Monitoring nest boxes offers insights in local bluebird population

Every spring, both mountain and western bluebirds return to Western Montana, delighting residents and nature lovers alike.

Legals for May, 21 2025

Legals for May, 21 2025

Briefs: Diede commits to Army

Maverick Diede, a senior-to-be at Glacier High School, announced on Tuesday that he has committed to play football for the United States Military Academy for 2026-27.

Bigfork Whitewater festival marks 50 years on the 'Wild Mile'

The Swan River will once again be alive near downtown Bigfork this Memorial Day weekend as the Bigfork Whitewater Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, welcoming paddlers and spectators from across the country — and the world — for three days of races, music and community.

‘Largest tax increase in state history’

Gov signs WA's $78B operating budget into law

(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson rejected a wealth tax from fellow Democrats this session and repeatedly said he would look for budget savings, but on Tuesday – the deadline for doing so – he signed Washington state’s nearly $78 billion, two-year operating budget into law that raises taxes by roughly $9 billion over the next four years. The operating budget includes several tax increases, including a new business and occupation gross tax on storage units. The budget also includes increases to the state's two primary business and occupation tax rates on gross proceeds, an increase in the tax rate for service businesses with annual taxable revenue exceeding $5 million, and a broadened capital gains tax. There’s also a tax on the sale of electric vehicle credits, dubbed the “Tesla tax.”

Trump on Capitol Hill implores divided Republicans to unify behind his big tax cuts bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump implored House Republicans at the Capitol to drop their fights over his big tax cuts bill and get it done, using encouraging words but also the hardened language of politics over the multitrillion-dollar package that is at risk of collapsing before planned votes this week.

THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: It is a great job — even if you have to haggle over the parking

When speaking to groups or curious individuals, I often answer this way: “I get paid to do what thousands of people would pay to do. “Plus, there’s free parking.”

Legals for May, 20 2025

Trump's big bill teeters as House conservatives demand more changes

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged there are still details to "iron out" on President Donald Trump's big tax breaks bill as conservative Republicans insist on quicker cuts to Medicaid and green energy programs before giving their full support.

Mavs unified soccer is about family, not competition

MOSES LAKE – According to Ryan Hadfield, his coaching background is 100% in baseball. At least that was the case nine years ago when he arrived at Moses Lake High School and there wasn't an opening for a baseball coach. After talking with the athletic director, he learned about Moses Lake’s unified sports program.

'Well done'

Open house shows new Quincy hospital to community

QUINCY — Port of Quincy Commissioner Curt Morris had a couple of words for Quincy Valley Medical Center commissioner Randy Zolman during the open house at the new Quincy hospital Wednesday.

Legals for May, 19 2025

Anyone thirsty?: Coeur d'Alene woman launches bottled water brand

As a lifelong athlete, DeeDee Short never liked her choices of beverage at events and competitions, which usually involved choosing between a selection of energy drinks or water in single-use plastic bottles.

HUCKLEBERRIES: Just a little 'Psycho'

Just two motels named Bates operated in this country in 1995, prior to the 35th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” One was in Vale, Ore., and the other at 2018 E. Sherman Ave., according to the American Hotel/Motel Association. But only one — the Bates Motel in Coeur d’Alene — embraced its connection to the 1960 horror thriller.

North Idaho College celebrates largest graduating class

Rainy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of North Idaho College’s 2025 graduates as they celebrated their crowning achievements.

Zinke draws a ‘red line’ on public lands

The U.S. House last week launched the new bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, and it couldn’t have happened at a more critical time.

Alleged knife-wielding shoplifter given suspended jail sentence and fine

Dominic Austin Prichard, 32, picked up a felony robbery charge after allegedly trying to make off with $158.93 in unpurchased goods from a Hutton Ranch Road store about 7:35 a.m., June 19.

Wildcats winning streak reaches 12

COLUMBIA FALLS — Cooper Ross kept the Frenchtown Broncs scoreless through the first five frames, and the Columbia Falls Wildcats mustered up enough offense to win the 2-1 pitcher’s duel at the Sapa-Johnsrud Invitational Saturday to extend their winning streak to 12 games.

North Idaho College celebrates largest graduating class

Rainy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of North Idaho College’s 2025 graduates as they celebrated their crowning achievements.