Good morning, Spokane Valley.

Staff from the Airway Heights Corrections Center donated 117 toys to the Spokane Toys for Tots campaign on Thursday, Jan.

8, managed by local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve volunteers to help children receive new, unwrapped toys.

Downtown Spokane hosts a live draw-off competition today at Parkade Plaza during First Friday.

Painters will showcase their creative process over a two-hour event for local community support.

On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that Head Start programs can keep diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and retain staff, a decision applauded by Spokane Colleges which supports local services for children.

The ruling comes as providers face grant delays and staffing shortages.

Spokane Colleges received a $10,000 grant from the Avista Foundation on Thursday, Jan.

8 to develop Indigenous Healing Environments Across Lifeways Centers at Spokane Falls Community College and the Inchelium campus of Spokane Community College. The centers will connect learners with traditional Indigenous practices + promote sustainable stewardship.

A report from the Department of Ecology revealed data entry errors that overestimated CO2 reductions by 7.5 million metric tons from Climate Commitment Act funds.

The agency will update the report in January to correct the figures to 78,000 tons.

Animal shelters in Spokane Valley remain closed after outbreaks, and officials say they will reopen when health guidelines are met + experts continue monitoring conditions to ensure safety.

Although Spokane’s flu numbers are lower than the national spike, experts suspect the new Subclade K strain is circulating and could lead to more hospitalizations this season.

Health officials recommend getting vaccinated now to be fully protected before flu cases increase from holiday events and school sessions.

Santa Clara and Zags both won 4-0 in their West Coast Conference games as their wins this week boosted team morale—local sports fans look forward to more exciting play.