Government

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.

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.

Craft3 invests $35M in Eastern Washington projects

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

Craft3, a nonprofit community lender that helps finance projects in underserved communities, has finalized two investments into Eastern Washington valued at $35.5 million.

City seeks purchase of justice campus

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

The city of Spokane entered a 90-day review period after a special city council meeting on Aug. 25, as part of an $18.5 million plan to purchase space for a new criminal justice campus.

Developers put commercial conversion program to work

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

Old offices, warehouses, and other underused commercial buildings in the city of Spokane are slowly finding new life as apartments, retail areas, and mixed-use spaces through the city’s 2-year-old commercial conversion incentive program designed to make difficult conversion projects more feasible.

Bouncing Back: Spokane's plans for rebuilding

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

The city of Spokane is preparing to accelerate debris removal, testing permits, and reconstruction efforts as property owners affected by the Spokane Complex Fires face what officials expect will be a lengthy rebuilding effort.

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.

Year-to-date apartment permits rise through July

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

Spokane multifamily permit numbers are up in several categories this year compared to 2025.

Solar work rises ahead of tax credit deadlines

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

Solar and renewable energy system installations on commercial buildings in Spokane have increased since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in 2025, as building owners and businesses hurry to perform planned projects before a clean energy tax credit ends.

Alisha Benson named chair-elect of ACCE

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

Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, has been named the chair-elect for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, a professional organization that supports, connects, and develops leaders and staff of local, regional, and state chambers of commerce and economic development associations.

Catching up with: Dr. Bob Lutz, former SRHD health officer

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

Although he considers himself partially retired, Dr. Bob Lutz continues to find ways to keep caring for the well-being of the public.

Fair housing organization faces budget gap

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

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance is facing a budget gap as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is delaying the funding of a key grant the nonprofit relies on.

Power moves: Commercial energy-saving strategies

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

Complying with Washington state's Clean Buildings Act can prove costly for building owners, but there are some low-cost solutions that can help them save money and avoid fees, according to some energy efficiency experts here.

The Silver Surge

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

North Idaho’s silver mining corporations expect to benefit from faster permitting and increased demand since the U.S. Geological Survey added the precious metal to its 2025 List of Critical Minerals late last year.

Philanthropic planning strategies for 2026

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

It's not lost on individuals, estate planning attorneys, financial advisers, and CPAs that several changes to tax laws could impact charitable giving this year.

Zone home: City considers zoning changes for housing needs

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

City of Spokane planning department officials are considering residential zoning changes to increase housing density as part of PlanSpokane 2046, the city's comprehensive growth strategy.

Rising from the ashes: Home insurance rates show signs of steadying

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Wildfire risk is reshaping the homeowners insurance market in Washington state, particularly for residents living in areas that are more vulnerable to wildfire activity, including many residences in Spokane County. While premiums have increased sharply in recent years, new data from the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner shows rate increases are now beginning to cool down.

Post Falls manufacturer snags Air Force contract

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. will seek to prove that thermoplastic composite components can be scaled up in size for aerospace and defense uses after being awarded a $7 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory in March.

New millionaires' tax impacts Idaho companies

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For decades, Washington state's lack of a personal income tax was one of its defining economic advantages, a feature that drew executives, entrepreneurs, and high earners across the region. That era is ending.

Liberty Lake to relocate to new city hall

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Liberty Lake is preparing to renovate an existing city-owned property, at 23129 E. Mission, for a new city hall building and council chambers.

2026 legislative outlook: Regional priorities face tough session ahead

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Washington state legislative agendas for the city of Spokane and Greater Spokane Incorporated indicate that their priorities for the 2026 legislative session will focus on clarifying taxes, reducing costs for residents, and improving infrastructure and housing affordability, but lobbying efforts from the two entities face an added challenge due to a tight state budget.

Spokane advisers see upside of investing WA Cares funds

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Spokane wealth advisers agree that when it comes to investing, a diversified portfolio is essential for long-term stability as it generally outperforms and protects against inflationary erosion. It’s that confidence in long-term growth that allows them to see the potential benefits of the state investing long-term care funds into a mix of assets, including stocks and corporate and government bonds.

New H-1B visa fees concern INW employers

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Inland Northwest employers are reevaluating plans to hire international workers after the federal government abruptly raised the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 per worker, local immigration attorneys say.

As federal support collapses for refugee, immigrant services, nonprofits step in

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

As funding and programs for refugees and immigrants are slashed, eliminated, or awarded under criteria that could put vulnerable populations at risk, Inland Northwest organizations rally together and use modest resources to continue to serve their populations.

Mayor proposes early implementation of child care facilities law

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:51:01 -0400

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has proposed implementing a new state law early to streamline the process for opening child care facilities.

Upriver Dam facility set for remodel

tinas@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The historic, 117-year-old Spokane Upriver Dam & Facility building is getting a new interior update.

Design phase for Indian Trail park progresses

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Rapid growth in Spokane's North Indian Trail neighborhood has prompted the city's Parks & Recreation department to move forward with a priority development project that will improve the southern half of Meadowglen Park.

Ripple effects of federal grant delays hit Spokane’s nonprofits

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Nonprofit leaders across Spokane are bracing for the fallout of federal budget freezes, delayed grants, and looming funding cuts that could weaken essential services for thousands of residents in the region.

Spokane City Council bans virtual currency kiosks

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:30:23 -0400

The Spokane City Council has voted unanimously to prohibit virtual currency kiosks within the city.