Business groups ask West to skip recall appeal

Three major business groups are asking Mayor Jim West to skip any appeal of the recall effort he faces, and let the voters decide whether he should stay in office. That story will be the lead of Page 1 tomorrow.

In the U.S. Senate, Republicans have mounted a long-shot effort to force John Bolton’s United Nations nomination through the Senate, even as the White House raises pressure by refusing to rule out the idea that President Bush would act on his own.

Meanwhile, Secreatary of State Condeleeza Rice has delievered a high-profile call for political reform in the Middle East, and has urged Egypt to lead such a transformation.

Locally, Virginia de Leon is writing about children who have a parent in prison or jail. They often lead chaotic lives marked by poverty, substance abuse and exposure to criminal activities. They’re also at greater risk for alcohol and drug abuse, poor grades in school and juvenile delinquency.

What does it mean when Mercury, Venus and Saturn align in the constellation Gemini? Pretty good astronomical viewing, according to local star buffs. Three planets will be within a 2.5 degree span of the northwestern sky on Friday, and will remain fairly close for a few days.

And with Fourth of July coming, Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams is asking the City Council for a five-fold increase in the fine on fireworks use as a deterrent to a trend of increased illegal fun.

Idaho law officers also are cracking down on fireworks violations. Many fireworks are not allowed off the reservation boundaries. Areas have been set up on the reservation for shooting off fireworks, but is anyone using them? Or are people trying to sneak past deputies patrolling the Fighting Creek area?

In addition to normal newspaper delivery tomorrow, the paper will be delivered to roughly 130,000 households of non-subscribers. This is a quarterly experiment called “The Big Day,” in which advertisers get more than double the reach for a regularly priced ad.