On Tuesday, April 15, Spokane's daily newspaper, the Spokesman-Review, announced it will change its business model in the face of an uncertain media market. The Spokesman-Review's owners, the Cowles family, will donate the paper to the nonprofit Comma community journalism lab, which was started by the paper's executive editor, Rob Curley. In addition to transferring ownership, the paper's publisher, Stacey Cowles, has pledged to make a $2 million matching donation to the nonprofit, if it can raise $2 million on its own. So far, the Spokesman has reported it will maintain its six-day print publishing schedule and keep its current employees on at the same pay and benefits. "We believe a community should own its narrative, and the local newspaper must be created with and for its communities, especially in today's climate, that starts with putting power back into the hands of readers and citizens," Curley stated in the Spokesman's Tuesday story. As it stands, the nonprofit plans to take over the newspaper by midsummer if it has reached its fundraising goals. (COLTON RASANEN)
DUTY DEFERRED?
The Washington Department of Commerce has launched an online guide to address confusion created by tariffs being developed at the federal level. Washington's "Tariff Information and Resource Guide" includes updates about proposed tariffs, resources for minimizing tariff exposure, and explains how to engage with lawmakers. The guide highlights tariff mitigation options like the 11 foreign trade zones in Washington, including Spokane International Airport, which allow for duty deferral until goods go to U.S. consumption or the tariffs are potentially eliminated. State Commerce Director Joe Nguyn said in a press release that Washington businesses need all the help they can get navigating the obstacles coming from the federal government. "Washington is one of the most trade-exposed states, and our intent is that this guide will help businesses better understand and respond to the impacts of these tariffs," Nguyn said. "Responding to events such as this that have such a specific impact on day-to-day business is just one of the ways we are working to fulfill our mission." (VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)
SAVING MOTHERS
Idaho's abortion ban is one of the strictest in the nation. Its near total prohibition has a few exceptions, including if a mother is close to dying. A recent court decision seemed to loosen the restrictions: An Idaho judge ruled doctors may provide an abortion if the mother is likely to die sooner than she would without an abortion, even if her death may not be "imminent nor assured." Judge Jason D. Scott is a judge for Idaho's Fourth Judicial District, which covers Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. The case was filed in Ada County in September 2023 by four women, two physicians and the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians. The ruling provides for an abortion that protects the mother's life so long as "the risk of her death doesn't arise from a risk of self-harm, and the manner of pregnancy termination is the one that, without ... increasing the risk of her death, best facilitates the unborn child's survival outside the uterus, if feasible." (ELIZA BILLINGHAM)
EDITOR'S NOTE
In the April 10 column "The Urgency of Now," Gavin Cooley wrote, "the current city administration attempted to block our survey work altogether." City spokeswoman Erin Hut says that while the city of Spokane did connect with service providers who were concerned about the Spokane Business Alliance count of the homeless population, the administration did not direct any shelter not to participate in the survey. ♦
