Tim Clouser

2 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – Coming after one of its own, the Spokane Valley City Council rejected a settlement proposal from Councilmember Al Merkel on Tuesday after the council sued over his social media posts. The council voted to sue Merkel on Feb. 4 after his peers alleged that he was using a personal Nextdoor account to discuss city business. Council members say it prevents staff from archiving his posts, opening the door to other lawsuits amid dozens of records requests from the media and others.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – Building her legacy, former U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., launched a leadership institute on Tuesday, planning “to inspire a rebirth of freedom and faith.”McMorris Rodgers recently retired from Congress after spending two decades in office and says it's time for people to believe in American leadership again. She thinks a lack of trust is fueling division across the West and wants to unify the next generation of leaders before it’s too late.

3 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – Spokane County Commissioner Al French said on Tuesday that his peers should consider clarifying their stance on federal immigration enforcement due to recent events. Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” online, including 35 states and the District of Columbia. Washington was one, with 36 of its 39 counties listed, with the addition of the cities of Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma and Yakima.

4 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – The Spokane Fire Department is anticipating budget challenges ahead of 2026 that could impact service levels, with overtime costs currently 24% higher than last year. Fire Chief Julie O’Berg told the Spokane City Council on Monday that her department may have as many as 20 vacancies by the end of the week. SFD has averaged eight to 15 every week this year, but she said it’s now rising due to a shallow relief pool after canceling the 2024 academy.

5 days ago | thecentersquare.com | Tim Clouser

(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council is considering banning virtual currency kiosks amid a rise in scams that cost Washington state more than $141 million in 2023 alone. According to Coinme and Coin ATM Radar, there are around 70 kiosks located around Spokane County, with roughly 50 inside city limits. Last December, the council asked the state to adopt daily transaction limits and fee guidelines, but the Legislature didn’t get around to it this year.