The child care industry was facing workforce shortages and high operating costs before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Spokane-area providers say the situation will grow more dire as people returning to work seek day care services from an industry

Spokane-area health care providers want to ramp up coronavirus testing-a necessary step to return to business as somewhat usual-but persistent testing kit shortages continue to hamper their efforts.

In just four days, Spokane's employment and worker training agency WorkSource moved its entire staff of 125 workers home as coronavirus began its march across the state.

Washington state has added another tool to its roster to provide financial independence for those with disabilities and is engaged in a statewide push to increase awareness of its new ABLE program.

Spokane-area small-business owners are looking into taking advantage of aid offered to them through the CARES Act, says Sheryl McGrath, Spokane-based associate state director of the Washington Small Business Development Center.

Nearly $440 million in commercial and residential construction projects is estimated to be on hold in the Spokane region during Gov. Jay Inslee's 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy” mandate that has deemed private residential and commercial construction