A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of allegedly starting the Old Trails fires Saturday, Aug. 1, that devastated Spokane. www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

Sheriff: Man, 37, arrested on suspicion of setting Old Trails fire

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly setting the Old Trails fire, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced Monday night.

spokesman.com

Take whatever First Amendment or other resilience symbolism you want from this, but it's something nice in a sea of really terrible news in Spokane. CNN: Free library stands untouched in devastated Spokane neighborhood www.cnn.com/2026/08/03/u...

On the Spokane fires (and all Northwest fires), huge kudos to: - Fire, emergency, public safety personnel - Public agency staff providing updates - Community aid and disaster response orgs, staff, volunteers - Journalists, news outlets and all local/regional media reporting in perilous conditions

A constant push-pull with wildfire reporting (for news and public officials) is the tendency to report acreage (like "X Olympic-sized swimming pools") for perspective. But not all fires are the same. 70K acres in grassland different than 1K of dense forest different than 100 in urban setting.

In order to help people impacted by the devastating wildfires in Spokane County this weekend, here is a list of donation drop-off locations across the county.

Here's how you can help people impacted by Spokane County wildfires

SPOKANE, Wash. -- In order to help people impacted by the devastating wildfires in Spokane County this weekend, here is a list of donation drop-off locations across the county.

kxly.com

Spokane Area Complex (Old Trails, Fairview, Autumn Lane) still a big threat. As this bubbles to national news, please consider local coverage from people here on the ground, not rewriting from elsewhere. - Spokesman Review - @kxly.com - krem.com - KHQ.com www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

Old Trails fire in northwest Spokane destroys 640 structures: 'Probably the largest, most destructive fire in Washington's history'

The Old Trails wildfire in northwest Spokane destroyed 640 structures Saturday and overnight into Sunday, according to Cody Rohrbach, Spokane County Fire District 3 fire chief.

spokesman.com

More than 600 (likely homes) burned in and around Spokane County yesterday. The devastation is incomprehensible www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

Wildfire in northwest Spokane destroys 640 structures

The Old Trails wildfire in northwest Spokane destroyed 640 structures Saturday, according to Cody Rohrbach, Spokane County Fire District 3 fire chief.

spokesman.com

4 major fires affecting Spokane area today: - Old Trails Fire (largest, most evacs) - Fairview Fire - Autumn Lane Fire / Meadowview Fire For emergency updates: @watchduty.org Local News: - Spokesman Review - @kxly.com (kxly.com) - KREM (krem.com) - KHQ (khq.com) www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

'When the sun rises, we are going to be in shock': Thousands evacuated in north Spokane as wildfire crosses river into city

A wildfire driven by high winds jumped the Spokane River Saturday afternoon and burned into city neighborhoods on the bluffs above the river.

spokesman.com

AI humanoid bots in school classrooms. What could go wrong!?!? "A robot built by a company associated with sex dolls has no business in our classrooms," said Melinda Person, president of the labor union New York State United Teachers. www.npr.org/2026/07/29/g...

New York school pauses plan to deploy humanlike AI robot teacher after backlash

A school district in upstate New York is pausing plans to deploy an AI-powered, humanoid robot in the classroom after state education officials, teachers and local residents raised concerns.

npr.org

The New York Times is challenging the Pentagon's newer restrictive press access policies, saying they are unconstitutional "viewpoint discrimination" that violate the First Amendment. Here's a helpful breakdown of the arguments and legal mumbo jumbo #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/pentagon-pre...

The New York Times and Pentagon in Legal Dispute Over Press Access Policies: First Amendment Analysis

Learn about the legal dispute between The New York Times and the Defense Department over Pentagon press access policies.

freedomforum.org

James Comey says the First Amendment protects his speech in the "8647" case. He's asking a judge to dismiss charges for threatening the president. Here's a breakdown of the legal issues and what comes next in this case that goes deep on "true threats" #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/james-comey-...

James Comey Faces New Indictment With First Amendment Implications: What You Need to Know

We break down the First Amendment issues in the government's indictment of James Comey over a 2025 Instagram post.

freedomforum.org

At this point, long-suffering Seattle Mariners fans (hi!) are hoping for a MLB lockout next season to spare us the annual heartbreak and perpetual existential angst this truly maddening team brings. At least they're consistent on ONE stat!

Former FBI Director James Comey asked a judge today to dismiss charges in his "8647" case, saying what he posted on Instagram is protected speech and isn't a "true threat"? What's a true threat and when does the First Amendment not protect this speech? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/true-threats/

True Threats: Is It Illegal to Threaten Someone?

What are true threats? Is it illegal to threaten someone? We answer these questions, and much more, in this guide.

freedomforum.org

The man who pleaded guilty last year to murdering 4 University of Idaho students to avoid death penalty now says he wants a trial and plea hinged on "blatant disinformation." US Supreme Court decision allows this change. Will likely become a big story again. www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

‘Actual innocence is my truth’: Bryan Kohberger now wants a trial, report says

Almost 13 months after he pleaded guilty, Bryan Kohberger claims he’s innocent and says he will fight his conviction for killing four University of Idaho students.

spokesman.com

ABC and NBC chose not to air President Trump's July 16 speech on election security. He then threatened to revoke FCC broadcast licenses. Can he do that? There's this First Amendment thing that may get in the way. ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-abc-nb...

Trump wants ABC and NBC licenses revoked. Can that happen?

President Donald Trump called for the FCC to revoke ABC's and NBC’s broadcast licenses for refusing to air his July 16 primetime address.

freedomforum.org

A small bit of hope for the Nez Perce tribe and people of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: Chief Joseph's resting place near Nespelem has been spared from the devastating Kaiser Canyon fire. Kudos to @alexdugganreports.bsky.social for this ⬇️ www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

Chief Joseph's final resting place, a historic Nez Perce Cemetery, goes unscathed in raging wildfire

NESPELEM, Wash. – In a sea of blackened mountains on the Colville Reservation, a white obelisk peeks through dry, brown brush and some yellow flowers blowing in the wind.

spokesman.com

Really sad read on Kaiser Canyon fire on Colville Reservation around Nespelem (and the evacuation shelter at my high school). Many important cultural aspects here. Kudos to @alexdugganreports.bsky.social + Spokesman Review for the sensitive reporting. www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

The Colville Tribe is grieving thousands of acres of sacred land torched in a raging wildfire: ‘Something happened to Mother Earth’

NESPELEM, Wash. – Land that the Colville Tribes have long protected was torched with one strike of lightning.

spokesman.com

Lawsuit brings First Amendment challenge to a South Carolina law that prohibits tattoo parlors near churches, schools, playgrounds. State law also prohibits tattoo artists from doing work on the face, head and neck. #1A ⬇️ reason.com/2026/07/20/s...

South Carolina law prohibits tattoo parlors near churches. A new lawsuit calls that unconstitutional.

A new lawsuit argues South Carolina's tattoo restrictions, including limits on shop locations and face tattoos, violate the First Amendment.

reason.com

Comedy and free speech (and associated "cancellation") go together like Ava Daniels and Deborah Vance. One comedian put the First Amendment + government regulation at the forefront of his work: George Carlin. From our #1A in Action series ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/1a-in-action...

1A in Action: George Carlin and Pushing Boundaries of Comedy and Free Speech

As part of our 1A in Action series, we highlight George Carlin, who challenged censorship through his comedy routines.

freedomforum.org

Indiana officials removed a food truck from the state capitol grounds. Its offense? A slogan: "You'll Love our Meat in Your Mouth." Does that violate the First Amendment? Depends on the legal definition of "obscenity." #1A ⬇️ indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/07/17/f...

Food truck removed from Statehouse Market over slogan; could have free speech implications • Indiana Capital Chronicle

A food truck that’s been a regular at the Indiana Statehouse’s weekly market for about two years had its participation revoked over a slogan on the side of the vehicle

indianacapitalchronicle.com

Utah has removed Stephen King's book "Different Seasons" (collection that spawned 3 movies, including Shawshank Redemption) from all public schools. State law says if 3 districts remove a book for certain "objective sensitive material" it prompts a state-wide ban. www.sltrib.com/news/educati...

Utah just banned another Stephen King book from all public schools. Here’s what it’s about.

With this addition, 36 books are now banned from public school shelves statewide.

sltrib.com

A legal question that's increasingly relevant yet somewhat misunderstood: Does the First Amendment protect everyone in the US regardless of legal status? The answer: sorta depends/gray area MORE ⬇️ #1A www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

Are Non-Citizens Protected by the First Amendment?

Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? The answer isn't as clear-cut as you may think. Here's everything to know.

freedomforum.org

If you’re mourning Sam Neill and need some levity, never forget that he is a crucial part in the single funniest video of all-time. youtube.com/watch?v=-w-5...

Jurassic Park Theme Song (Melodica Cover)

YouTube video by Please Leave On

youtube.com

David Streever is suing federal officials, claiming they violated First Amendment when agents came to his house 3 months after he emailed acting ICE director Todd Lyons. Here's a breakdown of the legal issues, with a cameo by our old friend "true threats" #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/ice-email-la...

Man Investigated by ICE After Sending Email Sues: First Amendment Analysis

After New York resident David Streever sent an ICE official a critical email, federal agents knocked on his door.

freedomforum.org

Two intriguing First Amendment-related cases here that touch on free speech/petition and doxxing, and the always fun potential CHILLING EFFECT (*gasp*) from government action #1A ⬇️ www.npr.org/2026/07/06/n...

Man sues DHS after agents tracked him down for sending a scathing email to ICE

Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.

npr.org

Always intriguing to see Supreme Court justices take jabs at each other in their opinions, as Jackson does here in her concurring opinion against Thomas' primary dissent in the birthright citizenship case (Trump v Barbara). [ Full opinion: www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p... ]

US Supreme Court declines to stop $800-per-day fine for former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge over her refusal to reveal confidential source related to a Chinese American scientist investigated by the FBI (but not charged). #1A ⬇️ apnews.com/article/cath...

Supreme Court declines to halt $800-a-day fine for ex-Fox News reporter refusing to divulge sources

The Supreme Court has declined to intervene after a judge ordered former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to be fined $800 a day.

apnews.com

A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration in a case over the free speech limits of a group’s "8647" and other protest signs in DC #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-park-s...

Judge rules against Trump administration over '8647' protest flag in DC

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot ban or revoke a protest group's demonstration permit over the group's critical signs.

freedomforum.org

Funny thing with the "shut up and dribble" line against athletes who use their First Amendment-protected free speech is that it is never said about athletes making a stand with which one agrees. Odd. Anyway, here are some famous sports-related protests #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/sports-prote...

10+ of the Most Prominent Sports Protests of All Time

We highlight over a dozen of the most prominent, and controversial, sports protests that have taken place over the years.

freedomforum.org

Recent MLB "Pride Night" issues have made headlines, as some players wrote a bible verse on caps and elected officials threatened to investigate MLB uniform policies. Is there a real legal - First Amendment issue in play, or is it a balk? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/mlb-pride-fi...

Is MLB's Pride controversy a First Amendment issue? What to know

MLB’s warning to Giants players who altered Pride Night hats with Bible verses has prompted a First Amendment and religious freedom debate.

freedomforum.org