Local government

News > Washington

Paul Dillon, Cyndi Donahue first to announce bids for South Hill city council seat

UPDATED: Wed., March 22, 2023

Longtime Spokane activist and political organizer Paul Dillon announced Monday morning he is running to represent District 2 on the Spokane City Council. By Monday night, so too had small business owner and U.S. Air Force honorary commander Cyndi Donahue.

News > Crime/Public Safety

City of Spokane files suit to clear Camp Hope

UPDATED: Tue., March 21, 2023

Mayor Nadine Woodward says she has run out of patience with Camp Hope and the state agencies she argues are unconcerned with the encampment's impact on the community.

News > Washington

Spokane police chief defends communications as activists call for him to resign

UPDATED: Mon., March 20, 2023

Spokane activists are calling for the resignation of Spokane police Chief Craig Meidl, saying that the chief’s recently reported communications with local business leaders amounted to a shadow effort to undermine police reforms and hurt political opponents.

News > Washington

Washington’s revenue projections are slowing thanks to inflation and an uncertain economy, new forecast says

UPDATED: Mon., March 20, 2023

Compared to the last revenue forecast in November, the state's projected revenue for the budget cycle ending in June is up by $194 million but the projected revenue for the budget cycle ending in 2025 has decreased by $483 million, according to the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

News > Spokane

Getting There: Spokane revenues from downtown parking recovering, but pandemic pain lingers

Mon., March 20, 2023

The city collected nearly $2.7 million from parking in 2013; by 2019, that figure jumped roughly 30% to almost $3.4 million. Parking revenues stagnated briefly between 2015 and 2017, but jumped roughly 10% in 2018.

News > Washington

Washington’s DNR wants to take part in carbon-credit markets

Sun., March 19, 2023

The state House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would authorize the department to use state lands for carbon sequestration or habitat restoration, such as reforesting land post-wildfire, planting forests on lands without trees or aquatic projects in the state's kelp forests. Those projects could then generate carbon credits, which the department could sell in carbon markets, such as Washington's cap-and-trade program.

News > Washington

Airway Heights moving forward with new well plans as federal regulators target PFAS in drinking water

Fri., March 17, 2023

The city of Airway Heights this week is making its case that a new well over the Spokane aquifer will not cause environmental problems, even as some remain wary about the potential effect of a new well near the river.

News > Washington

Spokane and Washington state have a history of failed attempts to regulate oil trains

UPDATED: Thu., March 16, 2023

In the past, city and state leaders have had a tough time enacting stronger regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials on railroads, which are federally regulated.

News > Spokane

After passing controversial fee increases for developers, Spokane City Council considers plan B

UPDATED: Tue., March 14, 2023

Building in Spokane got more expensive Monday after the City Council approved a controversial slate of development fee increases. But as builders sound alarm bells that development will crater, there is already talk about going back to the drawing board.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane moving forward with $3.1 million settlement for man struck by car in dangerous crosswalk

Tue., March 14, 2023

A bit over four years ago, Benjamin Gedeon was hit by a car while legally walking across a marked crosswalk on Division Street.Now, the city of Spokane looks to be moving forward with a $3.1 million settlement with Gedeon, who had argued the city had failed to provide a safe pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Rhoades Avenue and Division Street.

News > Spokane

Spokane City Council approves major boost to fees on development

UPDATED: Tue., March 14, 2023

Development just got more expensive in Spokane. In some areas, a lot more expensive.

News > Crime/Public Safety

New Zags trading cards on sale as March Madness grips fans

UPDATED: Mon., March 13, 2023

“This is the biggest deal that’s every been done for college basketball cards."

News > Spokane

As Latah Valley building pause ends, Spokane city leaders consider huge jump in fees for developers to pay for growth

Mon., March 13, 2023

For decades, population growth in Spokane has outpaced investments in the services needed to sustain that growth, such as roads or water and sewer systems. City leaders blame this attrition on insufficient fees paid by developers to mitigate the problems caused by growth. Those fees have not increased much over the years.

News > Spokane

Getting There: Spokane public transit a lifeline for many, though ridership slow to recover from pandemic slump

Mon., March 13, 2023

Recovery has been steady, but slow. By April 2021, ridership had increased by about 34% compared to the year prior, and increased by another 21% by the same time in 2022. By January 2023, ridership levels were at about 77% of what they had been three years prior.

News > Washington

A number of bills are dead in the Legislature. Here’s a look at what likely won’t make it through this year:

Sun., March 12, 2023

Every year, lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills — only for most of them to die about halfway through the session, following the first major deadline for bills to pass.

News > Nation/World

We the People: States often have to share powers with federal government

Sun., March 12, 2023

Each week, The Spokesman-Review examines one question from the Naturalization Test immigrants must pass to become United States citizens.

News > Spokane

Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs will not seek re-election

UPDATED: Fri., March 10, 2023

Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs will not be seeking reelection, he announced formally Friday.

News > Spokane

Betsy Wilkerson announces run for Spokane City Council President

UPDATED: Fri., March 10, 2023

It’s official: Spokane City Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson has announced her bid to become City Council President, a seat held by Breean Beggs, who has declined to run for reelection and is instead endorsing Wilkerson.

News > Education

Central Valley provides notices to dozens of teachers their contracts may not be renewed amid 2023-2024 budget talks

Fri., March 10, 2023

The verbal notification is the start of a budget process that won't be finalized until after the state Legislature completes its work funding schools across the state later this spring, said district officials and the head of the union for Central Valley teachers. It's the second time in the past several years the district, which serves roughly 14,500 students, has notified some of its teachers on provisional contracts they may not be rehired due to financial constraints.

News > Washington

Spokane County spending $1 million on gates, lights for railroad crossing

Fri., March 10, 2023

The federal government is paying the bill.

Featured Stories

Cannon Streetcar historic district becomes official with mayor’s signature

Latest Stories

Paul Dillon, Cyndi Donahue first to announce bids for South Hill city council seat

City of Spokane files suit to clear Camp Hope

Spokane police chief defends communications as activists call for him to resign

Washington’s revenue projections are slowing thanks to inflation and an uncertain economy, new forecast says

Getting There: Spokane revenues from downtown parking recovering, but pandemic pain lingers

Washington’s DNR wants to take part in carbon-credit markets

Airway Heights moving forward with new well plans as federal regulators target PFAS in drinking water

Spokane and Washington state have a history of failed attempts to regulate oil trains

After passing controversial fee increases for developers, Spokane City Council considers plan B

Spokane moving forward with $3.1 million settlement for man struck by car in dangerous crosswalk

Spokane City Council approves major boost to fees on development

New Zags trading cards on sale as March Madness grips fans

As Latah Valley building pause ends, Spokane city leaders consider huge jump in fees for developers to pay for growth

Getting There: Spokane public transit a lifeline for many, though ridership slow to recover from pandemic slump

A number of bills are dead in the Legislature. Here’s a look at what likely won’t make it through this year:

We the People: States often have to share powers with federal government

Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs will not seek re-election

Betsy Wilkerson announces run for Spokane City Council President

Central Valley provides notices to dozens of teachers their contracts may not be renewed amid 2023-2024 budget talks

Spokane County spending $1 million on gates, lights for railroad crossing

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