Category Archives: Daily Newsrack

Statesman reporters Druzin and Barker continue to make a case for letting more fires burn. It’s a strong series on fire… Maybe Sunday will bring some answers: What’s the hold up in Congress on fire fighting policy? Today: how much … Continue reading →

Tennis stars bail on major hotel anchor for troubled Tamarack resort. Tennis duo partner Joel Goldman: “Based on the pending litigation and current market conditions, we are not at this time proceeding with the project.” Fairmont Hotel allegedly still interested, … Continue reading →

Times-News report sends developers, consultants, city counselors scrambling. Sunday Jared Hopkins story revealed that a four-block downtown revitalization project planned to ask for $10 million in public funds to help developers. Tuesday story revealed the concomitant squirming of public officials … Continue reading →

“More provocatively, the research suggests that fighting fires on public lands to protect homes is ineffective and, in the long run, counter-productive. It is also far more expensive.” $1.86 billion spent on fire suppression last year. Warren wants government to … Continue reading →

Federal minimum wage hikes go into effect Thursday, giving Idaho’s working poor a piece of bootstrap. 70 cent/hour raises go to about 42,000 Idaho workers, costing employers some $24 million per year. (Not sure exactly how that pencils out though… … Continue reading →

New Idaho GOP chairman Norm Semanko got the dirt on Willie Horton. Semanko worked for the RNC in 1988 in Washington, helping out with the Bush campaign and researching it’s black poster criminal, Horton. Also, Semanko on party unity, Semanko … Continue reading →

Areva enrichment plant in France spilled 7,925 gallons of unenriched uranium into two rivers this month. The same Areva that is planning to build a plant near Idaho Falls. Company says it’s a totally different situation: Areva-Idaho will not do … Continue reading →

CDA instance of Gov. Otter roadshow: “More than 2,200 miles of pavement and 343 bridges have been deemed insufficient by the ITD.” Suggesting fuel tax hike of a penny, maybe, or registration hike of $10 to get at $240 million … Continue reading →

Obama told the guy from Boise that works for him that Boise was basically the place that gave him the whole hope thing. Jim Messina, Obama staffer and BHS grad, told Larry LaRocco on the radio that Obama told him … Continue reading →

On eve of contracting out prison beds from a soon-to-be-built private Power County lockup, IDOC warden says Idaho has 4th fastest growing criminal justice system in the nation. IDOC’s Randy Blades: “One in 34 Idaho males are in prison, on … Continue reading →

Minidoka County Prosecutor Nikki Cannon wants to take on the Supremes, First Amendment. Charging teacher who stomped on the stars and bars with violating a 1981 Idaho statute. Now-former teacher Dan Luker has hired Keith Roark, chairman of Idaho Dems, … Continue reading →

Sandpoint public school enrollment down, chart, virtual, private schools swell. Home school parents use virtual schools for curriculum help. Parent: “Sometimes I’ll quiz him on things while we’re throwing the football back-and-forth. You can’t do that in most classrooms.” Part … Continue reading →