All in the family business

We’ve all heard it said, “You should never go into business with relatives.” There is some merit to that, but there is also a wealth of evidence indicating it might not be such a bad idea. In fact, it could be a great one. “The most essential characteristic of stable family businesses is responsible leadership,” said Patricia Soldano, president of Family Enterprise USA, a Washington, D.C.-based national advocacy and research group, in a 2021 news release about a study the organization commissioned to research the impact of these firms. The study revealed that family-owned companies contributed 54% of private sector gross domestic product in the U.S. That’s the equivalent of $7.7 trillion.

Unemployment picture improves in November

MOSES LAKE — While unemployment in Grant County increased between October and November 2016, it dropped when compared with November 2015. The county’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.5 percent in November 2015 to 7.2 percent in November 2016. That’s actually lower than the unemployment rate in November 2014, which was 7.4 percent.

North Idaho State Fair attracts nearly 170,000 visitors

North Idaho State Fair attracts nearly 170,000 visitors

It was a mostly smooth ride from day one to day 10. The Budweiser Clydesdales proved crazy popular, the rodeo was a once again a hit, the carnival pulled in young and old, the food was fantastic and even the weather cooperated with sunny skies and cool nights.

Dale Duff hands over the wheel of Whitefish’s Rocky Mountain Transportation buses

After 78 years of dedicated service driving school bus routes, managing the oldest Hertz rental location in the country, supporting Glacier National Park red bus tours, and operating Whitefish’s SNOW Bus, Whitefish-based Rocky Mountain Transportation Company has new ownership.

Technology stocks stumble, leading rest of the market lower

NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks took a tumble on Wall Street Thursday, giving back some of their spectacular gains over the past several months and dragging the rest of the market down with them.

New restaurant opens on Sherman Avenue

Dave Leach, one of Anaconda shooting victims, was Columbia Falls graduate, standout athlete

One of the victims of a mass shooting at a bar in Anaconda was a Columbia Falls native. David Leach, 70, was one of the four victims of the shooting at the Owl Bar on Aug. 1.

OUR GEM: What’s not so obvious?

I was standing by Coeur d’Alene Lake on a fall day, taking in the beautiful view, when a woman passing by asked me, “Has the lake turned over yet?”

Beatrice Moncada Sampson

1960 – 2025

It is with mournful hearts that we announce the passing of Beatrice (Bea) Moncada Sampson, 64, on May 4, 2025. Bea endured a long and courageous battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Bea’s warmth, prayerful heart, and unwavering love for her family defined her life. She was a woman of deep strength and quiet resilience with a smile that could light up the room.

'Huckleberry Havoc' runs through Aug. 10

'Huckleberry Havoc' runs through Aug. 10

One of Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater’s most popular productions is back on stage for the company’s 42nd season — just in time for a milestone celebration.

BOCC denies call for comment's retraction

HR director shared public comment in Dec. 4 meeting

During Tuesday’s business meeting, a majority vote denied a Board of County Commissioners action item requesting the county’s human resources director to retract a public opinion he made during a Dec. 4 special meeting.

Coeur d’Alene students commemorate Law Day

Charter Academy eighth graders got firsthand experience with Kootenai County’s criminal justice system Thursday.

Carr Foundation to fund African trip for student

Beginning with the 2025 fall semester, any full-time NIC student who will be 18 or older by May 2026 is eligible to apply. The selected student will travel next summer to Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park for a month-long, all-expenses-paid educational experience, funded by the Gregory C. Carr Foundation.

SKC to start the semester with a new president

Salish Kootenai College heads into the fall semester on Sept. 15 with a new president taking the reins.

Kingston man faces sex abuse charges

A Kingston man has been charged with numerous sex crimes, including rape and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16.

Famous Spanish-language opera airs in Whitefish

Whitefish Theatre Company, in collaboration with the Whitefish Arts Council and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, presents Mexican composer Daniel Catán’s opera “Florencia en el Amazonas” as part of the 2023-2024 live streaming season of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD.

SCSO uncovers abuse, drugs, and guns following Pinehurst investigation

Three children have been removed from their mother’s custody, and 12 felony charges have been filed following a child abuse investigation that culminated in a raid Tuesday evening.

EU leaders agree to reduce emissions after all-night talks

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders reached a hard-fought deal Friday to cut the bloc’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by the end of the decade compared with 1990 levels, avoiding a hugely embarrassing deadlock ahead of a U.N. climate meeting this weekend.

EU leaders agree to reduce emissions after all-night talks

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders reached a hard-fought deal Friday to cut the bloc’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by the end of the decade compared with 1990 levels, avoiding a hugely embarrassing deadlock ahead of a U.N. climate meeting this weekend.

Airbus-Boeing deal still leaves other US-EU rifts unresolved

BRUSSELS (AP) — The deal the United States and the European Union reached Tuesday to end their long-running dispute over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus will mean the phase-out of billions in punitive tariffs. It will ease trans-Atlantic tensions. And it will allow the two sides to focus on a common economic threat: China.