Washington state collects 420,000 presidential primary ballots
More than 420-thousand Washington voters have sent in their presidential primary ballots two weeks before the election. The secretary of state’s office says as of Wednesday, about 9-and-a-half percent of registered Washington voters cast their ballots, which
Idaho Senate takes up plan to freeze number of legislative districts
The full Idaho Senate is considering sending to voters a Constitutional amendment to set the number of state legislative districts at 35 and number of lawmakers at 105. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday passed the
Clearwater Paper makes relative gains in 4th quarter, all of 2019
Clearwater Paper Corporation has reported a fourth-quarter net income of 2 million dollars, after reporting a loss of 188 million dollars in the same period a year earlier. On a per-share basis, the Spokane-based company said it
Idaho House backs added restrictions for drone operators
The Idaho House has passed increased restrictions on using drones for surveillance on individuals and private property. The House voted unanimously to approve the measure adding commercial and industrial property to agricultural areas where drones wouldn’t be
Bill ending bipartisan rule for Idaho Fish and Game Commission advances
An Idaho legislative panel has approved a bill to remove bipartisan membership requirements for the state’s Fish and Game Commission. The House Resources and Conservation Committee sent to the full chamber the bill ending the current rule
Idaho House passes bill to ban transgender female athletes despite legal questions
The Idaho House has passed legislation preventing transgender women from participating in sports that align with their gender identity, despite questions about the measure’s constitutionality. The Republican-led House on Wednesday voted 52-17-1 in sending to the Senate
Idaho harvest, hunter numbers down for deer and elk in 2019
Idaho hunters took fewer elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer last year compared to 2018, while fewer hunters were in the field. According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 20-thousand-500 elk were harvested in 2019,
Washington Gov. Inslee visits Clarkston High School, WWCC
Washington Governor Jay Inslee made stops at Clarkston High School and Walla Walla Community College on Tuesday as part of a swing through southeastern Washington. The former Democratic presidential hopeful spoke to students about his White House
Idaho House gets bill setting minimum marriage age at 16
A bill headed to the full Idaho House sets 16 as the minimum age for a person to get married. The measure sent to the full chamber by the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee on Tuesday
Idaho AG: Bill to ban transgender women athletes likely unconstitutional
The Idaho Attorney General’s Office says proposed legislation preventing transgender women from participating in sports that align with their gender identity is likely unconstitutional. The House State Affairs Committee last week approved the bill by Republican Representative
Bill freezing property taxes for year heads to Idaho Senate
Legislation imposing a one-year, statewide freeze on property taxes headed to the Idaho Senate despite dire warnings from city and county governments that the effects could be devastating. The state House voted 46-23 Tuesday to approve the
High demand results in delays for Washington’s paid family leave program
The high number of people applying for Washington state’s new paid family leave law is causing delays, with weekly benefits taking up to 10 weeks to process. Under the law, eligible workers receive 12 weeks paid time
Washington Senate committee advances casino sports betting bill
A bill allowing Washington tribal casinos to offer to bet on sporting events is moving forward in the Legislature. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Monday approved the measure without amendment and sent it to the
Idaho Senate panel backs year-round daylight saving time for northern Idaho
The full Idaho Senate is considering a measure to put northern Idaho on daylight saving time year-round if Congress approves Washington’s intention to do so. A bill approved last week by the Senate State Affairs Committee calls
Electrical fault blamed for deadly Weippe house fire
Investigators say an electrical fault in a light fixture caused last week’s deadly house fire in Weippe. The determination was made by the Idaho State Fire Marshall after the fire early Friday morning that took the lives
Kamiah man pleads guilty in 2018 murder of Clarkston woman
A Kamiah man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the 2018 killing of a Clarkston woman. 25-year-old Cole Marcell entered his plea in Nez Perce County 2nd District Court Monday as one of three people involved
Bill would ease penalties for HIV exposure in Washington
The Washington State Department of Health wants to change a rarely used law that makes it a felony to intentionally expose a sexual partner to HIV. The agency has proposed legislation that would make such exposure a
WSU to hire lawyer to review provost case
Officials for Washington State University say the school plans to hire an outside lawyer to review how administrators treated the school’s former provost, who described receiving sexist performance evaluations and other resistance before leaving the position last
WSU to hire lawyer to review provost case
Officials for Washington State University say the school plans to hire an outside lawyer to review how administrators treated the school’s former provost, who described receiving sexist performance evaluations and other resistance before leaving the position last
Judge: WA initiative promoter Eyman concealed $766,000 in campaign donations
Washington judge has ruled initiative promoter Tim Eyman illegally failed to report more than $766,000 in campaign contributions over a six-year period. Thurston County Superior Court Judge James Dixon on Friday issued his order in a 2017
Idaho faces lawsuit from transgender group over birth certificate bill
The state of Idaho faces a lawsuit from a transgender rights group over a proposed bill that makes it illegal for someone to change their gender identity on a birth certificate. According to KBOI-TV, the National Association
Idaho House committee backs bill expanding concealed-carry law to non-residents
The full Idaho House will consider a bill allowing anyone who can legally possess firearms and are at least 18 years of age – residents or not – to carry a concealed handgun within city limits across
Bill restoring felons’ voting rights dies in Washington Senate
Legislation in Washington to automatically restore the voting rights of convicted felons when they are released from prison has died in the state Senate. According to the Northwest News Network, majority Democrats abruptly ended debate on the
Idaho House committee passes bill giving more leeway to police drone use
The full Idaho House will consider a bill easing restrictions on drone use by law enforcement officials. The measure passed through the House Transportation Committee on Thursday allows public safety officers, as well as fire and law
Idaho legislative panel approves $630m higher ed budget
Idaho legislative budget writers have backed a nearly 630 million dollar budget for higher education in Fiscal 2021. The spending plan passed Thursday by the Joint-Finance Appropriations Committee tops this year’s amount by more than $25,000,000 or
Washington Legislature fails to pass bills on firearm magazines
The Washington Legislature has failed to pass bills limiting how many rounds gun magazines can hold and what guns can be sold. Majority Democratic lawmakers knew earlier this month the proposed ban on firearms defined as assault
New trial date set for Asotin County judge accused of sexual assault
A new trial date has been set for an Asotin County judge facing rape and assault charges. The case of Scott Gallina had been postponed to allow for more defense preparation on charges of second-degree rape, indecent
Pullman Police Developing Story
The City of Pullman Police reports that following a report of a domestic dispute, officers have closed the 300 block of NW Robert Street, as SWAT team members work to apprehend a suspect. Please avoid the area
4 coronavirus patients from cruise ship moving to Spokane’s Sacred Heart Medical Center
Four Americans who tested positive for the coronavirus are being sent to Spokane’s Sacred Heart Medical Center for treatment. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the four were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise
Idaho Constitution returns to the state following four-month restoration
The Idaho Constitution has returned to the state after the 130-year-old document went through a 4-month-long cleaning and repair. According to Idaho Public Television, with the 1889 Idaho Constitution’s binding broken, and dirty, dog-eared, torn, and loose
Idaho Fish and Game Commission extends wolf hunting, trapping seasons
The Idaho Fish and Commission has voted to extend wolf hunting and trapping seasons. Commissioners on Thursday adopted nine proposed modifications to wolf hunting and trapping for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, extending wolf hunting opportunity, opening
Idaho House panel OKs bill to ban transgender women athletes
An Idaho legislative panel has advanced legislation preventing transgender women from participating in sports that align with their gender identity. The House State Affairs Committee approved the bill by Republican Representative Barbara Ehardt that applies to all
Idaho Senate committee advances bill legalizing hemp production, sales
A measure to legalize the production and sales of industrial hemp in Idaho is headed to the full state Senate for debate. According to the Idaho Statesman, farmers testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday that
Bill to compensate wrongly convicted heads to Idaho Senate
Idaho lawmakers are moving ahead on a bill to compensate the wrongly convicted. The House on Wednesday voted 70-0 to send to the Senate the measure paying $60,000 a year for wrongful incarceration, and $75,000 annually for
New Lewiston airport manager officially takes post
The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport’s new manager has officially taken the reigns. The airport’s authority board on Wednesday honored outgoing interim manager Bill McKown as he handed off his duties to Michael Isaacs, whom the board
Idaho awarded $3.6 million grant to expand youth suicide prevention program
Idaho has received a 3.6 million dollar federal grant to expand youth suicide prevention efforts across the state. According to the Jefferson Star, the Garrett Lee Smith grant will allow the Idaho State Department of Education to
Orofino, Grangeville airports get combined $619,000 from U.S. Transportation Dept. grants
Airports in Orofino and Grangeville have been awarded a combined 619-thousand dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation, part of 5-point-2 million dollars in airport safety and infrastructure grants are given to 13 airports in Idaho. The
Office to collect firearm violence data approved by Washington Senate
A measure to collect statewide data on firearm violence and create a grant program for prevention programs passed the Washington Senate Tuesday. The measure, modeled on a program in King County, creates the Washington Office of Firearm
Idaho’s first African-American legislator not seeking re-election
Idaho Senate Assistant Minority Leader Cherie Buckner-Webb will not run for reelection this year. The Boise Democrat made her announcement on Monday. Buckner-Webb was first elected to the Idaho House in 2010, representing District 19 in north
Idaho bill would require owner’s permission for forest land annexation
A proposal in the Idaho Legislature dictates that private land devoted to forestry and larger than 5 acres could be annexed only with the owner’s written permission. The measure before the House would complement a 2019 state
Hemp legalization bill introduced in Idaho Senate
The Idaho Senate has taken up a measure to legalize hemp and to task the state Department of Agriculture with crafting a state cultivation plan eligible for federal approval. The Senate State Affairs Committee on Monday voted
Idaho House committee advances grocery tax credit boost
The Idaho House will consider an increase in the state’s grocery tax credit. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday sent to the full chamber the bill to implement a $135 grocery tax credit for all
Idaho House passes bill banning affirmative action for state agencies
The Idaho House on Monday voted 55-15 in passing a proposal banning affirmative action for state agencies, state contracting, and public education. Republican Representative Heather Scott, of Blanchard, says her bill prevents hiring discrimination by banning schools,
Idaho death row inmate Pizzuto’s appeals nearing legal end
One of Idaho’s eight death row inmates is nearing the end of his legal appeals, and that could prompt prison officials to prepare for his execution before the end of the year. 64-year-old Gerald Pizzuto was convicted
Elizabeth Warren to campaign in Seattle Saturday
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren will campaign in Washington a day after the ballots for the March 10th presidential primary are sent to the state’s voters. The Massachusetts Senator’s free-to-the-public event will take place at the Seattle
Four hostages freed, suspect dies after 16-hour standoff in Issaquah
SWAT teams in Western Washington rescued four people Sunday after a 16-hour standoff between police and a man who barricaded himself in his sister’s home in Issaquah. The Seattle Times reports standoff ended in a house fire
Washington Senate approves data privacy rules
A data privacy measure giving consumers the right to manage how information held by private companies is used has been passed by the Washington Senate. The Washington Privacy Act, sent to the House on bipartisan 46-1 vote,
Idaho Senators propose increasing ‘circuit breaker’ amount
Bipartisan legislation at the Idaho Statehouse would increase the amount awarded for the state’s so-called Circuit Breaker program. The measure by Democrat Senator Grant Burgoyne of Boise, and Republican Senators Kelly Anthon of Burley, and Dave Lent
Oregon governor calls for breaching four Snake River dams
The governor of Oregon has come out in favor of removing four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in Washington state, saying it’s the best way to increase endangered salmon runs. Democratic Governor Kate Brown sent a
Sports gambling bill passes Washington House
The Washington House has passed a measure allowing sports betting at Indian casinos in the state, including events like the Super Bowl and the World Series. The bill approved on an 83-14 vote allows owners of the
