Three chicks hatched over the weekend in the peregrine falcon nest high atop a downtown building, One Capitol Center at 10th and Main streets. You can see their progress, and that of the parents who are carefully tending them, on a live webcam here, sponsored…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's developments in the media access execution case, in which a federal judge declined to issue a preliminary injunction against limits on witness access to Idaho's executions, finding that while the news media presented "a…
Idaho's land-line phone providers would no longer have to fix outages within 24 hours or be forced to give customers a month's service credit, under a rule change pending at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The Idaho AARP is decrying the change as a prime…
The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld a death warrant for Richard Leavitt, who is scheduled to be executed June 12 for the 1984 murder of Danette Elg. In a 10-page opinion issued this afternoon, the justices both affirmed the death warrant, and affirmed a district…
Idaho's news media, led by the Associated Press, have filed a notice of appeal to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals of a federal judge's decision today against issuing a preliminary injunction over constitutional problems with Idaho's execution procedure. The 9th Circuit will hear…
U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge has issued his ruling in the Idaho news media's bid for a preliminary injunction regarding limits on witness access to the state's execution procedures, finding that while the news media has presented "a strong claims on the merits," it's just…
A mix of large and small school districts will be first in line when Idaho starts providing laptop computers for every ninth- through 12th-grader next year, according to a list obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. AP reporter Jessie Bonner reports that the state Department…
As Idaho's news media spar with the state in federal court over limits on access to executions, the case has turned a spotlight onto Idaho's long and consistent history of media witnesses attending its state executions to serve as the eyes and ears of the…
In arguments at the Idaho Supreme Court today, defense attorney David Nevin contended there are questions about condemned murderer Richard Leavitt's guilt that have yet to be explored in court. But Deputy Attorney General LaMont Anderson told the justices, "We've been at this case now…
Randy Nelson, president of Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, will retire at the end of July after 22 years with the group. ATI is setting up a transition committee to head its search for a new president. The business-funded group does research on tax issues, offers…
U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge has dismissed the portion of a lawsuit challenging Idaho's lethal-injection execution procedure that involves Richard Leavitt, who is scheduled to be executed on June 12. Lodge wrote in his 55-page decision and order today that he would allow more time…
A court hearing on whether condemned murderer Joseph Duncan was mentally competent when he waived his right to appeal his death sentence has been set for Jan. 8, 2013. "There will be no extension ... of the Jan. 8 date," U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge…
Tax-protesting Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart is asking the Idaho Supreme Court to reconsider its dismissal of his state income tax appeal, saying the court should have given more consideration to his legislative privilege argument. Hart appealed an order to pay more than $53,000 in…
The Idaho Supreme Court has set oral arguments for Monday at 3 p.m. on a series of last-minute issues raised by condemned murderer Richard Leavitt, who is scheduled to be executed June 12. Late yesterday, the high court dismissed a major filing by Leavitt's attorneys,…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) ― State wildlife officials are still uncertain what to do with a young wolf pup that was recovered a week ago near Ketchum by a pair of tourists. In fact, Idaho Fish and Game…