AP Idaho

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Workers at a large Washington tulip grower who went on strike two weeks ago over pay and better work conditions reached an agreement just before the official start of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival April 1. Cascadia Daily News reports workers left the tulip and daffodil fields for three days

SEATTLE (AP) — Nearly 50,000 customers lost power during a storm bringing high winds, rain and mountain snow to areas of the Pacific Northwest Monday. Puget Sound Energy reported more than 48,000 customers in western Washington. Seattle City Light reported nearly 1,500 customers without power as of about 8 p.m. Monday, which had improved from

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — NorthWestern Energy is reducing the amount of water it releases from Hebgen Dam into the Madison River for nearly three weeks now in order to store additional water in the reservoir for use this summer. The utility must balance the use of water to allow for recreation at Hebgen Reservoir and

SEATTLE (AP) — A Washington state ferry made a hard landing in high winds at Seattle’s Colman Dock. The Seattle Times reports no injuries were reported. But as a result authorities have closed closed the damaged slip and removed the Kaleetan from service as crews investigate damage. The Kaleetan ferry sailing between Seattle and Bainbridge

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A procession and memorial service was held for Everett, Washington, police officer Dan Rocha, who was fatally shot while confronting a suspect in a parking lot late last month. The memorial service for Rocha, 41, was held at Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena. Authorities said Rocha, who joined the force

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — As Yellowstone National Park celebrates its 150th anniversary year, the park’s fundraising arm is seeking $1,500 donations in exchange for an annual entry pass that can be used by carloads of the donor’s descendants to visit the park in 150 years. Yellowstone Forever will use the money raised through the sale

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Environmental groups are renewing efforts to stop exploratory drilling by a Canadian mining company hoping to build a gold mine in Idaho west of Yellowstone National Park. The Idaho Conservation League and Greater Yellowstone Coalition, in documents filed in federal court last month, ask that the

By JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As Benito Luna-Herrera teaches his 7th grade social studies classes, he is on alert for signs of inner turmoil. And there is so much of it these days. He tells of students whose post-pandemic depression led them to thoughts of suicide. Luna-Herrera is just one teacher,

By JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Experts have warned of a mental health crisis facing American children since the pandemic started. Associated Press interviews with teachers, education officials and mental health experts show that’s now playing out at schools in the form of increased childhood depression, anxiety, eating disorders, fights and thoughts

By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press SALEM, Ore. (AP) — There are mixed results so far from Oregon’s pioneering drug decriminalization law. In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other drugs. Instead of being a felony or a misdemeanor, the voter-approved

By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press A debate is playing out across the country as the Treasury Department begins reallocating some of the $46.5 billion in rental assistance from places slow to spend to others that are running out of funds. Larger states are getting hundreds of millions extra. Native American tribes are also receiving tens

By SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Top leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed a wide range of topics at their twice-yearly conference on Saturday but primarily implored members of the faith to emphasize unity over division and eschew polarization. Officials at the faith’s first in-person conference

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN and FELICIA FONSECA Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees. Haaland has been delivering on the promise, meeting with nearly 130 tribes over

By DAVID SHARP Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s potato growers had such a bumper crop that they’ve been helping out larger potato states out West. The state of Maine shipped potatoes by train for the first time in four decades this winter thanks to a strong harvest in Maine and heat and dry

By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas appears unlikely to join other states this year in banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports. That’s partly because conservative state lawmakers want the ban to apply to elementary school students. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a proposed ban early Saturday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Navy SEALs won’t be able to use Washington State Parks as training grounds. In January 2021, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission voted 4-3 to approve the Navy’s proposal to use up to 28 parks for training purposes for the elite units, where SEALs

ARCO, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials say they’ve completed digging up and removing radioactive and hazardous waste buried for decades in unlined pits at a nuclear facility that sits atop a giant aquifer in eastern Idaho. The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday held a celebration to mark the completion of removing specifically-targeted buried waste

By RACHEL LA CORTE Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed $64.1 billion supplemental state budget that spends on statewide programs ranging from homelessness and behavioral health to the ongoing COVID-19 response in the public health system. The supplemental plan builds off of the $59 billion, two-year spending plan adopted

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Strong criticism has led Grand Teton National Park to reverse its plan to require portrait photographers to have a permit to take wedding pictures during the upcoming tourist season. The park announced the plan earlier this year, saying wedding photographers taking pictures six designated wedding sites obtain permits and remit at

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell says he will begin the search for a permanent police chief in April. Harrell announced Thursday he will begin the search for a permanent police chief to replace former Chief Carmen Best, who left the position at the end of 2020, following protests against police brutality, criticism and

KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers have wrapped up this year’s legislative session that included passing the state’s largest ever income tax cut of $600 million and one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans. But the Republican-dominated Legislature adjourned the 81-day session on Thursday without passing any meaningful property tax

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs bill creating nation’s first statewide alert system for missing Indigenous people.

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate has failed to override Republican Gov. Brad Little’s veto of legislation making it illegal for most businesses to require the coronavirus vaccine. The Senate didn’t mustered the two-thirds majority necessary on Thursday to keep alive the “Coronavirus Pause Act.” The vote was 21-14.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The City Council in Portland, Oregon, voted unanimously to extend the citywide housing state of emergency for three more years. KOIN-TV reports the housing state of emergency declaration gives the city flexibility when it comes to zoning. Portland’s zoning code does not allow mass shelters on industrial property, but with the

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of Portland, Oregon, has proposed that the city’s community police oversight committee go on a two-month hiatus to figure out how to fill nearly half of the group’s vacancies and hire more staff. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the idea comes five years after the predecessor of the Portland Committee on

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge this week denied a temporary restraining order sought by environmental groups that would block grazing in six eastern Oregon pastures. The Capital Press reports U.S. District Judge Michael Simon said the plaintiffs haven’t shown that turning cattle out on the pastures will cause irreparable harm to sage grouse

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The family of a man with mental health issues who was shot and killed by a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy will receive $1 million. The Spokesman-Review reports the Spokane County Commissioners approved the federal civil rights lawsuit settlement this week. Ethan Murray was killed in May 2019 in a wooded area

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon auditors say the breach of the state Capitol in December 2020 and a standoff with police capped a year of heightened politically-motivated violence. The Statesman Journal reports in an advisory report released Wednesday, auditors say the state could do more to prevent these events and improve coordination between levels of

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed legislation altering the way money is allocated to K-12 schools. The Republican governor on Wednesday vetoed the measure that would have switched from an average daily attendance to student enrollment. The method to allocate money has been a hot topic

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed legislation involving the process for judicial appointments. The Republican governor in the veto issued Wednesday says he sees a need for modernization, but lawmakers need to spend more time talking with those involved in the process. The proposed law passed

AUBURN, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say a fight between two employees Wednesday resulted in a stabbing at a Walmart Supercenter in Auburn, Washington. A 31-year-old man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The victim was stabbed four to six times and suffered significant blood loss just before 5 a.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Six months after Jacob Eli Knight Vasquez was shot and killed while getting drinks with friends in Portland, Oregon, a suspect has been arrested. Police said Tuesday that Marshawn Edwards, 25, was arrested on Monday and faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and unlawful use of a

By CURT ANDERSON Associated Press ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida and 20 other states have sued to halt the federal government’s pandemic requirement that people wear masks on planes, trains and other public transport. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Tampa, Florida. It contends that the mask mandate exceeds the authority

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a property tax reduction for higher-valued houses to keep older, low-income Idaho residents in their homes. The Republican governor last week signed the measure that increases the maximum value of a home that qualifies for the property tax

SEATTLE (AP) — A ballot initiative proposed by a new housing and homelessness advocacy coalition would establish a public developer that would create, own and maintain public housing in Seattle. The Seattle Times reports the initiative filed Monday is known as “social housing,” essentially publicly owned housing that is insulated from private market forces and

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a $20 increase in the amount Idaho residents can recover on taxes paid on food through the grocery sales tax credit. The Republican governor signed last week the measure that boosts the annual maximum credit from $100 to

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a woman and her dog walking in Eugene, Oregon, were injured after a person “splashed and burned” them with “an unknown acid substance.” KOIN reports  the incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Monday when the woman was walking her dog. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment. The

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Pickleball is now officially Washington’s state sport. Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed a measure into law granting the game status among a long list of official state symbols, including: Palouse Falls as the state waterfall, the Columbian mammoth as the state fossil and the marmota olympus, also known as the

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed legislation that would make it illegal for most businesses to require the coronavirus vaccine. Little wrote in Monday’s transmittal letter that the bill would significantly expand government overreach into the private sector, and said he remained a lifelong advocate of

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Republican lawmakers are forming a working group to study allegations that Idaho libraries are making explicit materials available to minors. The Idaho Press reports the Senate Republicans announced the plans for a working group over the weekend. The group will include eight lawmakers and representatives from the Idaho Commission for

CANNON BEACH, Ore. (AP) — The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse off the northwest coast of Oregon is for sale for $6.5 million. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports investors had paid $50,000 in 1980 to buy the deteriorating  lighthouse,  Oregon’s only offshore light station. The structure sits a mile from Tillamook Head between Seaside and Cannon Beach.  The island’s

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana authorities are not trying to track down a grizzly bear suspected in the fatal mauling of a 40-year-old hiker last week because they say there are no signs that it was a predatory attack instead of a chance encounter. Craig Clouatre was found dead Friday

KENT, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say two people were shot after an altercation on a Metro bus spilled outside in south King County, Washington. KOMO reports Des Moines Police arrived to the scene near a bus stop around 4:49 a.m. Monday. The male suspect fled the area by foot, leaving the victims with gunshot wounds.

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — The 47-year-old man charged for a series of home invasions and sexual assaults that occurred nearly two decades ago appeared in Whitman County Superior Court for his arraignment Friday morning. But his lawyer asked for more time to review the case. Kenneth Downing of Elk, Washington was arrested last week by

By LYNDA V. MAPES The Seattle Times ABOARD THE SOUNDGUARDIAN, Puget Sound (AP) — A trio of hydrophones rests on the sea bottom, recording the sounds of Washington’s Puget Sound, including endangered southern resident orcas. The Seattle Times reports the listening array, developed and deployed by SMRU Consulting, is attached to a buoy that marks

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho House and Senate have each adjourned until Thursday, giving them time to wait out potential vetoes by Republican Gov. Brad Little. Republican Senate President Pro-Tem Chuck Winder says one bill that has yet to be signed by the governor is the Coronavirus Pause Act.

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Thwarted in passing a bill to fine and jail librarians for checking out “harmful” material to minors, Idaho House Republicans have passed a resolution to form a group to study the matter. The House voted 57-7 Friday to approve the resolution to create the group comprised

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A hiker in Montana has been killed in a suspected encounter with a grizzly bear north of Yellowstone National Park. Park County Sheriff Brad Bichler said in a social media post that authorities were working Friday to return the body of the 40-year-old victim to his

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law a bill that dramatically increases the secrecy surrounding the state’s execution drugs. The Republican governor on Wednesday signed the bill that prohibits Idaho officials from revealing where they obtain the drugs used in lethal injections, even if they

SEATTLE (AP) — A wrongful-death claim against the city of Seattle seeking $10 million has been filed for the children of a 45-year-old man whose lawyer says he died from a heart attack because his treatment by medics was delayed due to a mistake that had him listed as a danger to first responders. The

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A conservation group has filed a lawsuit against U.S. environmental officials for alleged failure to intervene after Montana rolled back longstanding water pollution rules. The Upper Missouri Waterkeeper group says new rules proposed by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality will let more nutrient pollution into

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law legislation giving the state’s wildland firefighters hazard pay. It’s a pay raise that’s expected to keep more firefighters on the job. The Republican governor on Thursday signed the measure that provides state-employed wildland firefighters with hazard pay of

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The omicron subvariant, that is fueling COVID-19 surges in Europe and Asia, has been found in the wastewater of some Oregon communities. While data shows that BA.2 is not the dominant variant in Oregon, the could change — given that state’s pandemic trends have generally lagged the rest of the country

By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press Marijuana regulators around the country face a vexing question: What place does chemically derived THC have in regulated adult-use or medical markets? THC is marijuana’s most prominent high-inducing component, but it can be chemically created from CBD, another cannabis compound that is extracted from hemp plants. It’s much cheaper to

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Republican governors in two states this week rejected legislation to ban transgender players from girls sports. The vetoes illustrate some remaining fractures among GOP leaders over how to navigate gender’s reemergence as a culture war issue. Still, those decisions to buck the

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A member of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group has been arraigned on charges stemming from a rally in Portland, Oregon. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said Tusitala “Tiny” Toese was arraigned Wednesday on multiple counts of riot, assault, unlawful use of a weapon and criminal mischief. Toese was extradited

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Republican governors in two states this week rejected legislation to ban transgender players from girls sports. The vetoes show there are some remaining fractures among GOP leaders over how to navigate gender’s reemergence as a culture war issue. Still, those decisions to

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho has become the first state to enact a law modeled after a Texas law banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy by allowing lawsuits to avoid constitutional court challenges. Republican Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday signed into law the measure that allows people who

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho governor signs abortion ban modeled after Texas law, allowing would-be relatives to sue if they learn of abortion.

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Environmental regulators are moving to end a years-long cleanup along dozens of miles of railroad in two northwestern Montana communities where asbestos from mining has been blamed in hundreds of deaths. The asbestos came from mining for vermiculite that was processed and shipped by rail from

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Pierce County Council has approved a settlement that will pay $4 million to the family of Manuel Ellis, a Black man killed by police two years ago as he pleaded for breath. The deal ends the county’s involvement in the case, though Ellis’ sister, Monet Carter-Mixon, and mother, Marcia Carter,

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and SAM METZ Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s governor vetoed a ban on transgender students playing girls’ sports on Tuesday, becoming the second Republican governor to reject such legislation this week. Cox said his move was aimed at protecting vulnerable kids during a wave of similar legislation passing in

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle policy meant to reduce evictions after the end of the city’s eviction moratorium has been struck down by the Washington State Court of Appeals. The Seattle Times reports an ordinance the City Council passed in May 2020 said tenants who fell behind on rent and faced eviction could, for six

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The state agency that oversees public defense in Oregon says it will resume paying district attorneys discovery fees after cutting off the payments early this year. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that for years, prosecutors have charged public defenders for materials such as documents, recordings and other evidence relevant to a criminal

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — The Red Hot Mamas musical-comedy group from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, gave a well-received performance at the March 17 St. Patrick’s Festival Parade in Limerick, Ireland, but some members had to stay in the country longer than expected after testing positive for COVID-19. Trip leader Pam Ames says about half the

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A coalition of businesses wants a court to block Oregon’s plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the state’s new Climate Action Plan administrative rules, passed in December, target a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels and natural gas by 2050. In a petition

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers in the Idaho House have approved legislation to boost reading skills among young students with optional full-day kindergarten. The House voted 40-29 on Monday to give school districts the option of full-day kindergarten by using $73 million in state literacy intervention money. The legislation removes

By FELICIA FONSECA Associated Press FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — More than a dozen tribal communities around the U.S. will share $9 million in federal grant funding for renewable energy projects. The U.S. Department of Energy announced the funding grants Monday. Nearly $1.2 million will support a solar and battery storage project in the Navajo Nation

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation that would give Idaho wildland firefighters hazard pay is headed to the governor’s desk. The Senate voted 35-0 on Monday to approve the bill that would give state-employed wildland firefighters hazard pay of up to 25% above their hourly wages. The bill passed the House

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The $643 million budget for Idaho’s colleges and universities is headed to the governor. The Senate voted 30-5 on Monday to approve the budget for Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho. The House approved the budget on a

By AMBER D. DODD Spokesman-Review SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations has hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on a wellness center in Spokane Valley, Washington, extending a mission of healing youth through practices grounded in Indigenous values. The Spokesman-Review reports Healing Lodge programs are embedded in healing practices of the Spokane,

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Drew Timme scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half, and top overall seed Gonzaga rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat No. 9 seed Memphis 82-78 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Trailing at the half for only the

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (AP) — Longtime issues with an aging water system on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation have gotten worse with an emergency water conservation notice issued after an underground fire shut the tribes’ water treatment plant. KTVZ-TV reports the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs asked residents starting on Friday to limit water use

By CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press Katya Hill tried to talk her brother out of it. She urged Jimmy Hill to postpone his trip to Ukraine as she saw reports of Russian tanks lining up at the border. But he needed to help his longtime partner, who has been suffering from progressive multiple sclerosis. “He said,

By JACQUELINE ALLISON Daily Herald OSO, Wash. (AP) — A permanent tribute to those killed in a landslide near Osos is one step closer to reality — nearly eight years after the slide killed 43 people on March 22, 2014. The Daily Herald reports construction is to begin this summer, according to Carol Ohlfs, principal

BOISE, Idaho. (AP) — Police say an Idaho baby at the center of protests over removal from his parents because of health concerns has been returned home. The Idaho Statesman reports the Meridian Police Department said Friday the 10-month-old was back with his parents. The baby was removed March 11 after health authorities determined recent

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate has passed a bill to dramatically increase the secrecy surrounding Idaho’s execution drugs. The bill passed on a 21-14 vote on Friday and now goes to the governor’s desk. The legislation would prohibit Idaho officials from revealing where they obtain the drugs used

OPHIR, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a backcountry snowboarder is dead after an avalanche in southwestern Colorado. Devin Overton of Telluride was found buried in about 6 feet of snow near Lizard Head Pass after the crew of a heli-skiing helicopter spotted tracks leading into what looked like a fresh avalanche. The San Miguel County

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation eliminating drop boxes and similar drop-off locations for absentee ballots in Idaho will not get a hearing in the Senate and is dead. Republican Sen. Patti Anne Lodge said Friday she has received thousands of emails opposing the legislation. She chairs the Senate State Affairs

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the beating death of his 9-year-old son. The Ada County Prosecutor’s office says Erik Osuna made the guilty plea on Wednesday in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty. The boy’s stepmother, Monique Osuna, pleaded guilty

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation preventing most private and public entities in Idaho from discriminating against people who haven’t received the coronavirus vaccine is heading to the governor’s desk. The House voted 45-23 on Friday to approve the measure that prevents employers from requiring employees to get the vaccine or

SEATTLE (AP) — Hundreds of historic artifacts will soon be returned to the Upper Skagit Tribe from the city of Seattle. KUOW reports the city has had the 270 stone and bone artifacts since Seattle City Light crews excavated the Gorge Dam site in 2013 for a hotel project. The Seattle City Council voted unanimously

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin outlined her plans for her first 100 days if elected governor, laying out a far-right agenda in her bid to defeat first-term Republican Gov. Brad Little. McGeachin on Thursday on the Statehouse steps gave her 10-point plan that includes banning

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Prosecutors say a man was running a “massive” so-called “ghost gun” operation from his mother’s house in Salem, Oregon, and distributing counterfeit pills made of fentanyl in exchange for other guns. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports agents from the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Salem police seized 63 firearms from the

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Drew Timme scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half and top overall seed Gonzaga struggled to shake No. 16 seed Georgia State for 30 minutes before pulling away late for a 93-72 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The

By KEITH RIDLER and REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation preventing most private and public entities in Idaho from discriminating against people who haven’t received the coronavirus vaccine has cleared a House panel. The House Business Committee on Thursday approved the measure that prevents employers from requiring employees to get the vaccine

By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill rolling back part of the state’s sweeping police reform legislation from last year after law enforcement and key Democratic lawmakers agreed the original bill went too far. The measure, House Bill 2037, makes clear police can use force to

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A proposal to increase by $20 the amount Idaho residents can recover on taxes paid on food through the grocery sales tax credit is headed to the full Senate. A Senate committee voted Thursday to approve the bill that boosts the annual maximum credit from $100

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added a contaminated island on the Columbia River to the Superfund list of toxic waste sites. That starts the process for eventual cleanup of the uninhabited Bradford Island. It is part of the federal Bonneville Dam complex on the

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Justice has hired a special prosecutor dedicated to locating, investigating, and prosecuting poachers. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the new position comes as the state has seen a spike in the unsolved illegal killing of deer, elk and wolves. Jay Hall was hired last month to be the