Latest News

Spokane Hoopfest draws $47M in economic impact

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Attendance at this year’s Spokane Hoopfest remained steady from last year, and visitors and players enjoyed cooler weather and a reprieve from potential rain.

Data center pause clouds Spokane's future

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane's decision to immediately halt new developments of computer data centers for one year could affect the city's ability to compete for future billion-dollar investments.

North Spokane shopping center sells for $32M

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A Spokane Valley-based real estate development company has purchased 5 Mile Shopping Center, at 1812 W. Francis, and several neighboring commercial buildings for $32 million.

Challenges downtown push office vacancy rate up

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Downtown Spokane’s office vacancy rate has increased to about 30% due to postpandemic business trends, aging buildings, rising rent costs, and safety concerns.

Crave NW sets the table in downtown Spokane

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Crave NW is moving to downtown Spokane this summer with a larger footprint, new programming, and an expanded focus on helping independent restaurants, wineries, breweries, and artisan food producers grow.

EWU alumni launch lifestyle apparel company

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In a crowded apparel industry where countless brands compete for attention, the four founding partners behind Spokane-based Cooked as a Goat LLC believe their biggest advantage isn't flashy advertising or viral social media campaigns.

Operating room renovations eyed at Sacred Heart

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Providence is investing $9 million to modernize four operating rooms at Sacred Heart Medical Center, located at 101 W. Eighth in Spokane, as part of a multiyear project to revamp all 28 surgical rooms at the hospital.

Providence reorganizes behavioral health staffing

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As behavioral health patients at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center age and their medical needs grow more complex, the hospital is redesigning its staffing strategy for inpatient psychiatric services.

Whitworth launches new four-year nursing program

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Whitworth University will launch its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in fall 2027 to address the growing need for trained nurses across the Pacific Northwest.

West Side architecture firm builds INW presence

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Bremerton, Washington-based architectural firm Rice Fergus Miller Inc. is seeing an increase in work in the Spokane area, and Gunnar Gladics, principal and partner at the firm, anticipates continued growth in both projects and personnel.

Aging adults exceed capacity for care

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Washington state is on the leading edge of a demographic shift that is placing pressure on senior housing providers, long-term care operators, healthcare systems, and developers as the state's aging population grows substantially faster than the workforce and housing inventory needed to support it.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention, says CEO and founder James Marsh.

Goodwill purchases former minting facility

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest is expanding its North Idaho footprint with the acquisition of the former Sunshine Minting building, in Coeur d'Alene, where the organization is planning to transform the 36,000-square-foot minting facility, located at 750 W. Canfield, into a multifunctional property.

Strategic partnership reaches into communities

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Ten years ago, when the University of Washington and Gonzaga University announced a strategic partnership to expand health sciences education in Spokane, they were met with community and legislative support.

Groundcubed cultivates four-season design in INW

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Groundcubed PC's downtown Coeur d'Alene studio is seeking to capitalize on the high-growth environment of the Inland Northwest as it brings its expertise in pedestrian-oriented design and cold-climate landscapes to projects across Idaho and Washington.

City, SPS announce new child care partnership

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:47 -0400

The city of Spokane and Spokane Public Schools are partnering on a new pilot program aimed at increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care in schools, the city announced in a press release on June 22.

Numerica sets new monthly lending record

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:02:47 -0400

Numerica Credit Union reached a new milestone earlier this year, funding $114.8 million in loans in March, the highest monthly total in the Spokane Valley-based institution's history.

Work ongoing at Liberty Lake multitenant project

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction is underway on the Ridgeline Center, a multitenant commercial development located at 19601 E. Appleway, in Liberty Lake.

Historic Sunshine Mine makes debut on NYSE

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Over 140 years since the Sunshine Mine opened in Kellogg, Idaho, Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining Co. completed its U.S. initial public offering on June 4, raising $270 million.

Retiring attorney transfers closing operations

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based Vista Title & Escrow LLC has assumed the residential and commercial closing operations of Robert S. Delaney PLLC, also of Spokane, following the June 15 retirement of longtime attorney Bob Delaney.

Reindeer Express passes reins to new owners

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For nearly three decades, Reindeer Express LLC, in Reardan, has brought the holiday spirit to communities across the Inland Northwest, transporting reindeer to Christmas celebrations, shopping centers, and community events throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Catching up with: Juliet Sinisterra, University District

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The University District has spent the last several years laying the groundwork for the next phase of development to transform the district into a regional hub for innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

Secure noncompetes with strategic ownership

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As of June 30, 2027, Washington state law will prohibit noncompetition covenants in most employment and independent contractor relationships.

Multiple projects rise on Sprague Avenue

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Several commercial projects on Sprague Avenue are creating a hotspot of construction activity on the thoroughfare. Collectively valued at $4.75 million, developments include projects for new office space, a restaurant, a liquor store, and a grocery store, according to permit information on file in the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley.

Wagstaff adds shipping hub to support growth

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Wagstaff Inc. is scaling its nuclear manufacturing capacity with the launch of a new 18,000-square-foot shipping facility, a move designed to clear the way for high-tech fabrication projects at its Spokane Valley campus.

Historic wealth transfer boosts probate work here

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Probate work is rapidly increasing at some Spokane-area estate planning law firms as attorneys begin to see the effects of the nation’s historic transfer of wealth from baby boomers to their heirs.

Korean street food eatery opens in Spokane

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Izzie Wayuono has transformed a viral food trend into a growing Spokane business with the opening of Izzie's K-Dogs in April.

Advising needs are ramping up amid silver tsunami

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Driven by a silver tsunami of retiring baby boomers, Spokane-based Stewardship Concepts Financial Services LLC has seen its assets under management surge from $78 million in 2024 to $200 million in April 2026, says Noah Schwab, co-owner and certified financial planner at Stewardship Concepts.

The attribution trap: Why your marketing metrics are stunting growth

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For many small business owners, the pursuit of the perfect marketing metric has become a double-edged sword. Often, small businesses only focus on attribution, and it’s ruining their marketing efforts.

Auto loan volumes increase despite price hikes

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Even as higher vehicle prices, insurance premiums, and borrowing costs continue to squeeze household budgets, Spokane-area lenders say auto loan activity is picking up this year as customers refinance existing loans, stretch payment terms, and hunt for more affordable vehicles.