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Guarding your 401(k) nest egg takes some active steps

Target date funds gain popularity with account holders who have little investing savvy

December 6, 2012

Safeguarding a 401(k) account goes beyond making a few fund choices and then glancing occasionally at statements, financial advisers here say. Plan participants can take steps to ensure that balances don't erode.The tips include rebalancing at a

Study links job insecurity, perceived health ailments

Fearful workers also show more anxiety, depression symptoms, researchers say

November 21, 2012

News Wise

Workers who perceive their jobs aren't secure are more likely to rate themselves in poor health and have increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, says a recent article in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.Sarah A. and a

OSHA, panel renew pact to protect airline workers

Alliance seeks to address hazards tied to operating ground support equipment

November 21, 2012

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says it has renewed an alliance with the Airline Ground Safety Panel to address hazards and worker injuries related to operating aviation ground support equipment.The Airline Ground Safety Panel

'Smoke-free' study finds big benefits

Fewer hospitalizations noted in areas that have cracked down on puffing

November 21, 2012

News Wise

Laws that end smoking at work and other public places result in significantly fewer hospitalizations for heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, a new analysis performed by researchers at the University of California at on

Avista-SCC lineworker training program climbs in popularity

Lineworker school draws full classes to learn trade, scaling of tall power poles

November 21, 2012

Treva Lind

A pre-apprentice lineworker school in Spokane has filled early with 54 students for a Jan. 2 session designed to teach both technical skills in the classroom and daily power-pole climbs in varied weather conditions.Under a partnership between of

Rehabilitation facility brings transit indoors

Airplane hull installed last summer is newest therapy module

November 21, 2012

Jessica Valencia

Paul Swanson, a patient at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, and his physical therapist talk through each step of the process it takes to transfer from a wheelchair to the passenger seat of the nearby car. Ten feet away sits part of an airplane

Engineers' interest in green practices growing, study finds

Three-fourths of survey respondents say they're involved in sustainability

November 8, 2012

News Wise

An environmental consciousness is rising in the occupational mindset of engineers, who are showing a heightened interest in incorporating energy-saving and other green initiatives in product design projects, says a survey conducted jointly by the a

Safety should be a factor in active design, report says

Injury-prevention strategy can be incorporated into buildings, infrastructure

November 8, 2012

News Wise

Designing or modifying buildings and communities to encourage physical activity must include strategies to maximize safety. A report released earlier this fall titled "Active Design Supplement: Promoting Safety" provides explicit guidelines for and

Architecture index shows strong growth

West region reports second straight month of increase in billings

November 8, 2012

American Institute of Architects

Architecture firms reported an improvement in business conditions for the second consecutive month in September, as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed to a score of 51.6, reflecting the strongest growth in nearly two years. With the a

More work, less space

Copeland sees demand rise for design-build work for smaller houses

November 8, 2012

Treva Lind

Copeland Architecture & Construction Inc., of Spokane, has seen an uptick this year in custom home design and building projects, after riding out three years of slow residential construction activity, during which it handled more commercial design