Good morning, Spokane.

Virginia-based Mercy Chefs began distributing nutritious meals to nearly 1,000 fire victims at Lakeside High School two days ago and will support residents and first responders with ongoing meal services at Nine Mile Falls Elementary until week’s end.

VFW Post 51 has become a community relief center by collecting and distributing donated supplies for wildfire survivors, even as many of its own members lost homes during wildfires.

The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for donations and support.

Spokesman-Review staff earned multiple awards in the 2026 Pacific NW Publishing Contest today, with Alexandra Duggan receiving best overall enterprise reporting and other reporters, including Chris Soprych and Emry Dinman, recognized for their work.

The contest is open to newspapers in Idaho, Washington & Oregon.

Spokane native Kelsey Cook will debut her third comedy special Happy Hour on Netflix Tuesday, Aug.

18. The special, filmed at Fitzgerald Theater (Twin Cities), features local humor and playful digs at Spokane while Cook promotes the show in New York City.

Three Spokane Public Schools (Indian Trail Elementary, Pauline Flett Middle School, and Woodridge Elementary) have been cleared for staff return on Monday, Aug.

17 after independent tests rated indoor air as good to moderate despite unhealthy outdoor conditions. Custodians will continue cleaning until Friday, Aug. 21.

Local gardeners following recent fires should gently wash ash off produce and plants—experts advise against using leaf blowers that stir up harmful particles.

Residents are reminded to wear an N95 mask while working and add compost to help restore soil health.

Spokane firefighters increased containment of the Autumn Lane + Old Trails + Fairview fires to 97 percent today; crews continue their work to fully control the blazes.

Families affected by wildfires are facing challenges with complex insurance claims as they begin to rebuild their homes in Spokane (the Office of Insurance Commissioner helps clarify policy benefits and anticipates potential rate hikes).

After the Spokane Complex fires, local public health experts are advising homeowners on safe cleanup and testing while launching a new initiative — the Spokane Wildfire Academic Consortium — to partner with local universities for improved emergency readiness.

EWU will hold its 'Red Turf Takeover' scrimmage downtown at ONE Spokane Stadium starting at 6 p.m. today (after a long preseason road trip), marking a key local sports event as the team prepares for its season.