SPR News Today

Plus, the B and O Fire destroys homes in Okanogan County. A federal judge orders WA health inspectors be let into the Northwest ICE Processing Center. Bacterial outbreaks haven't slowed demand for raw milk in ID. Many fewer sockeye salmon return to Upper Columbia River. SPS begins updating sports fields in newest phase of Together Spokane projects. And a special announcement and a peek behind the...

Plus, no relief in sight for NW in latest drought forecast. Growing list of hurdles is putting many NW pear growers in debt or out of business. Spokane Prosecuting Attorney's Office pursues grant for domestic violence risk assessment tool, staff funding. Trans Affirm crowd-sources information on inclusive restrooms in Idaho as criminal ban partially takes effect. And north ID residents, businesses...

Plus, immigration judges in WA begin "mega hearings" to reduce case backlog. DOJ threatens WA election officials with criminal prosecution if noncitizens vote. WA GOP senators ask governor for special session to address gas prices. Spokane Conservation District asks County Commissioners to increase landowners' yearly fee. And central, eastern WA continue to face red flag warnings.

Plus, red flag warnings in central, eastern WA. PDC data shows Bingle with massive fundraising lead for D6, while Jasmin and Kohlmeier have similar contributions despite Jasmin's establishment backing. WA Human Rights Commissioner resigns over antisemitism allegations. Waikiki Springs to close for wetland restoration. And public comment opens on USFS logging plan for Blue Mountains.

Plus, WA's AI task force publishes final recommendations. Cantwell urges new citizens to exercise right to vote, regardless of restrictions supported by Trump. Spokane County's auditor and candidates to replace her say return to in-person voting would be very difficult. USFS says tourists can pay at WA sites with new app. NWS issues Fire Weather Watch for central, eastern WA tomorrow. And a new ‘f...

Plus, new federal student loan limits are now in place. McClatchy journalists in WA, ID secure contract with AI protections. Western governors move to start upgrading aging power grid. Speeding in a new WA work zone now comes with fines. And WA's newspaper archive surpasses 1 million pages.

Plus, new laws take effect in ID today, while WA sees the statewide launch of its long-term care insurance program and a slight uptick of the gas tax. And WSU athletics and the Confederated Colville Tribes announce a new partnership as the Pac-12 expands.

Plus, WA and OR won't have to change voting systems under SCOTUS mail-in ballot ruling. Spokane affordable housing developers say “right to cooling” proposal could prevent future affordable housing development. CHAS, Frontier break ground on one-stop behavioral health facility in downtown Spokane. And CDA remembers slain firefighters a year after Canfield Mountain shootings.

We’ll review three wildfires burning in Washington. Conservation groups rush to raise money to buy a rare wetland in Okanogan County. Could the U.S. Supreme Court require Washington and Oregon to change their mail-in voting systems? Hoopfest brought joy for a lot of players, but pain to others. Washington State University is using basketball to expose students to health care careers.

Plus, WA signs agreement to merge carbon markets with CA and Québec. Spokane Haitian community leaders ask for support after a SCOTUS decision allowing the White House to TPS. Kootenai County will need to undo rules on in-law suites and guest houses before ID’s new short term rental law goes into effect July 1. USFS proposes storm clean-up in north Idaho and western Montana. A conservation group s...

Plus, NWS issues red flag warnings for much of eastern, central WA. ID once again has one of the lowest SNAP payment error rates in the country, while WA could soon be penalized for its rate. WSU looks to attract Indigenous youth to health sciences careers using basketball. A Gonzaga lecturer heads to Spain to swim in the "Gay Olympics." Maple Street Bridge reopens first to pedestrians, cyclists b...

Plus, Spokane County wants to restart its inmate work crew program, but can potential hosts afford the proposed fee increase? A WA man is being held pre-trial in connection with an alleged plan to attack the White House. West Plains residents are beginning to schedule PFAS testing for wells. Kootenai Electric Cooperative will start service again in parts of Spokane County. Avista wants to raise it...

Plus, SPS and Spokane announce a child care partnership. A new analysis shows more than a third of WA families struggle to afford the essentials. Revenue from WA's gas tax is only down slightly this year despite much higher fuel prices. USPS officials were a no-show for a meeting with a WA House panel. And as crews make progress on the Colville Reservation's Kartar Fire, the Garred Road Fire grows...

Plus, crews make progress in containing the Kartar, Gold Run and Upriver Fires. USFS looks to triple timber coming from the Blue Mountains. Center for Biological Diversity pushes feds to protect two threatened INW wildflower species. NW's yanked observatories to return to ocean after Trump administration backs down. Cantwell- and Baumgartner-backed bill meant to make college sports fairer advances...

Now that it finally feels like summer here in the Inland Northwest, lots of our listeners are headed out to one of the many lakes and rivers to enjoy the sun and take some time off. The newsroom is doing the same. Don’t worry, we’re going to keep bringing you news from across the Northwest throughout the summer. But we’re taking a break from the long-form stories and interviews that usually round...

Plus, at least one person has died and 15 houses have been lost in the Upriver Fire. Farmworker advocates are warning fire season will also affect ag workers this summer. State and federal tax cuts are helping ID's top earning families the most, while some low-income households have actually seen their taxes go up, a report finds. And Spokane Valley considers banning the possession of fireworks.

Plus, 12,000 Spokanites are under evacuation orders as the Upriver Fire burns. Gov. Little says ID is in good shape for fire season, but a state fund for firefighting is already empty. A federal judge partially blocks ID's criminal trans bathroom ban. And the Panhandle Health District won't shutter clinics to save money, but services will continue to lean toward MAHA priorities.

Plus, NWS issues red flag warnings for central, eastern WA. Spokane City Council punts on data center moratorium after Avista pauses talks with customer. Spokane County looks to incentivize affordable housing. Nationwide report shows WA struggling to meet kids’ education needs. Federal judge weighs a new exception to Idaho's abortion ban after 5-day trial ends. And Seattle's first World Cup game b...

Plus, Spokane will consider an yearlong, citywide moratorium on data centers next week. Spokane's Safe and Healthy Task Force says the region must do a better job of balancing criminal justice needs with social service needs. Puyallup high school wrestler sues WA transgender athletes policy. Ballmer Group pledges up to $1.5 billion in forgivable loans for WA affordable housing. And a wildfire prev...