Nice weekend of feature stories. Some good details in yet another wolf story… renewed promises from Fish and Game on viable populations and a wait and see tone from some wolf advocate corners.
Cynthia Sewell looks at two mysterious deaths of young Uzbek men in Boise and the international intrigue surrounding them.
The Times-News looks at the process of deportation, which involves Twin Falls as a hub for Idaho and Montana. It’s worth a read to better understand how people are disappeared.
And a bunch of speculation on how the Legislature plans to adjourn itself with little to show… in today’s Newsrack.
Rep. Clark aims to kill business equipment break. Idaho big business wants all or nothing on personal property tax repeal. House may act on it today. Russell in the Spokesman.
Day 85. Legislative leaders say the end is near. Last minute: Local option, business tax, primaries and drug treatment. Druzin in the Statesman. 7 issues if you count April Fools Day. Hopkins in the Times-News. Hopkins’ notebook on Otter isolation chamber.
9/11 survivor dropped from health plan because of Idaho’s marriage laws. New Jersey gay couple was covered before, Konica Minolta dropped the partner when they moved to Idaho because state does not have domestic partner law. Rep. LeFavour: “There wasn’t anything we could do. Idaho law just doesn’t have anything to help them right now.” Jessie Bonner, AP in the Argus.
Idaho Reports reports on the showdown. Between Otter and the Leg.
Important read: A rare look at deportation in Idaho and Montana. Times-News reporter follows immigrants from round-up to deportation proceedings. Almost all the way. Deportee with pregnant girlfriend in Bozeman: “She doesn’t know what’s going to happen. She doesn’t know (if I lose) I can never come back.” Cassidy Friedman in the Times-News.
Deaths of two young Uzbek men in Boise continue to haunt community. Unexplained deaths a month apart have stirred international intrigue. Sewell in the Statesman.
Supremes to look at VCA. Idaho takes payroll deductions case to U.S. Supreme Court. Parts of 2003 state law targeting union political contributions has been struck down in lower courts. AP reporting this morning. More details at Ed Week.
Wolf advocates more concerned about ranchers than hunters. Idaho is now managing its own wolf packs. Nadeau: “We promised the state and the nation we’re going to maintain viable populations.” Maughan: “The Legislature continues to take an extremely hostile view of wolves.” Phillips in the Statesman. Audio on Boise State Radio.
Tamarack owner arrested for leaving the scene. Jean Pierre Boespflug accused of hitting a parked car last fall in Boise’s N. End and taking off. Orr in the Statesman. KTVB. Layoffs, new suit. Lowery on NewWest.
Use of midwives increasing in Idaho. Still face skepticism from medical community. Poppino in the Times-News.
55 years in the woods. Last good one was 1982. Potlach dumps R. F. Coon Logging, 40 guys lose jobs. Coon: “If they’d open up and sell some timber, why it would make Potlatch scramble a little bit for a market for their timber.” Ronda Nelson in the Clearwater Tribune.
