Good morning Spokane! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Rotary program: Moscow school district levy and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. More than half of Washington homeowners dropped by insurers in five years; Spokane County hit hard (929zzu.com) — Hundreds of Spokane County homeowners, especially in ZIP codes 99205, 99208 and 99207, have recently lost their insurance because companies see rising wildfire risk. State officials outline limited backup coverage, a wildfire-prepared home certification program, and a proposed grant fund to help Spokane residents harden homes and stay insurable despite increasingly severe fire seasons.
2. SREC warns of added costs, staffing as Spokane moves non-emergency calls to 311 (thecentersquare.com) — Spokane will start routing non-emergency police and fire calls through Spokane 311 on Oct. 27 as it builds its own emergency communications center, potentially changing how you report problems and get help. City officials say the move will improve control, staffing flexibility, and data security, while SREC warns about duplicated costs, complex technology links, and unclear long‑term impacts on what residents pay.
3. Spokane health centers step up as thousands lose Medicaid coverage (kxly920.com) — Spokane residents who recently lost Medicaid, including many Ukrainian refugees, can now turn to CHAS Health Center for low-cost primary care starting at $20 a visit. The Spokane-based clinic and Refugees and Immigrant Connections Spokane are helping people navigate new insurance options, financial aid, and immigration-related questions so they don't forgo critical medical care during this transition.
4. How Rob Curley's plan to make the Spokesman-Review 'The People's Paper' ended in a newsroom revolt (rangemedia.co) — Spokane's longtime daily newspaper, the Spokesman-Review, is embroiled in turmoil as its planned transfer to the nonprofit Comma Community Journalism Lab coincides with an internal investigation and union no-confidence vote against executive editor Rob Curley. Current and former staff describe ethical concerns, alleged retaliation, and worries about editorial independence just as the paper's ownership and future local control hang in the balance.
5. Spokane residents have mixed thoughts on state parental rights initiative (kxly920.com) — Spokane parents and advocates are split over Initiative 001, a statewide proposal that would expand how quickly and how much student health and counseling information schools must share with families. Supporters say it strengthens transparency and parental involvement, while critics working with abuse survivors fear vague language could endanger vulnerable students or discourage them from seeking help from trusted adults.
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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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
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