An affiliate of Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private-equity firm that owns Aeropostale, Hot Topic, Talbots, and a number of other retail chains, announced that it has acquired the Coldwater Creek brand and related intellectual property. Sycam

The Journal of Business Market Fact Book goes live today, and the 90-plus charts and graphs suggest overall economic improvement. Some data suggest slower growth than one would want to see, and some facets remain stubbornly sluggish, but on the whole, thi

Avista Corp., of Spokane, reported today first-quarter net income of $48.5 million, or 82 cents a diluted share, up from $42.3 million, or 73 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company said in a press release that the results were above exp

Greater Spokane Incorporated announced this morning that it has appointed Steve Stevens as its new president and CEO. Stevens, who will take over the position July 1, replaces Rich Hadley, who will retire on May 9.

The future of medical education in Washington state is nearing a crossroads, and that figurative intersection is forming smack dab in the middle of Spokane's University District. University of Washington began offering a full four years of medical educ

Umpqua Holdings Corp., of Portland, announced this morning that it has received all regulatory approvals for its proposed acquisition of Spokane-based Sterling Financial Corp., the parent company of Sterling Bank. The regulatory nod follows the previou