AP Idaho

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Two credit unions, one based on Washington and one in Alaska, say they are seeking regulatory approval of their intent to merge. The credit unions said Thursday in a news release that the proposal would combine Anchorage, Alaska-based USA Federal Credit Union’s 700,000 members with Global Credit Union’s 45,000 members. The

RITZVILLE, Wash. (AP) — A political activist has been charged with assault and other crimes for an attack on state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, in the town of Ritzville. The city prosecutor’s office said Thursday that 71-year-old Glen Stockwell of Ritzville was released from the Adams County Jail after posting a $2,500 bond and was

By RACHEL LA CORTE Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Starting Nov. 15, people in Washington state will need to either provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test in order to attend large events. The order announced Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee applies to indoor events with 1,000 or more attendees and outdoor

By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer Federal meteorologists say there’s another La Nina, which can be bad news for parts of the parched West. It also could mean a more active Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday announced that a La Nina has formed. It’s a double-dip La Nina because there

McAMMON, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say a man who fired shots on law enforcement and led police from several agencies on a lengthy, high-speed pursuit was killed by officers in McCammon, Idaho. The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office says the incident began about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when deputies were called to assist in a chase that

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle’s police department is sending detectives and non-patrol staff to respond to emergency calls because of an officer shortage that union leaders fear will become worse because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The department on Wednesday moved to the emergency officer dispatching scenario because of the staffing crunch. KOMO reports the department has

BEND, Ore. (AP) — A new ski pass that allows people who pay more to bypass most chairlift lines at Mt. Bachelor in Bend is causing concern among skiers, snowboarders and Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. The Bulletin reports the pass, called Fast Tracks, starts at $49. Mt. Bachelor is calling the pass an “upgradable

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A far-right Idaho Republican lawmaker has posted a meme on Twitter appearing to advocate violence against journalists, educators, conservationists, the state’s largest university and other organizations ahead of an upcoming election in November. Rep. Tammy Nichols on Tuesday posted an image showing former President Donald Trump,

By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A county in southern Oregon says it is so overwhelmed by an increase in the number and size of illegal marijuana farms that it declared a state of emergency, appealing to the governor and the Legislature’s leaders for help. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners said

OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California mother faces 39 charges alleging that she hosted alcohol-filled parties for her teenage son and his friends at her home and other places and encouraged them to drink heavily and engage in sex acts with intoxicated girls, some of them non-consensual. California prosecutors say 47-year-old Shannon

By PATTY NIEBERG Associated Press/Report for America DENVER (AP) — Opening statements have started in the trial of the 1984 killing of a 12-year-old Colorado girl. She was named by former President Ronald Reagan as one of the first missing children featured on milk cartons across the U.S. A former neighbor of the girl went

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho state lawmaker charged with rape has made his first appearance in the case in court. Aaron von Ehlinger was a Republican state representative from Lewiston when a 19-year-old legislative intern reported that he brought her to his apartment under false pretenses and raped

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state’s most populous county continues to see a sharp spike in gun violence, with fatal shootings in the first nine months of the year already exceeding 2020’s year-end totals. As of the end of September, 73 people had been killed and another 283 injured in shootings in King County this year,

By ZEKE MILLER and ELLIOT SPAGAT Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — Beleaguered business owners and families separated by COVID-19 are celebrating after the Biden administration says it will reopen U.S. land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to

CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say fire crews from multiple cities had a large fire under control at a Darigold processing plant in downtown Caldwell Tuesday afternoon after several hours. The fire was reported just after 2:30 p.m., according to Canyon County dispatch. Darigold officials wrote on the company’s social media accounts that based on

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he wants to use federal coronavirus relief money to increase day care capacity to help alleviate the state’s worker shortage. The Republican governor in a speech Tuesday about the future of work said expanding day care could help get more workers

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle is rolling out COVID-19 vaccine sites as more people become eligible for booster shots. On Monday Mayor Jenny Durkan and representatives from Amazon, Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the Seattle Fire Department announced the heightened vaccine initiatives beginning later this month.  The initiatives are geared toward underserved communities.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Former Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno and three other Republicans have filed a lawsuit to challenge new congressional districts recently passed by state lawmakers. They say the new maps are partisan gerrymandering, unconstitutional and contrary to state law. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the suit, filed Monday in Marion County Circuit

By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Rewards totaling $2.5 million are now being offered for information that helps solve the killing of federal prosecutor Tom Wales in Seattle 20 years ago. New Seattle U.S. Attorney Nicholas Brown announced Monday at a ceremony marking the anniversary of Wales’ death that the Justice Department had

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials will make available up to $200,000 to be divided into payments for hunters and trappers who kill wolves in the state through next summer. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game late last month entered into an agreement with a nonprofit hunting group to

By SCOTT SONNER Associated Press RENO, Nev. (AP) — Two historic locomotives that were part of the pioneering shift from steam-powered to diesel-electric trains in the mid-1900s are coming back to their home in a northeast Nevada railyard. Built in 1951, Locomotive 201 is the last survivor among 38 experimental models manufactured by the American

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Press Club has dropped its request that a judge hold Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin in contempt of court over refusing to turn over public records related to her education task force. The Idaho Press Club sued McGeachin in July after several journalists said she

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Zach Borisch threw for a touchdown on his only pass and ran for a touchdown, and Idaho built a big lead before holding on to defeat Portland State 42-35. Aundre Carter rushed for two touchdowns for the Vandals and Mike Beaudry threw a touchdown pass to Terez Traynor for 42 yards.

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Hunter Hays passed for two touchdowns, Tyevin Ford ran for 107 yards, and Idaho State stunned previously undefeated UC Davis 27-17. UC Davis, ranked No. 8 in the FCS, fell behind 24-3 in the first half and did not score a touchdown before the fourth quarter. The Bengals built their big

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga coach Mark Few will miss two exhibition games and the first game of the regular season after he was arrested last month on suspicion of driving under the influence. The school made the announcement before the Bulldogs’ kickoff event. Few will not be on the sideline for Gonzaga’s exhibition games

PROSSER, Wash. (AP) — A farmer in southeastern Washington is accused of collecting tens of thousands of dollars in hidden wheat sales while collecting on crop insurance for alleged losses. The Tri-City Herald reports Rick T. Gray of Prosser and his company, Gray Land and Livestock LLC, are being sued by the federal government for

BOISE, Idaho. (AP) — A former Idaho lawmaker charged with rape has been booked into a jail in Boise. KBOI-TV reports online records show Aaron von Ehlinger was booked into the Ada County Jail Friday afternoon. He’s facing charges of rape and forcible penetration by use of a foreign object. He was arrested in Georgia

SEATTLE (AP) — King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert has apologized for a political mailer condemned as racist, after supporters of her campaign withdrew their endorsements. The Seattle Times reports Lambert, who’s facing a tough re-election after two decades of running mostly unopposed, sent the mailer. It portrays her opponent as a marionette who “will be

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho authorities say two recent deaths in neighboring counties may be linked, and both cases are being investigated as homicides. The Lewiston Tribune reports that the Lewiston Police Department announced Thursday that there are similarities between the alleged murder of a 76-year-old Grangeville woman and a case involving a body found

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — The first Nevada marijuana store on the Idaho border has been cleared to open in the rural Elko County town of Jackpot. The Elko Daily Free Press reports the Elko County Commission unanimously approved a business license for the Thrive Cannabis Marketplace this week after authorities confirmed dispensary workers had passed

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says she has tested positive for COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated.In a  statement, the eastern Washington Republican said her symptoms were mild. She is quarantining at home and following health guidelines. McMorris Rodgers, 52, said her offices in Spokane, Walla Walla, Colville and Washington, D.C. remain

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Newly released documents from the investigation of a woman accused of conspiring to kill her children and husband reveal sordid details of a cult-like belief system of “zombies” and “vibrations.” Documents from the Chandler Police Department in Arizona examine the lives of Lori and Chad Daybell

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court struck down the death sentence of an inmate in a ruling Thursday that found lawmakers had fundamentally altered “prevailing societal standards” for executions with a 2019 law change. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that experts believe the decision could eliminate the death sentence for all inmates facing the

This is a chance for Boise State to turn the tables on No. 10 BYU. When Boise State traveled to Provo, Utah, in 2019, it was the Broncos who were highly ranked and the Cougars who sprang the upset. Boise State is looking to spoil homecoming at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU will try keep its

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — The Northern Idaho hospital that was the first in the state to institute health care rationing due to surging COVID-19 cases says the situation is growing worse. Kootenai Health reported a record 150 coronavirus inpatients on Wednesday, with 43 requiring critical care, 17 on ventilators, and two patients under the

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Mainstream Idaho Republicans concerned about a takeover by the surging far-right wing of the party are asking Democrats, Independents or other affiliated voters to register as Republicans to vote in the party’s May primary. Republicans closed their primary a decade ago, and the already deep-red state

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho governor has issued an executive order repealing his political rival’s executive order from the previous day involving COVID-19 vaccine passports and mandatory testing. Republican Gov. Brad Little issued the order Wednesday while still in Texas, a move that challenges the state’s longstanding practice of

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Police in Lewiston say an autopsy failed to reveal the cause of death for a person whose body was found in a burning pickup truck last week. The Lewiston Tribune reports that Captain Jeff Klone said in a news release that the death is being investigated as a homicide. Detectives are

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A California forest products company has bought Seneca, a Eugene, Oregon-based company that had owned more than 100,000 acres of land in southwestern Oregon. The News-Review reports Sierra Pacific Industries announced last week it had completed the acquisition. The combination of the two companies means Sierra Pacific Industries will have than

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he will rescind an executive order involving COVID-19 vaccines by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. Also on Tuesday, the commanding general of the Idaho National Guard told McGeachin she can’t activate troops to send to the U.S.-Mexico border. Little and Major General

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A woman from Washington state suffered burns from her shoulders to her feet when she tried to rescue her dog from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. Park officials said in a statement Tuesday the 20-year-old woman was burned Monday afternoon at Maiden’s Grave Spring near Madison Junction.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A jury in Oregon has found a member of the far-right group the Proud Boys guilty of assault, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon for pulling out a loaded revolver, firing paintballs and spraying bear mace at people during Portland protests last year. Prosecutors called 51-year-old Alan Swinney a “vigilante

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Police and fire officials are investigating after a man was found dead in a Pocatello house fire early Tuesday morning. The Idaho State Journal reports the fire at the single-story home was reported by neighbors just after 1 a.m. Police said two men who lived at the home escaped without injuries

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. officials have approved a long-lasting fire retardant that could significantly aid in fighting increasingly destructive wildfires. The U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday approved Perimeter Solutions’ fire retardant that is intended to be used as a preventative measure and can last for months. It’s similar to

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he will tour the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday with nine other Republican governors. Little’s office on Monday announced that Little plans to take a boat tour of the Rio Grande River with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A panel of lawmakers has recommended legislation that could lead to reconvening the Idaho Legislature if the proposed bill aimed at thwarting President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates gets enough support. The Committee on Federalism that contains both senators and representatives on Monday forwarded for consideration to

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin is scheduled for a hearing next week on whether she should be held in contempt of court for failing to comply with a judge’s order in a public records lawsuit. Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler ordered the contempt hearing set for

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada running back Toa Taua has been named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week after he rushed for a season-high 124 yards on 12 carries to lead the Wolf Pack to their first road victory over Boise State since 1997. The senior from Lompoc, California averaged 10.3 yards

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — RJ Martinez threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Northern Arizona to a 48-17 victory over Idaho State.  Martinez completed 26 of 45 passes for 369 yards. Martinez’s 41-yard touchdown run stretched the Lumberjacks’ lead to 30-7 early in the third quarter. Coleman Owen caught two touchdown

By JASON CHATRAW Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Carson Strong threw for 263 yards and a touchdown, Toa Taua rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns and Nevada defeated Boise State 41-31. Nevada snapped a six-game losing streak to the Broncos, dating back to 2010. Nevada last won in Boise in 1997. Boise State

By BRADY McCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged members Saturday at a church conference to listen to the faith’s leaders when they seek “pure truth.” Church President Russell M. Nelson thanked members who have followed church guidance, which has been to

By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT (AP) — U.S. new vehicle sales tumbled about 26% in September as a global shortage of computer chips worsened, shuttering factories and limiting the selection on dealer lots. Edmunds.com said automakers sold just over 1 million new vehicles last month. With strong demand, that has forced up prices,

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin has made public a collection of documents to journalists shortly after a judge again ordered her to reveal the records. The public records released on Thursday included feedback from the public regarding her newly created Education Task Force. It was tasked

By SARA CLINE Associated Press/Report for America PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The recently concluded redistricting special session at the Oregon Legislature was marked by a broken deal, a Republican walkout and accusations of “cheating” that have reignited tensions on the state House floor. And the fallout from the special session may linger, bleeding into next

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials say a partial recount of ballots cast during the last presidential election validates the accuracy of the results despite manipulation claims by Trump ally and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. The Idaho secretary of state’s office said Wednesday that a hand inspection of ballots in

By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a new tax on big banks aimed at providing essential services and helping improve the state’s regressive tax system. The 1.2% business and occupation surtax — a tax added on top of other taxes — was passed by the Legislature

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has stopped a commercial timber harvest in central Oregon near Walton Lake in Oregon’s Ochoco National Forest at the request of an environmental group. The Capital Press reports U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman has granted a preliminary injunction requested by the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project against logging in

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and GRANT SCHULTE Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health care workers who were once saluted for saving lives in the COVID-19 outbreak are now being issued panic buttons and ditching their scrubs before going out in public to avoid harassment. Across the country, doctors and nurses on the front lines of

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Prosecutors have declined to file criminal charges against a man suspected of shooting and killing his roommate and wounding a Washington State University football player in Pullman. The Spokesman-Review reports Whitman County Prosecutor Dan LeBeau said the investigation in to George Harris III’s claim of self defense is ongoing and charges

NEW YORK (AP) — George Frayne, who as leader of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen enjoyed a cult following in the 1970s with such party favorites as “Hot Rod Lincoln” and “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette),” has died. His wife, Sua Casanova, says Frayne died Sunday in Saratoga Springs, New York. Commander Cody

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho health care professionals say the state’s unchecked spread of the highly contagious delta variant is sending more kids and babies to hospitals with complications from COVID-19. Doctors from several Boise-area hospitals and medical clinics said during a news conference Wednesday that they’ve seen an uptick

NEWBERG, Ore (AP) — An Oregon school board that had banned educators from displaying Black Lives Matter and gay pride symbols has broadened the policy to prohibit district employees from displaying all political symbols. An original move last month by the Newberg School Board to prevent staff from displaying BLM or gay pride flags prompted

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A coalition of journalists is asking an Idaho judge to hold the state’s lieutenant governor in contempt of court for refusing to turn over public documents despite the judge’s order that she do so. Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, a Republican, was ordered more than a month

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials say an autopsy has determined that a man whose body was found on the shore of a lake died of hypothermia. The body of 67-year-old Mark O’Neill, of Chimacum, Washington, was found Sept. 20 on the eastern shore of Shoshone Lake. O’Neill’s brother, 74-year-old Kim

SEATTLE (AP) — King County Elections says an effort to recall Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant will qualify for an election this winter. The Seattle Times reports it will be an up-or-down vote on whether Sawant should stay in office. The recall campaign submitted petition signatures this month, needing King County Elections to validate at

By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Schools should set up confidential tip lines that can be used by students and others to report concerning behavior as a way to prevent school shootings. That’s one of 29 recommendations in a report released Monday by the Idaho State Board of Education following a review

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle landlords must soon provide six months’ notice of rent hikes and, in some cases, pay tenants who move following a large rent increase. The Seattle Times reports the Seattle City Council approved two bills Monday. They are the latest in new landlord-tenant regulations including bans on some evictions and the right

By KIM COOK Associated Press Fall is a busy time for moving and changing homes. And many people have relocated because of pandemic-related changes in work, school and home life. Over the centuries, traditional housewarming gifts have included bread and salt or wine or honey. Some suggestions from designers for creative, modern housewarming presents include

PENDLETEON, Ore. (AP) — Health officials in Umatilla County, Oregon, say they are starting to see COVID-19 cases linked to the Pendleton Round-Up. Umatilla County Public Health Director Joseph Fiumara told county commissioners Monday the county’s case count last week was 550 cases of COVID-19, and Fiumara said he had 151 pending cases from the

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park biologists say three gray wolves from a large pack that’s popular among tourists have been killed by hunters in Montana. Park officials said Monday that two female pups and a female yearling from the Junction Butte pack have been killed since the season opened earlier this month. That

By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho state lawmaker charged with rape earlier this month has been arrested in Georgia. Aaron von Ehlinger is being held without bond in the Clayton County, Georgia jail on a “fugitive from justice” charge. He was arrested Saturday in connection with the Idaho warrant.

By SARA CLINE Associated Press/Report for America PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Despite a threat to block new political maps Republican state lawmakers returned to the Oregon Capitol  as the Legislature passed legislative and congressional boundaries that included a new, sixth U.S. House seat.   The congressional map, which House Republicans say is unfair and boycotted

By AMY BETH HANSON, MARTHA BELLISLE and DAVID KOENIG Associated Press JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — An Amtrak train that derailed in rural Montana over the weekend was going just under the speed limit at about 75 mph when it went off the track along a gradual curve. U.S. investigators also said Monday that the accident

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Kraken made their debut on Sunday night with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the preseason opener for both teams. With Seattle’s home arena putting the finishing touches on its construction, the Kraken have taken their first preseason on the road

By The Associated Press The deadly Amtrak derailment in north-central Montana of the Empire Builder, traveling from Chicago to Seattle, is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Authorities say there were 141 passengers and 16 crew members aboard when the train left the tracks about 4 p.m. Saturday near Joplin, Montana, a town

DES MOINES, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say three people were killed and three others injured in a shooting outside a bar in Des Moines, Washington. Police said shots were fired after a dispute between two people inside the La Familia Sports Pub and Lounge, just before 2 a.m. Sunday. The Seattle Times reports that people

By TODD RICHMOND and KATHLEEN FOODY Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — With more than 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines available, U.S. health authorities said they’re confident there will be enough for every American who qualifies. A spike in demand is expected after the Centers and Disease Control and Prevention endorsed boosters of the

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Kyle Sentkowski kicked three second-half field goals as Sacramento State overcame a 21-14 halftime deficit to pull out out a 23-21 victory over Idaho State in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams. Jake Dunniway found Marcus Fulcher with a 60-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds left in the first