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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. 'It looked like a war zone': Spokane residents return home after devastating wildfire (kclu.org) — Residents in Spokane are cautiously returning to neighborhoods burned by the Old Trails Fire, facing toxic debris, smoky air, and uncertainty about long-term safety. Local emergency officials are urging people to use protective gear, test their water, and understand lingering chemical risks as federal crews begin the slow cleanup. Survivors describe war‑zone conditions and question whether they can truly rebuild their lives here.
2. Christian universities pull together during Spokane wildfires (pres-outlook.org) — Wildfires in northern Spokane have damaged hundreds of homes, and Gonzaga and Whitworth universities are teaming up to house evacuees, run donation drives, and support displaced students and staff. Spokane residents, alumni, and churches are pouring in help, while officials say the blazes shouldn't delay the upcoming school year for either campus.
3. VA adds $17 billion, 3 years to Oracle Heath contract for troubled computer system tested in Spokane (bellinghamherald.com) — Spokane's Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, where the VA's troubled Oracle Health records system debuted in 2020, remains central as the agency adds $17 billion and three years to the contract. Federal officials say performance and outages have improved, but the expanded rollout and higher costs will directly shape how thousands of local and regional veterans receive care in coming years.
4. Applications open for Responsive Grants 2026 (fundsforngos.org) — Nonprofits serving women and children in Spokane County can now apply for Women Helping Women Fund's 2026 Responsive Grants, with applications due August 28. Eligible 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored groups can seek one‑year funding for community‑based programs that strengthen local families, as long as they primarily benefit Spokane County residents.
5. Goats proving to be effective weapon against region's wildfires (postregister.com) — Goats are being used on slopes near Spokane and in city parks like Minnehaha and Palisades to clear brush that can fuel wildfires near homes. Local landowners and agencies say targeted grazing can be cheaper than suppression, complement other tools like burns, and reduce fire risk across the broader Spokane region.
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Ok Spokane! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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