Regional News
What's happening in the region? Here's a roundup of news from Spokane, Montana and other regional areas.
Hayden Panettiere's ex Wladimir Klitschko gets legal status to protect their daughter's inheritance
Judge Stephanie Santoro granted Klitschko the status of temporary guardian of Kaya's estate until a long-term admi…
Washington’s minimum wage to top $17 in 2026
The state’s current $16.66 per-hour wage already leads the nation, though California and parts of New York are close at $16.50
New sales tax on services in Washington takes effect Wednesday
A contentious new sales tax on services that Democratic state lawmakers relied on to pay for Washington’s latest budget is set to take effect Wednesday.
Thieves steal $1M worth in craft whiskey from Washington distillery
The bottles disappeared July 31, when someone in a freight truck showed up at Westland Distillery’s warehouse in Burlington, Washington, holding the paperwork that purportedly gave them the right to pick up a shipm…
Trump says he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, in latest deployment to US cities
President Donald Trump said Saturday he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, "authorizing Full Force, if necessary” to handle “domestic terrorists” as he expa…
Former national park superintendents urge Trump administration to close parks in case of shutdown
A group of former national park superintendents is calling on the Trump administration to close the parks to visitors in case of a government shutdown.
Profit margin on flipping a home is at a 17-year low due to high prices
Home flippers buy a home, typically with cash, then pay for any repairs or upgrades needed to spruce up the property before putting it back on the market. T…
Human remains in Washington state identified as Travis Decker, wanted for killing his daughters
Law enforcement teams had been searching more than three months for Decker, 32, before the sheriff's office announced last week it had located human remains believed to be his. Sheriff Mike Morrison said Thursday t…
Blackfeet Tribal Council bans kratom sales, use on reservation
The move, enacted via a Sept. 12 resolution, will criminally penalize retailers selling kratom products, which aren’t currently regulated at the state or federal level. Blackfeet Law
Firefighter arrested at Washington state wildfire released by ICE
A wildland firefighter who was arrested by immigration agents while fighting a wildfire in Washington state has been released from detention by U.S. Immigratio…
Travis Decker declared dead by US Marshals Service
The declaration came as part of a court filing to close Decker's criminal case.
4.3 magnitude earthquake jolts the San Francisco Bay Area and people report feeling a sharp shake
People posted online that they felt their homes shake. A few stores in Berkeley had minor damage, like a broken window or some merchandise falling off shelves.…
Human remains believed to be fugitive Travis Decker found near Leavenworth
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office believes it found the remains of Travis Decker, the man charged with three counts of murder and kidnapping for the deaths of…
4 service members were aboard US Army helicopter that crashed in Washington state
This is “currently a search mission” involving the “most professional and skilled addressing the situation,” Army spokesperson Ruth Castro told The Associated …
Bear attack on hiker closes trail in Yellowstone
A Yellowstone National Park trail remained closed Wednesday after a possible grizzly bear attacked a hiker, leaving him with serious but non-life-threatening i…
Following detection, Idaho approves budget authority to fight quagga mussels in Snake River
Any unplanned expenses could put additional pressure on the state budget being hampered by revenue shortfalls