John Miller, AP Photo
This Wednesday picture in Boise shows the former home of billionaire J.R. Simplot that he donated in 2004 to be used as a governor's mansion. Idaho has at least temporarily scrapped a $3 million remodeling plan, of the home overlooking the captial, opting instead for a $250,000 privately funded update that includes new paint, flooring and all new furniture and appliances. The work is meant to get the home ready to host visiting dignitaries who might need to stay there or hold philanthropic fundraiser, but making the house livable also raises the question of whether a $4,500 monthly housing stipend Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter now gets in lieu of Idaho having an official residence will end. Some lawmakers say it should.

*Idaho Records/Sherry Adkins, SR
*Teen girl punched during Post Falls hate crime/KREM2
*Feds haven't taken action yet on St. Joe boating incident/Ralph Bartholdt, St. Maries Gazette-Record
*NIC board OKs corridor deal/Alison Boggs, SR
*Harrison votes to make CDA Press official newspaper/Ralph Bartholdt, St. Maries Gazette-Record
*Human Rights Institute exhibit will be unveiled Thursday/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press
*Rathdrum housing market glutted/Rick Thomas, Coeur d'Alene Press

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