December 7, 2009 in City A Mead man accused of killing his wife told their son he was stabbing the woman because she wanted a divorce, according to newly filed court documents. 3

December 7, 2009 in Idaho Lake Pend Oreille’s water levels could fluctuate by up to five feet this winter. The change would allow Albeni Falls Dam to produce more electricity, but it also is likely …

December 7, 2009 in Idaho State Rep. Raul Labrador entered the GOP primary contest for a chance to challenge Idaho’s Democratic 1st District Congressman Walt Minnick today, even as a fellow Republican lawmaker urged him …

December 7, 2009 in Business, Nation/World Americans borrowed less for a record ninth straight month in October, another sign that consumer spending will remain weak, making it harder for the economy to mount a sustained rebound. 1

December 7, 2009 in Business, City Passenger boardings at Spokane International Airport fell 6.3 percent in October compared with a year earlier, continuing a downturn triggered by the soft economy.

December 7, 2009 in Region The memorial for four slain Lakewood police officers is expected to pack the Tacoma Dome on Tuesday afternoon, drawing delegations from police forces as far away as New York. 21

December 7, 2009 in City One person is in custody after two Washington State University students were struck by a vehicle and hospitalized in separate incidents along Stadium Way on Monday morning.

December 7, 2009 in City Spokane police today are investigating two burglaries this morning that involved the use of vehicles to smash into businesses. 1

December 7, 2009 in City, Idaho Electrical power was knocked out to about 3,900 customers of Avista Utilities this morning in the Rathdrum Prairie area, but was restored about 9 a.m.

December 7, 2009 in City, Idaho Temperatures dropped to the single digits in most locations across the Inland Northwest this morning, and forecasters are promising even more frigid temperatures on Tuesday morning.

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World, Region The murder conviction of U.S. student Amanda Knox has not damaged U.S.-Italian relations, despite suggestions the verdict was tainted by anti-American sentiment and negligence by investigators, a top Italian diplomat …

December 7, 2009 in City on Page A1 Talk of developing a trolley or streetcar system in downtown Spokane is being re-energized this month. 9

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – Long before a pair of gate-crashers penetrated a White House state dinner, the Secret Service had detailed for its internal use a lengthy list of security breaches dating …

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 COPENHAGEN, Denmark– Delegates converged Sunday for the grand finale of two years of tough, sometimes bitter negotiations on a climate change treaty, as U.N. officials calculated that pledges offered in …

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates denied Sunday that President Barack Obama had set an “exit strategy” for Afghanistan, and he forecast that only a “handful” of U.S. troops …

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 BAGHDAD – Iraqi lawmakers approved plans Sunday to hold parliament elections early next year that are seen as an important step toward political reconciliation and easing the pullout of U.S. …

December 7, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Obama administration plans to cut its estimate of the projected costs of the government bailout program by more than $200 billion, a Treasury official said Sunday. The …