Though he'll be in his first year in the Washington state Senate, Marcus Riccelli was elected by the Senate Democratic Caucus to serve as the Senate majority floor leader in the upcoming legislative session. In that role, he'll be the main voice representing Democrats in floor debates. Riccelli was first elected as a state representative from Spokane in 2012, and after his recent victory in the general election, he's moving to the upper chamber. He previously served as the state House majority whip from 2016 to 2022. "I'm honored my colleagues have placed their confidence in me to fill this vital leadership role particularly as a member new to the Senate," Riccelli said after the vote last week. "Eastern Washington needs strong voices for growing and protecting good, living-wage jobs, increasing housing access and affordability, and improving our health care system. ... I'm energized and ready to get to work." (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)
VITAL FUNDING
In 1997, Family Promise of Spokane opened in Eastern Washington to help homeless families get housing and keep it. Now, the organization has received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, which works to fund nonprofits that help families who are homeless. The money will help the nonprofit expand its offerings. "Receiving this $2.5 million grant ... is transformative for Family Promise of Spokane and, more importantly, for the families we serve," says Joe Ader, CEO of Family Promise of Spokane. "This award empowers us to expand our innovative housing solutions, offering families a secure pathway back into stable homes. With these resources, we can deepen our impact and drive lasting change, helping break the cycle of homelessness for countless children and parents in Spokane." Family Promise's grant is one of 40 from the Day 1 Families Fund that went out across the country totaling $110.5 million. (COLTON RASANEN)
VANDAL HOUSING
On Nov. 21, the Idaho State Board of Education approved $162.82 million for the University of Idaho to renovate 50-year-old campus residence housing and develop new housing at its Moscow campus. This year, the university reported 2,025 enrolled first-time freshmen, an 8.3% enrollment increase from last year, with 1,390 first-time freshmen living on campus (up more than 6% from last year). The newly approved project will demolish 431 existing beds at the apartment complex and develop 251 new single-student beds and 150 married/family beds for graduate students and staff. The project will also renovate 1,416 beds at the Wallace Residential Center, Theophilus Tower, and Elmwood Apartments. According to a press release, U of I expects to increase bed capacity by 150 beds after the buildings are completed. The university has a 2,075-bed resident hall capacity with 200 overflow student beds at a leased motel. The project will upgrade infrastructure for underground sanitation, domestic water systems and electrical replacements. Total costs are estimated at $195 million, and the university will seek development partner financing or debt financing. The project will take up to three years, with the first housing opening in August 2025 and the completion of all construction by 2027. (VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)
