Hot Potatoes — 1/31/07

Eli Weston, cooking in place of co-owner Steve Hudson, holds up a hamburger before serving the customer Tuesday at Hudson’s Hamburgers in Coeur d’Alene. The century-old business still serves simple grilled hamburgers and slices of pie to locals who crowd into the tiny storefront and sit cheek-by-jowl with strangers on stools/Jesse Tinsley, Spokesman-Review.

* Lawmakers commend Hudson’s: Three generations of family attend ceremony in Boise /Parker Howell, Spokesman-Review — Todd Hudson was gracious in deflecting the honor: “It says a lot about our customers, because we wouldn’t have made it a year, let alone 100,” without them. But everyone else knows it says more about the Hudsons’ devotion to culinary excellence.

* Field burning ruled illegal: Court says it violates Clean Air Act, orders EPA to reconsider rules /Betsy Russell, Spokesman-Review — That bell you hear tolling, Mr. and Mrs. Grass Grower? It’s tolling for thee. (Cue: Pave paradise, put up a parking lot …)

* Woman jailed after rushing home to cook for her son /Dave Turner, Coeur d’Alene Press — Mebbe she shoulda told her son to eat at Hudson’s Hamburgers instead. Or make his own lunch.

* Addressing issues at home: Flooding tops agenda as governor visits Bonners Ferry /Erica Curless, Spokesman-Review — Good PR move. Wonder if the governor scouted out a good hunting spot to bag an endangered caribou or two to go with his hunting plans for a future delisted wolf?

* 88 Idaho prisoners refuse parole: They’d rather serve out terms than comply to conditions /Betsy Russell/Eye on Boise — They’d rather do the time than receive treatment for the crime. So much for rehabilitation for these sitting time bombs.

Question: How often do you eat at Hudson’s Hamburgers?