Good morning, Spokane.

On August 2, families in Spokane can pick up free backpacks filled with school supplies at the corner of East Mission Avenue and North Hamilton Street between 10 a.m. and noon — children must be present with an adult as only one backpack per student will be given — and Cellular Plus will also accept donations while offering a chance to win a Verizon Gizmo Watch 3.

Every other month, members of West Valley High School Class of '55 meet for lunch at Darcy's Restaurant in Spokane Valley to share memories of their original school and keep lifelong bonds strong.

The group began with four people in 2016—now meeting regularly and honoring a shared past—and plans to continue these gatherings.

Spokane Valley Ladder 8 visited the Children's Montessori Center and taught children about fire safety and the role of firefighters by showing equipment (including helmets and gas masks) that helps protect lives.

The visit brought smiles to both the children and the firefighters.

New documents were released after Kohberger was sentenced to life & local officials said the materials may help clarify details of the case.

Families will attend the SNAP Resource Carnival at Mission Park on East Mission where they can enjoy free food, face painting, games and vital back-to-school supplies.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 2 (all activities are offered at no cost).

Firefighters planned a controlled burn on Thursday near the Lake Spokane wildfire to remove unburned fuel from rugged terrain and create safer control options—fire officials said the burn would not proceed if weather was unfavorable.

InciWeb showed that 2,400 acres had burned with 16% containment.

A June report from the Spokane Association of Realtors shows housing inventory increased by 14% while the average home cost remains near $436K, leaving some buyers unable to afford a home.

On Thursday, the Washington Senate Housing Committee met in Olympia and heard updates on Civic Commons’ Scalable Starter Home Production Plan — a project that aims to build smaller, affordable homes designed for local communities, with Senator Jessica Bateman calling the plan actionable.

PURA is recalling over 850,000 of its 4 Smart Home Fragrance Diffusers because magnets in the detachable covers may come loose—a risk for young children if swallowed.

Buyers of the products sold from August 2023 to May 2025 should remove the cover immediately and get a free replacement.

Spokane summer nights offer endless adventure with daylight lasting past 9 PM and options to float on the Spokane River, swim in local lakes, or hike nearby trails.

Community events like Hoopfest, night markets, and outdoor concerts add to the vibrant local culture—bringing together residents and visitors for a range of summer activities.

Shayne Smith in Spokane

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — $25/$35 — Enjoy an evening of laughs with comedian Shayne Smith and his unique storytelling style.

Alison Krauss & Union Station with Jerry Douglas and Willie Watson

7:30-9 p.m. — Northern Quest Resort & Casino — Check website for price — Experience the enchanting sounds of Alison Krauss and her band in a scenic venue.

EXIN BCS Machine Learning Award Training

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Regus - Spokane- Washington Trust — Certification course — Dive deep into Artificial Intelligence Essentials and explore its future in technology.

Jared Freid Stand-Up Comedy Show

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Tickets $27/$37 — Enjoy a night of laughter with comedian Jared Freid, known for his relatable humor on dating and relationships.

Spokane Scottish Highland Games

2-10:30 a.m. — Spokane County Fair & Expo Center — $10 entry — Celebrate Scottish culture with massed bands, pipe exhibitions, and highland dancing.

Taj Mahal Live Concert

7:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Bing Crosby Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary Taj Mahal as he transcends blues traditions with his unique sound.

Northeast Youth Center's Annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

9 AM – 3 PM — Northeast Youth Center — Donations welcome — Refreshing lemonade served by local kids to fund fun activities.

G. Love & Special Sauce Live

9 PM — The District Bar — VIP options available — Experience an exclusive acoustic performance with early entry and Q&A with G. Love.

Giovannie and The Hired Guns Live Performance

7:00-8:30 p.m. — The District Bar — 21 and up — Enjoy an energetic live performance by Giovannie and The Hired Guns at a local favorite bar.

Dave & Buster's Spokane Grand Opening

9:15 a.m. — Dave & Buster's Spokane — Free entry — Celebrate the grand opening with games, food, and a festive ribbon cutting ceremony.