Huckleberries Best of the INorthwest — 6/5/08

Christopher Anderson/SR
Elizabeth Phelps, biological mother of Summer Phelps, talks with media outside the Superior Court where Adriana Lytle was to be sentenced today in the death of Summer. Story here .

1. For more than 30 years, the Idaho Association of Business and Industry was the most powerful lobbying group in Idaho. Primary election results indicate the group’s clout may be fading here /Dan Popkey, IStatesman.

2. All of the children of a polygamist sect in Texas have been returned to their parents. That’s the word from Texas child welfare officials. But one woman living in Bonners Ferry says those kids should not go home to their parents here /KXLY.

3. Nearly two out of three of every Montanans who cast ballots Tuesday voted the Democratic ticket. Political party officials and political scientists disagree about the significance of that fact here /Helena Independent Record.

4. Blogs: Obama needs Sgt. Rock /TUBOB; Otter says kids have ‘nature deficit’ /Eye On Boise; and Will judge issue split decision on wolves? /Rocky Barker.

5. IMHO: Idaho’s giant sucking sound: November ‘08 /Nathaniel Hoffman, Boise Weekly; ‘Staycation’s‘ all we really wanted /Doug Clark, SR; Karl doing his part to help Lakers in finals /Brian Murphy, IStatesman; and Father’s Day at Denny’s? No thanks /Bob Wire, New West.

6. News Roundup: Spokane River finally below flood stage /SR; Deer strolling through downtown Spokane tranquilized /KREM2; Too much weed lands medical marijuana man in jail /KREM2; Seattle M’s brass fed up /Seattle PI; and Idaho businessman sues USFS over copter access /Twin Falls Times-News.