Spokane County

In Spokane, a suspected arsonist has been arrested and had his first hearing. Thousands are evacuated out of their homes. Many have lost everything they've worked their entire lives for.

In Spokane, around 60,000 people have been evacuated — fleeing several fires. But they're not the only ones. Animals have also had to leave their homes.

(Runtime :58) Washington state agriculture officials are trying to stop the spread of a deadly variant of equine herpes that’s in Spokane County. The…

(Runtime 0:59) A fatal disease for deer has been confirmed in Washington state. This first confirmed deer with chronic wasting disease was found dead in…

By: Rebecca White / Spokane Public RadioUpdate: Interstate 90 has re-opened. Washington State Department of Transportation officials say crews have…

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday said all of the state’s counties will remain in their current phase of the state’s economic reopening plan and won’t face more restrictions because new COVID cases are levelling off after a recent spike.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to soon roll back the economic reopening of more counties because of rising coronavirus cases. Reverting to Phase 2 would force businesses, museums and churches to reduce indoor capacity.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday that counties now must fail in two metrics to be moved back a phase in their reopening. The governor says the state won't act unless counties have both a high hospitalization and case rate.

Lori Freeman calls the loss of top public health officers across the country “steady and alarming.” Freeman heads the National Association of County and City Health Officials. More than 70 have been fired, left or plan to leave their posts since the pandemic began in the U.S. In fact, so many are leaving, she’s keeping a spreadsheet.

The Spokane County health board has fired Health Officer Bob Lutz, the man who has been the face of the county’s battle against the coronavirus since March. The eight-to-four vote came after a four-hour proceeding, during which Adminstrative Officer Amelia Clark listed a detailed list of actions that she says warranted Lutz’s removal.