Aaron Hedge

Originally from Colorado, Aaron earned his MFA in Creative Writing from EWU in June 2023. He covers environmental issues and is our in-house expert on far-right movements. You may catch him rollerblading around town. aaron(at)rangemedia.co

Could Spokane move to keep ICE out of parks?

CIVICS: + Mead is workshopping its illegal transgender students policy and Spokane Valley wants to spend public safety dollars on Merkel-related activities.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 12 May 2025

Part of High Bridge Park set to be leased to American Indian Community Center for $1 a year

ICE reportedly surveilled local immigration activist

Jennyfer Mesa, founder of Latinos en Spokane and a US citizen, has seen men in vehicles watching her home since February. An arrested immigrant recently said ICE agents confirmed her suspicions by telling him her name and address during his arrest.

By Aaron Hedge

/ 7 May 2025

Most WA federal rulings found immigrant detentions flouted due process

New homeless ordinances headed to debate at council committee.

CIVICS: Plus, the Spokane City Council will vote to approve ordinances aimed at cutting car commutes.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 5 May 2025

Local immigrant arrested without warrant. His wife doesn’t know where he’s been taken.

For months, federal agents had watched Martin Diaz, who’s lived in Spokane for almost two decades trying to get a green card. They violently dragged him from his backyard, cuffed and arrested him on Tuesday.

By Aaron Hedge

/ 2 May 2025

Transphobia in two school districts

CIVICS: As Spokane City prepares to pass protections for queer people, Mead wants to break state law and have “sex-segregated bathrooms” and Central Valley might file a Title IX complaint to the feds over Washington’s transgender-inclusive sports policies.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 28 Apr 2025

Want out of prison early? Navigate the drug treatment labyrinth.

Dept. of Corrections says people who tested positive for illicit substances decades ago still require treatment if they want early release. Some of them don't even have a history of addiction, but the prison's behavioral health contractor places the inmates into their treatment program anyway.

By Kevin Light-Roth and Aaron Hedge

/ 22 Apr 2025

Police reform advocates win legislative concession in Olympia

Spokane could become the first city to 'Ban the Address'

The city is banning employment discrimination against homeless people and holding a first read on a policy to protect queer people, while the county preps to put aquifer protection before the voters.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 21 Apr 2025

Spokane Transit Authority’s Connect 2035 is getting rolling. Coming soon: an income-based reduced fare program.

CIVICS: Plus, potential new requirements for new shelters in Spokane, the city could ask voters to pay $15 to protect the aquifer and the county considers giving Sheriff Nowels a raise.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 14 Apr 2025

Take a breather this week. Most public meetings are on break!

If you really miss the pure heat of municipal process, you could attend the Spokane Valley City Council or the Spokane City Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 7 Apr 2025

‘The City of Spokane Valley is not a sanctuary city.’ City resolution that wishes to help feds is toothless

Since the city can’t legally tell the cops to break state immigration law, they passed a resolution saying they really want to.

By Aaron Hedge

/ 4 Apr 2025

Deputies killed Donald Hegel a year ago. His sister is still looking for answers.

As the Spokane County prosecutor refuses to engage with families affected by police violence and continues to find police killings justified, state bills designed to hold police accountable failed this year in the legislature. Meanwhile lawmakers look to pour more money into policing.

By Aaron Hedge

/ 2 Apr 2025

Spokane Valley wants to break state law and direct their cops to help ICE and Border Patrol

CIVICS | Plus, sit and lie laws could be coming to a Spokane neighborhood near you.

By Erin Sellers and Aaron Hedge

/ 31 Mar 2025