Virginia Thomas

A new dynamic in the used-car market

Prices rise as new-car inventory dwindles

March 25, 2021

Demand for used vehicles has increased significantly, and that's unlikely to change until vehicle manufacturers catch up to demand for new cars and trucks, industry sources say.

A Tale of Two Job Markets in the Inland Northwest

'K-shaped recovery' leads to labor shortages for some industries, long-term unemployment in others

March 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

The number of people receiving long-term unemployment benefits in the Spokane area remains high, and the number of people who have dropped out of the workforce has increased.

Banner Bank to lay off handful of employees in Spokane

Company plans to reduce workforce by up to 28 in all

March 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Banner Bank is laying off employees here for the first time since it entered the Spokane market. Kelly McPhee, Spokane-based vice president of communications and public relations for the Walla Walla-based bank, says six people here have received

Coeur d'Alene Window, McVay Brothers move HQs

Consolidation frees up manufacturing space

March 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Spokane-based window manufacturer Coeur d'Alene Window Co. and sister company McVay Brothers Contractors Inc. have moved their corporate offices into a building at 2205 N. Woodruff, in Spokane Valley. Coeur d'Alene Window President Mark McVay says th

Parting Thoughts with Providence's Elaine Couture

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March 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Elaine Couture has been with Providence Health & Services for 34 years, but she's worked in health care for her entire career. Couture, now age 65, first joined Providence as director of the organization's TotalHealth program.

The Great Wealth Transfer to slam financial advisers

Some say industry could struggle with influx of work in coming years

March 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

There might not be enough advisers to handle the 'great wealth transferâ€ anticipated to occur as baby boomers pass away and leave assets to their heirs, some in the Spokane-area financial planning industry say.

Cascade Defense acquired by South Carolina company

Valley-based cybersecurity company expects to double employee count

February 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

A South Carolina company has agreed to acquire Cascade Defense LLC, a Spokane Valley-based information technology security service company. The acquirer, Green Cloud Technologies LLC, has stated it intends to double the size of the

Heart monitoring technology improves

Providers can access data remotely; cobalt technology extends battery life

February 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

A cardiologist at MultiCare Health System's Pulse Heart Institute, in Spokane, says a new combination of existing technologies allows patients and doctors to monitor cardiac activity in real time. Dr. David Cleary says Bluetooth-enabled implantable

Q&A with Empire Health Foundation's Zeke Smith

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February 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Zeke Smith, age 47, came to lead Empire Health Foundation in October. Smith says he grew up in poverty alongside several half-siblings in Northern California and began working in nonprofits while attending Lewis & Clark College, in Portland, Oregon.

Aviation museum takes flight again

Historic Flight Foundation to host weddings again at Felts Field venue

February 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

After being grounded for most of a year, the Historic Flight Foundation is ready to ascend into Spokane's events scene again. Sheila Geraghty, executive director of the Historic Flight Foundation, says that the facility is reopening to the public