The call by Gov. Butch Otter to have the 2016 Legislature out of the Capitol by St. Patrick's Day is a sign that this session might not be the typical barnburner that others have been. Otter and legislative leaders don't want legislative loose cannons to...
U.S. Army Spc. Scott Drapeau, center right, stands with his wife Kristina and their daughter Adelaide, 18 months, following his re-enlistment ceremony, Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Drapeau, who is a native Californian, plans to live in Washington, his adoptive state, when he retires.
Bonner County Sheriff Darryl Wheeler applauded new Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad today for delaying a decision on a controversial, pro-Syrian refugee resolution. Taylor Viydo @KREMTaylor tweets a copy of a letter in which Wheeler says there's no way to properly vet such refugees to ensure that no terrorists slip in among them.
PM Scanner Traffic for Thursday (19 items & counting + link to AM Scanner Traffic with 19 more items) includes a deer and a baby moose hit by cars on Highway 95, south of Coeur d'Alene, after dark today ...
The Cutline Contest today features a hairy Idaho man getting the hair on his back shaved into a design for a calendar. Wednesday Winner: CdAJim.
The American public is broadly supportive of the executive actions issued by President Barack Obama this week aimed at increasing the reach of federal background checks for gun purchases and improving enforcement of existing laws. However, less than half say that these changes will be effective at reducing gun-related deaths.
Jay Lamkin of Coeur d'Alene is praying for a peaceful ending to the standoff at Malheur Wildlife Refuge. But he's also sympathic to the complaints of the anti-government activists involving. Brian Walker of the Coeur d'Alene Press reports that Lamkin is standing on street corners showing his support for the Bundys & Co.
Columnist Dana Milbank takes Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador to task for sympathizing with Malheur Wildlife Refuge protesters as "peaceful" practitioners of "civil disobedience." Millbank says the Bundys and their followers are "seditionists" -- and that Labrador is encouraging them and others to take up arms against their government.
The daily roundup of posts from the Huckleberries Online blog roll includes the photo above of a new piece of public art on the waterfront ...
The Legislature’s Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee heard a rather startling statistic this afternoon from state Department of Labor Director Ken Edmunds: Idaho is losing half of its college graduates within four years of their graduation. When asked, "What's the solution?" Edwards said: "We don't pay well." Queue up the crickets.
To the American public, Ammon Bundy and Ryan Bundy have become the face of Western ranching. The two sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy remain in possession of federal buildings at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Oregon. They’ve captured international attention by purporting...
The number of anti-government militia groups is dramatically on the rise, according to a prominent anti-bigotry organization. There were at least 276 militia groups active in the United States last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center — a 37 percent rise over the 202 such groups in 2014.
Lake City football coach Van Troxel, the architect of one of the top programs in Idaho, resigned Thursday. Greg Lee/SR reports: Troxel, who turns 62 in March, said it’s time to be a full-time grandpa. (Question: Anyone out there play for Troxel?)
A year ago, as Washington’s new background check law had barely taken effect, the organizer of a Spokane gun show committed an unpardonable sin. He said the law had worked. Snider was mocked and vilified in the online chambers of gun zealotry. Now, Snider tells columnist Shawn Vestal, that he was 100% wrong. And that's what's wrong w/gun debate.
A familiar face will take over as the new director of the Idaho Department of Commerce. On Thursday, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter appointed Megan Ronk, who has worked at the department for four years under outgoing Director Jeff Sayer. Sayer is leaving to start a business consultancy after four years as director. Ronk, 36, takes over Friday.
Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, said he’s been involved in meetings over the summer to try to find a compromise between the “Add the Words” proposal to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and concerns about religious liberty.
At Panhandle Area Council, near the Coeur d'Alene Airport, this morning, JohnA photographed icicles that are hanging from the office roof almost the ground. Do you have comparable icicles hanging from your roof?
AM Scanner Traffic for Thursday AM (19 items & counting) includes visit from officer for student who wouldn't get out of bed this morning ...
Dozens of Sandpoint area residents spoke out against a proposed City Council ordinance, offered by new Mayor Shelby Rognstad, that called for welcoming Syrian refugees. Grace Ditzler of KXLY reports that the proposal attracted a standing-room-only crowd that listened to public input for an hour. The matter was later tabled.
The daily roundup of headlines for Wednesday AM includes roof collapse at 76 gas station in Post Falls. Also: Tribe opposes Mount Spokane expansion/SR, Lookout Pass free ski school begins/Outdoors, Open house honors long-time Hayden mayor/Press, CdA protester backs Malheur refuge occupiers/Press, Hill: Compromise sought on 'Add the Words'/EOB
Hucks Nation doesn't think highly of the armed Bundys & Co. who invaded the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Respondents to Wednesday's poll described Bundy & Co alternatively as "anti-government activists" (29.5%), "terrorists" (23.6%), and "outlaws" (22.12%). (Today's Poll: How would you describe the Kootenai Co GOP Central Committee?)
Seems Raul Labrador is unhappy with the performance so far by new House Speaker Paul Ryan. Lauren French of Politico reports that Labrador has delivered a stark message to Speaker Ryan: the honeymoon is over. Labrador wants Ryan to start delivering some real conservative reform. In other words, Ryan is jumping as high as Raul wants.
Sorry to disappoint the tin gods who railroaded that "party unity" resolution through a special meeting of the Kootenai County GOTP Central Committe, but Gov. Otter isn't backing down on plans for his PAC. Also in this post, you'll find links to several topics addressed by the governor in today's AP Legislative Preview.
"I am asking to replenish Constitutional Defense Fund" -- Idaho Gov. Butch Otter at the AP Legislative Preview this morning. (Question: Can you predict which wrong-headed appeal will Gov. Otter and GOP legislative leaders waste Constitutional Defense Fund money on this year?)
Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador is drawing attention today for defending the armed protesters who took over an eastern Oregon wildlife refuge as “peaceful” practitioners of “civil disobedience.”
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
