When an eastern Idaho state rep says ‘Kootenai’…

As Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello, argued for his early voting time restrictions bill in the House today, he named several counties, referring to their current practices, including “Kooten-EYE County.” House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, asked him, “Good gentleman, did you just add a 45 ^th county to the state of Idaho?”

Manwaring responded, “I don’t think so; did I say it wrong?” Bedke said, “You don’t say it like they say it in Coeur d’Alene. It’s Kootenai.”

According to the Idaho Press Club’s online Idaho Pronunciation Guide , the correct pronunciation is either KOO-tun-ee or KOO-tun-ay (as in hay). The most common pronunciation: KOO-tun-ee.