(Updated 3:35 p.m.) - Election results are in! But wait, it’s only October 7th? Spokane youth hosted their own mock election Thursday evening to see how local candidates would fair in a race decided by young voters. Voting was handled by Spokane County Elections Office. Let’s bookmark this page and see how November 8th turns out after what we know now.

When the Lands Council made their final push for votes during the Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” during the remaining week of the competition, they hoped for the best.

After crossing their fingers that they would come in first, it was revealed Thursday morning that they would not win the $50,000 promised for first place. Instead they came in at a strong second. As a finalist, they’ll still receive $20,000 to help plant 10,000 Ponderosa trees around Spokane.

“It’s not a let down, “ Amanda Swan, communications director, said. The Lands Council’s executive director, Mike Petersen, agrees.

Rep. Kevin Parker (R) is in New Orleans this week for an educational debate program, but he arrived three days early to volunteer his time for rebuilding New Orleans.