Spokane Public Schools sends letter to families in wake of Texas shooting

<p><p>In the wake of the school shootings in Texas, officials at Spokane Public Schools have offered the services of staff “to engage with students if they have questions or need to process this tragedy.”</p></p><p><p>In an email sent to families Wednesday morning, Superintendent Adam Swinyard wrote that the deaths of 19 children and two adults “may…… Continue Reading

Weathercatch: Finally, the crazy-cold spring weather is on pause

<p><p>To say the Inland Northwest deserves the warm, dry and tranquil weather that arrived the middle of this week is an understatement.</p></p><p><p>With the start of meteorological summer less than a week away, it’s been one of the coldest springs recorded in many parts of the region. While Spokane experienced its seventh-coldest April, other locations, including…… Continue Reading

Inslee contracts COVID-19 as Washington health officials again encourage masking indoors

<p><p>OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has tested positive for COVID-19, the governor’s office said  Wednesday.</p></p><p><p>“I am experiencing very mild symptoms and am most glad I’m vaccinated and boosted,” Inslee said in a news release. “I hope others consider getting their booster because it’s very effective in preventing serious illness.”</p></p><p><p>Inslee is fully vaccinated and received two…… Continue Reading

Twitter shareholders meet amid Elon Musk's takeover drama

<p><p>Twitter’s regularly scheduled shareholder meeting Wednesday didn’t include a vote on Tesla billionaire Elon Musk’s $44 billion bid for the social platform. But the prospects of the buyout and the drama that’s surrounded it seemed to be on participants’ minds anyway.</p></p><p><p>CEO Parag Agrawal said at the outset that executives won’t be answering any questions surrounding…… Continue Reading

EXPLAINER: How cities in the West have water amid drought

<p><p>As drought and climate change tighten their grip on the American West, the sight of fountains, swimming pools, gardens and golf courses in cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Albuquerque can be jarring at first glance.</p></p><p><p>Western water experts, however, say they aren’t necessarily cause for concern. Over the past…… Continue Reading

California man sentenced for kidnapping Idaho girl

<p><p>Associated Press</p></p><p><p>BOISE – A California man convicted of kidnapping an 11-year-old Idaho girl could be released from prison after five to seven months if he successfully completes a treatment program.</p></p><p><p>Third District Judge Randall Grove on Tuesday sentenced Brian Sangjoon Lee to up to 10 years in prison but retained jurisdiction and said Sangjoon could be…… Continue Reading

Texas gunman warned online he was going to shoot up school

<p><p>UVALDE, Texas — The gunman who massacred 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas had warned on social media minutes before the attack that he had shot his grandmother and going to shoot up a school, the governor said Wednesday.</p></p><p><p>Salvador Ramos, 18, used an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle in the bloodbath Tuesday…… Continue Reading