Failure to Thrive: After brutal legal blow leaves Thrive International with millions in debt, refugee nonprofit makes last-ditch move to save organization and homes.

Spokane and the Mystery of the Rising Jail Costs: A RANGE casefile Spokane jail’s bill keeps growing and growing and growing — RANGE investigates why

Spokane's bills for jailing inmates in Spokane County’s facilities spiked from $4.2 million in 2021 to a projected total of over $9 million in 2025. But no one at the city could answer the question: "Why?"

Reporter Daniel Walters investigates why the city's jail bill keeps growing:

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Judge to hear motion of dismissal in Spokane 9 federal conspiracy case ‘Time-worn and protected methods of civil disobedience,’ or violent federal conspiracy? Federal judge could dismiss charges against the Spokane 9 next week as May trial date approaches.

‘Time-worn and protected methods of civil disobedience,’ or violent federal conspiracy? Federal judge to hear motion to dismiss charges against the Spokane 9 next week in advance of May trial date:

Sister of sheriff shooting victim sues county, deputies Dawn Hegel has been trying to learn the truth about her brother Donald’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputies in 2024.

Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies killed Dawn Hegel’s brother Donald two years ago. Now, she’s suing for damages.

Crypto kiosk ban on the table in SpoVal CIVICS: Plus, the County Planning Commish weighing amendment to natural areas policy and … yesterday was Easter, so not much else!

CIVICS: Crypto kiosk ban on the table in SpoVal. Plus, the County Planning Commish weighing amendment to natural areas policy and … yesterday was Easter, so not much else!

Perhaps they have since moved it, but that was the listed location for the first wave of Flock camera installations when SCSO contracted with the company.

Flock investigation – RANGE Media Nearly 100 surveillance cameras from the technology company Flock Safety watch major roads across Spokane County, capturing photos of every single vehicle that drives past and tracking the movements o...

For all our coverage on Flock cameras, what they do, how they work, who has access to them and how they're used, click here: www.rangemedia.co/flock/

(Note: the map does still show the Spokane County Sheriff's Office cameras, though those have been deactivated at least temporarily as of April 1 in response to new state legislation.)

Flock Cameras in Spokane County A Flourish data visualization by Erin Sellers

While the locations were kind of vague in some cases, we've added these cameras to our map of Flock cameras in the region:

a list of Deer Park's cameras with make, model, serial number and location

While Spokane County has turned off their Flock cameras, at least temporarily, our quest to map active Flock cameras in the region continues. Thanks to a public records request on MuckRock, we now know that Deer Park, WA has 14 Flock cameras, at least as of early 2025.

New reporting shows first confirmed cases in Eastern Washington where Department of Licensing and Washington State Patrol shared data with federal immigration agencies for civil enforcement, despite state laws prohibiting it.

Reporting from Range Media, with data analysis support from UWCHR.

This investigation was published in partnership with @uwchr.bsky.social, who provided data analysis and very detailed instructions on how to request the complex search logs required to prove CBP access. More on their research here:

WA DOL shared data with Border Patrol for Eastern WA civil immigration enforcement in apparent state violation Spokane father Arnoldo Tiul Caal, later found to have been unlawfully detained, had driver’s license data searched by Border Patrol days before his detainment.

WA DOL shared data with Border Patrol for Eastern WA civil immigration enforcement in apparent state violation. Spokane father Arnoldo Tiul Caal, later found to have been unlawfully detained, had driver’s license data searched by Border Patrol days before his detainment, records show:

Spokane County Sheriff will do security for FIFA CIVICS: Plus, Spokane city could send federal funds to affordable housing projects and Spokane Valley overdose deaths declined from last year.

CIVICS: Spokane County Sheriff will do security for FIFA. Plus, Spokane city could send federal funds to affordable housing projects and Spokane Valley overdose deaths on the decline from last year:

Your county needs you Spokane County’s volunteer boards and commissions help shape our community and there are 49 seats up for grabs.

There’s many ways to get involved in our community, but did you know you can apply to serve on various Spokane County volunteer commissions and boards? With 49 open seats, there might be one for you! Learn about some of the current openings and how to apply here:

Students Lead the Way Photo Essay: Local Spokane high school and university students come together to protest against ICE and ongoing concerns over immigration policies.

Organized largely by local high school students, the march was weeks in the making. Student organizers said planning began in early February, building on the success of a previous student walkout on January 13.

Trump policies hollow out local Haitian church TPS recipients are afraid to go outside, even to attend sermons. One local congregation is greeting empty seats with ‘an underground movement’ to keep its faith and community alive.

Haitian refugees have been in limbo since Donald Trump was elected to his 2nd term as president. Some, incl. many members of a local Haitian church, are staying home. Read how that church is grappling with the decline in membership and serving the folks who can't go outside.

$120,000 for Mujeres in Action to train cops CIVICS: Plus, PFAS clean-up updates, a jail cost audit and $$ for county bodycam footage.

CIVICS: Spokane City Council could approve $120,000 for Mujeres in Action to train cops on cultural competency and increase language access on DV and sexual assault calls. Plus, PFAS clean-up updates, a jail cost audit and $$ for county bodycam footage:

WA asylum seekers detained over questionable violations Recent court rulings show how ICE is citing missed immigration check-ins — often without evidence — to detain asylum seekers

ICE detained Wilfredo Castillo at what he thought was a routine appointment for his asylum case, saying he missed check-ins on an app.

He spent 11 months at a detention center, where he was stabbed.

Don't miss the latest from @rachelspacek.bsky.social

www.investigatewest.org/i-was-trying...

And even though we don't do sports coverage here at RANGE, we *do* do sports community. This year, we have a cute little March Madness bracket challenge that you can join (no monetary prizes, just bragging rights) at the link below with the passcode "range" : fantasy.espn.com/tc/...

John Stockton’s Not Dead Fake AI slop Facebook fan pages hock constant lies about Zags Basketball

We're headed into March Madness, and you know what that means: "Don’t let your heartstrings grab your brain cells," - especially when it comes to the sheer volume of AI slop folks are being fed on Facebook:

Seis años después, los síntomas de COVID persisten en muchos trabajadores agrícolas latinos en Washington “Sentía que la cabeza me iba a explotar y que me fallaban los pulmones,”

Ayer reproducimos un informe de Monica Carrillo-Casas, una becaria de Murrow, sobre los devastadores impactos del COVID prolongado en los trabajadores agrícolas latinos.

Léelo en español aquí:

Six years later, COVID symptoms linger for many Latino farmworkers in Washington ‘I felt like my head was about to explode’

Read it in English here:

Yesterday, we republished a piece from Murrow fellow Monica Carrillo-Casas on the devastating impacts of Long COVID in Latino workers. You can read the piece in both English and Spanish.

Mini CIVICS for the Tri-Counties Live in Pend Oreille, Stevens or Ferry County? Here’s when your local governments meet so you can know when and how to make your voice heard.

We created this special Tri-County edition of CIVICS as a standing resource for the important meetings that happen in Pend Oreille, Stevens and Ferry counties to give you a general idea of how you can get involved in rural Washington!

Home Round 2 Developing a safe, inviting, financially resilient town is hard work. The Strongest Town Contest recognizes the work being done.

And unrelated to CIVICS, Spokane moved on to the next round of the Strongest Town competition. You can vote to advance it to the next round at

Urbanism and affordable housing at Spokane City Council CIVICS: Plus, a potential aquifer protection ballot measure and battery storage debate.

CIVICS: Spokane City Council is taking a look at a spread of affordable housing legislation tonight, including approving a tax exemption to turn a parking lot into housing. Plus, in the county, a potential aquifer protection ballot measure and battery storage debate:

Matt Shea resurrects bogeymen with anti-Muslim, communist rhetoric - FāVS News Former Spokane Valley Rep. Matt Shea, once ousted over extremism claims, is touring the U.S. with allies of Michael Flynn pushing anti-Muslim messages.

In partnership with FāVS News