Becky Banderob tried to call authorities the night her husband, Larry Banderob allegedly shot Miriam Waltch, but the effort ended in a tirade, according to Ralph Bartholdt/St. Maries Gazette Record here. (Photo, Ralph Bardholdt/St. Maries Gazette-Record)

Eye On Boise: Idaho Senate votes 34-1 against president's plan to sell public lands here.

1. David Horsey/Seattle PI doodles re: U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and Demo "Profiles In Courage" here.

2. Columnist Doug Clark/Spokesman-Review considers Spokane's lame chamberesque motto, "Near Nature. Near Perfect" as Shakespearean verse compared to Washington's "monumentally awful new tourism trademark, 'SayWA'," here.

3. With March Madness and office pulls upon us, you might like to know that Montana is one of only four states that allows some form of sports betting here.

4. Idaho Sen. John Goedde, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, chased his Democratic opponent and the Idaho Education Association away from his re-election campaign by threatening legislative reprisals against their issues here.

5. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of their churches and schools, Roman Catholic parishioners have increased their financial support to their beleaguered Spokane diocese here.

6. IMHO-NW: Missoulian (No more Nortons), Jerry Large/Seattle Times (Human struggle bonds us all to Irish), Ted S. McGregor Jr./Inlander (Spokane's bigger than you think), John Blanchette/Spokesman-Review (Zags don't need validation), Bud Withers/Seattle Times (Gonzaga starts its run), and Brian Murphy/Idaho Statesman (Vandals should hire Dollar).

Online Poll: 50.1% of 1258 respondents to an Idaho Statesman poll say they aren't interested in the NCAA basketball tournament at all.

*Inlander Cover Story: Why Zag fans love Erroll Knight here.

*Boise 7-11 clerk disarms would-be robber with a squeegee here.

*Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson defends leasing two SUVs on taxpayer dime here.

Orbusmax Special: "Brokeback Boy" back on Oregon high school campus here.

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