Acting Idaho Gov. Brad Little this morning declared an emergency for Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties in the wake of the disastrous Nov. 18 windstorm, paving the way for federal and state funds to help cover part of the cost of restoring damaged utilities. “I know in those four counties and Spokane, it was brutal, it was really brutal,” said Little, who, as lieutenant governor, has been filling in for Gov. Butch Otter while Otter was attending a Western Governors Association meeting and the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. Otter returned at mid-day today. “This falls into the category of a disaster where the state needs to pay our share of the cost,” Little said/Betsy Russell, SR. More here.