2010s in Review

The 2010s brought groundbreaking change. Over the next 10 days, The Spokesman-Review will review the big events and the big changes that occurred in the Inland Northwest.

News > Spokane

Decade in Preview: What stories will we see in Spokane in the 2020s?

Wed., Jan. 1, 2020

A national championship for a certain athletic team? Completion of major transit projects? Shopping for groceries in augmented reality? We asked local experts what to expect in the coming decade.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Decade in Review: Gonzaga women stepped into national spotlight with strong teams, impressive individuals

Tue., Dec. 31, 2019

For the Gonzaga women’s basketball program this past decade, the ride never stopped.

A&E

Decade in Review: Arts and Culture in the Inland Northwest

Mon., Dec. 30, 2019

Sold-out shows from some of the biggest national artists, the debut of a local, annual exhibition of local art and new buildings, people and shows in the theater scene. They were all part of the busy 2010s in arts and culture in the Inland Northwest.

News > Spokane

Decade in Review: Years of development change look, livability of downtown

Sun., Dec. 29, 2019

When 2010 began, the nation was still clawing its way out of major economic decline, and downtown Spokane was a different place. Now, as the decade closes, downtown is in the midst of a yearslong growth spurt and everything’s changed.

News > Spokane

Decade in review: Economic, business recovery in Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 27, 2019

During the past decade, the Spokane area has seen gains in employment, wages, population and housing as the U.S. economy grew for 121 continuous months beginning in June 2009.

News > Education

The 2010s in review: Schools faced tragedy, expansion and budget drama

Fri., Dec. 27, 2019

In Spokane, schools were built and new standards enacted even as educators were challenged by violence and the vaping epidemic and curriculum changes – ensuring another interesting decade ahead.

News > Spokane

Big changes in Washington in the ‘Teens, most made by voters

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2019

Washington voters – not their elected officials – made many of the biggest changes to the state in the second decade of the 21st Century.

News > Spokane

Decade in review: Spokane’s food scene mirrors a city on the rise

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2019

Spokane’s dining scene – once mostly meat and potatoes, burgers and fries, and national chains – is coming into its own.

News > Spokane

Decade in review: More insurance, more consolidation, more medical education in Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2019

Health care has undergone some dramatic changes in the Spokane region, from new provider groups entering the market to the expansion of medical education east of the Cascades. The landscape of health care in the community looks significantly different than it did a decade ago.

News > Spokane

The 2010s in review: School funding, homelessness and City Hall intrigue defined Spokane’s politics

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2019

The decade saw the visit of presidential hopefuls, the death of an elder statesman and voters’ creation of a completely new industry. Meanwhile, local governments have been grappling with their responsibility to shelter the homeless and how to respond to changing state formulas on funding for basic education. The 2010s were defined by landmark individual accomplishments by local lawmakers, as well as continuing challenges that future lawmakers will still be tackling in the next decade.

Blog Posts

News > Spokane

Double Zeroes gone, not forgotten

Sat., Jan. 2, 2010

Alternative Energy

Running out of time in 2009

Thu., Dec. 31, 2009