Rockslide near Smiths Ferry closes Idaho State Highway 55
Idaho State Highway 55 is closed in both directions near Smiths Ferry because of a rockslide, the Idaho Transportation Department announced Sunday. The slide happened late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. A 3-mile stretch of the
KOZE News Podcast 1/21/22
WA launches at-home rapid COVID-19 test portal
The Washington State Department of Health has launched a statewide portal that will allow COVID-19 tests to ship directly to households. Beginning Friday, Washington state residents will be able to visit www.sayyescovidhometest.org to order rapid-antigen COVID tests
WA Supreme Court upholds $18M campaign-finance fine against grocery industry group
The Washington State Supreme Court has upheld a record $18 million fine against a national grocery industry group for violating state campaign-finance laws during a 2013 battle against a food-labeling initiative. In a 5-4 ruling issued Thursday, the court
Idaho officials send cease-and-desist to MyPillow CEO
Idaho officials have sent MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell a cease-and-desist letter and a bill of more than $6,000 over the businessman’s repeated accusations of voter fraud in the state. Secretary of State Lawerence Denney and Attorney General
KOZE News Podcast 1/20/22
LISTEN: Joint School District 171 closes two schools due to covid
Temporary closures have been issued for 2 schools in Joint School District 171 due to COVID numbers. C.J. Thompson has more:
WA House approves delaying payroll tax for WA Cares until July 2023
Washington House lawmakers Wednesday approved a pair of key bills to delay the payroll tax collections for WA Cares until July 2023 and make broad changes to the first-of-its-kind long-term care program in the face of criticism. The
Moscow council approves Mountain View grant applications
The Moscow City Council on Tuesday approved two applications for grants that would fund sidewalks, lighting, bike lanes and other pedestrian features on Mountain View Road. Schools, playfields, recreational areas and neighborhoods are all in the vicinity
KOZE News Podcast 1/19/22
Gov. Little announces changes at Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Recent retirements and departures at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission have resulted in new membership of the body that regulates investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, electricity or some telephone services for profit in the
Residents can file Idaho income tax returns starting Jan. 24
The Idaho State Tax Commission starts processing 2021 Idaho individual income tax returns on Monday, January 24. The Internal Revenue Service begins processing federal returns the same day. E-filing your return is the safest and easiest way to file.
Biden Administration to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week
The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face
Lewiston airport sees passenger numbers climb
Commercial passenger departures rose 200% at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport in 2021, compared with the previous year when travel fell dramatically at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 30,721 passengers left on
Victim of Lewiston hit-and-run dies
The victim of last month’s hit-and-run near Lewiston’s Locomotive Park has died. 66-year-old Lewiston resident Duane Schmidt was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street at around 5:20 p.m. December 23rd after viewing the Winter Spirit
One person killed in deadly house fire in rural Lewis County
One person was killed and another injured following a house fire Monday afternoon near Winchester. According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was reported at around 3:05 p.m. Monday at a home near Stevens and
Region reports more than 600 new COVID cases over holiday weekend
Regional health officials reported 631 combined new coronavirus cases and three COVID-related deaths over the three-day holiday weekend. In north central Idaho: Nez Perce County reported 142 new infections and one death; Latah County had 104 along
Idaho superintendent presents 2023 school budget
Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra presented her fiscal 2023 budget request to lawmakers Monday, saying it’s “time to make strategic investments in Idaho students and schools.” Overall, Ybarra is recommending a $3.292 billion K-12 budget for
White House soft-launches COVID-19 test request website
The Biden administration on Tuesday quietly launched its website for Americans to request free at-home COVID-19 tests, a day before the site was scheduled to officially go online. The website, COVIDTests.gov, now includes a link for Americans
COVID forces postponement of Thursday’s WSU basketball game
The Washington State men’s basketball game this Thursday at Oregon has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Cougs’ program. The game in Eugene will be rescheduled with the two teams and the Pac-12 Conference working
Educational Support Personnel of the Year Award
ESP of the Year Nominations are open for the Lewiston School District Educational Support Personnel (ESP) of the Year Award for 2021-2022! Don’t miss your chance to nominate that exceptional employee who provides critical support to our
KOZE News Podcast 1/17/22
Two more Idaho lawmakers test positive for COVID-19 in first week of session
At least two more Idaho lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 during the first week of the 2022 legislative session. Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, told the Idaho Statesman by phone Monday morning that he is
Twin Bridges boat ramp re-opens
The Twin Bridges boat ramp along the Salmon River has re-opened and is ready for use. The project’s completion included the installation of a precast concrete extension after adding multiple loads of large rock and gravel for
Legendary coach Ed Cheff has died
KOZE news has confirmed that former long-time Lewis-Clark State Head Baseball Coach Ed Cheff has passed away at the age of 78. Cheff served as LC’s head baseball coach for 34 seasons (1977-2010) and led the Warriors
KOZE News Podcast 1/14/22
Whitman County Public Health stresses caution as coronavirus cases rise
In a statement released today, Chris Skidmore, the director of Whitman County Public Health, warned residents to take caution as coronavirus cases rise, especially when attending large indoor events. According to Skidmore, the county is experiencing unprecedented
Warriors host Corban, Bushnell this weekend
The Lewis-Clark State basketball teams are back home this weekend hosting a pair of Cascade Conference games against Corban University today (Fri) and Bushnell University tomorrow (Sat). The Warrior women are 12-3 overall after absorbing two forfeit
Lewiston woman faces vehicular manslaughter charge for Normal Hill crash
A Lewiston woman has been charged with felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence for allegedly causing a fatal Normal Hill crash last year. 32-year-old Jayne Carr was at the wheel of a 2007 Pontiac G6 westbound on
KOZE News Podcast 1/13/22
Gov. Inslee orders Washington National Guard to help at medical facilities amid COVID-19 surge
Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday announced that members of the Washington National Guard will help staff hospitals and testing sites across the state, as the health care system strains beneath surging COVID-19 caseloads. Guard members will be sent
U of I temporarily suspends all concessions at athletic events due to COVID
With the rise in cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, the University of Idaho is temporarily suspending food and beverage service at all ticketed events, effective immediately. The move applies to all concessions in
Two more Chronic Wasting Disease cases detected in cow elk and white-tailed doe in Unit 14
Idaho Fish and Game has received notice that two more animals, a cow elk and a white-tailed deer doe, have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. Both animals were in Unit 14 in Idaho County. The whitetail
Regional COVID infections still rising
Regional health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington say the number of new coronavirus infections continues to climb with a combined total of 283 cases reported Wednesday. In north central Idaho, Nez Perce County had
KOZE News Podcast 1/12/22
LISTEN: Inslee encourages action on education, climate change in State of the State
Washington Governor Jay Inslee gave his State of the State address at noon today, in which he encouraged action on the part of the legislature in a shorter 60-day session. Governor Inslee plans to tackle homelessness with
LC men fall in latest NAIA national poll
The Lewis-Clark State men’s basketball team slipped three spots to #20 in the latest NAIA National Top-25 Poll. The Warriors are 13-and-4 with their two latest losses coming by way of forfeit due to the inability to
Pair of Idaho County jailers receive Life Saving Awards
Two Idaho County detention officers have received the Life Saving Award after preventing an attempted suicide recently at the jail in Grangeville. Detention Corporal Rick Knutson and Detention Deputy Jason Brown were on duty around 7:30 a.m.
New commander hired for Asotin County Jail
Officials have named the new commander of the Asotin County Jail. Former Asotin County corrections deputy Nate Uhlorn, who currently works for the Washington State Department of Corrections, has accepted the job. Uhlorn replaces Jim Smith who
COVID cases continue surge with more than 200 new infections reported in 8 county region
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined total of 212 new coronavirus cases Tuesday. In north central Idaho, Nez Perce County had the most new cases with 83; Latah County added 17
Lewiston trailer home damaged in fire
A trailer home suffered heavy damage due to a fire Tuesday in the Lewiston Orchards. The Lewiston Fire Department responded to the blaze around 5 p.m. to the corner of Fourth Street D and Airway Avenue near
Bengals sweep Bears at ICCU Arena
A 20 point third quarter allowed the Lewiston High girl’s basketball team to overcome a halftime deficit and beat Moscow 40-33 last night at the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena on the University of Idaho campus. Katy
Pierce elected Clarkston Mayor Pro Tem
Clarkston city councilors have voted fellow councilor Skate Pierce as Mayor Pro Tem. Pierce has previously served in the role, which allows him to lead meetings and conduct city business when the mayor is unavailable. Fellow councilors
Region reports big spike in COVID infections
The number of coronavirus cases are rising again in the north central Idaho and southeastern Washington region. Health officials in the Public Health – Idaho North Central District say Monday’s case count of 188 new infections was
Lewiston’s new form of city government takes control
The city of Lewiston officially made the change to a strong mayor form of government last night as the new city council and mayor were sworn in. Outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Schroeder — the only returning
KOZE News Podcast 1/10/22
Governor Little highlights tax relief, education in State of the State
Idaho Governor Brad Little gave his State of the State address this afternoon in Boise, in which he touted the state’s budget surplus and economy. Little also announced his Leading Idaho plan for an even bigger surplus,
Idaho gas prices drop for now
The American Automobile Association say despite rising gasoline supplies and falling demand, the high price of crude oil continues to make filling up your gas tank an expensive proposition. According to AAA, Idaho’s average price for regular
Events planned around annual Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day
Lewis-Clark State College faculty, staff and students will take part in and help host activities to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and Idaho Human Rights Day on Monday, Jan. 17. The annual event, now in its 32nd
Sand and Gravel Auction brings in $835,000 for Idaho’s students
Idaho Public Schools will benefit from competitive bidding on two sand and gravel leases in southwest Ada County. An Idaho Department of Lands public auction held last week resulted in $835,000 in premium bids on the mineral
