This photo was printed kind of bluish on the front page of the Northwest section, photo director Larry Reisnouer said, but here we are, a lovely elephant:

Libby, a 38-year-old female Asian elephant, gets a washdown from handler Ben Hutchinson on Wednesday. The Shrine Circus performers, including three elephants, are camping at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center grounds until they begin a run Friday through Sunday at the Spokane Arena. The high-pressure spray doesn’t hurt the animals’ leathery skin, said Hutchinson. “They love the water,” he said. Jesse Tinsley photo.

Speaking of creatures, deputy city editor Dan Hansen had a surprise visit from a Wishing Star Foundation goat - part of a fundraiser called "Send a Friend a Goat!" in which donations are accepted to "send the goat away." Not soon enough, apparently, as it left some nuclear waste by Hansen's desk. Expect goat video in the next few hours.

Thin slices

• U-Hi to use breath tests at dances: Program already in effect at Post Falls schools, and attendance unaffected

• Broad study finds boost in U.S. kids' well-being: Shifts in parenting, government policy among key factors

• Today's Associated Press story about snow melt is very similar to the Spokesman-Review story from March 30, editors said.
-- Today: Wet winter will slake thirsty West: Snowmelt predictions are well above average
-- March 30: Regional snowpack well above norm: Good news follows years below average

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