Government

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.

More than $82 million in state funds headed to Spokane

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:38:31 -0400

More than $82 million in state funding will go toward Spokane-area projects.

Two Spokane innovation clusters land state funds

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:30:13 -0400

Two Spokane innovation clusters have garnered infusions of funds through the Washington state Department of Commerce's Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program.

Tech hub group expected to compete for federal funding, again

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Plans for the envisioned American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center are continuing, for now, despite the U.S. Department of Commerce’s recent decision to cancel nearly $50 million in funding for the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene tech hub.

$48 million project to start this month at Fairchild

ericab@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Fairchild Air Force Base is replacing and consolidating a critical flight base operations facility as part of a broader modernization effort at the base west of Spokane.

Meet & Greet with regional labor economist Mike McBride

linnp@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The Journal recently sat down with McBride, the new regional labor economist with the Washington state Employment Security Department, to talk about his career, his territory, and the job market in Eastern Washington.

Unpacking state budget's impact on homeownership

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Washington State Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5167, the state's operating budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, into law on May 20.

McMorris Rodgers launches leadership institute

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:43:07 -0400

Former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has launched a nonprofit leadership institute that aims to educate, mentor, and inspire future leaders.

Cities, county renew homelessness-response agreement

Fri, 23 May 2025 15:04:40 -0400

The city of Spokane, city of Spokane Valley, and Spokane County have renewed an interlocal agreement to address homelessness across the region.

Hillyard gets creative: Spokane's first designated arts district emerges

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Hillyard is on track to become Spokane's first creative district neighborhood thanks to a federally funded pilot program and collaborative effort between residents, artists, and business owners.

Spokane opens door to more backyard homes

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The city of Spokane is preparing to adopt statewide changes to its housing code pertaining to accessory dwelling units.

Spokane International Airport lands federal funds for expansion

Fri, 09 May 2025 13:18:30 -0400

Spokane International Airport will receive over $6.5 million in funding to go toward its ongoing Terminal Renovation and Expansion, or TREX, project.

Trade headwinds hit the INW

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:40 -0400

The Trump administration’s tariff policy, and the uncertainty that surrounds it, has had immediate and disruptive effects on some Inland Northwest businesses.

Catching up with former Spokane Mayor Mary Verner

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Life after leaving office has been filled with career opportunities for former Mayor Mary Verner, who fondly looks back at her time in office.

2025 Icon: Kevin Twohig

Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Kevin Twohig’s career arguably could be viewed as a string of serendipitous events that ultimately led to his lauded 16-year tenure as CEO of the Spokane Public Facilities District.

Icons 2025: Susan Ashe

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Susan Ashe, Spokane Journal of Business 2025 Icon served in various leadership roles throughout her 50-year career in the Inland Northwest.

Former DOJ attorneys join national firm's Spokane office

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:04:21 -0400

Former U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Fruchter have joined the Spokane office of San Diego-based law firm Singleton Schreiber LLP as partners.

Maddie's Place allocated $2M by Legislature

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:03:28 -0400

The Washington State Legislature has allocated $2 million to Maddie’s Place, a Spokane-based nonprofit.

WSDOT plans $1.4 remodel of transportation management office

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The Washington state Department of Transportation is planning a $1.4 million interior remodel of its traffic management center.

Greenacres Park enters second construction phase

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0400

The second phase of construction is underway at Greenacres Park, in Spokane Valley, and is expected to be completed by mid-to-late summer.

City of Spokane to receive $2.8M grant from Commerce

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:44:50 -0400

The city of Spokane has been awarded $2.8 million from the Washington State Department of Commerce for solar, battery backup, and electric vehicle charging stations at the Spokane Water Department.