[3][4] The Spokane Falls Review was a joint venture between local businessman, A.M. Cannon and Henry Pittock and Harvey W. Scott of The Oregonian.

After a large downsizing of the newsroom staff in November 2007, the paper moved to a single zoned edition emphasizing localized "Voices" sections staffed primarily by non-union employees.

Time magazine related the papers' success gaining lowered rates for freight carried to the Northwest and an improved park system and that helped the region.

Increasing its reputation for comprehensive local news and by opposing "gambling, liquor and prostitution," The Spokesman-Review gained popularity.

When William H. Cowles Jr. succeeded his father as publisher, James Bracken received much more news and editorial control as managing editor.

In 1997, three extreme-right militants were tried and eventually convicted of bombing the Spokane Valley office of The Spokesman-Review as well as an abortion clinic (see Citizens Rule Book).

That represented a year-over-year decrease of about 10.5 percent; a trend widely reflected during the same year in newspapers throughout Washington state.