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By FāVS News Staff
Eastern Washington
Ex-Spokane mayor raises damages claim to $10M over council resolution condemning Christian nationalist event appearance
Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has escalated her legal action against the city, with her attorney filing an amended tort claim seeking $10 million — up from the $1.4 million Woodward initially sought in 2024 — over a City Council resolution that condemned her 2023 appearance alongside Christian nationalist Matt Shea at a religious and political event. The amended claim, filed by attorney Mary Schultz, argues the council’s resolution was “unlawful government punishment” that caused ongoing, irreparable damage to Woodward’s reputation.
Woodward, now a real estate agent in Spokane Valley, appeared on stage with Shea and worship leader Sean Feucht in August 2023 at the Podium during a stop on the Kingdom to the Capitol tour. She later said she had not known Shea would be present and believed the event was intended to pray for victims of nearby wildfires — a characterization Shea disputed on social media. The Spokane City Council passed a resolution condemning her appearance 4-3 on Sept. 24, 2023; Woodward lost her re-election bid to current Mayor Lisa Brown weeks later. The amended tort claim names the city and four council members. City officials declined to comment, citing the possibility of further legal action. Resolution co-sponsor Zack Zappone has said the council’s action was “within its legal authority” and “completely constitutional.”
Dalai Lama documentary “Wisdom of Happiness” screens at Spokane’s Magic Lantern Theatre
Spokane audiences will have a chance to experience a rare, intimate conversation with Tenzin Gyatso during special screenings of the documentary “Wisdom of Happiness” this weekend. The film, described as “a heart-to-heart with the Dalai Lama about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” will be shown May 1–3 at Magic Lantern Theatre, 25 West Main Avenue.
The documentary features the Nobel Peace Prize laureate sharing practical insights on cultivating peace, compassion and resilience in turbulent times, while encouraging viewers to envision a more compassionate world.
Five screenings are scheduled: Friday at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Monastics from Sravasti Abbey will host brief Q&A sessions following the 12:30 p.m. showings on Saturday and Sunday.
The weekend’s events continue Sunday with “Sharing the Dharma Day” at Sravasti Abbey from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering an extended opportunity for reflection and community engagement.
Western Washington
Court allows CAIR-WA lawsuit over Afghan asylum cases to proceed
A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit filed by the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to move forward, rejecting most of the Trump administration’s attempt to dismiss a case challenging delays in Afghan asylum proceedings. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued its ruling April 24, one day after hearing oral arguments.
CAIR-WA filed the lawsuit in July 2025 against the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of Afghan asylum-seekers who have waited years for the government to decide their cases. The Trump administration sought to dismiss the suit after pausing all applications from what it designated “high-risk countries” following shootings in Washington, D.C., in December 2025. The court’s decision allows claims of unreasonable delay and the arbitrariness of that policy to proceed, though the ruling does not constitute a nationwide injunction. CAIR-WA Deputy Legal Director Faiza Duale said the decision affirms that federal immigration authorities “cannot decline to perform its duties to adjudicate asylum applications as provided by the laws of this country.” The organization said it plans to submit additional filings by the end of May.
Central Washington
Nine tribes join CWU for listening session on tribal partnerships
Representatives from nine Pacific Northwest tribes gathered at Central Washington University on Monday for a “listening and learning” ceremony focused on strengthening the university’s relationships with tribal nations. Participants included leaders from the Yakama Nation, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Spokane Tribe, Colville Confederated Tribes, Umatilla Confederated Tribes, Nez Perce Tribe, Kalispel Tribe, Tulalip Tribes and Nooksack Tribe, along with Washington state Sen. Claudia Kauffman and Tim Reynon, executive director of the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs.
CWU President Jim Wohlpart said the work was central to the university’s future and called for “meaningful ongoing consultation, collaboration and cooperation” with regional tribal nations. Zoë Higheagle Strong, CWU’s associate vice president of tribal relations, opened the session by reflecting on her family’s history and the region’s Indigenous roots. “We are grateful for the opportunity to listen and to learn from our tribal leaders who have truly been here since time immemorial,” she said. The gathering began with a blessing from Jason Buck, Yakama Wanapum and cultural specialist for the Columbia Basin Conservation District.
Holden Village recovery advances as road damage assessment signals long rebuild timeline
Leaders at the faith-rooted Holden Village say signs of renewal are emerging this spring, even as the popular retreat community remains closed to guests due to extensive road damage in the North Cascades. In an update from staff now based in Chelan, officials described both a literal and symbolic season of growth, pointing to ongoing recovery efforts following a difficult winter. The primary barrier to reopening remains severe damage to Forest Service Road 8301, the only overland access route to Holden.
According to the U.S. Forest Service and mining company Rio Tinto, initial assessments have identified “catastrophic geotechnical failures” at 11 locations between Lucerne and the village’s water treatment plant. The damage extends beyond the roadway itself, affecting surrounding slopes and complicating reconstruction plans. A full assessment is expected by early summer once snow melts, with preliminary timelines suggesting construction could begin in 2026 and conclude as late as 2027.
Despite the uncertainty, Holden leaders emphasize progress. A small on-site team continues maintenance, while other staff work remotely to sustain operations, fundraising and programming. Preparations are underway to eventually welcome 5,000 visitors within the first year of reopening. Community support has played a key role in sustaining the organization through closures and financial strain. Leaders say the focus now remains on maintaining infrastructure, strengthening connections, and building resilience for a stronger future reopening.
Idaho
Idaho abortion rights group says it has enough signatures to reach November ballot
A campaign seeking to restore abortion access in Idaho announced Friday it has gathered signatures in 19 legislative districts — surpassing the 18-district threshold required to qualify a ballot initiative for the November general election. Idahoans United for Women and Families said counties have processed 95% of the roughly 104,000 signatures collected, with supporters continuing to gather signatures until the April 30 deadline.
If verified, the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act would appear on the November ballot, where it would need a simple majority to pass. The measure would decriminalize abortion and allow the procedure up to the point of fetal viability, with exceptions for medical emergencies — restoring the standard in place before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Idaho’s felony abortion trigger law took effect. “The counties have processed over 95% of our 104,000 submitted signatures and the news is very good,” Executive Director Melanie Folwell wrote in an email to supporters. A separate initiative to legalize medical cannabis for Idahoans with terminal illness or debilitating pain is also in play, with backers of that measure reporting they have similarly topped 100,000 signatures.
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