Good morning, this is your Spokane Local Frequency for Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Rain or shine, tens of thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Spokane today for the annual Lilac Festival. It's one of the city's most cherished traditions, so be sure to stake out your spot early if you're planning to attend.
In local political news, hunting advocates have filed a petition for the removal of four Washington Fish and Wildlife commissioners. This development comes amid ongoing debates about wildlife management policies in our region.
Some disappointing financial news for Spokane as the Trump administration has canceled a $20 million climate change grant that was awarded to Gonzaga University and the city last year. In a related move, the administration has also withdrawn $48 million from the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene aerospace "tech hub" initiative.
Sports fans, we have results from last night's WHL Championship game. The Medicine Hat Tigers defeated our Spokane Chiefs 4-2 to claim the title. Tough loss for our local team, but congratulations to them on a fantastic season.
In more somber news, Spokane police are investigating a shooting and stabbing incident that occurred yesterday at the Hart Terrace apartments on the South Hill. The tragedy has left two people dead. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 5 PM yesterday.
Also, three climbers have died after falling in Okanogan County, according to reports from KREM 2 News.
On the infrastructure front, Avista has announced plans to bury power lines near Mika Peak, which should help improve service reliability in that area.
City services update: yesterday was the final day to request a disposal pass through the City of Spokane, so if you missed that deadline, you'll need to make alternative arrangements.
Earlier this week, the Spokane City Council voted 5-2 to relocate the John R. Monaghan Monument from the city's public right-of-way.
For those traveling, be aware that there are several road projects underway across the city. Drivers are urged to plan for detours and alternate routes, particularly in high-traffic areas.
This has been Spokane Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
