April 7, 2011 in Sports The Spokane hockey community lost one of its favorite sons on Tuesday when Novelli “Nels” Venerus died at the age of 62 following a yearlong battle with liver cancer. 2

April 7, 2011 in News Both directions of Highway 41 near Spirit Lake were blocked for several hours as police cleared an accident involving an overturned commercial tractor-trailer.

April 7, 2011 in City, News Court records related to the federal case against domestic terrorism suspect Kevin W. Harpham will remain sealed, a judge ruled today.

April 7, 2011 in Idaho The Senate killed a hard-fought energy compromise by one vote, the House speaker booted two moderates out of their committee chairmanships, and Idaho’s wild 2011 legislative session ground to a … 5

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World, News A Microsoft manager in charge of the company’s Libya operations is being held in Tripoli. Microsoft said in a statement Wednesday the company is working with international organizations to secure …

April 7, 2011 in City, News Police today located a developmentally disabled, vulnerable woman who went missing yesterday.

April 7, 2011 in Idaho, Sports A group of investors based in Alaska has purchased State Line Speedway, the track’s manager said today. 4

April 7, 2011 in City A Western Washington woman died after a one-car rollover crash on Interstate 90 near Ritzville today.

April 7, 2011 in Sports Rob Keefe has had a huge impact on the Spokane Shock arena football team, as both a player and coach. With a bye this week, Keefe has agreed to take … 1

April 7, 2011 in Idaho Idaho lawmakers rushed through a bill to pay $100,000 to the Idaho Republican Party - to which 81 percent of them belong - in the final days of this year’s … 15

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World A big aftershock rocked quake-weary Japan late today, rattling nerves as it knocked out power to the northern part of the country and prompted tsunami warnings that were later canceled. 4

April 7, 2011 in City, Idaho April snow showers keep falling across the Inland Northwest today after a series of strong snow and rain showers on Wednesday night. 4

April 7, 2011 in Sports Mitch Moreland delivered the tiebreaking double for the still undefeated Texas Rangers off Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. The young first baseman then earned a dinner from new teammate Adrian …

April 7, 2011 in City A House committee has approved the Democratic majority’s state budget proposal aimed at closing an estimated $5 billion deficit for the next two years. 3

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World on Page A1 LANDSTUHL, Germany – Grim combat statistics that one military doctor called “unbelievable” show U.S. troops in Afghanistan suffered an unprecedented number of catastrophic injuries last year, including a tripling of … 2

April 7, 2011 in City on Page A1 If a federal government shutdown takes effect Saturday, many local agencies could be affected, especially if the shutdown becomes protracted. In response to federal budget uncertainties, the Idaho Army and …

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Social Security checks would still go out. So would tax payments and refunds for e-filed returns. Soldiers would remain on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, and sailors off … 2

April 7, 2011 in City on Page A1 Medical marijuana dispensaries in Spokane face federal prosecution if they do not end their operations immediately, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday. Federal authorities hope for voluntary compliance but are … 41

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World on Page A2 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to prison Wednesday after he asked to repay his investment scam victims through poker tournament winnings, but failed to find luck at …

April 7, 2011 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Obama administration and its Senate allies beat back a months-long effort by congressional Republicans to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate greenhouse gases, … 1