Good morning, Spokane Valley.

On Christmas Day the Arbanas family's dog Honey needed an emergency C-section that they could not afford; a Nextdoor alert brought swift help from local mobile veterinarian Dr. Clark—who performed the surgery at a fraction of the normal cost—saving Honey even though her puppies did not survive.

Spokane's annual Lilac Parade route for the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade in May was cut short to Riverside by a city decision made to lower event costs + organizers worry fewer viewing spots may affect crowd safety.

Community members celebrated the Vietnamese Lunar New Year at Shadle Park Library on Saturday, Jan.

24. The event — beginning with prayers, national anthems and ancestral tribute — featured a lion dance, a good luck money exchange for children and a buffet to honor the Year of the Horse.

On Friday, the Color of Justice event at the Spokane County Courthouse brought dozens of students together to connect with legal professionals + inspirational mentors.

Attendees left with fresh insights and encouragement to explore law-related careers.

Gonzaga and Whitworth presidents urge state lawmakers to support Senate Bill 5828, which would restore the full Washington College Grant as state budget cuts risk nearly halving aid for independent college students for the 2026–27 academic year (the funding is key to maintaining our local workforce).

A 10-year-old girl and her father were detained by immigration authorities in Spokane, despite having valid documentation and no criminal record — local officials and community advocates, including Mayor Lisa Brown, criticized the targeted enforcement as inconsistent with the focus on criminals.

Whitworth beat Pacific Lutheran by 76-65 on Saturday at Whitworth Fieldhouse, winning its sixth straight game by double digits; forward Stephen Behil scored 18 points and guard Kobe Parlin added 17 as the Pirates maintained their lead in conference play.

On Saturday, the Spokane Chiefs scored twice in the first three minutes but lost 5-2 to the Kamloops Blazers at the Arena as the visitors netted five straight goals, tightening their gap in the playoff race.

The game left the Chiefs focused on improving their defense in upcoming contests.

Today, No. 8 Gonzaga, missing Braden Huff and Graham Ike due to injury, will face San Francisco in Spokane as the Dons seek their first win in town since 1989 (Gonzaga leads with guard Ryan Beasley scoring 14.2 points per game).