Bloglander

NEWS
Spokane-area schools are facing a shortage of available substitute teachers, as are many districts across the nation, and filling in those gaps has proved challenging. (Spokesman-Review) Also, in case you haven’t read it, here is the Inlander’s recent cover story on the craziness of all the standardized testing.

A new Spokane Regional Health District report found that 5,000 people are homeless in Spokane County at any given time, a number five times higher than previously found. The numbers are larger because the study included more than just the chronically homeless, also including people who are crashing on couches, living in cars and staying in shelters. (KXLY)

Russia may not be allowed to compete at the Rio Olympic Games next year thanks to a doping scandal. This all revolves around accusations that money was exchanged to hide Russian athlete’s medical tests that showed they used performance enhancing drugs. (Reuters)

Trying to make up for another cheating scandal is Volkswagen, which plans to offer a $500 gift card and another $500 in credit to be used for service or products at a VW dealer to those affected by faulty diesel emissions. (LA Times)

FOOTBALL
The Seahawks thankfully had a bye week, but the Seattle Sounders did have to play Dallas in Dallas, losing their playoff game in penalty kicks. Painful stuff and they are now done for the season. Meanwhile, Washington State University’s football team continues to win, and are now guaranteed a Bowl spot. Over at the University of Missouri, football players and students have protested racist incidents on the campus. The school’s president resigned this morning.

FILM
Spectre, the latest James Bond film, took the No. 1 Box Office spot this weekend and The Peanuts Movie didn't do bad, either. 

SNL
Donald Trump hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend, and it helped garner some of the highest ratings the live show has seen in years.