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AI slop is invading Spokane op-ed pages. RANGE tested over 1,00,000 locally published words using Pangram, the world's best AI detector, and found that half of the guest op-eds in the Spokesman are now heavily AI-written:

rangemedia.co

AI slop is invading Spokane op-ed pages

Half of the guest op-eds in the Spokesman are now heavily AI-written

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 28/09/2026

We got a little déjà vu in CIVICS this week because the Spokane City Council will also soon be considering a new 0.1% public safety sales tax. This is a separate tax from the one the Spokane County Commission is considering for county law enforcement costs.

rangemedia.co

Spokane city may join county in adding new law enforcement tax

The 0.1% sales tax would go toward a ‘Community Safety Campus’ and is separate from the one county commissioners are considering

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 25/09/2026

How many data center developers are eyeing Spokane? What resources might they impact? What are politics driving the conversation? We explain the most important dynamics of the local data center debate.

rangemedia.co

Spokane-area data center proposals, explained

The data center saga in Spokane County has grown into one of the biggest local stories over the last several months as developers court local officials. Here’s what you need to know.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 21/09/2026

Here's what's happening at municipal meetings this week: a possible new sales tax for county law enforcement, plus, Climate Commitment compliance could cost you about $3 a month with the new Waste-to-Energy plant fee proposal. Deets 👇

rangemedia.co

Possible new sales tax for county law enforcement

Plus, Climate Commitment compliance could cost you about $3 a month with the new Waste-to-Energy plant fee proposal.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 18/09/2026

Remember the slate of voter initiatives run by conservative PAC Let's Go WA back in 2024? Well, the only one that voters passed, the “Stop the Gas Ban” initiative, has just been overturned by the state Supreme Court. The initiative had passed narrowly by 51.7% of voters.

rangemedia.co

WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters

Justices, in a 6-3 decision, found Initiative 2066 unconstitutional because it dealt with multiple unrelated subjects

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 17/09/2026

Spokane School District's test scores continue to trail the county and state averages. But some local educators say that these proficiency scores don't tell the whole story about student progress. RANGE took a look at the data. Read more here:

rangemedia.co

Spokane educators say there's more to lagging test scores

State data shows Spokane students still trailing state and county averages. Some educators say proficiency scores miss the progress that kids in schools are making.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 16/09/2026

Prophecy, spiritual warfare and controversy: Zeal Church claims it is saving souls on the streets of downtown Spokane, but it kicked out a ministry that fed the unhoused and split with another that affirmed queer people. Who is this new church?

rangemedia.co

Prophecy, spiritual warfare and controversy

Zeal Church claims it is saving souls on the streets of downtown Spokane, but it kicked out a ministry that fed the unhoused and split with another that affirmed queer people. Who is this new church?

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 15/09/2026

Diana Alejandra Sanders bakes Colombian goods you can’t find anywhere else in Spokane, like roscones, fluffy bread rolls known as mojicones, and a sweet and savory cheesy bread called pan agridulce.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 14/09/2026

CIVICS: Public hearing alert: he first public hearing on data center regulations is on Tuesday and a work session will be on Thursday. Plus: transit riders on the STA board at long last?

rangemedia.co

Public hearing alert: It’s time to give your input on data centers

The first public hearing on data center regulations is on Tuesday and a work session will be on Thursday. Plus: transit riders on the STA board at long last?

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 11/09/2026

Last week, Washington's DNR recommended the Thorpe Natural Area for legislative funding — a win for conservation advocates. But some in Latah Valley say the area's key issues remain: tunnels too narrow for emergencies, a fire station that's just a converted house. Read here: thorpe.rangemedia.co

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 10/09/2026

Surprise! We’re livetweeting tonight, straight from the WA 5th Congressional District conversation and debate, hosted by The Spokesman Review and KSPS-PBS.

Photo of the debate stage set up. Three chairs against a brick wall

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 09/09/2026

In June, ACL Spokane collaborated with the National Geographic Photo Camp program to hold the first Spokane Photo Camp. This camp empowered youth to tell their stories through photography, and everyone involved expressed how meaningful it was for them.

rangemedia.co

Empowering youth through the lens of storytelling:

A Spokane photo camp taught more than just photography skills. It taught local youth what it means to tell their stories.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 09/09/2026

What Spokane bars (preferably downtown and able to accommodate 50-75 people) would you like to see us put on our PolitiCrawl route this year? :)

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 08/09/2026

Update: the Dillon amendment passed and the renter emergency protections is now getting sped up and voted on tomorrow!

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 08/09/2026

Renter emergency protections forever or only now? A look at the light Labor Day week for municipal meetings. Call it baby CIVICS:

rangemedia.co

Renter emergency protections forever or only now?

A light Labor Day week for municipal meetings.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 04/09/2026

NEW POD EPISODE! Erin Sellers spoke with fellow RANGE reporter Daisy Zavala Magaña. They talked about Daisy’s story on a statewide mask ban meant to stop ICE agents from wearing masks during immigration enforcement. Since then, arrests by masked ICE officers have increased.

rangemedia.co

The POD: The law that isn’t enforced

Despite a statewide mask ban, arrests by masked ICE officers have increased.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 04/09/2026

The Other Way People Are Losing Their Homes In The Fires: Tenant rights lawyer warns of impending eviction crisis as renters face long-term repercussions of the Spokane Complex fires.

rangemedia.co

The Other Way People Are Losing Their Homes In The Fires

Tenant rights lawyer warns of impending eviction crisis as renters face long-term repercussions of the Spokane Complex fires

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 03/09/2026

Approximately 50 local and regional artists will perform, including Jaeda, Fire From Ashes, Zack Pass, Skellee, Jones as GrandMixer GMS and more. A $20 ticket grants entry to both days and the fee for vendors to set up is $25.

rangemedia.co

Local artists partner with Spokane Tribe on music festival for fire victims

The two-day Spokane Strong Music Fest will feature 50 artists and funnel proceeds to disaster relief.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 02/09/2026

By the time Kendall Steinhardt and her husband evacuated their six children in three cars on August 1, the power transformers had already started blowing up in their Indian Trail neighborhood.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 31/08/2026

As always, even on a quiet week there's important business buried in municipal meeting agendas, like an extension on an ordinance that banned height limits on downtown buildings, and a $45,000 police contract with the company that secretly extracted protesters' phones. Read all about it 👇

rangemedia.co

The sky’s the limit for downtown buildings

Plus, a contract for police phone-hacking software will be an extra $45k, the county is facing a $30 million budget deficit and chronic nuisance properties better buckle up.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 29/08/2026

NEW POD EPISODE! Val Osier interviewed Daniel Walters about his recent stories from the 2026 Spokane GOP convention. They talked about what happened at the convention, Daniel’s experiences while sitting outside of it, and more. Listen here:

rangemedia.co

The POD: CONVENTIONal wisdom

Looking at the Spokane GOP convention through one RANGE reporter’s eyes

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 29/08/2026

In the last month and a half, hundreds of Spokane County residents have sent emails to lawmakers, attended public meetings, filed requests for public records and educated themselves about the impacts of large data centers. They’ve moved the needle, but will it be enough?

rangemedia.co

Spokane County residents mobilize as data centers eye region

Local people are behind a dramatic social media and public protest campaign demanding a halt on the facilities. Will it be enough to keep the county safe from potential harm?

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 28/08/2026

The Spokane GOP is deeply divided on whether the party is more unified than ever. At their yearly conference, party leadership went to war with their own candidates — and set the stage for future conflicts:

rangemedia.co

The Spokane GOP is deeply divided on whether the party is more unified than ever

Party leadership went to war with their own candidates — and set the stage for future conflicts.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 27/08/2026

We reported directly outside of the 2026 Spokane GOP convention because we didn’t want to pay $100 to the local Republican Party. Here's how Daniel Walters got the scoop anyways, with the help of party insiders, a long wildlife photography lens and one crucial venue weakness: windows.

rangemedia.co

We reported directly outside of the 2026 Spokane GOP convention because we didn’t want to pay $100

Never underestimate the stubborn frugality of a journalist

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 26/08/2026

Spokane arson suspect competent for trial, but evaluator flags ongoing violent thoughts. The report that declares Aaron Farinacci as legally competent also documents violent ideation, mental-health history and distrust of local court. This story can be read at the link below.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 26/08/2026

Since Washington’s mask ban took effect, people have continued to see masked ICE officers making arrests. For instance, an immigration advocate estimated that 20% of the arrests in the Yakima Valley — which have surged in the last couple of months — have been made by masked ICE officers.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 25/08/2026

Telehealth was supposed to simplify getting an abortion. UW researchers found a messier reality on the ground, affecting in-person reproductive care in states like Washington. Reporting from @meganburbank.bsky.social for us + @chum.news as the first co-published entry in our cross-state partnership:

rangemedia.co

Abortion pills forever?

Telehealth was supposed to simplify getting an abortion. UW researchers found a messier reality on the ground, affecting in-person reproductive care in states like Washington.

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Reposted by RANGE Media

Matt McIntosh @mmcntsh.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Big win! @chum.news punches way above its weight w local arts, politics, etc coverage. Excited to see what’s next with @rangemedia.co !

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Reposted by RANGE Media

CHUM News @chum.news · 24/08/2026

Telehealth was supposed to simplify getting an abortion. UW researchers found a messier reality on the ground, affecting in-person reproductive care in states like Washington. Reporting by @meganburbank.bsky.social for CHUM News and RANGE Media (@rangemedia.co): www.chum.news/telehealth-r...

chum.news

ABORTION PILLS FOREVER? — CHUM NEWS

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 24/08/2026

This week, Spokane City Council is working on cutting demolition fees, finalizing emergency renter protections and putting state funds and donations in the hands of the people impacted by the Spokane Complex Fire. Plus, the county host its first workshop on data center zoning regulations:

rangemedia.co

Wildfire recovery efforts continue at Spokane City Council

Cutting demolition fees, emergency renter protections and putting state funds and donations in the hands of the people impacted by the Spokane Complex Fire.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 22/08/2026

When Sakeleanna Adame filed the lawsuit against Spokane Valley, she said she had two goals, neither of them financial: make the intersection where her son died safer and create a memorial there for him.

rangemedia.co

Grieving mom settles for $3 million in ‘Bowdish Bump’ lawsuit — but still hopes for a memorial for her son

‘There's no amount of money in the world that can make me feel better about this.’

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 21/08/2026

NEW POD EPISODE! Reporter Aaron Hedge interviewed Brittany Anderson, a local activist who calls for governmental transparency about officials’ conversations with data center developers. Listen to the full conversation here:

rangemedia.co

The POD: Mobilizing for data center pause

A heated national issue has come to Spokane; this is what one activist is doing about it

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 21/08/2026

Wildfires swept through parts of Spokane County just days before the August primary, forcing thousands to evacuate. A RANGE analysis found turnout fell more in fire-affected areas compared to the 2022 primary, as voters faced disruptions to casting their ballots.

rangemedia.co

Election turnout fell in Spokane wildfire evacuation zones

A RANGE analysis found larger turnout declines in areas affected by wildfire evacuations than elsewhere in the county compared with the 2022 primary.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 19/08/2026

After weeks of relentless criticism from constituents accusing county officials of secrecy, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners reversed course on data center development Tuesday, unanimously approving a four-month pause on new permits for the centers:

rangemedia.co

Spokane County approves four-month data center pause

After public criticism, county commissioners unanimously approve a short moratorium on data center development.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 17/08/2026

County Commission wants to create zoning for data centers as constituents ask for a moratorium. Plus, Spokane City Council moves to address emergent needs for wildfire recovery in their first meeting back from a planned vacation. All the deets in our weekly CIVICS section:

rangemedia.co

County Commission wants to create zoning for data centers as constituents ask for a moratorium

Plus, Spokane City Council moves to address emergent needs for wildfire recovery

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 14/08/2026

NEW POD EPISODE! RANGE staff Aaron Hedge, Yong-Yu, and Pascal went on the air to talk about the Spokane Complex Fires, its impact on our communities, and other recent news. Listen to the full episode here:

rangemedia.co

The POD: The Spokane Complex Fires

A look at the Spokane Complex Fires through RANGE's reporting

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 13/08/2026

If you’ve been affected by the Spokane Complex Fires and you lost your ballot, voted before the fires began, or voted during the fires (including at the Elections Office), we want to hear from you. Reach out to Yong-Yu at yongyu@rangemedia.co or DM us on Instagram at: rangemedia4all

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 12/08/2026

After a newsroom altercation last Friday, the Spokesman-Review’s executive editor Rob Curley was put on administrative leave. On Monday, the union voted no confidence in Curley's leadership, according to a union statement released to RANGE after this article’s initial publication Tuesday evening.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 11/08/2026

Spokane firefighter Justin De Ruyter’s lungs still hurt. He has no idea how much toxic gas and carcinogens he absorbed in the span of a week. He has trouble sleeping. But on Sunday, he went to a pop-up clinic he hoped could help alleviate his symptoms — and maybe even reduce his cancer risk.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 11/08/2026

Spokane’s evacuation zones shrank on Sunday, allowing thousands to return home. But the city’s wildfire evacuees have spent the last week grappling with housing costs and a shortage of hotel rooms and Airbnb listings.

rangemedia.co

Spokane wildfire evacuees face housing crisis, high costs

Families displaced by the Spokane Complex fires describe a scramble for hotels and Airbnbs.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 10/08/2026

On Monday, the Spokane County Commissioners will get an update on the broader impacts of the Spokane Complex wildfires, including how property taxes will be assessed, limiting demolition fees and possible grant funding for repairs of fire-damaged homes.

rangemedia.co

County Commissioners to address taxes, fees and repair grants for fire victims

CIVICS: Plus, a new land use map just dropped.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 07/08/2026

Some are blaming the severity of the wildfires partly on parched lawns. But Spokane Fire Department spokesperson Justin De Ruyter said that's not true. In fact, there is a landscaping choice that makes a house dramatically more vulnerable to fire risks: arborvitae.

rangemedia.co

The landscaping that burns down neighborhoods

Your water-restricted lawn is fine, but some popular plants are fire bombs waiting to happen.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 06/08/2026

On August 3, the state insurance commissioner issued an emergency order temporarily barring insurers from canceling or not renewing property and auto policies across all Washington ZIP codes affected by wildfire damage or evacuation orders, through September 30.

rangemedia.co

Spokane area homeowners could lose insurance, adding insult to injury

A state emergency order has offered temporary relief, but data after past wildfires shows problems may follow — whether or not a home actually burns.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 05/08/2026

With the news that one of the fires in Spokane may have been caused by an arsonist, online pundits have slammed former Governor Inslee’s assertion that fires show danger of climate change.

rangemedia.co

If the Old Trails Fire was arson, climate change was its accomplice

Because of arson arrest, online pundits are mocking former Gov. Inslee's argument that fires show danger of climate change.

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 05/08/2026

Less than 3 hours to get your ballots in! Voting info here 👉 www.rangemedia.co/sp...

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 04/08/2026

This is your reminder to get your ballots in by 8 pm today! (Tuesday, Aug 4) Find all the info you need on candidates and how to cast your ballot here: www.rangemedia.co/sp...

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RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 04/08/2026

TIMES SENSITIVE UPDATE: This happens today at 10 am. www.rangemedia.co/wh...

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Reposted by RANGE Media

Jeff Berardelli @weatherprof.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The wildfires in the Pacific NW are incredibly sad and devastating. We have to face the fact that a warming climate is unsustainable. As you can see, fires in the Pacific NW are getting much larger in recent decades. The largest fires (100K acres+) have increased by 10-15X since the 1980s. 1/

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