Daily
Spokane
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
Good morning, Spokane. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Valleyfest celebrates its 36th year in Spokane Valley as events begin Friday with the Hearts of Gold parade and continue through Sunday with new attractions—such as a large pumpkin patch, a dunk tank featuring Councilman Al Merke, and a live-action Lilo & Stitch movie—alongside familiar fun runs, vendor booths, and music shows at key venues. Additional activities include a River Run on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and a fishing event for kids at Mirabeau Point Park. The Spokesman-Review
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Spokane Civic Theatre will open its 78th season with Legally Blonde this Friday and run through Oct. 12—Executive Director Jake Schaefer said the musical is one of the biggest productions in recent years with lively music and dynamic choreography. The Spokesman-Review
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Gonzaga began the 2025-2026 school year with 39 new professors — including one Fulbright and eight global scholars — who will teach subjects like science, math, and law. Interim Provost Mia Bertagnolli said the new hires bring skills that will help students learn and grow. Gonzaga University
- ➤ Gonzaga engineering students designed a low-cost wheelchair suspension system to reduce vibrations on rocky campus walkways — the summer research project led by Professor Brandon Sargent at the Biomechanical Design Lab will help manual wheelchair users move more smoothly. Gonzaga University
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Beetles are damaging trees in Spokane parks and on rights of way, and infected trees are being removed to stop the spread. City experts say the pest typically affects smaller trees but is now harming larger trees, prompting plans for an educational workshop in spring. City of Spokane
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Preston McCollam was unanimously chosen by the Spokane County Board of Commissioners as Acting Prosecuting Attorney to take over after Larry Haskell's resignation. He said transparency and accountability are his main goals as he works to improve an old courthouse—built in the early 1900s—and lead a team of 65 attorneys. KXLY
- ➤ Spokane voters will soon decide on Together Spokane— a $440 million joint initiative from Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks to fund over 200 projects. The proposal includes a $200 million bond for schools and a $240 million levy for parks that could add about $96 in annual property taxes for the average homeowner if approved. KXLY
- ➤ Washington and the Spokane Tribe of Indians signed a new memorandum of understanding today—Commerce said the agreement builds trust and respects tribal sovereignty. Representatives from both groups attended the signing, which marks Commerce’s 10th MOU with tribal governments. KHQ
- ➤ Neighbors near a South Hill intersection say a nearly $200K city traffic calming project has made the street more dangerous as children return to school—drivers now cut through the center of the redesigned intersection near Hamblen Elementary School. Residents insist a stop sign is needed for safer crossing—local observers note that the curb extensions did not slow speeding traffic. KXLY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Spokane County confirmed that Avista Stadium will be ready for the Indians' home opener on April 3 after a fire damaged the main concession stand and caused about $2 to $2.5 million in damage. The blaze was caused by an air conditioning failure—county partners and the team have agreed to complete repairs so baseball resumes on schedule. The Spokesman-Review
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Dave Attell Live
7-10 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Dave Attell and special guests.
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Dave Attell Stand-Up Comedy Show
7-10 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket price varies — Experience an evening of laughter with acclaimed comedian Dave Attell and special guests.
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Giselle Ballet
4:00 – 5:30 PM — First Interstate Center for the Arts — Ticket pricing varies — Experience the romantic ballet Giselle performed by the talented Grand Kyiv Ballet from Ukraine.
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Core Management Skills Workshop
9 AM – 5 PM — Regus - Spokane Washington Trust — Course Completion Certificate included — Enhance your management capabilities with effective tools and strategies.
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Ben Brainard Live Comedy Show
7:30 – 9:00 PM — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughs with comedian Ben Brainard's unique storytelling and humor.
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Stand-Up Comedy by Don McMillan
7:00–8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Experience engineering humor with graphs and charts from America's Got Talent finalist Don McMillan.
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Felipe Esparza Stand-Up Comedy Show
7-8:30 p.m. — Bing Crosby Theater — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Felipe Esparza, a highlight from 'Last Comic Standing'.
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Some Like It Hot
1:00 – 2:30 PM — First Interstate Center for the Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience a top theater pick in Spokane with a dazzling performance.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Have strong opinions, weakly held.
~ Marc Andreessen
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