Small business owners in Spokane and across the country are slowly but surely regaining their footing after a uniquely challenging year. In fact, Spokane County's job market is continuing to recover, with its April 2021 unemployment rate dropping

Despite being caught directly in the crosshairs of a global pandemic, local health care officials report the industry is on the financial mend a little more than a year beyond the arrival of COVID-19.

Contractors here have seen staggering material cost increases over the past year as surging demand and supply chain bottlenecks have pushed prices to record heights, and many predict those issues won't end this year.

Some manufacturers here say that demand for their products remains high, but they expect to experience ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic into 2022.

Recognizing a gap in its alumnae network, officials at Whitworth University say the formation of Women's Leadership Network two years ago has helped fill that space and then some.

Though employees everywhere report a host of pandemic-related challenges, women disproportionately are struggling, reporting less optimism about career prospects, decreased mental health, and increased stress and burnout.

A scarcity of child care options that worsened in 2020 has led to legislation that ultimately could increase the number of working women, child care providers here and industry organizations say.

Following a lull early last year in new business starts, entrepreneurship is surging again, with women leading the charge, industry observers here say.

A Whitworth University student duo has founded a local chapter of a national organization that trains college students to create free, weeklong camps for children whose parents have cancer.