Washington state's emissions rising, federal judges rule on Trump's policies, and other headlines

ON INLANDER.COM

SPORTS: Gonzaga's basketball team has some exceptional players — to the detriment of its competitors in the West Coast Conference. Tuck Clarry breaks it down.

NEWS: In another blow to the Trump administration, a federal judge granted a request from more than a dozen states to temporarily stop the federal government from implementing new regulations that would make it easier for employers to deny women insurance coverage for contraceptives. (New York Times)

IN OTHER NEWS...

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Trending up
The latest tally of Washington state's greenhouse gas emissions shows an upward trajectory. Between 2012 and 2015, emissions spiked about 6.1 percent, partially due to the robust economy and fossil-fuel-generated electricity, according to a new state Department of Ecology report. The findings stand in contrast to a law passed a decade ago that called for reducing state emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.  (Seattle Times)

Confirming Barr
The U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for William Barr, President Donald Trump's pick for new attorney general, is ongoing today. Known in part for his expansive view of executive power, Barr already told senators that special counsel Robert Mueller should be allowed to continue his investigation into possible collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia unimpeded. (New York Times)

Going to the Supreme Court
A federal judge ruled this morning that the Trump administration must suspend its plan to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census until it can amend its "legal defects." (Opponents of the plan argue that it will lower response rates in immigrant communities and make the Census less accurate.) The Trump administration is likely to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Washington Post)

Fighting flames with taxes
The Spokane Valley Fire Department wants voters to pass a $113 million property tax levy to help pay for firefighter salaries, new fire engines and the construction of new buildings. The proposed tax will appear on the Feb. 12 special election ballot. (Spokesman-Review)

Building for sport
The Spokane City Council voted 6-1 last night to spend $2.2 million on a piece of property on the north side of the Spokane River in order to develop a $42 million Sportsplex. (Spokesman-Review)