In brief: Labor law could slow Capitol restoration

A 70-year-old Idaho law that requires 95 percent of laborers on state public works projects to be Idaho residents could slow progress at the state Capitol, which is in the midst of a restoration and expansion project.

“We have such a small labor pool right now, it could cause the project to lose some days if we can’t get something done about it,” said Teresa Luna, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration.

Chapter 10 of Title 44 was passed in the 1930s to make sure state projects benefited local companies that employed “bona fide Idaho residents.”

Because it would take legislative action to ease the requirements, project manager John Emery said he’s trying to be creative to make sure he has enough workers without violating the regulation.

– Associated Press

Coeur d’Alene

Dinner, entertainment to celebrate veterans

“America’s Heroes,” a dinner and party for Inland Northwest veterans, is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 N. Lakewood Drive, Coeur d’Alene.

The cost is $15 per person. American Legion Post 14 and the Veterans History Project are organizing the event.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a classic car ride down to the lake, where veterans can add their photos to a wall of honor and view a “freedom quilt” from the North Idaho Quilt Guild. Dinner will be at 6 p.m.

All That Jazz and other groups will perform, and door prizes and raffle drawings are planned.

For tickets or information, call (208) 664-2250.

– Staff reports