
KOZE News Podcast 1/15/21

Salmon Workgroup Develops Possible Solutions for Diminishing Fish Population
Salmon stocks along the Columbia River in the region are on a downward trajectory and are even heading to extinction. Brian Brooks, executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation and a member of Governor Little’s salmon workgroup,

Ag industry wants farmworkers prioritized for vaccinations
The agriculture industry is asking Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee to move migrant farm workers and food factory workers closer to the front of the line for the coronavirus vaccine because they perform work that cannot be

Washington National Guard members activated for inauguration
Nearly 400 members of the Washington state National Guard have been activated to support the presidential inauguration day in the nation’s Capitol next week. In a tweet Thursday, the National Guard said they will “support our federal

Idaho House rejects remote participation amid virus concerns
Idaho lawmakers in the House have rejected a request from one of its members to allow her and others to participate remotely due to her being at increased risk of serious illness or death from the coronavirus.

Region reports 74 total coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined total of 74 new coronavirus infections Thursday and two deaths in the 8 county area. In the Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Latah

Unemployment claims drop in Washington
The number of new jobless claims in Washington state dropped last week as seasonal layoffs in construction and agriculture leveled off, resulting in fewer initial benefit applications. According to the Washington Employment Security Department, laid-off workers in

KOZE News Podcast 1/14/21

Groups ask court to restore protections for US gray wolves
Wildlife advocates have asked a federal court to overturn a U.S. government decision that stripped Endangered Species Act protections for wolves across most of the nation. Two coalitions of advocacy groups filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court

Region reports 71 new virus infections, 1 death
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined 71 new coronavirus cases Wednesday in the 8 county area. In the Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Latah County once again had the

Wind storm knocks out power to several in region
High winds Wednesday resulted in several power outages in the region. Avista Utilities was scrambling to repair downed power lines and restore power to customers from the Palouse area to Elk City. Power had been restored to

Virus forces Warrior basketball teams to cancel this weekend’s home games
Coronavirus infections have forced both Lewis-Clark State basketball teams to cancel their planned home games this weekend. The Warrior women were set to host Simpson University for two games Friday and Saturday at the Activity Center. However,

Idaho Senate begins efforts to limit Governor’s emergency powers
Idaho senators on Wednesday joined their House colleagues in introducing legislation seeking to wrest power from Republican Gov. Brad Little on emergency declarations like the one dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Four pieces of Senate legislation, just

COVID-19 cases up in Washington, vaccinations to be expanded
The Washington state Department of Health said Wednesday that COVID-19 cases appear to be increasingly sharply in the most recent data. In a news release, officials say the flat and declining case count trends in mid-to-late December

KOZE News Podcast 1/13/21

University Presidents Pledge to Forgo Tuition Increases if Governor’s Budget is Approved
The presidents of Idaho’s three public universities Wednesday announced they will not seek tuition increases for the 2021-22 academic year if Governor Brad Little’s proposed higher education budget is approved by the Legislature. The Governor’s Fiscal Year

LC women’s basketball games this weekend canceled due to virus
This weekend’s two-game series between the Lewis-Clark State women’s basketball team and Simpson University has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Simpson program. It’s unknown at this time if the games will be re-scheduled. The

LC men jump to #4 in latest NAIA national rankings
The Lewis-Clark State men’s basketball team jumped three spots to #4 in the latest NAIA Top-25 National Poll. The Warriors received 496 points in the poll after improving to 10-1. LC returns home for a single game

Lewiston homicide suspects in custody
Lewiston police have arrested a father and son in connection with a homicide investigation. 42-year-old Clyde Ewing and his unidentified16-year-old son were arrested Tuesday by Lewiston officers, with assistance from the Clarkston Police Department and the Quad

Lawmakers seek to curb Idaho governor’s emergency authority
A power struggle between state lawmakers and Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little has begun. Republicans in the House brought forward three pieces of legislation Tuesday aimed at increasing the part-time Legislature’s authority while limiting the governor’s regarding

Overall regional coronavirus numbers dip Tuesday
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined total of 63 new coronavirus infections Tuesday across the 8 county area. In the Public Health – Idaho North Central District Latah County reported the

Judge rejects lawmakers’ coronavirus control requests
A federal judge says he won’t order the Idaho Legislature to require stricter coronavirus precautions while a lawsuit from two lawmakers moves forward. Meanwhile, disability-rights groups filed another lawsuit against the Legislature on Monday also seeking more

KOZE News Podcast 1/12/21

Governor Little Hosts Second Weekly Vaccine Update
Idaho Governor Brad Little hosted his second weekly Covid-19 vaccine update this afternoon, saying that as of this morning the state has 247 healthcare providers that can administer doses. Little said that since mid-December over 33,000 long-term

Online Fundraiser Gets Big Money for Idaho Housing Nonprofits
The Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge just wrapped up this past month, raising over two and a half million dollars for Idaho housing nonprofits. Deanna Ward, director of development for the Home Partnership Foundation, says her organization’s

WA Lands chief again proposes dedicated funds to fight wildfire
After yet another year of catastrophic wildfires in Washington state, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is once again proposing that the state create a dedicated fund to prevent and fight the fires. A similar attempt to

LC’s Bradley, Muehlhausen pick up weekly conference awards
Lewis-Clark State’s Trystan Bradley and Sara Muelhausen have been named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Players of the Week for their performances last week. Bradley, a Lewiston native, averaged 20.4 points per game and

Lewiston residents coping with effects of the pandemic to get reprieve on utility bills
Lewiston residents struggling to pay their monthly utility bills will get a three-month reprieve from any late fees following a city council vote Monday night in favor of reactivating a moratorium that expired last May. Last spring

Regional health officials report 3 more COVID-19 deaths
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined total of 64 new coronavirus infections Monday, including three deaths. In the 5 county Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Latah County had the

KOZE News Podcast 1/11/21

Idaho Governor Little Prioritizes Tax Cuts, Education in State of the State Address
Idaho Governor Brad Little held his State of the State Address and Budget Address this morning, touting the state’s budget gains in the midst of the pandemic and laying out his plans for Idaho’s future. He began

Idaho Legislature asks judge to nix lawsuit over virus rules
The Idaho Legislature says a judge shouldn’t force its leaders to make additional accommodations for lawmakers during the coronavirus pandemic. Two Democratic lawmakers, Representatives Sue Chew of Boise and Muffy Davis of Ketchum, sued the Legislature and

Authorities still looking for homicide suspects
Authorities continue to look for two suspects who allegedly forced their way into a Lewiston home Friday morning and killed a 31-year-old man. Lewiston Police say Samuel Johns was shot and killed by two unidentified suspects at

Idaho legislative session gets underway this week
Idaho Governor Brad Little gets the state’s 66th Legislative session underway today (Mon) in Boise when he delivers his annual State of the State Address to lawmakers. The governor will unveil his proposed budget and what he’d

LC men pick up defensive win to complete Arizona trip
The 7th ranked Lewis-Clark State men’s basketball team turned up its defensive effort in beating Park of Arizona 76-50 to wrap-up its trip to the Grand Canyon state. LC forced 20 turnovers and held the Buccaneers to

Idaho reports more than 400 new COVID cases, six deaths Sunday
The state of Idaho added 425 new COVID-19 cases (334 confirmed and 91 probable) to the total number of cases Sunday. Since March, the Gem State has reported 149,667 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19. Of that

Protesters gather outside Washington state capitol
Several dozen protesters gathered Sunday afternoon outside Washington state’s Capitol building, which is surrounded by temporary fencing and National Guard members. Protesters — some opposing vaccines, some in support of President Donald Trump and others objecting to

Schweitzer Ski Resort to end night skiing due to lack of masks
Night skiing at north Idaho’s Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint has been called off next weekend due to noncompliance with mask and social distancing policies. In a Facebook post Sunday morning the resort said “due to an

KOZE News Podcast 1/8/21

Lewiston police investigating apparent home invasion homicide
The Lewiston Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred during a home invasion at about 1:41 a.m. today at a residence on the 1700 block of Seventh Avenue in Lewiston. According to a police statement, 31-one-year-old

Tri-State Memorial Hospital Board names new future CEO
The Tri-State Memorial Hospital & Medical Campus’ Board of Directors has named Kym Clift as the future Chief Executive Officer. Clift currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations at Good Samaritan Regional

DEQ seeks member for Clearwater Basin Advisory Group
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality seeks a member to represent recreation interests to serve on the Clearwater Basin Advisory Group. The Clearwater panel is a group of citizens from different backgrounds that advise DEQ on water

Amid riot fears, Washington lawmakers plan in-person session
Washington state lawmakers are defending their plan to open the legislative session in person Monday following the siege of the nation’s Capitol building in Washington, D.C., as well as the storming of the governor’s property in Olympia

Region reports more coronavirus cases, no deaths
Health officials in north central Idaho and southeastern Washington reported a combined total of 88 new coronavirus cases Thursday across the 8 county region. In the Public Health – Idaho North Central District, Latah County reported the

LC men take on 5th ranked Arizona Christian, women host College of Idaho
The 7th ranked Lewis-Clark State men’s basketball team meets 5th ranked Arizona Christian today in the first of two games between the teams. The Warriors are 8-0 on the year, while the Firestorm are 12-1. Tip-off is

Idaho lawmakers sue House speaker over virus concerns
Two Democratic Idaho state lawmakers have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Legislature and the Republican speaker of the House contending the Statehouse is unsafe for them and others with chronic health conditions because coronavirus

Idaho lawmakers sue House speaker over virus concerns
Two Democratic Idaho state lawmakers have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Legislature and the Republican speaker of the House contending the Statehouse is unsafe for them and others with chronic health conditions because coronavirus

Labor Department Partners with ID.me for Claimant Identity Verification
The Idaho Department of Labor has partnered with ID.me for unemployment insurance claimant identity verification. The information gathered from claimants is needed to make sure others are not filing claims using the person’s name and other personally

Boeing will pay $2.5 billion to settle charge over 737 Max
Boeing will pay $2.5 billion to settle a Justice Department investigation and admit that employees misled regulators about the safety of its 737 Max aircraft, which suffered two deadly crashes shortly after entering airline service. The government

KOZE News Podcast 1/7/21