Latest News

Providence Health CEO Elaine Couture: Adapting to myriad of market shifts

Lagging revenues, rising costs lead big health care system to make cuts

December 1, 2016

With more potential changes in the wind for the health care industry in the wake of Donald Trump's election as the nation's president, Providence Health Care's chief executive, Elaine Couture, says leading officials need to be prepared for new respo

$400 million in new projects targeted in grant awards

Three developments cited could generate 620 jobs

December 1, 2016

Mike McLean

Three potential projects here could generate more than $400 million in capital investments and lead to the creation of 620 manufacturing and distribution jobs, according to data released with recent Washington state Department of Commerce grant awards.

Holiday sales outpace 2015, Spokane retailers say

More seasonal employees brought on this year as well

December 1, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Following a busy Thanksgiving shopping weekend, a number of Spokane-area retailers say they are on track for stronger holiday sales this year than they had last year. The National Retail Federation said in October that it expects sales in November and

Guest commentary: Charter schools gain momentum in Washington state

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December 1, 2016

Guest Commentary

In the fall of 2015, Washington state's newly opened public charter schools faced a crisis. A lawsuit filed by Washington Education Association President Kim Mead and other executives at the teachers' union resulted in a hostile court order that sough

The Journal's View: MultiCare breathes life into Rockwood

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December 1, 2016

Staff Report

Tacoma-based MultiCare Health System's recent announcement that it plans to purchase the assets of Rockwood Health System here from a financially ailing Tennessee-based owner appears at first glance to be an ideal turn of events. The $425 million tran

New travel agency taps business clientele

Spokane franchisee provides intranet tool

December 1, 2016

Hampton Gray Travel, a Spokane-based travel agency founded earlier this year, says response here has been strong for a service the company has begun offering to businesses. Erin Gray, owner of Hampton Gray, has introduced an online portal for companies t

Mall visitors get parking availability app

Valley shoppers can use new feature at that site

December 1, 2016

Samantha Peone

Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc. says it has expanded a digital parking tool to most of its regional shopping centers in the U.S., including the Spokane Valley Mall. The tool uses heat maps enabled by GPS to identify available parking spaces

Boot Barn debuts first Washington state store in Spokane Valley

Western, work-wear chain opens near Costco store

December 1, 2016

Mike McLean

Boot Barn Holdings Inc., an Irvine, Calif.-based chain of Western clothing and work-wear stores, has selected a Spokane Valley location for its first retail outlet in Washington state. The recently opened Boot Barn store occupies 10,900 square feet of sp

Red Lion Hotels takes quantum jump

Hotelier's growth resonates with investors, analysts

December 1, 2016

Linn Parish

Having secured the nationwide presence it once coveted, Spokane-based hotel chain operator Red Lion Hotels Corp. is looking to expand its footprint further, says company President and CEO Gregory T. Mount. Specifically, Mount says, Red Lion's recently

Comcast expands in effort to speed up its service

Company has spent $760K in Spokane area

December 1, 2016

Comcast Corp. says it has spent $760,000 in Spokane County this year expanding and improving Internet service for businesses and residences and is planning additional improvements next year. The effort to expand coverage started in the spring and will co