Compiled by FāVS News Staff
Juneteenth celebrations continue this weekend
It’s not too late to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend. Also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth celebrates Black liberation and culture. Three local events remain to participate in: The Pillar Awards, 6-9 p.m., on June 20 at The Fox Theater, honoring leaders uplifting Spokane’s Black community; the Soul Food Fest & Resource Fair, from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. on June 21 at the MLK Center; and “The Art of Us” a free celebration also on June 21 from 6-9 p.m. showcasing Black art, music and culture. That event will be at the Cook Building, 811 W. 2nd Ave.
Juneteenth commemorates when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of over 250,000 enslaved Black Americans — over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
SCOTUS upheld ban on gender-affirming care for minors, boosting Idaho’s ban
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, reinforcing similar laws in over 20 states, including Idaho. The 6-3 ruling, written by Chief Justice Roberts, found that plaintiffs failed to prove the law discriminated based on age or sex. Tennessee’s law bans hormone treatments and puberty blockers; Idaho’s includes a surgery ban, though such procedures aren’t offered to minors. Supporters cite concerns over treatment safety and potential regret, while critics highlight the care’s mental health benefits. Idaho’s ban, passed in 2023, was briefly blocked but reinstated after a Supreme Court ruling. The ACLU criticized the decision, calling it harmful and driving transgender families out. The Idaho Family Policy Center celebrated the ruling. Legal battles over transgender rights in Idaho continue. For more on the story, visit Idaho Statesman’s report.
‘She-Brews to Lead’ free leadership program to lauch
Stephy Nobles-Beans, retired Whitworth University chaplain and professor, is launching She-Brews to Lead, a free leadership program for businesswomen and teen moms. Drawing from her experience in ministry and education, the program develops leadership through public speaking, conflict resolution, and mentorship. It promotes confidence, integrity and community support. Nobles-Beans, who partners with Lumen High School, emphasizes empowering teen moms to see themselves as leaders. The program also features guest speakers, podcasts, and small group sessions.
New report shows over half Spokane homeless not from area
A report by Marbut Consulting, commissioned by the Spokane Business Association, found that over 50% of Spokane’s homeless population first became unhoused elsewhere before moving to the city. Of the 403 people surveyed, most were born and educated outside the region, and nearly 64% had no family ties in Spokane, reported The Center Square-WA.
Robert Marbut, former “homelessness czar” under President Trump, led the study and advocates for a treatment-focused, private-public model over traditional shelters. Critics say his methods stigmatize the homeless, but Marbut defends tracking residency as clinically important. He proposes a dual-track system to prioritize Spokane locals and warns homelessness could double without change.
West Valley HS teacher let go for reading racial slur aloud from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
West Valley High School Spanish teacher Matthew Mastronardi lost his job after reading a passage from “To Kill a Mockingbird” aloud that included a racial slur. The Spokesman-Review reports the incident was recorded and spread online, prompting backlash. Mastronardi said he aimed to honor authorial intent and use the moment to teach students about the power of language and racism.
However, critics, including the Spokane NAACP, said his actions lacked cultural sensitivity and harmed Black students. The district, citing poor judgment and concerns about his role-modeling, chose not to renew his contract. Mastronardi’s case drew public attention, sparked a petition, and raised funds online. The school board is set to formally decide on his contract on June 25. Mastronardi stands by his decision.
School district cancels Palestinian author’s book event
A Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) condemned the Bellevue School District’s decision to cancel a scheduled appearance by Palestinian children’s book author Safa Suleiman at an elementary school in April. Suleiman was set to debut her book “Hilwa’s Gifts,” which tells the story of a young boy visiting his grandparents in Palestine for an olive harvest, but was informed mid-flight that her appearance was canceled to avoid “politics.” District officials later cited a 2024 blog post about Suleiman’s family members being killed in Gaza as the reason for the cancellation, claiming it would likely disrupt the learning environment.
CAIR-WA organized a makeup event for Suleiman on June 14 in Bellevue, which attendees described as family-friendly and non-political. The organization’s executive director called the original cancellation an example of Arabs and Muslims being held to different standards, while Suleiman described it as “cruel and heartless” censorship. Three other Seattle-area schools successfully hosted the author during her Washington visit, and district officials admitted to CAIR-WA they could not recall another instance of canceling a visiting speaker after announcing an event.
