Huckleberries Best of the INorthwest — 4/8/08

Charles Krupa/AP Photo
Boisean Bill Buckner, the former Boston first baseman who was considered the goat of the 1986 World Series, throws out the ceremonial first pitch for the home Opening Day baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston. See Item No. 1.

Spotlight: Spokesman-Review to launch radio site tomorrow /On The Air.

1. Boisean Billy Buckner, a former Major League Baseball player best known for making a crucial error in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series, received a standing ovation when he threw out the first pitch in Boston’s home opener today here /IStatesman.

2. An effort by the Republican party to close primary elections to non-party members is a “big mistake,” Republican Gov. Butch Otter said Monday here /IStatesman

3. W.R. Grace & Co. said Monday it has reached a $3 billion agreement in cash and equity to resolve current and future asbestos claims against the company, which would allow it to emerge from bankruptcy without further obligations for asbestos injury here /Missoulian.

4. Blogosphere: Obama delves into West issues deeper than Clinton /Rocky Barker, Idaho Statesman; Butch Otter owns up /Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press; Robert Vasquez’s $61,000 legacy /Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman; Otter gives session mixed reviews /Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise; and Gregoire skips coffee klatch on way to announcing re-election /David Postman, Seattle Times.

5. IMHO: Airlines shouldn’t be proud of record /Steve McClure, Moscow-Pullman Daily News; Blunt talk about the bank bailout that wasn’t /Jim Fisher, Lewiston Tribune; It’s your parents fault /T.J. Tranchell, UI Argonaut; Verner needs to re-think newly created position /Spokesman-Review; and In Montana, Obama, Clinton give stage for Western issues /New West.

6. News Roundup: Tentative deal struck for Metro Mortgage affiliate /SR; Relicensing draft puts more water over falls /SR; Wyoming’s wolf policies prompt boycott call /IStatesman; McCall councilman resigns after charges of overbilling customers /IStatesman; and Junior high fight lands student in jail /KTVB.

Orbusmax Special: Washington Mutual to raise $7B from outside investors here .