Huckleberries Best of the INorthwest — 4/12/07

Meagan Thompson/Twin Falls Times-News, AP Photo

Twin Falls Sheriff’s Office Undersherriff Ed Gudgell talks on the radio Tuesday, while investigating the death of a BASE jumper in Twin Falls. The BASE jumper who died Tuesday, after leaping off Perrine Bridge, shown in background, over the Snake RivA BASE jumper who died Tuesday jumping from the Perrine Bridge may have entangled his hand while attempting to release his parachute here .

Tom Forbes/Palousitics: Congrats to WSU Young Repubs for screening “Outside the Wire” here and here .

1. Four prominent Spokane Catholics have asked Bishop William Skylstad to resign, saying the $48 million bankruptcy deal he struck to settle sex-abuse claims against the Spokane Catholic Diocese is a “complete disaster” here .

2. A 23-year-old University of Arizona student who police say was the first victim of John Joseph Delling _ and the only one who survived _ has described the early-morning incident in which he was shot in the face and chest here .

3. Montana U.S. Attorney William Mercer , who as acting associate attorney general also is No. 3 in the Justice Department, answered hours of questions in a closed-door session with congressional investigators Wednesday about his role in the firings of eight federal prosecutors here .

4. Druggists who think “morning-after” birth control pills are tantamount to abortion can’t stand in the way of a patient’s right to get a prescription, the Washington Board of Pharmacy ruled unanimously Thursday here .

5. The state Senate narrowly approved a “simple majority” measure for school levies this morning, breaking a years-long deadlock over whether a 50 percent or 60 percent majority should be required. Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to sign it here .

6. IMHO-NW: Rich Landers /Spokesman-Review ( Mentoring kids serious job for hunters ), Gary Kawamura /WSU Evergreen ( Everyone has too much stuff ), Mark Henckel /Montana Outdoors, Billings Gazette ( Strutting at dawn ), Chris Peterson /Hungry Horse News ( On cutting a finger tip ), Tom Henderson /Lewiston Tribune ( But don’t dress like an individual ).

Online Poll: 74% of 608 respondents to an Idaho Statesman poll say they have a fixed-rate loan to pay for their home mortgage.

*Idaho Wildlife Federation eyes voter initiative on Idaho elk farms here .

*Evidence mounts against teen accused of setting Vallivue High schoolmate on fire here .

*Washington House OKs bill to penalize driving and talking with hand-held cell phone here .

Orbusmax Special: 14 of 20 endangered pygmy rabbits dead after release in eastern Washington here .