March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 Tony Paquin

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 The Idaho House reluctantly approved a Department of Correction budget on Wednesday despite raging debate over a pay raise given to the department’s director. The 53-15 vote sending the $89 …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 Child-care squabble. Leah Bean, program director at the Bigfoot Day Care Center, watches students burn off some energy Wednesday in the outdoor play area. Bigfoot will be ousted in favor …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 A bill championed by two Spokane legislators undermines efforts to protect drinking water and should be vetoed by the governor, several city and county officials contend. The bill, which unanimously …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 Gov. Gary Locke signed on Wednesday the nation’s first law to limit potentially toxic metals in fertilizers and require a major study on dioxins in the products before the end …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 The seemingly simple question has divided parents, teachers, schools and communities across the country: how best to teach children how to read. Old-fashioned phonics? Or the newer “whole language” method? …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 Teaching by example. To battle boredom after morning shifts at Post Falls Middle School, eighth-grader Kayla Kimball spends part of her afternoons tutoring students such as Josiah Hefner, left. Photo …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A1 First of three parts There’s little debate over whether Post Falls needs a new school. The school district says facilities are overcrowded and it’s about time the community builds a …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A2 The last time Florida’s 75-year-old electric chair was used, nearly a year ago, it spit flames out of an improperly prepared headpiece, sparking outrage from opponents of capital punishment. But, …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A2 Ten years ago: Two British soldiers were shot to death after they were dragged from a car and beaten by mourners attending an Irish Republican Army funeral in Belfast, Northern …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A2 1883: long-distance telephone service was inaugurated between Chicago and New York City. 1918: Congress approved daylight-saving time. 1931: Nevada legalized gambling.

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A2 Wednesday’s Washington Triple Choice: 7-2-5. Wednesday’s Washington Lotto: 5-10-14-28-36-39.

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A2 Congress these days is largely out of sight. For Americans, that means out of mind. And for Congress, this is good. For the first time in years, Congress’ public approval …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A3 Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Kathleen Willey, released a sworn affidavit on Wednesday night, accusing the former White House aide of asking her to lie to corroborate Willey’s account …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A3 Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., discusses China while standing in front of clothes made in sweatshops. Photo by Associated Press

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A3 Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan proposed legislation Wednesday to shore up Social Security for the long run by trimming both the payroll tax and cost-of-living increases. Moynihan’s bill also would establish …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A4 1. This is an artist’s rendering of the skeleton of a raven-sized bird wiht strong dinosaur-like features, whose fossilized remains were found in a rock formation. Photo by Associated Press …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A4 Three leading American clergymen back from a three-week investigation of religious freedom in China reported guarded hope Wednesday that authorities will begin easing restrictions on worship as a result of …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A4 In a dramatic sign of the state’s changing demographics, babies born to women 30 years and older now outnumber those born to younger women. Of the more than 80,000 babies …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A5 Joni Hirst has one daughter who leaves for school at 6:30 in the morning and another who comes home at 6:30 at night. With after-school activities, the family usually doesn’t …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A5 Tuesday’s election will be the fifth time the Post Falls School District has asked for voters to give it a new high school, counting previous requests in 1985, 1994 and …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A5 Gov. Gary Locke on Wednesday signed a farm worker housing bill to make it easier and cheaper for growers to put up housing for their temporary workers. Locke said SB6168, …

March 19, 1998 in Nation/World on Page A6 A teacher who was robbed and beaten in the Little River Elementary School parking lot by a teenager on a bike last year might be dismissed by the School Board …