Good morning, Spokane.

Two fires started by children 11 or younger occurred in Spokane over the past two days, with one incident on Allen Place when a 10-year-old accidentally set a mattress on fire in his home and another on Rowan Avenue following an 11-year-old's fatal house fire—prompting Spokane Fire to warn parents to secure fire-starting tools and watch for signs of unsafe fire play.

Co-owners Jonathan and Aaron said on Tuesday afternoon that Downriver Grill—an establishment on Northwest Boulevard that opened in 2003—is up for sale and will have its final day of service on Saturday, December 20th.

They added that the sale applies only to Downriver Grill and that their other restaurants will continue operating.

Verizon said it will cut about 165 jobs in Washington as part of a restructuring plan starting January 23.

The layoffs will affect 11 workers in Spokane, 3 in Kennewick and 1 in Yakima and the job cuts are permanent.

Spokane Police confirmed that the investigation into Giving Back Spokane founder Rick Clark is closed and no charges will be filed—Clark stated on Facebook that donor funds were used only to help those in need.

Several Spokane schools near Empire Ave and Cook St went into secure and teach on November 25 at 8:20 a.m. after police responded to reports that someone presented a gun during an argument, and officials later lifted the security measures with no injuries—police are still searching for a suspect.

Gonzaga faculty are adding AI lessons to the core curriculum so students learn how it works and think critically, while also building a tool called ZagAI to give feedback on writing — experts from the Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology are helping teachers and students use AI responsibly. This effort supports the school’s Jesuit values and its commitment to a humanistic education.

Gonzaga’s Climate Institute is helping Spokane prepare for extreme heat and wildfire smoke by training students who taught over 1,700 children and hosting lectures that reached 2,400 local guests—while also drafting community resilience plans with local partners.

The Institute, formed after a deadly 2021 heat dome, faces court challenges over a $19.9M grant as it works to protect the community from future climate hazards.

Residents were invited yesterday to take a short survey that will help update Spokane’s Water Conservation Master Plan—setting water-saving goals for the next five years and building on past water system improvements.

Spokane Valley is considering an adjustment to its homeless outreach contract with Frontier Behavioral Health to add a pet boarding program — the plan would offer free boarding for 14 days for those entering treatment and then charge a fee, addressing concerns from about 25% of homeless people who worry about pet care while getting help; the program is expected to cost around $20,000 annually.

Residents in Spokane Valley gathered at City Hall Tuesday evening to respond to Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger's Facebook post where she called herself a 'proud Islamophobe'—sparking a rally of neighbors, advocacy groups, and Muslim residents calling for clear community values.

City leaders condemned the comments and stressed the need for unity as discussions on potential council actions continue.

WSU coach Jimmy Rogers said the team will try to fix its stalled offense in Saturday’s game against Oregon State to earn bowl eligibility—he noted that offensive coordinator Danny Freund is testing new plays during practice to support a more balanced attack.

Gabriel Rutledge Comedy Show

7-8:30 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughs with acclaimed comedian Gabriel Rutledge.

Japanese Winter Painting Class

6:30 - 8:30 PM — Pinot's Palette — $34 - $46 — Embrace the Zen moment with a soothing painting experience while enjoying a drink.

The Nutcracker Ballet

7:30 p.m. — The Fox Theater — Ticket information available — Experience Spokane's beloved holiday tradition with live music and over 90 local dancers.

Comedy Night with Paula Poundstone

7:30-9 p.m. — Bing Crosby Theater — Tickets available — Experience the legendary humor of Paula Poundstone live on stage.

The Nutcracker

3:00 – 4:30 PM — The Fox Theater — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky's timeless score brought to life by local dancers in a festive holiday tradition.

The Nutcracker

3:00 – 4:30 PM — The Fox Theater — Cost Info — Experience Spokane’s cherished holiday ballet with local dancers and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music.

Accounting Assistance

5-6 p.m. — Latinos En Spokane — Free service — First-come, first-served accounting help for individuals, families, or businesses.

Charlie Berens: The Lost and Found Tour

7-8:30 p.m. — The Fox Theater — Tickets available — Experience the humor of Emmy-winning journalist and comedian Charlie Berens, creator of The Manitowoc Minute.

Adam Ray Comedy Show

7-10 p.m. — Spokane Comedy Club — Tickets vary at the door — Enjoy a night of laughter with seasoned comedian Adam Ray's dynamic performance.

Youth Self-Care Summit 2025

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — The Hive, Spokane Public Library — Free — Engage in self-care workshops and enjoy a keynote while making connections with peers.