Owen Henderson
Morning Edition Host and ReporterOwen Henderson hosts Morning Edition for SPR News, but after he gets off the air each day, he's reporting stories with the rest of the team. Owen is a 2023 graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied journalism with minors in Spanish and theater. Before joining the SPR newsroom, he worked as the Weekend Edition host for Illinois Public Media, as well as reporting on the arts and LGBTQ+ issues. Having grown up in the Midwest, he’s excited to get acquainted with the Inland Northwest and all that it has to offer. When he’s not in the newsroom or behind the mic, you can find Owen out on the trails hiking or in his kitchen baking bread.
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Plus, no relief in sight for NW in latest drought forecast. Growing list of hurdles is putting many NW pear growers in debt or out of business. Spokane Prosecuting Attorney's Office pursues grant for domestic violence risk assessment tool, staff funding. Trans Affirm crowd-sources information on inclusive restrooms in Idaho as criminal ban partially takes effect. And north ID residents, businesses can apply for disaster funds as they recover from December's windstorms. -
Plus, immigration judges in WA begin "mega hearings" to reduce case backlog. DOJ threatens WA election officials with criminal prosecution if noncitizens vote. WA GOP senators ask governor for special session to address gas prices. Spokane Conservation District asks County Commissioners to increase landowners' yearly fee. And central, eastern WA continue to face red flag warnings. -
Plus, red flag warnings in central, eastern WA. PDC data shows Bingle with massive fundraising lead for D6, while Jasmin and Kohlmeier have similar contributions despite Jasmin's establishment backing. WA Human Rights Commissioner resigns over antisemitism allegations. Waikiki Springs to close for wetland restoration. And public comment opens on USFS logging plan for Blue Mountains. -
Plus, WA's AI task force publishes final recommendations. Cantwell urges new citizens to exercise right to vote, regardless of restrictions supported by Trump. Spokane County's auditor and candidates to replace her say return to in-person voting would be very difficult. USFS says tourists can pay at WA sites with new app. NWS issues Fire Weather Watch for central, eastern WA tomorrow. And a new ‘fish bubbler’ could help migrating salmon survive hot summer water. -
Plus, new federal student loan limits are now in place. McClatchy journalists in WA, ID secure contract with AI protections. Western governors move to start upgrading aging power grid. Speeding in a new WA work zone now comes with fines. And WA's newspaper archive surpasses 1 million pages. -
Plus, new laws take effect in ID today, while WA sees the statewide launch of its long-term care insurance program and a slight uptick of the gas tax. And WSU athletics and the Confederated Colville Tribes announce a new partnership as the Pac-12 expands. -
Plus, WA and OR won't have to change voting systems under SCOTUS mail-in ballot ruling. Spokane affordable housing developers say “right to cooling” proposal could prevent future affordable housing development. CHAS, Frontier break ground on one-stop behavioral health facility in downtown Spokane. And CDA remembers slain firefighters a year after Canfield Mountain shootings. -
Plus, WA signs agreement to merge carbon markets with CA and Québec. Spokane Haitian community leaders ask for support after a SCOTUS decision allowing the White House to TPS. Kootenai County will need to undo rules on in-law suites and guest houses before ID’s new short term rental law goes into effect July 1. USFS proposes storm clean-up in north Idaho and western Montana. A conservation group says the plan is an excuse to rush through logging authorization. And Amazon invests in a modular nuclear reactor in eastern WA. -
Plus, NWS issues red flag warnings for much of eastern, central WA. ID once again has one of the lowest SNAP payment error rates in the country, while WA could soon be penalized for its rate. WSU looks to attract Indigenous youth to health sciences careers using basketball. A Gonzaga lecturer heads to Spain to swim in the "Gay Olympics." Maple Street Bridge reopens first to pedestrians, cyclists before cars return. And Idaho's Wassmuth Center for Human Rights celebrates its 30th anniversary and its CDA namesake. -
Plus, Spokane County wants to restart its inmate work crew program, but can potential hosts afford the proposed fee increase? A WA man is being held pre-trial in connection with an alleged plan to attack the White House. West Plains residents are beginning to schedule PFAS testing for wells. Kootenai Electric Cooperative will start service again in parts of Spokane County. Avista wants to raise its rates; AG Nick Brown says it doesn't need the extra money. ID faces another tough budget year. SCRAPS will up its adoption fees to combat rising food, medical costs for its animals. And NWS issues a Fire Weather Watch for eastern, central WA.
