Clean energy projects face red tape in WA. So advocates went to TX to learn how to speed up growth.

Summer break is here—including for the newsroom

Now that it finally feels like summer here in the Inland Northwest, lots of our listeners are headed out to one of the many lakes and rivers to enjoy the sun and take some time off. The newsroom is doing the same. Don’t worry, we’re going to keep bringing you news from across the Northwest throughout the summer. But we’re taking a break from the long-form stories and interviews that usually round out the podcast each morning. We’ll be back in your feed on Monday with regional headlines. Enjoy the holiday, and we’ll see you at the lake.

Schools would need to verify athletes' sex under an initiative to ban trans girls from girls sports. How?

Plus, at least one person has died and 15 houses have been lost in the Upriver Fire. Farmworker advocates are warning fire season will also affect ag workers this summer. State and federal tax cuts are helping ID's top earning families the most, while some low-income households have actually seen their taxes go up, a report finds. And Spokane Valley considers banning the possession of fireworks.

Despite Zephyr shut down, star goalie says there's still hope for US women's soccer

Plus, 12,000 Spokanites are under evacuation orders as the Upriver Fire burns. Gov. Little says ID is in good shape for fire season, but a state fund for firefighting is already empty. A federal judge partially blocks ID's criminal trans bathroom ban. And the Panhandle Health District won't shutter clinics to save money, but services will continue to lean toward MAHA priorities.

Logging industry hopes chainsaw carving expo can renew interest in timber jobs

Plus, NWS issues red flag warnings for central, eastern WA. Spokane City Council punts on data center moratorium after Avista pauses talks with customer. Spokane County looks to incentivize affordable housing. Nationwide report shows WA struggling to meet kids’ education needs. Federal judge weighs a new exception to Idaho's abortion ban after 5-day trial ends. And Seattle's first World Cup game between Egypt and Belgium ends in a 1-1 draw.

Filming documentaries has taught Tig Notaro not to assume she knows what's coming

Plus, Spokane will consider an yearlong, citywide moratorium on data centers next week. Spokane's Safe and Healthy Task Force says the region must do a better job of balancing criminal justice needs with social service needs. Puyallup high school wrestler sues WA transgender athletes policy. Ballmer Group pledges up to $1.5 billion in forgivable loans for WA affordable housing. And a wildfire prevention bill had bipartisan support in the Senate. Then GOP lawmakers added a provision to kill the "roadless rule."