Sherman Alexie responds to claims of harassment, Trump wants the guns first, due process later and morning headlines

ON INLANDER.COM

Whose kid is this?
Spokane parents lost their son to friends they once trusted. As the dust has settled a little from the drawn out court battle, the boy approaches adulthood, and the possibility that he'll be reunited with his biological parents is uncertain.

No official finding
SFCC acting president, Darren Pitcher, resigned in the middle of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. Now that Pitcher is gone, that investigation is "suspended," a spokeswoman says.

First Friday
This month's arts showcase is packed with group shows.

IN OTHER NEWS

Author faces harassment allegations, few specifics yet
Sherman Alexie, the revered and highly acclaimed Native American author, has publicly acknowledged anonymous accusations of harassment that began simmering on Twitter and in comment threads less than a week ago. Alexie, who is married, has acknowledged a sexual relationship with a woman that ended in 2015, yet accusations of harassment are still somewhat vague.

The fallout has been swift. The Institute of American Indian Arts has removed his name from a scholarship to its MFA program. The American Library Association, which awarded Alexie the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, is reportedly "evaluating our next steps as more information becomes available."

"There are women telling the truth about my behavior, and I have no recollection of physically or verbally threatening anybody or their careers," Alexie said in a statement provided to the Seattle Times. "That would be completely out of my character. I have made poor decisions, and I am working hard to become a healthier man who makes healthier decisions." (Seattle Times)

CdA cop-in-training will recover from gut shot
The Coeur d'Alene Police trainee who was shot by a man wanted on a felony warrant is expected to make a full recovery. Officer Charles Hatley was shot in the stomach by Curtis Ware, who was awaiting sentencing on a drug charge. Ware was killed when officers returned fire. (Coeur d'Alene Press)

'Take the guns first. Go through due process second'...
President Donald Trump said as he called for sweeping gun safety legislation that is "strong on background checks" and that previously has been opposed by the NRA and his own party. (New York Times)

Baumgartner announces treasurer run
Sen. Michael Baumgartner intends to run for Spokane County treasurer. Current treasurer Rob Chase will not seek re-election. (Spokesman-Review)