Regional News

Mass vaccination sites and clinics in Washington are now open to the entire adult population, as well as 16- and 17-year-olds.

State health officials say about six million people are eligible to be inoculated. Those who aren’t are 15 years of age or younger, for whom there is not yet a vaccine.

The Idaho House has narrowly voted down a proposed constitutional amendment related to the legalization of drugs such as marijuana.

The measure would have sent to the ballot a measure to require two-thirds approval of the legislature in order to legalize one of the drugs on the top two tiers of the state’s controlled substances list.

This week, we’re interviewing people who have announced their candidacy for Spokane city council. We're focusing this week on the five candidates in the Northwest district. Today, Rebecca White introduces us to Lucrecia “Lu” Hill.

Hill grew up in Hillyard. She's a yoga teacher, consultant and powner in several cannabis brands.

This week Spokane Public Radio is interviewing every city council candidate from the city's Northwest district.

City Council District 3 Candidate Lucrecia "Lu" Hill and reporter Rebecca White discuss economic recovery, homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and environmental policy. Interviews with her opponents, Christopher Savage, Mike Lish, Karen Kearney and Zack Zappone will be posted this week.

Washington opens Covid vaccines to all adults, as well as 16- and 17-year-olds, on Thursday. Health providers say they’re bracing for a big rush of people who have waited patiently for their turn.

During most of the last week, coronavirus cases in Spokane County have risen back into triple digits, though still much lower than at the peak of the pandemic.

“We had spring breaks. We had Easter, which is also typically a big celebration for a lot of people. And then we had the NCAA Tournament, all of those at the same time, at a time when we were in Phase 3, which means a lot more things are open," said Interim Health Officer Francisco Velazquez.

A bill that would toughen the signature requirements for initiatives in Idaho has gone to Governor Brad Little’s desk. He has until Saturday to sign it.

This year’s bill would require signatures from six-percent of registered voters in all 35 legislative districts in order to quality a measure for the ballot.

Restaurant host Christopher Savage is one of five candidates vying for an open city council seat in Northwest Spokane.

He’s currently a host at Pool’s Public House and previously worked as a Lyft Driver.

Savage is also a board member for Spokane Meals on Wheels and has served on various boards for the city, including the salary commission and a water conservation board.

This week Spokane Public Radio is interviewing every city council candidate from the city's Northwest district.

City Council District 3 Candidate Christopher Savage and reporter Rebecca White discuss economic recovery, homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and environmental policy. Interviews with his opponents, Lucrecia "Lu" Hill, Mike Lish, Karen Kearney and Zack Zappone will be posted this week.

Researchers are looking into all kinds of quality-of-life issues for people as they age. And now that kind of work is extending into the canine realm.

Washington State University researchers are looking into about how your dog can live a better life.

The Dog Aging Project is a joint effort by WSU and several other higher education institutions.

WSU Researcher Dr. Lynne Nelson says the project is investigating questions about genetics, canine cognition, cardiology and age-related mobility.

This week Spokane Public Radio is talking with every city council candidate from the city's Northwest district.

City Council District 3 Candidate Kearney and reporter Rebecca White discuss economic recovery, homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and the environment. Interviews with her opponents, Lucrecia "Lu" Hill, Mike Lish, Christopher Savage and Zack Zappone will be posted over the course of this week.

This week, we begin a series of profiles with people who have announced their candidacy for Spokane city council. We'll focus this week on the five candidates in the Northwest district, starting today with Karen Kearney.

The Idaho House on Tuesday refused to approve a budget to pay school teachers because of a continuing dispute about the teaching of social justice issues.

Earth Day will be formally celebrated on Thursday, April 22.

Three Inland Northwest environmental groups that share a common focus are combining their efforts to sponsor an early celebration.

This week, we begin a series of thumbnail sketches with people who have announced their candidacy for Spokane city council seats. We'll focus this week on the five candidates in the Northwest district, starting Monday with Zack Zappone.  

This week Spokane Public Radio is talking with every city council candidate from the city's Northwest district.

City Council District 3 Candidate Zack Zappone and reporter Rebecca White discuss economic recovery, homelessness, affordable housing, public safety and the environment. Interviews with his opponents, Lucrecia "Lu" Hill, Mike Lish, Christopher Savage and Karen Kearney will be posted over the course of this week.

The Washington and Idaho legislatures are passing a flurry of bills as they race toward their respective adjournments.

In Boise on Monday, the Senate approved, by one vote, legislation that would allow the state to accept a $6 million federal early learning grant that has been dogged by arguments over the underlying intent.