Spokane's Bustling Labor Day: Immigration, River Flows, and Festive Celebrations.

Good morning, this is your Spokane Local Frequency for Saturday, August 30, 2025. Spokane is bustling with summertime energy as Labor Day weekend gets underway. Our biggest headline this week is the Spokane City Council’s passage of a safe and welcome ordinance concerning immigration agent access at events on city property. The ordinance aims to block warrantless entry by federal immigration authorities at private, ticketed, or otherwise restricted events. While it still awaits the mayor’s final signature, city leaders stress its impact is narrowly tailored and doesn’t apply to open public festivals. Immigration attorney Hector Quiroga points out it mostly ensures proper procedures are followed but expects legal challenges may be on the horizon as the city navigates what powers local authorities actually have. On the weather side, it continues to be hot and dry, and the Spokane Riverkeeper is urging everyone to conserve water as parts of the Spokane River are showing critically low flows. Water reductions at Post Falls Dam are keeping levels at the bare minimum, so if you’re heading out for holiday river fun, expect to see more shoreline than usual—remember, this is about balancing recreation with environmental health. For local happenings, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. The legendary Pig Out in the Park is in full swing at Riverfront Park now through Monday. This free, all-ages food and music festival is marking its 44th year and features hundreds of menu items alongside nonstop live music. Whether you’re craving something sweet, spicy, or savory, it’s the perfect way to soak up Spokane’s festival spirit. If you’re a music lover, Liberty Lake is the place to be this evening for the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert. The Spokane Symphony is putting on a free outdoor show with popular classics and Broadway favorites, starting with opening acts at 4:45 and the symphony at 6. Bring a blanket, fill up on those last summer rays, and let the music do the rest. Sports fans have their own rivalry to enjoy tonight. Over in Pullman, the Cougars and Vandals face off at 7 o’clock for the Battle of the Palouse, opening the college football season with bragging rights on the line. Both teams are under new head coaches and looking to make a statement. Looking for nighttime fun? There’s a throwback 2000s dance party in town and blockbuster action at the Garland Theater with The Dark Knight Rises screening at 7:30 for just five bucks. Some travel heads-up: U.S. 195 remains blocked south of Colfax following a deadly crash last night. Detours are still in place, so if your plans take you in that direction, allow for extra time and check for updates before you go. On the labor front, Spokane is still in the throes of a construction strike. Negotiations are ongoing with the next round set for September 3. Until then, patience is needed on local projects and roadwork. Whether you’re spending the day catching a concert, cheering at the game, or simply so