Huckleberries Best of the INorthwest — 10/17/08

Kyle Mills/Lewiston Tribune, AP
Jaxon Smith, 9, carries a large pumpkin back to the bus as third and fourth-graders from Asotin Elementary pick pumpkins Thursday, near Anatone, Wash. Story here .

* No federal charges for spilled soda /Idaho Statesman
* Hanford workers don’t like plan to send N-waste to Idaho /Idaho Statesman
* Lapwai school bond fails for 3rd time /Idaho Statesman
* Minnick’s campaign warchest double Sali’s /Lewiston Tribune
* MPC lays off employees at Nampa plant /KTVB
* Idaho reorganizes virtual prison program /Idaho Press-Tribune
* Tourism flattens in Montana /Billings Gazette
* ‘Robinson Crusoe’ star from small Montana town /AP
* CDA tribe trying to save language /KXLY

Orbusmax Special: Alaska beluga whale added to endangered species act here .