Tracy Simmons

Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Associate Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.

Why I started FāVS News and why it still matters today

FāVS News' editor and founder reflects on 14 years of religion journalism and invites readers to support local news this Local News Day.

After 20 years covering religion, here’s the story the news cycle keeps missing

A longtime religion news reporter reflects on how Inland Northwest faith communities are already advancing compassion, justice and human dignity.

For Doug Wilson’s neighbors, CNN documentary a reminder Moscow is Christian nationalism’s ground zero

Moscow residents react to CNN’s documentary on Doug Wilson and Christian nationalism, raising concerns about religion, gender roles and community impact.

Local News Day Book Giveaway

This Local News Day, when you make a qualifying donation to FāVS News, you can choose a book written by one of our own reporters or columnists — as our thank-you for helping keep local religion journalism alive.

What my son taught me about unconditional love — and why I still needed a courtroom to protect it

A Spokane parent reflects on her son, a second-parent adoption, faith and how caring for a newborn reshaped his understanding of unconditional love.

Catholic apologist to debate Doug Wilson on Bible’s authority at University of Idaho arena

Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer and Christ Church founder Doug Wilson to debate Sola Scriptura on March 26 at the University of Idaho’s annual Great Debate.

Riding for Alex Pretti: What I do with anger when nothing seems to matter

After ICE killings in Minneapolis, a reflection on grief, anger and resistance, and how collective action helps refuse the normalization of state violence.

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