North Idaho bankers say competition is heating up as players in an increasingly crowded banking market there look for ways to sustain growth in a cooler economy.Following several years in a hot economy, North Idaho bankers say they expect 2008

A growing number of Spokane-area women who are at high risk for inherited breast or ovarian cancer are turning to their genes for answers, in the hope that what they find might save a lifetheir own or a family members.Breast cancer is the a

Hart & Dilatush Pharmacy, a longtime drugstore in downtown Spokane, has moved to the Bank of America Financial Center after operating for 34 years in part of the Ridpath Hotel complex.The pharmacy, which has been in business here since 1918, to

Harbor Freight Tools, a California-based tool retailer that operates a store in Spokane Valley, says it plans to open its second Spokane store, on the North Side.The Camarillo, Calif., company plans to open the new store in mid-May in a roughly

Spokanes residential construction market, which heated up to red hot in recent years before starting to cool last year, likely will continue to chill somewhat this year, experts here say. Joel White, executive officer of the Spokane Home says

Christy Belisle warns students that theyll hear her voice long after her class is over, perhaps before they dial their cell phone while driving, exceed the speed limit, or lose their temper with another driver.Belisle and the companies that a

Walla Walla, Wash.-based Banner Bank says it plans to open a large branch office in downtown Spokane that will serve as a base here from which it will expand its presence in the Spokane market. As part of that mission, it also plans to build a new

Next IT Corp., the Spokane developer of artificial intelligence technologies, says it tripled its work force and revenues last year, and expects to at least double in size this year.Fred Brown, the privately held companys CEO, declines to but

While credit woes now plague many parts of the U.S., commercial lenders here say theyre still keeping their doors wide open to borrowers, although theyre upholding long-time lending standards vigilantly.The lenders say Spokane has been to a

Graham Construction Inc., of Spokane, says it has won a nearly $13 million contract to upgrade Spokane International Airports rental-car facilities.Graham has started construction on the project, which is the second phase of a roughly $14 a