Betsy Z. Russell

Rep. Chenoweth

Idaho's U.S. attorney's office has made significant changes in the way it handles indictments since the Randy Weaver case. But Idaho U.S. Attorney Betty Richardson noted in a memo to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Jamie Gorelick that the federal government itself was involved in reviewing Weaver's indictment.

The tiny Kootenai Tribe has just had its first member graduate from college, and tribal leaders say the tribe is on track to achieve its biggest wish: selfsufficiency. Ron Abraham, a tribal council member, told the governor's Native American Issues Summit on Monday that the key to the 118-member tribe's comeback has been its recognition that it must govern itself, not rely on the federal government or anyone else.

Ernie Stensgar

Democrats are upset that Gov. Phil Batt dumped the highly regarded chief of the Idaho Housing Agency solely because the official supported Batt's campaign opponent. "This was a political appointment," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Sweeney, D-Lewiston. "The IHA is recognized as one of the best-run agencies of its kind in the United States."

Al Lance

Gov. Phil Batt on Friday got seven bills on juvenile justice, most toughening the laws used to deal with lawbreakers under the age of 18. The House approved the bills Friday afternoon, with just a scattering of opposition. Legislation creating a new state agency to deal with youthful lawbreakers, the Department of Juvenile Corrections, still pends.

There must be some way the Kootenai Tribe can become financially self-sufficient without angering its neighbors in Boundary County, lawmakers said Wednesday. A Senate committee voted unanimously to send legislation to the full Senate to have a committee of tribal members, local officials and lawmakers study the issue over the summer.

School districts would be able to pass bond issues to build schools with a 60 percent vote instead of the current two-thirds majority, under a bill that won initial approval Monday. But there's a catch: The districts would receive the easier standard only if they schedule bond elections on one of four designated dates - the same dates as other types of elections are held in Idaho.

Picture this: A new type of ski is invented that allows you to ski deep, heavy powder all day long, turn after turn, having a great time, even if you're out of shape. Even if you're out of shape! Impossible, right?

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth's contention that federal agencies are using armed agents and helicopters to invade Idaho to enforce the Endangered Species Act has agency officials scratching their heads. "It wasn't us," said Rod Moxley, a special agent with the National Marine Fisheries Service, which enforces the act in the Columbia Basin.

Former Olympic ski racer Tamara McKinney never had any trouble keeping up with the boys. But now that she conducts ski clinics across the country, she's found that sometimes the most effective way to teach women to ski is without the boys around.

When I was expecting my first child, several outdoorsy friends expressed surprised that someone with so many active interests would want something as limiting as a baby. Wrong! Having little kids doesn't mean that folks can't ski. In fact, skiing is one of the most baby- and child-friendly sports, believe it or not.