interest rates that have lingered for years since t

Health care executives here anticipate positive changes and decent, if subdued, growth in their industry in the coming year, despite a still-unsettled landscape in the wake of the federal Affordable Care Act that is sparking new alliances and fostering gr

Spokane-area job growth exceeded expectations this year, and Inland Northwest economists expect further growth in employment in the upcoming year, though maintaining this year's pace might be challenging.

Washington State University researchers in Pullman say they have discovered for the first time how electrical stimulation works for the treatment of bacterial infections, paving the way for a viable alternative to medicinal antibiotics.