Eliza Billingham
ReporterEliza Billingham is a full-time news reporter for SPR. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University, where she was selected as a fellow with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting to cover an illegal drug addiction treatment center in Hanoi, Vietnam. She’s spent her professional career in Spokane, covering everything from rent crises and ranching techniques to City Council and sober bartenders. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she’s lived in Vietnam, Austria and Jerusalem and will always be a slow runner and a theology nerd.
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Journalist Nick Greene on his newest book, "How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius." -
Plus, the federal government is eliminating limits on certain toxic chemicals, but WA officials say that shouldn't stop contamination reduction on the West Plains. Nearly a quarter of Washington business owners surveyed are considering leaving the state. Despite some far-right wins, moderates gained seats overall in Idaho's legislative primaries. A new Idaho law forces cities to eliminate any restriction on short-term rentals, but Sandpoint officials are dragging their feet on complying. Sandpoint City Council defers kratom sale ban after public opposition. And the Spokane Zephyr folds after two seasons. -
We have results from Idaho's generally status quo primary election. Central Washington redistricting advocates petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. And a Spokane theater changes the way it stages its production of "Shrek" to appeal to sensitive viewers.
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Primary election day in Idaho and Oregon; Spokane police to get an upgrade to its training facility; and Washington's newest Supreme Court justice takes the oath. -
Plus, a Spokane renewable energy company is betting that rising fuel prices will get business owners to shift their fleets from gas to electrical. Oregon wildfire survivors are asking the state Supreme Court to take up their case against utility giant PacifiCorp. The Spokane Zephyr break club records in their last regular season game, but it's not enough to clinch a playoff spot. And Spokane is planning for intensified growth around its transit corridors. -
So you wanna watch the World Cup, but you don’t know anything about soccer? Welcome to Soccer Saturday, a special weekend edition of SPR News Today.
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Washington gas prices continue to climb, but a gas tax holiday seems unlikely. Septic systems can threaten groundwater quality. New revenue from Spokane's Aquifer Protection Area could help fund residents' septic-to-sewer transitions. Spokane is supposed to collect more compost soon, but there's nowhere to put it. Adams Elementary School, the oldest school in Spokane, breaks ground on a new chapter. Stevens County resident could soon weigh in on the location of a new jail. -
Washington sues Providence Health & Services for illegal treatment of pregnant employees. A host of reasons, like Washington’s Climate Commitment Act and fuel costs, will likely cause higher utility rates next year for Spokanites. State Sen. Shelly Short (R-Addy) faces three challengers in her re-election bid. Washington cities are increasing public transit frequency for World Cup festivities. Sandpoint's century-old Panida Theater needs grant money to become ADA and fire code compliant. -
Plus, Kootenai County considers more nuanced restrictions on kratom than Eastern Washington neighbors. The public will get the chance to weigh in on dissolving the Kootenai Health District. Spokane Long Term Recovery Group looks to build 24 new houses in the next two years for families who lost homes in the Oregon Road and Gray fires. Providence increases training requirements for psych triage. Let's Go Washington launches initiative signature gather with less than two months until submission deadline after the state rebuffed a referendum attempt. -
SPR News introduces a special weekend edition: Soccer Saturday.
