Good morning, Spokane.

The City of Spokane is accepting grant applications from nonprofits, for-profits, and public agencies to boost local tourism and cultural programs.

Applicants can use funds from the lodging tax to support projects—such as events, festivals, or facility upgrades—and must apply by October 10 at 5 p.m.

The 89th annual Greek Festival starts today in Spokane and offers food like gyros, baklava, and pastitsio — along with tours of the 1932 church and cultural displays.

Organizers and longtime volunteers prepared for the festival and will donate part of the proceeds to Caritas Outreach Ministry.

Gonzaga University announced the Woodley Institute for Civil Engagement and Humanistic Dialogue—funded by alumni Tom and Nancy Woodley—to help students learn respectful speaking and listening, and to bring community partners together over the next 12 months.

Spokane County leaders met Wednesday at the Sheriff Training Center to plan installing water filtration systems for West Plains households facing PFAS contamination—officials stressed the meeting marks the first step in addressing the issue.

Local water filtration companies offered solutions—residents like Scott Mericle remain frustrated with the slow progress.

Boise's former mayor Dave Bieter is in Spokane to talk with Mayor Brown about tackling homelessness and open drug use—he said he was surprised by a new ordinance that makes it harder to issue citations and warned that stricter enforcement combined with the scattered site model could help address these street-level challenges.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department received a $5.5 million grant from the Community Wildfire Defense Grants Program to lower wildfire risk in the community — it will work with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and begin projects later this year or early next year.

East Valley Community Coalition will host Medication Take Back Day on October 25 from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. at Otis Orchards Library so residents can safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications that could lead to poisoning, overdose, or water contamination if improperly discarded.

Last week, Boulevard Race and First Interstate Bank donated $40,000—supported by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund Award—to the Anna Schindler Foundation in Spokane to build affordable family housing for pediatric cancer patients; the funds will support constructing four new Anna's Homes near Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.

The WIAA has passed a new rule that fines coaches $200 and school staff $500 when they are ejected from high school games—ejected individuals must also complete a sportsmanship course and serve an automatic one-game suspension.

The Seattle Storm is looking for a new coach after firing Noelle Quinn and is reviewing a list of candidates including Briann January—a Spokane native who had a long WNBA career.

The team is gathering its candidate pool and will schedule interviews to decide on a replacement soon.

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'.

Stand-Up Comedy with John Caparulo

7-8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Tickets from $22 — Experience a night of laughs with comedian John Caparulo, known for his appearances on Chelsea Lately and The Tonight Show.

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.

EXIN BCS Artificial Intelligence Essentials Training

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Regus - Spokane Washington Trust — Cost info not provided — Dive deep into the essentials of Artificial Intelligence with this one-day training course.

VS Code Dev Days - Spokane

1-4 p.m. — IntelliTect — Free entry — Hands-on workshops to enhance coding skills using VS Code and GitHub Copilot.

Will Evans Live Concert

7:00-9:30 p.m. — Knitting Factory — Tickets available — Experience a unique fusion of folk and roots music with Will Evans and his eclectic performance style.

Demetri Martin Live

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Bing Crosby Theater — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughter with acclaimed standup comedian Demetri Martin.

Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Lexington SC Women's Soccer Match

6-9 p.m. — One Spokane Stadium — Tickets starting at $148 — Watch an exciting women's soccer match featuring local talent.

Spokane Symphony: Masterworks 2 - Landscapes

3-4:30 p.m. — The Fox Theater — Ticket info available — Experience a musical journey through iconic landscapes with timeless works by Debussy, Rautavaara, and Grieg.

Rachel Bradley: Beauty for Ashes

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Experience heartfelt laughter and storytelling from one of comedy's most original voices.