Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now!

The Albert, a century-old Icelandic gunboat turned Ballard waterfront eyesore, is finally facing eviction after a court order gives its owner until July 30th to remove it—or risk the city hauling it away at his expense. Once a hero of the Cod Wars and a tool for scientific missions, this derelict vessel has become a magnet for vandalism and even sank last year, requiring a Coast Guard-city rescue....

Spokane’s concrete jungle is turning into a deadly heat trap, with neighborhoods lacking trees suffering the worst during brutal heat waves that already killed 19 people in 2021 — a trend expected to worsen, with 20-30 extreme heat days a year by mid-century. The city’s efforts to combat this — including resilience hubs and tree planting — were derailed by a controversial funding cut, though new g...

Malachi Smith’s Nets stint ends with a waiver after a solid run—averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 24 minutes, hitting 40% from three. Though waived after Brooklyn picked up his minimum option, his standout double-double (19 pts, 10 reb) vs. the Bucks and standout G League performances hint at untapped potential. Undrafted but a Sixth Man of the Year at Gonzaga, Smith’s journey is fa...

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of Cuba’s former leader, is stirring controversy as the U.S.’s main point of contact in secret talks with the Trump administration — a move some call bold, others reckless. Critics, including veteran diplomats and even artists, accuse him of lacking experience and displaying a casual demeanor in high-stakes diplomacy. His lavish lifestyle — designer wear,...

The federal government is throwing a massive financial wrench into offshore wind projects, offering over $2.5 billion across four deals to convince developers to walk away — a move that’s rattling the industry and delaying projects by at least three years. As East Coast states race to install 45 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040 — enough to power 30 million homes — they’re facing a critical setba...

A retired teacher from Coeur d’Alene just won a $575,000 dream home in North Idaho College’s 33-year-old Really BIG Raffle—pure luck after a casual Google search. The prize, built by Greenstone Homes and used as a student construction project, could be sold, with proceeds helping his family and funding college initiatives. Other winners snagged a Subaru, gift cards, and ski resort vouchers, while...

Witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles: Mount Spokane State Park is ablaze with a breathtaking bear grass bloom—tall stalks crowned with hundreds of delicate white flowers, creating a fairytale-like scene. This year’s display, one of the most stunning in decades, is a testament to patience and resilience, as these lily-family plants take years to flower and thrive after wildfires. Deer, moose,...

Spain edges Belgium 2-1 in a thriller to reach the World Cup semifinals, extending their unbeaten run to 36 games. A late goal by substitute Mikel Merino — his second game-winner in a row — sealed the victory after Belgium’s star goalie Thibaut Courtois exited with a thigh injury. Belgium’s Senne Lammens, making his first major test, kept Spain at bay until the rebound fell to Merino. Belgium had...

Kristin Cavallari is teaching her kids real-world lessons about money and hard work—like flying coach while she flies first class—so they understand success isn’t handed to them. Her sons are already earning their own money by washing windows and cleaning cans, proving her parenting philosophy is sparking responsibility and entrepreneurial spirit. She’s focused on raising grounded, driven kids, ev...

Maine Democrats are in a frantic race to replace withdrawn Senate candidate Graham Platner, accused of sexual assault and denied by him, as the state’s pivotal midterm Senate bid hangs in the balance. With national groups pulling back support and outside ads flooding back in, contenders like Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah, and Shenna Bellows are rushing to file and gather signatures — but Shah faces a m...

The Mariners’ draft fortunes shifted dramatically from last year’s surprise third-overall pick Kade Anderson to this year’s 24th pick — and they’re embracing the uncertainty. Scouting VP Scott Hunter admits it’s tougher this time, with less consensus on top targets, but with a decade of draft savvy under Jerry Dipoto, they’re ready. Known for finding gems at every position — from college hitters l...

Spain stunned Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup quarterfinal, extending their unbeaten run to 36 games and advancing to the semifinals. The match pivoted when Belgium’s legendary goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went down with a thigh injury, forcing a substitution to Senne Lammens — whose inexperience became glaringly apparent. Just moments after the switch, Lammens couldn’t control a rebound, allow...

VAR’s overzealous scrutiny is killing the magic of the World Cup, turning jaw-dropping moments into replay purgatories. From Egypt’s 16-second sprint goal erased for a distant foul to countless other “tiny” infractions that shatter momentum, the system prioritizes technical perfection over the soul of the game. And with nearly half of VAR calls proven wrong, the disruption often backfires—stopping...

Yellowstone’s Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon Rivers are hitting 68°F and dropping in water levels—forcing “hoot owl restrictions” that ban fishing from 2 PM to sunrise to give stressed trout a break. Anglers are urged to fish early, handle fish gently, and reel in quickly. Restrictions may lift if temps cool and flows recover—coming later than last year’s mid-June rollout. Listen in comfort: Get a...

Get ready to own a piece of Washington’s volcanic legacy—Mount St. Helens Institute is auctioning off limited-edition license plates, with proceeds going straight to conservation and education. The first plate drops Friday at 5 PM, with the 1,000th going up Saturday at 9 PM. Only Washington residents can bid, and plates ship only to WA addresses. Each purchase includes a $50 donation (over half go...

Walleye, an invasive fish species, may be decimating endangered juvenile salmon in the Snake River—scientists caught 58 of them in one net, three tagged with salmon trackers. The Nez Perce Tribe is launching a multi-year study to confirm the scale of predation and push for funding to remove these predators, aiming to restore salmon populations vital to their culture. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Campers in the Colville National Forest are facing new fees this summer — the first hikes since 1988 — to fund campground upkeep and manage rising visitor numbers. Some sites now charge $10/night, while premium spots like the Snow Peak Cabin and Swan Lake Group Site jump to $55/night, with prices set to climb even higher by 2028. A few campgrounds still offer free camping until collection tubes ar...

A major legislative signing event for President Trump in Statuary Hall was abruptly canceled—leaving lawmakers, staff, and industry guests stunned and scrambling. With no clear explanation offered, the sudden collapse of what was billed as a high-profile moment underscores the unpredictable nature of Washington politics and leaves plenty of unanswered questions. Listen in comfort: Get a discount o...

Aviation American Gin’s Portland flagship distillery and visitor center is shutting down, as Diageo moves production to other facilities starting in 2025 to boost efficiency and brand growth. The 33,000-square-foot hub, opened in 2022, offered immersive gin experiences and was a key part of the brand’s expansion since its roots with House Spirits and Ryan Reynolds’ ownership. Though the Portland l...

Americans across the political spectrum are sounding the alarm on skyrocketing grocery prices, with two-thirds citing rising costs as a major household burden—63% blaming groceries specifically. A staggering 67% call current meat and poultry prices unfair, and 82% believe politicians have the power to fix it, even if it means tougher regulations. Majorities from all parties support government acti...

Four senators strike a deal with the Trump administration to fast-track new Russia sanctions targeting energy profiteers, aiming to pressure Moscow into peace talks as Ukraine’s war drags on. With global oil prices and military moves in the background, the legislation could soon become law — a move welcomed by Zelenskyy, who sees stronger sanctions as key to diplomatic progress, while Trump signal...

Shopify just pulled the plug on all vape products — yes, even legal ones — forcing merchants to purge their stores by July 8th or risk shutdown, as U.S. attorneys general from California, Illinois, and New York push back against illicit vape sales on the platform. This global crackdown signals a major shift, with Shopify aligning with law enforcement to protect public health — and tech giants are...

Media outlets are demanding harsh penalties against OpenAI, accusing the company of deliberately hiding evidence and destroying chat histories to cover up the use of stolen news content in training its AI. A key deposition revealed that OpenAI’s own expert admitted the company misled courts and publishers for two years, claiming it couldn’t search its data — when it apparently could. This deceptio...

Archie and Lilibet met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House — a rare family reunion after four years apart. Tensions within the royal family have simmered since Harry and Meghan stepped back from duties, citing security concerns since relocating to California. Meghan hasn’t been in the UK since 2022, and Harry hasn’t seen his father since September. Despite security hurdles and Meghan...

A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Germany made an emergency landing after a terrifying mid-air ordeal: a right engine failure, cabin decompression, and a passenger window blowing out—all within minutes of takeoff. Passengers reported a loud bang, shattering glass, and oxygen masks deploying. One passenger needed medical care. The incident occurred in North Macedonian airspace, triggering a joi...