Government

Wage hike weighs on Spokane-area employers

Recent GSI survey outlines challenges businesses face

March 16, 2017

Todd Mielke, the CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, says a survey of its members shows a majority of respondents believe Washington state's mandatory minimum wage increase implemented at the beginning of the year is affecting their businesses negative

Design work starts for Trent Avenue bridge replacement

Bids for $20 million project to be sought in fall of 2018

March 16, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The Washington state Department of Transportation is designing a replacement for the East Trent Avenue Bridge, which crosses the Spokane River just east of Hamilton Street in East Spokane. Al Gilson, Spokane-based spokesman for WDSOT, says the $20 milli

Library outlet set to open in Spokane Valley Mall

The BookEnd to be located by Macy's on second level

March 2, 2017

The Spokane County Library District says it plans to open The BookEnd, providing additional library space, in a vacant 2,200-square-foot area next to Macy's on the second floor of the Spokane Valley Mall at the beginning of May. 'The idea is for tha

STA debuts real-time updates on route status

Live data available via text, boards, and online

March 2, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

As part of its Smart Bus Initiative, Spokane Transit Authority has begun rolling out some new features to help riders to track bus schedules here better. Brandon Rapez-Betty, STA spokesman, says buses now are equipped with GPS technology that provides r

Airport reports increased revenues, passenger count

Officials expect trend to continue upward

March 2, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

A preliminary financial report released last month shows revenue and passenger counts both rose at Spokane International Airport in 2016 compared with 2015, again exceeding the airport's projections for the year.Â Todd Woodard, director of marketing a

Tackling workforce education in Spokane

Greater Minds launched to help employees earn degrees, certifications

February 16, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Greater Spokane Incorporated has taken on a big challenge with its new community initiative called Greater Minds that aims to provide working adults with support to return to school. The program's goal is to increase the percentage of adult workers in

World affairs said to bode well for Patriot Portfolio

Young fund established by Vorpahl Wing grows quickly

February 2, 2017

Chris Street

National and international trends bode well for the young Patriot Portfolio formed by Spokane-based Vorpahl Wing Securities, says portfolio manager Eli Petropoulos. The Spokane-based stock brokerage, which Petropoulos says manages close to $100 million

Opinions differ on Conflict of Interest Rule

Some worry about exodus of advisers, fewer client options

February 2, 2017

In its desire to protect retirement savers better, the U.S. Department of Labor last year ruled all financial professionals working with retirement plans, or providing retirement planning advice, would be recognized as fiduciaries by the federal agency.

Rail facility looks likely to be built on West Plains

French says county plans to take initial steps soon

February 2, 2017

Spokane County Commissioner Al French says the county soon will submit a request for proposals to operate what he calls a 'transitional transload rail facilityâ€ on the West Plains, just east of Fairchild Air Force Base. French has spearheaded Spokane

Game over for overtime rule?

Regs said unsupported by current political climate

February 2, 2017

Mike McLean

The white-collar overtime rule that the Obama administration had set to go into effect in December remains on hold, and some employers and their counsel here don't see it coming back soon. 'As a practical matter, I think it's over for a while,