Tracy Simmons

Train Dreams" quietly insists on the presence of people of color — and the actors and crew say that intentionality makes the storytelling stronger. Our reporter talked with the cinematographer and an actress about why representation matters. favs.news/traindreams #Oscars #TrainDreams bit.ly/4usBudk

Idaho Bill Targets Disruptions at Church Services Idaho lawmakers advanced a bill creating criminal penalties for people who trespass to intimidate or disrupt church services.

Idaho lawmakers advanced a bill Monday creating criminal penalties for people who trespass to disrupt church services.

bit.ly/4s4TSqX
#IdahoPolitics #IdahoLegislature #FaithNews

Spokane IRC Hosts International Women’s Day Brunch The International Rescue Committee in Spokane will honor refugee and immigrant women through smaller events and a public International Women’s Day brunch.

"This year, many refugee women in our community do not feel safe gathering to celebrate." The IRC in Spokane is adapting its International Women's Day events — and inviting the public to learn how to help. bit.ly/4by5exV #Spokane #RefugeeWomen #InternationalWomensDay

Indigenous Authors Use Coyote Stories to Explore Healing Two Indigenous authors draw on the Coyote trickster tradition to explore trauma, healing, family and identity in new books.

Two Indigenous authors use Coyote — teacher, trickster, healer — to explore trauma, family and identity in their new books. A FāVS read worth your time. bit.ly/4umKtgg #IndigenousAuthors #ReligionNews #BookRecommendations

Holden Village Faces Extended Closure After Landslides Holden Village in Chelan County may remain closed until 2027 after landslides destroyed its only access road, leaving repairs in federal hands.

Holden Village, which welcomes up to 5,000 guests a year, faces a $20M road repair and potential closure through late 2027 after December mudslides cut off the only land route. Here's the story. bit.ly/3MXfeHJ #Lutheran #PNW #FaithNews

WAGS Spokane billboards cite Scripture to protest ICE The WAGS political group unveiled Spokane billboards during Lent citing Matthew 25:40 to protest ICE actions and call Christians to reflect and repent.

During Lent, activists unveiled new billboards in Spokane Valley and Spokane quoting Matthew 25:40, depicting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and migrant family to call Christians to repentance and reflection.
Story: bit.ly/4s36dvD
#Lent #Spokane #Immigration #FaithInAction

LEGO Cathedral of St. John on display at MAC A detailed LEGO model of Spokane’s Cathedral of St. John is featured in the MAC’s “We Built This City” exhibit, celebrating its history and design.

A hidden window, 150+ hours of building, and one iconic Spokane cathedral — in LEGO. 🧱⛪
This story is as delightful as it sounds.

Read more: bit.ly/3OLuU12
#Spokane #LEGO #LocalNews #Architecture #FaithNews

Sing a new song: Finding faith, healing and connection Singing and dancing can ground the soul, reduce stress and deepen faith. A reflection on music, Lent and responding to a polarized world with love.

Yay! Bishop Gretchen Rehberg of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane is now an official FāVS News columnist! 🎉
Her first piece: "Sing every day, and dance once a week for the next six months" as a practice for bridging divisions.
Read more: bit.ly/3MkY0Ul
#Spokane #Episcopal #FaithJournalism #Religion

Facebook group helps women find healing after alleged abuse at Baptist counseling facility More than 100 women have found refuge in an online support group that exists because of trauma they say they experienced at a place meant to heal them.Vision of Hope, a residential counseling facility...

“For the women in the group, healing means both recovering from what happened and ensuring others know the truth about their experiences. The community they’ve built offers what Vision of Hope never did: genuine support, validation, and hope for recovery.”

– @reportertracy.bsky.social

Oof

Misogyny as the Original Sin of Bigotry An opinion essay arguing that misogyny fuels all forms of bigotry and that honoring women is essential to building a more humane, cooperative future.

Powerful column from one of our FāVS writers: "Misogyny is the original sin and even just a smidge of misogyny is a gateway to hate." A provocative argument about bigotry, humanity, and why loving women might be the cure for what ails us. bit.ly/4thMnOz
#Misogyny
#Feminism
#ReligiousCommentary

Authors Fundraiser Aims to Restore West Central Abbey Spokane authors will read at a fundraiser supporting West Central Abbey’s historic chapel restoration — including long-needed bathroom access.

Jess Walter's new novel mentions a bathroom at Spokane's West Central Abbey — but there isn't one. Now he's helping raise funds to make his fiction a reality. Writers for West Central reading Feb. 6 features Walter, Thom Caraway and Leyna Krow.
bit.ly/4k9DHFE
#Spokane #JessWalter #SpokaneWriters

Man who rammed a car into NYC Jewish site had recently connected with Chabad community, police say A man arrested after crashing his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City had “recently connected” with the Hasidic community and this month attended an event at the revered Jewish site.

A man arrested after crashing his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City had “recently connected” with the Hasidic community and this month attended an event at the revered Jewish site.

Rethinking protest tactics amid ICE deportations A reflection on ICE, protests, immigration, and why empathy, human connection, and shared humanity matter more than shame or division.

Reflection from Sarah Henn Hayward on connection over confrontation: "I've changed fundamental ways of seeing the world...none of those changes was brought about by someone else belittling me, judging me, or screaming in my face."
Worth reading as we navigate these tense times.
bit.ly/3Z3sugk

Less than half of Americans say they have confidence in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). More information from the 2025 PRRI American Values Survey:

Greenland's small Catholic community weighs uncertainty as global tensions rise In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, a Catholic community of about 300 people — many of them Filipino immigrants — is following international debate over the future of their home with concern, detachment and...

This is worth a read. Appreciate this reporting on how #Catholics in #Greenland are feeling about all this. www.ncronline.org/news/greenla...

The home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, was searched by the FBI. Her devices were seized. Runa Sandvik, whose life’s work is protecting journalists’ digital security, assesses the dam... The home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, was searched by the FBI. Her devices were seized. Runa Sandvik, whose life’s work is protecting journalists’ digital security, assesses the dam...

The home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, was searched by the FBI. Her devices were seized. Maddy Crowell speaks with Runa Sandvik whose life’s work is protecting journalists’ digital security, to assess the damage—and what news organizations need to know. www.cjr.org/news/hannah-...

In Minneapolis, George Floyd-era faith networks reignite after Renee Good's killing by ICE MINNEAPOLIS (RNS) — The faith-based networks, which developed organizing infrastructure and relationships during the Floyd era, are joined by newcomers as resistance efforts have intensified following...

NEW from me: In MN, George Floyd-era faith networks have reignited after Renee Good's killing by ICE.

They often partner w/others: last night, a church, brewery & bookstore hosted an event.

If you showed up w/a whistle (to warn people of ICE), you got a free drink. religionnews.com/2026/01/11/i...

Israel's ban on humanitarian relief groups will severely impact aid to besieged strip, letter warns (RNS) — Israel’s decision to deny registrations to 37 aid groups comes at a perilous time for Palestinians in the occupied territories and especially in Gaza.

Israel’s decision to deny registrations to 37 aid groups comes at a perilous time for Palestinians in the occupied territories and especially in Gaza.
religionnews.com/2026/01/02/i...

Why FāVS News’ Values Still Matter to Me A Buddhist nun reflects on shared values, faith, and why supporting FāVS News helps sustain hope, connection and compassion across differences.

This column means the world to me. 💛
Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron shares why @favsnews.bsky.social — and our shared values across faiths — matter so much right now.
Read & support: bit.ly/4pgJGtq
#FAVSNews #ValuesMatter #Interfaith

Food rescue program combats rising hunger, reduces waste in Spokane region - FāVS News Feed Spokane rescues food from restaurants from going in the trash that would otherwise damage the atmosphere to reduce rising food insecurity.

With food insecurity rising, Feed Spokane with their network of volunteers & partners is redistributing over 1 million pounds of food a year across Eastern Wash.

🎧 Listen to and read the story: bit.ly/3Lb20pL
From - @favsnews.bsky.social

#FoodInsecurity #FoodRescue #Spokane #EasternWA

Caring for the least of these should not be a partisan issue A Christian reflection on Matthew 25, political labels, subsidiarity, and what Jesus’ call to care for “the least of these” really demands of us.

Are Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 “liberal”? In this commentary, Mark Griswold wrestles with faith, politics, personal responsibility & what it means to care for “the least of these.” A timely reflection for Advent & beyond.

🔗 bit.ly/4pFubvV

#FaithAndPolitics #Matthew25 #ChristianEthics #Advent

First Indigenous Woman Slagle Named School Board President Jenny Slagle, the first Indigenous woman elected to the Spokane Public Schools Board, was appointed president.

Spokane Public Schools has a new board president.
Jenny Slagle (Yakama Nation) is the first Indigenous woman to hold the role, centering belonging and community voice.

By Matthew Kincanon | @favsnews.bsky.social News
🔗 bit.ly/4pJCuXK

#SpokaneSchools #IndigenousLeadership #NativeEducation

Christian Nationalism Debate in Washington State FPIW’s rhetoric on immigration, Islam and American identity sparks concerns about rising Christian nationalism and its impact on Washington politics.

So proud of the incredible reporting from @favsnews.bsky.social reporters. This collaborative piece with RANGE Media examines the rhetoric around Christian nationalism locally and its real-world impact. Worth the read.
bit.ly/3MVuzYI

#Spokane #Journalism #ReligionNews #ChristianNationalism

Is Artistic Creativity Compatible With Buddhist Practice? A Buddhist teacher explains how creativity, motivation and mindfulness shape artistic practice, and why art can support compassion and wisdom.

This is one of my favorite features on @favsnews.bsky.social - Ask a Buddhist. What questions do you have?
bit.ly/3XJYAx0
#buddhism #religion #interfaith

Searching for a Spiritual Home at church Before Baby Arrives A Buddhist reporter and her wife visit progressive Spokane churches in a search for a welcoming faith community to raise their son.

Church shopping as a Buddhist journalist about to become a parent wasn’t on my bingo card — but here we are. A new column on values, faith, and the search for spiritual community in a complicated world. 🍼🙏
bit.ly/4rJzwDT
#Religion #Parenthood #FaithJourney #Journalism

Counterterrorism officials vetted Guard shooting suspect before he entered U.S. Individuals with knowledge of the process that Rahmanullah Lakanwal went through contradicted senior Trump officials’ claim that he was not scrutinized.

The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House this week underwent thorough vetting by counterterrorism authorities before entering the U.S., according to people with direct knowledge of the case.

Fund Independent Faith Journalism Across the Inland Northwest - FāVS News Help us raise $15,000 to sustain a part-time reporter for all of 2026—covering the stories that connect communities across Washington and Idaho.

I love love love running a nonprofit newsroom - except this time of year when we have to ask for money. So please, if you value religion coverage donate what you can! It will help us pay our deserving reporters

favs.news/fund-indepen...

#nonprofit #localnews #religion #journalism

Fox News hid its brutal Trump job approval number from viewers — while showering him with praise

After Fox News’ pollsters found that Trump’s job approval had plummeted, the network buried the results while puffing up the president as the “ultimate dealmaker” who is doing “incredible things” and promising that “the whole world” will soon “come kiss the ring of the king.”

World Relief Spokane’s Baby Showers Support Refugee Moms Refugee women in Spokane find community, joy, and support through World Relief Spokane’s baby showers, offering resources and connection for new moms.

Refugee moms arriving in Spokane are finding support and celebration through World Relief’s baby showers.
Read more: bit.ly/43D7DDo

#Spokane #RefugeesWelcome #WorldRelief