Education & Talent

Many INW businesses report AI integration issues

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Inland Northwest companies are facing security concerns and public perception issues as they integrate artificial intelligence tools into their operations. A new program at Gonzaga University, however, could help businesses address some of those challenges.

Catching up with: Ginger Ewing, executive director of Terrain

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Terrain, the nonprofit arts organization that began as a one-off event nearly two decades ago, is entering a new era of growth as it expands its staff, programs, and economic impact on Spokane’s creative community.

Agriculture labor crunch drives H-2A growth

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Caught between shifting federal administrative rulemaking and ongoing litigation, some Washington state agricultural employers are struggling to navigate changing wage requirements and H-2A guest-worker regulations.

Stevens Clay expands to keep schools compliant

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-based law firm Stevens Clay PS is expanding its team to help clients in the education sector navigate increasingly complex regulations.

LaunchNW pushes for proper use of Meta funds

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

LaunchNW wants to ensure that funds from the landmark $17.1 billion settlement with Meta Platforms are dedicated to mitigating the harms that initiated the lawsuit rather than plugging the state budget.

Federal funding triples in Spokane to $23M

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane-area companies are capturing substantially more federal research funding than they were 15 years ago.

MultiCare plans to shut down multiple health clinics

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

MultiCare Health System plans to close several Rockwood clinics by the end of 2026 due to financial challenges in the health care industry.

Catching up with: Eric Frickle, Kitchen Engine co-owner

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

When first walking into The Kitchen Engine store inside the historic Flour Mill building in Spokane’s North Bank neighborhood, it's not immediately noticeable that the cookware and appliance shop offers patrons much more than culinary products and equipment.

Post Falls hospital transitions to rehab use

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, at 600 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls, will cease operations as a long-term acute care hospital in October and begin operating as an extension of Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest.

2026 Rising Stars: Rose Honey

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Rose Honey is an educator, linguaphile, visual artist, and designer who teaches studio art and graphic design at West Valley High School.

2026 Rising Stars: Andrew Hite

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

As CEO of CDL PowerSuite LLC, Andrew Hite sets the pace for the Spokane Valley-based company by defining business goals, establishing initiatives, and creating a supportive team environment.

2026 Rising Stars: Corinna O’Brien Kelsey

virginiat@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Corinna O’Brien Kelsey is a born and raised Spokanite with ties to Gonzaga Preparatory School and Gonzaga University. A graduate of both institutions, the 38-year-old is now vice president of advancement at Gonzaga Preparatory School, which has a 2026 fall enrollment total of 825 students.

MultiCare plans to shut down eye clinics

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:52:55 -0400

Vision care services in the Spokane area will be impacted in the new year, as three MultiCare Rockwood eye clinics will close in Spokane County effective Dec. 31.

EWU moves to next phase of Roos Field renovations

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:43:09 -0400

Eastern Washington University is moving forward with an $8 million renovation at Roos Field as part of the university's long-term plan to invest nearly $250 million in campus facilities over the next decade.

Spokane-area higher ed sees slow, steady admissions

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Student enrollment at several colleges and universities in Spokane County has been flat or slowly increasing in the last two years after pandemic-era declines, but leaders at some institutions contend that the higher education environment in Spokane is generally healthy.

Meet & Greet with Kevin Williams

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kevin Williams stepped into his new role as CEO of the Spokane Workforce Council in May. Williams joined the Spokane Workforce Council in 2022 and has been in the workforce development field for a decade.

Staffing agency provides disaster relief workers

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

An Inland Northwest staffing agency has deployed dozens of workers to help with wildfire recovery efforts, as the recent Spokane Complex Fires have driven up demand for demolition and cleanup laborers.

EWU pushes forward with green energy plans

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Eastern Washington University is accelerating its sustainability efforts with a roadmap of projects including the implementation of a solar array, geothermal heating and cooling, carbon capturing, and a microturbine that uses existing steam production to create electricity.

Young entrepreneurs mean business at youth market

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Young entrepreneurs are preparing to turn their ideas into real-world business experience at the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Business Market, scheduled Aug. 22.

New CEO joins Remcon, plans for future growth

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Airway Heights-based conveyor system manufacturer Remcon Equipment Inc. has hired new CEO Sean Johnston, who plans to use his background in artificial intelligence and technology to improve operational efficiency and grow the company.

Spokane architectural firm MMEC to close

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

MMEC Architecture & Interiors LLC plans to cease operations at the end of September due to several postpandemic challenges.

Veteran entrepreneurs find support in Spokane

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane County's large military and veteran community is helping to sustain a significant network of veteran-owned businesses, with local organizations working to connect former service members with the resources needed to start and grow companies.

A whole new ballgame

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Gonzaga University has officially entered the Pac-12 Conference, and the move could prove to be one of the most consequential decisions in the history of its athletic program, especially concerning the school’s storied men’s basketball team.

Universities support AI-powered automation

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Some Inland Northwest-based manufacturers are starting to experiment with artificial intelligence to combat an ongoing skilled worker shortage and to improve operational efficiency.

Meet & Greet with Laura Galloway

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Laura Galloway began her new role as dean of Whitworth University’s School of Business on July 1 after relocating to Spokane from San Diego, where she previously worked for University of Massachusetts Global, a California-based online institution, most recently as associate vice chancellor for institutional curriculum, assessment, and academic policy.

INW employers are turning to skills-based hiring

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane staffing agencies are hopeful that hiring activity will strengthen in the months ahead, but the types of positions filled may look different than a few years ago, as employers place greater emphasis on skills, adaptability, and experience over traditional credentials such as college degrees.

Together Spokane creates new pipeline of work

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Construction is underway on new synthetic turf athletic fields at a pair of Spokane high schools, part of the Together Spokane initiative that is expected to bring stability for architects, engineers, and contractors in the region.

OneAEC to join national marketing group SMPS

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

OneAEC, a Spokane-based nonprofit serving architecture, engineering, and construction professionals, is preparing to transition into a new regional chapter of Alexandria, Virginia-based Society for Marketing Professional Services in 2027.

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.