July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A8 The nation’s railroads reached agreement with three unions Thursday, leaving just two contracts to be settled as a deadline approaches for a possible work stoppage. A federally mandated cooling off …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A8 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana announced Thursday that they have joined the Benchmark Group of medical insurance companies. The Benchmark Group is a nonprofit affiliation of insurance companies …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A8 Bookseller Amazon.com of Seattle on Thursday announced a plan to expand its business by letting other companies and individuals recommend books and create an electronic link to its service on …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A9 Alan Greenspan was typically vague, but it was enough to hold out hope for steady interest rates and stocks rallied Thursday as the market continued a rebound from the precipitous …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A9 The dollar finished mixed against leading currencies Thursday after falling sharply when Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, testifying before Congress, implied that an interest rate hike isn’t imminent. Uncertainty about the …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A11 About 2,700 workers of National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. did not show up for work Thursday, the first day of a strike over union rules at the West Coast’s largest …

July 19, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A11 Alaska Air Group Inc. earned a record $18 million in the second quarter, compared with $7 million during the same quarter last year, the airline company said Thursday. The earnings …

July 19, 1996 in Idaho on Page B1 The Idaho Supreme Court is being asked to reconsider a June ruling that prohibits citizen appeals of all state timber sales. That case centered on Priest Lake timber sales, challenged …

July 19, 1996 in Idaho on Page B1 1. “Bad Buddy,” a 5-year-old donky was bottle fed as a baby, so he knows how to drain a can of soda. Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review 2. Cathy Lininger’s …

July 19, 1996 in Idaho on Page B1 These Dalton Gardens kids have turned into a pack of Wolves and gathered in front of their den to explain how they plan to save the world. Photo by Craig …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B1 Blake Pirtle arrives in court in Spokane on Thursday. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B1 First, there was second-hand smoke. Now, there’s red-light and yellow-light smoke. The Spokane County Health Board is asking the county and its 16 cities and towns to force restaurants to …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B1 (photo of police sketch)

July 19, 1996 in Idaho on Page B1 The sniping between the campaign of Democrat Walt Minnick and Republican Sen. Larry Craig continued on Thursday with the challenger’s camp asserting the incumbent has “ties to big tobacco companies.” …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B1 A Deer Park Junior High teacher and recent “Teacher of the Month” is under investigation for allegedly molesting students during the 1970s, when he was a school principal in Philipsburg, …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B1 Chelan County commissioners have filed a complaint of judicial misconduct against Whitman County Superior Court Judge Wallis Friel, saying he inappropriately discussed a land-use case of theirs two days before …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B2 New listings 2nd Air Force Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (World War II Spokane and Colorado Springs) and 21st Bomber Command of 20th Air Force (World War II Guam) Sept 17, …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B2 Riekers

July 19, 1996 in Idaho on Page B2 The following local students recently received degrees: Shane Carson, Coeur d’Alene, recently received a bachelor’s degree in science at Pacific University.

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B2 Births recorded in the Spokane area during the 24-hour period ending at 1 p.m. July 18, 1996: Deaconess Fowler A daughter to Brad and Susan Fowler of Coeur d’ Alene, …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B2 Alice Ludvik Spokane Graveside service for Alice M. Ludvik, 83, will be at 1 p.m. today at Fairmount Memorial Park. Memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B3 A body left wrapped in a piece of carpet near Clover Creek is believed to be that of a 9-year-old girl who disappeared July 4, the Pierce County sheriff’s office …

July 19, 1996 in City on Page B3 Nona Brazier, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, campaigns as a successful entrepreneur who disdains affirmative action and race-based contracting. But affirmative-action contracts, dismissed by the black businesswoman …