The Coeur d'Alene Tribe believes it was unfairly stung by a Press report published last weekend, then circulated widely by other media. The story detailed how the tribe no longer makes public disclosure of its gifts to educational entities in and around the reservation. According to the story, five local school districts contacted by The Press all indicated they had not received any funding from the tribe since it had decided two years ago not to announce its donations publicly.

The tribe says it has made donations as set forth in its gaming compact with the state of Idaho; a voter-approved agreement that requires the tribe to donate 5 percent of its net income from gambling to educational entities “on or near the reservation.”

Exactly when those donations are made, and to whom, is completely up to tribal discretion, according to the tribe's spokesman, Helo Hancock. Hancock added that there was consternation among the tribe over what some felt was an unfair portrayal of the situation, and that insult was added to injury because The Press obviously was not taking tribal and Idaho Lottery officials' word at face value that the disbursements had been appropriately made. More here. Cda Press

Do you think it would be prudent of the tribe to disclose when/who received the required educational disbursements?

They've whacked a failing program, ostracized a bunch of kids and parents, cut here, consolidated there and, in all likelihood, succeeded in getting every single employee to do his or her best work. That's what we call leadership. The Kootenai County commissioners - Todd Tondee, Dan Green and Jai Nelson (pictured) - are cutting expenses because that's the mandate they got from voters. They aren't waiting for the next budget; they're saving money right now. They're also tossing political caution to the wind by considering an unpopular step like eliminating county extension programs, including the popular 4-H program/Mike Patrick, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the CdA Press that the current Kootenai County commissioners are showing leadership by consolidating, eliminating, & cutting the budget?

The 25th annual Press Christmas for All campaign is now officially in the books, and the towering goal of $200,000 - the most ambitious goal yet - was conquered.

Told that the goal had been reached, Anonymous in Athol, who helped this year's campaign with a pair of challenges and some massive giving, said: “In this economy most things are way down.

The success of Press Christmas for All really speaks to the people of North Idaho.” The success spoke to the hundreds of donors - and to the thousands of recipients. Cda Press

Do you give more to charities during the holidays than during other times of the year?

Here’s a warm fuzzy hug from the CDA Press:

“Seriously. From now through Christmas Day, keep your crankiness to yourself.
That this is the most joyful time of the year is debatable, especially with so many people out of work and the rest worried about what the new year might really bring. It’s peace we want; it’s stress we get.
So let’s make a pact. Let’s all agree to a cease-fire of bad karma. Let’s pledge togetherness. Let’s endeavor to make each other feel better, raising the tide of goodness all around us.”
More here.

Huckleberries hears … that the CDA Press has laid off 3 people in the newsroom, including veteran reporters Tom Greene and Linda Ball. Huckleberries also hears that the newly unemployed were given less than a week’s notice and no severance pay. They did receive pay for accrued vacation. Also, the Hagadone companies have levied a 5 percent pay cut across-the-board to rank-and-file employees and a 10 percent pay cut for managers. Stay tuned.

Question: Which guidelines would you like to see here? Would you never want to see here?