❤️ Your Monday Spokane Update

Good morning, Spokane!

Ballot season is officially open in Spokane County: 375,000 ballots are landing in mailboxes for the November 3 general election. Somewhere between the voter's pamphlet and a strong opinion about a levy, this week also brings dumplings, Lyle Lovett, and one very metal Monday night. Fill in a bubble, then fill your calendar.

In today's Spokane Pulse:

Let's get to it.

— Laina & Lucas Wyland

🆕 Sheriff reopens 2024 Northcliff Terrace shooting investigation: The Spokane County Sheriff's Office reopened its investigation into the 2024 fatal police shooting of Joshua Musselman, after RANGE reporting surfaced text messages suggesting the officers had not established probable cause to be at the scene. The move comes less than two months after the county prosecutor cleared the four officers involved.

🗳️ Spokane County mails ballots to 375,000 voters: Ballots for the November 3 general election went out last week. No ballot in your mailbox by October 23? Contact the auditor's office. Mail yours back at least a week before Election Day, or drop it in a ballot box by 8 p.m. November 3.

💵 City Council passes Community Safety sales tax: The council voted 6-1 Wednesday to enact a 0.1% sales tax, one-tenth of one percent, or $1 on every $1,000 spent, effective January 1, 2027. It funds the new Community Safety Campus at the Rock Pointe East Building on Boone, plus mental health response investments. Groceries, prescriptions, and rent are exempt.

🤝 No Kings rally draws around a thousand to B.A. Clark Park: Over a thousand people gathered Saturday afternoon for the fifth Spokane iteration of the "No Kings" rally, themed around early voting ahead of the November midterms. Spokane Indivisible organizers led the peaceful afternoon demonstration.

🔥 $5.5M federal grant boosts Spokane Valley wildfire defense: The Spokane Valley Fire Department will thin overcrowded trees and vegetation, run school education programs, and help homeowners harden their properties. New wildfire mitigation supervisor Jessica Walston started this week to lead the work alongside the City of Spokane Valley.

Metal veterans Demon Hunter mark 20 years of "Storm the Gates of Hell" with Wolves At The Gate and Bloodlines. All ages.

The Scottish stand-up brings his brand-new hour to Spokane, from the star of Netflix's "DARK" and "Jigsaw." Expect precision-engineered dark comedy.

Four Grammys, fourteen albums, and a storyteller's touch: the Texas legend blends country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues into one unmistakable sound.

A roaming tasting tour across multiple Spokane restaurants: graze on dumplings of every stripe, with vegetarian options on request. Locations are emailed to ticket holders.

A playful donations-based partner yoga night at The Mat in Liberty Lake, raising funds for Beyond Pink Spokane's breast cancer support work.

Tracy Letts' razor-sharp town-hall satire: a routine council meeting spirals into unsettling revelations. At the Firth J Chew Studio Theatre; PG-13.

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⛷️ Mt. Spokane Ski Swap: The 62-year Spokane tradition returns with 24,000+ items of new and used gear; shop Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 9 AM to noon at the Fair & Expo Center. (October 31–November 1)

🎶 The Goonies In Concert: The Spokane Symphony plays the entire score live to picture as the film screens at the Fox; doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM. (October 30)

🎸 Black Jacket Symphony: Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet": The full album performed live in its entirety at the Fox on Halloween night; show 7:30 PM. (October 31)

⛸️ Disney On Ice: Jump In!: Six shows across three days at Numerica Veterans Arena, starting Friday at 7 PM; guests 14 and older may not wear costumes. (November 6–8)

🎉 Lilac City Roller Derby 20th Anniversary Tournament: Derby all day long at the Spokane Convention Center: 10 bouts including an open-gender exhibition, doors 8:30 AM; kids 12 and under free. (November 7)

🎵 Handel's Messiah: The Spokane Symphony and Chorale perform the holiday staple at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Thursday through Saturday. (November 19–21)

🎤 Straight No Chaser: The nine-voice a cappella group brings its "Making Spirits Bright" holiday tour to the Fox; doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM. (November 20)

🎭 Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella: Spokane Civic Theatre opens the glass-slipper classic on the Main Stage; adults $40, students $20 (plus $6.50 fee). Runs through December 13. (November 27)

Halloween is twelve days out, Spokane. What is the one tradition you never skip: the downtown trick-or-treat crawl, a haunted corn maze, or your own block's porch parade? Hit reply and tell us your pick and where it happens. We will round up the best answers for a future edition.

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