Good morning, Spokane Valley.

The Armed Forces Torchlight Parade — part of Spokane’s Lilac Festival — will take place on Saturday, May 16 at 7:45 p.m. downtown and feature bands, military units, community groups and special guests, with a route that is 50% shorter because of cost and security considerations.

Spokane Public Schools will demolish Adams Elementary—the 100-year-old facility with outdated systems—to build a modern school that meets ADA standards.

Demolition is scheduled to begin in February with new construction starting in March and finishing by fall 2027 for students now at Jefferson Elementary.

After a six-month search, the East Valley School District board selected four finalists for the upcoming superintendent role following current superintendent Brian Talbott’s announced retirement; the board will hold additional interviews and choose a new leader by Jan.

28.

A privately led task force of community members and local experts began meeting in October to draft recommendations for better behavioral health care and justice processes.

They will split into four subcommittees and offer draft options to elected officials by May.

Lawmakers in Olympia will discuss Senate Bill 6094 today to fund pediatric recovery centers including Maddie’s Place in Spokane; if passed, Medicaid coverage will come by 2027 while a pilot uses opioid settlement funds—testimony is set for Friday morning.

Ferris High School grad Colleen Melody was sworn in Wednesday as the state's 100th justice on Washington Supreme Court.

The Spokane native, who led a Civil Rights Division in the Attorney General's office, promised to serve with fairness + respect for the rule of law.

Lawmakers in Olympia are discussing Senate Bill 6094 to fund pediatric recovery centers (including Maddie's Place in Spokane) with CEO Shaun Cross set to testify on Friday morning.

If passed, Medicaid will cover the care by 2027 with interim support from opioid settlement funds.

Spokane hospitals require staff to wear masks as they manage an active flu season today.

Pediatrician Sarah d’Hulst says the flu shows common symptoms & residents should get a flu shot to protect themselves.

Alan Liere’s report notes that guides at Silver Bow Fly Shop say Spokane River flows have dropped to under 10,000 cfs and will continue falling this week, urging anglers to use winter tactics—such as nymph rigs and streamers—to fish local spots including North Fork Coeur d’Alene River and Rocky Ford.

Lauren Whittaker of Gonzaga has been named to the Mid-Major Player of the Year watch list as the only freshman on it.

She leads the West Coast Conference in scoring and rebounding while breaking fresh record numbers for team success.

Eastern Washington University will host Portland State at 6 p.m. today at Reese Court in Cheney.

The Eagles, missing key player Emmett Marquardt, hope his return + a strong lineup will help counter the high-scoring Vikings.

No. 8 Gonzaga cruised to an 84-60 win over Pepperdine while missing top offensive players, extending its 51-game win streak.

The team will host San Francisco on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. as it continues its strong conference run.