Government | The Spokesman-Review

Featured Stories

Spokane Arts Office officially launches, Elisabet Edwards tapped as head

More than a year after Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown declared she would revive the city’s arts department, the fledgling office now has its first employee.

Spokane Arts Office officially launches, Elisabet Edwards tapped as head

'We are the soccer heartbeat of the Inland Northwest': Officials kick off summer of celebration ahead of World Cup
Spin Control: Take that, 'Reefer Madness.' Marijuana is reclassified after 55 years
Tensions rise among Spokane Valley council members while discussing ice rink lease

Illegal thinning of trees and brush along Centennial Trail draws the ire of walkers

U.S. Mint buys drug cartel gold and sells it as ‘American’

‘An enduring mark on our state’: Former Secretary of the Interior and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne dies at 74

‘It’s incredible’: Spokane Valley teen takes it upon himself to create sensory aid for blind classmate

The wonders of waste: How a WSU prof helped turn sewage into 99% pure natural gas while cutting costs in half

Getting There: North Spokane Corridor project beginning summer 2026 to be most expensive in Eastern Washington history

Spokane graduate among CIA officers killed in Mexico crash

Latest Stories

News > Federal Government

Northwest lawmakers welcome King Charles to Capitol as British monarch touts U.S.-U.K. alliance

UPDATED: Tue., April 28, 2026

“I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world," the king said, "and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

News > Federal Government

FCC orders a review of ABC’s broadcast licenses

UPDATED: Tue., April 28, 2026

Federal regulators Tuesday ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Donald Trump.

News > Federal Government

U.S. Senate blocks bid to prevent Trump from military action against Cuba

UPDATED: Tue., April 28, 2026

WASHINGTON – The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked a Democratic-led resolution that would have barred President Donald Trump from military action against Cuba without congressional approval.

News > Local Government

Spokane County leader returns from medical leave

UPDATED: Tue., April 28, 2026

Spokane County’s top employee is back on the job.

News > Federal Government

U.S. ambassador to Ukraine to step down amid stalled talks to end Ukraine war

UPDATED: Tue., April 28, 2026

WASHINGTON – The acting U.S. ambassador to Kyiv Julie Davis will step down from her post and retire, a U.S. official and the State Department said on Tuesday, amid a lull in U.S.-brokered talks to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

News > WA Government

WA politicians react to shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner

UPDATED: Sun., April 26, 2026

Gov. Bob Ferguson and other Washington political leaders denounced a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the latest security scare following other assassination attempts on President Donald Trump.

News > WA Government

790 millionaires who live in Spokane-area legislative districts will pay new Washington income tax. Will some try to move away?

Sun., April 26, 2026

Coeur d’Alene real estate agent Michael Wendland in recent weeks has seen a “major influx” of wealthy Washington residents considering a move to Idaho.

News > WA Government

‘We owe it to him and his family to never forget’: North Spokane bridge renamed in honor of fallen firefighter

UPDATED: Thu., April 23, 2026

Lt. Paramedic Cody Scott Traber went above and beyond to help his fellow first responders during his 18 years of service in Spokane County Fire District 9.

News > Federal Government

Cantwell warns RFK Jr. his agency’s AI program is delaying, denying Medicare for seniors in Washington state

UPDATED: Wed., April 22, 2026

WASHINGTON – A federal pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to crack down on “wasteful” medical procedures is slowing and denying health care for senior citizens in Washington state who rely on Medicare, a Democratic senator told Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday.

News > Federal Government

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ boosts tax refunds, but tariffs and Iran war mute its impact

Wed., April 22, 2026

WASHINGTON – When Republicans in Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July, they hoped Americans would feel the effects of the sweeping tax-and-spending legislation by the time Tax Day rolled around on April 15.

News > Local Government

Spokane County announces new ALERT Spokane system after debilitating cyberattack last year

UPDATED: Tue., April 21, 2026

It’s getting harder to discern a scam text from a legitimate request from your local government.

News > Local Government

Tensions rise among Spokane Valley council members while discussing ice rink lease

UPDATED: Wed., April 22, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council is considering a lease for an ice rink facility after a sometimes-contentious meeting that lasted nearly four hours.

News > Local Government

Race to be Spokane County prosecutor heats up with third, Independent, candidate entering the fray

UPDATED: Mon., April 20, 2026

Another attorney with experience in the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office is hoping to take over the top spot this fall.

News > Federal Government

Some NW Republicans oppose Trump administration move to erase convictions of Jan. 6 riot leaders, while others stay silent

Sun., April 19, 2026

WASHINGTON – On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump wasted no time in fulfilling a signature campaign promise when he pardoned more than 1,500 people who had been charged or convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

News > WA Government

Candidates make their case to represent central Spokane in Olympia ahead of filing week

UPDATED: Sun., April 19, 2026

OLYMPIA – Although candidates cannot formally file with the secretary of state’s office until the first week of May, the race to represent Spokane in the state Capitol already is underway.

News > WA Government

‘It’s just a dream come true’: State awards $5.4 million to seven Spokane County early learning projects

UPDATED: Fri., April 17, 2026

OLYMPIA – The state of Washington has awarded more than $5.4 million in grant funding to seven Spokane County-based organizations to increase the number of available child care spaces.

News > WA Government

Despite state law, most people ordered to use ignition interlock device don’t use them

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2026

OLYMPIA – Fewer than half of Washington drivers ordered to put a breathalyzer in their cars following a drunk driving arrest or conviction are following through with installing the expensive technology, according to a state report published last week.

News > WA Government

Lawsuit to block new standards for county sheriffs moved to Thurston County

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2026

A lawsuit filed by four Washington sheriffs over a new state law that gives an oversight board the authority to remove elected sheriffs from office was transferred to Thurston County Superior Court during a hearing Thursday afternoon.

News > Local Government

E-bikes now welcome, with some restrictions, on Spokane County trails

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2026

Inland Northwest cyclists can now use certain electric bikes on Spokane County parklands.

News > Federal Government

House Energy and Commerce Committee honors Cathy McMorris Rodgers with portrait at U.S. Capitol

UPDATED: Fri., April 17, 2026

WASHINGTON – The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday unveiled a portrait honoring the Eastern Washington Republican who ascended to become the first woman to lead the influential panel before she left Congress in 2024.

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