THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: The one thing that could sidetrack Zags' amazing season

Coach Mark Few has warned anyone who’d listen that some rugged tests could come, yes, even in conference play. Now we understand one more reason why he’s coaching at a Hall of Fame level, and we’re not.

EWU football coach to miss Idaho game due to positive COVID test

Idaho and Eastern Washington haven't even opened their belated football seasons yet, and there's already been a casualty. Eastern Washington confirmed Thursday that head football coach Aaron Best has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this Saturday's season-opening game at Idaho. At this time, Best is asymptomatic.

Northwest Notes Feb. 26, 2021

Eastern Washington will visit the University of Washington in football on either Sept. 5, 12 or 19 in 2026, and return three years later on Sept. 2, 9 or 16 in 2028.

The Latest: Governor extends Oregon's state of emergency

SALEM, Ore. - Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday extended Oregon’s declaration of a state of emergency until May 2 as confirmed COVID-19 cases drop but hundreds of new cases continue to be reported daily.

Explainer: Mount Etna puts on its latest spectacular show

ROME (AP) — Mount Etna, the volcano that towers over eastern Sicily, evokes superlatives. It is Europe’s most active volcano and also the continent’s largest.

Biden orders a review of US supply chains for vital goods

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday intended to boost manufacturing jobs by strengthening U.S. supply chains for advanced batteries, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors.

Legals for February, 26 2021

Sandpoint wrestling looks to end adversity-filled season on a high note

10 Bulldogs take the mat at the 4A state championships in Nampa on Friday. First round bouts at state start at 8 a.m. PST Friday and placing matches are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. PST.

The Latest: Governor extends Oregon's state of emergency

SALEM, Ore. - Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday extended Oregon’s declaration of a state of emergency until May 2 as confirmed COVID-19 cases drop but hundreds of new cases continue to be reported daily.

The Latest: Brazils signs vaccine deal with Indian company

SAO PAULO — On the same day Brazil reached the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths by COVID-19, the country’s health ministry signed a deal with Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech for the purchase of 20 million doses of the Covaxin vaccine, which is yet to be approved by local regulators.

The Latest: US loosens Pfizer vaccine shipping regulations

NEW YORK — U.S. regulators are allowing Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be shipped and stored at less-frigid temperatures, which should ease distribution and administration of one of the two vaccines authorized for emergency use in the country.

The Latest: Czech government to tighten lockdown amid surge

PRAGUE — The Czech government is planning to tighten the country’s lockdown amid a surge of a highly contagious coronavirus variant.

Explainer: Mount Etna puts on its latest spectacular show

ROME (AP) — Mount Etna, the volcano that towers over eastern Sicily, evokes superlatives. It is Europe’s most active volcano and also the continent’s largest.

Even without listening, US lives in Limbaugh’s media world

NEW YORK (AP) — You didn't have to like or even listen to Rush Limbaugh to be affected by what he did.

Pandemic first job for HHS pick but health agenda is broader

WASHINGTON (AP) —

Biden to order a review of US supply chains for vital goods

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is preparing to sign an executive order to review U.S. supply chains for large-capacity batteries, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors that power cars, phones, military equipment and other goods.

Rush Limbaugh, voice of American conservatism, has died

Rush Limbaugh, the talk radio host who ripped into liberals and laid waste to political correctness with a gleeful malice that made him one of the most powerful voices in politics, influencing the rightward push of American conservatism and the rise of Donald Trump, died Wednesday. He was 70.

Florida is a model for voting. The GOP wants change anyway.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida was a model citizen when it came to elections in 2020. The state showed off its years of voting reforms. Even as Donald Trump railed against voting systems elsewhere, he praised Florida and urged his supporters to trust its vote-by-mail system. And, indeed, results were reported quickly and accurately. Turnout soared.

Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry announces Senate run

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrat Alex Lasry, a 33-year-old Milwaukee Bucks executive and son of a billionaire, announced Wednesday that he's running for the U.S. Senate in 2022 for the seat held by Republican Ron Johnson.

'Alone': How Italian town with 1st known virus death fared

VO, Italy (AP) — Italy delivered the first shocking confirmation of locally transmitted coronavirus infections outside of Asia a year ago Sunday, with back-to-back revelations of cases more than 150 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) apart in the country's north.