Stories by Rachel Alexander for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

For some patients, opioids provide only hope

UPDATED: Wed., July 25, 2018

Chronic pain patients caught in the complexities and controversies as opioid epidemic draws tighter scrutiny of prescription policies.

News > World

After 18 years’ imprisonment, Uzbek journalist reunited with family in Spokane

Mon., July 23, 2018

After serving 18 years behind bars in Uzbekistan, enduring beatings, starvation, solitary confinement and almost no contact with the outside world, Muhammad Bekjanov is free to tell his story.

News > Spokane

Finding shelter: A night with the women of Spokane’s Hope House

Fri., July 20, 2018

During a hot summer evening, women at Spokane’s Hope House shelter shared their thoughts, impressions and life experiences. The shelter is part of Spokane’s 24/7 network for homeless people, built on the idea that everyone, regardless of age or gender, should have a safe place to be inside at all times.

News > Spokane

A year after new effort to decrease Spokane County jail population, more inmates were behind bars

UPDATED: Mon., July 16, 2018

Spokane County has hired a new criminal justice administrator to oversee reforms aimed at reducing the county’s jail population and racial disparities. Data from the reform effort so far makes clear that the new administrator, Spokane native Maggie Yates, is stepping into a challenging role.

News > Health

Drug overdoses fall in Spokane County

UPDATED: Fri., July 13, 2018

Drug overdoses fell in Spokane County in 2017, in yet another sign the trend of opioid-related deaths may be reversing in Washington.

News > Health

Study shows declining prescriptions for opioids in Washington, Idaho

UPDATED: Thu., July 12, 2018

Opioid prescription rates and diagnoses of opioid addiction are declining nationally and in Washington, according to a report from Blue Cross Blue Shield released Thursday.

News > Spokane

Spokane police chief opposed to posting full internal investigations, body camera video online

UPDATED: Mon., July 9, 2018

Spokane police Chief Craig Meidl said Monday he’s opposed to an ordinance that would allow the city to post some internal affairs and officer-involved shooting investigations online, citing concern about victim privacy and public perception of the department based on unfounded cases.

News > Health

Report: Washington ranks near the top in terms of child health

UPDATED: Fri., July 6, 2018

Washington fares better than most U.S. states in taking care of its kids, especially when it comes to health, according to a new report by Kids Count.

News > Spokane

Citing recent collisions, city installs flashing lights near downtown social service providers

UPDATED: Thu., July 5, 2018

The city of Spokane has installed flashing lights at crosswalks near a cluster of downtown social service providers in an effort to reduce collisions and injuries to pedestrians.

News > Health

Spokane depression rate higher than state, national averages

UPDATED: Thu., July 5, 2018

Spokane has a higher rate of depression than both Washington and the U.S., according to a study published this month from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

News > Spokane

Red white and blue on the march in Coeur d’Alene America the Beautiful parade

UPDATED: Wed., July 4, 2018

Spectators stood solemnly, removed hats and applauded as the first of many military and veteran groups kicked off the 2018 America the Beautiful parade.

News > Health

Last year 262 Washingtonians were injured by fireworks

Wed., July 4, 2018

Every Fourth of July, firefighters around the country remind Americans not to injure or kill themselves by patriotically blowing things up. Last year, about 262 Washingtonians did not heed the message.

News > Spokane

Cantwell calls on Justice Department to resume Affordable Care Act defense

UPDATED: Tue., July 3, 2018

Sen. Maria Cantwell called on the U.S. Justice Department to resume defending portions of the Affordable Care Act in court, at a Tuesday event at Deaconess Hospital.

News > Spokane

Increasing number of young athletes, like Tyler Hilinski, suffering from CTE

UPDATED: Tue., June 26, 2018

Tyler Hilinski was far from alone. As researchers have moved beyond the NFL to look at the brains of high school and college athletes, they’re increasingly finding signs of traumatic brain injuries in young football players.

News > Spokane

Premera giving $180,000 to Spokane housing charities

UPDATED: Mon., June 25, 2018

Premera Blue Cross is donating $180,000 to two Spokane nonprofits to provide housing and support for homeless families.

News > Spokane

Pioneer Human Services is not housing separated migrant children in Spokane

UPDATED: Mon., June 25, 2018

Spokane does not appear to be housing any migrant children separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, in spite of reports to the contrary.

News > Health

For HIV-positive community, CDC ruling means a new step in regaining lives

Sun., June 24, 2018

Last fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged what years of research has shown: HIV-positive people in treatment who have an undetectable amount of the virus in their blood have “virtually no risk” of transmitting the virus sexually to another person.

News > Education

‘Modern-day medicine people:’ Students get hands-on experience at Na-ha-shnee Health Sciences Institute

Thu., June 21, 2018

The Na-ha-shnee Health Sciences Institute, a fusion of summer camp and in-depth health education for Native American high school students, is underway this week.

News > Religion

Local religious leaders say detaining children morally wrong

UPDATED: Thu., June 21, 2018

As President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday reversing his administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, local faith leaders said the policy of holding children, some of whom are seeking asylum, is morally wrong.

News > Health

New Planned Parenthood health center dedicated in Spokane

Sat., June 16, 2018

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho dedicated its new $5 million health center Friday afternoon in Spokane, with staff saying the modernized clinic will allow them to care for more patients and expand sex education and advocacy efforts.

News > Spokane

Roll out the giant chess set: Spokane Sidewalk Games back for the third year

Thu., June 14, 2018

Heavy winds Wednesday toppled more than a few signs as vendors set up for the Kendall Yards farmers market, but two giant Connect Four boards stood tall. The games signaled the beginning of the third summer of Spokane Sidewalk Games, which has put giant versions of checkers, chess, chutes and ladders and more in public spaces.

News > Spokane

State funding to prevent spread of infectious disease falls short, according to health secretary

Tue., June 12, 2018

Washington is drastically underfunding basic public health services that hampers monitoring and preventing the spread of infectious disease, according to state Health Secretary John Wiesman.