The Spokesman-Review is the largest news and information provider in the Inland Northwest. The newspaper traces its origin to the founding of the Spokane Falls Review in 1883. In 1893, the Review merged with its rival, The Spokesman, under the leadership of Publisher William H. Cowles.
Later the company would buy the Spokane Daily Chronicle, which continued as a separate newspaper until Review and Chronicle newsrooms merged in 1983. The Chronicle existed until 1992. The Spokesman-Review is still owned by the Cowles family, whose members continue to reside in Spokane and are actively involved in civic betterment efforts in addition to Cowles Company operations.
Today, publisher William Stacey Cowles represents the fourth generation of his family to oversee the newspaper.