US stocks up in early trading, recovering some losses

TOKYO (AP) — Stocks are rebounding on Wall Street early Tuesday from their biggest drop since October a day earlier. Energy and materials sectors are leading the gains, with the S&P 500 up 0.4% at 9:40 a.m. Eastern time. Investors are following a run-off election for two senate seats in Georgia that will determine whether Republicans retain control of the Senate. Coronavirus cases are climbing at frightening rates, threatening to bring lockdown orders that would punish the economy. European indexes were mixed, while Asian stock markets were mostly higher. U.S. Treasury yields rose.

Jobless rate inches upward

How you feel about the region’s job market heading into the holiday season probably depends on which side of the hiring table you’re sitting.

Idaho faces broadband infrastructure challenge

The Idaho Legislature is facing a number of critical issues it will need to address in the next legislative session. But while topics such as Medicaid expansion and transportation funding grab all the headlines, they should not overshadow one of the most critical challenges facing our state today — access to broadband.

SCRC seeks to unify area service groups

SANDPOINT -- Unifying the service provider community is the mandate behind the upcoming Service Provider Symposium, an all-day program hosted by the Sandpoint Community Resource Center.

Grants support worker training programs

NIC among institutions receiving grants under initiative

COEUR d’ALENE — The Idaho Department of Labor, with the support of the Department of Commerce, has awarded $1.8 million in special worker training grants to North Idaho College, Boise State University and Idaho State University under a new initiative that leverages industry support to enhance the skills of Idaho workers.

EXCHANGE: God is on our side

Like many in Cd’A nowadays, I hail originally from California. Now, any mention of Californian expats is locally attended with rolls of eyes, rueful clucks of the tongue, and exasperated sighs. But I’m fine with this. In fact, I’ve absorbed this provincial instinct, myself, and fully sympathize with the local reservations about Californians. Really.

Support for worker training

North Idaho College among institutions receiving grants under new initiative

COEUR d'ALENE - The Idaho Department of Labor, with the support of the Department of Commerce, has awarded $1.8 million in special worker training grants to North Idaho College, Boise State University and Idaho State University under a new initiative that leverages industry support to enhance the skills of Idaho workers.

Taxpayers should go to hearings, demand answers

Opinion

A continual process of evaluation and evolution

Your Community College

Bob Dylan once sang, "The times, they are a changin'," and given our recent strange weather, I would agree. Abnormal weather aside, you can also see change at North Idaho College.

How low can the rate go?

Local jobless rate the lowest it's been since February 2008

POST FALLS - Kootenai County's May jobless rate reached its lowest mark since February 2008 at 4.4 percent, the Idaho Department of Labor said Friday.

Bozeman company awarded contract for border wall work

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. government has awarded a Montana-based company a contract worth more than $73 million to design and build replacement fencing along 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the U.S.-Mexico border in southern New Mexico, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Bipartisan legislation seizes opportunity for local growth

Partisanship has taken hold of our political lives from Washington to right here in Northwest Montana. Despite all the political ill will, there appears to be one issue that Republicans and Democrats can agree on — promoting local economic growth through our nation’s community banks.

Long-standing UK restaurant chain goes bust as sector reels

LONDON (AP) — Well-known food and retail chains in Britain are calling in bankruptcy administrators and struggling to pay bills after the government ordered shops and restaurants closed to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Groups combine forces to build affordable housing

SANDPOINT — A local non-profit organization is joining forces with a new housing development with the goal of bolstering the area’s ailing affordable housing sector.

OPINION: Gianforte's history proves he doesn't support discrimination

Greg Gianforte successfully built and grew a business that employed hundreds of Montanans. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, he proved that a world-class business could be built in Montana. The spark of RightNow Technologies ignited Montana’s growing high-tech sector. Many Montanans have benefited directly or indirectly from what RightNow Technologies accomplished here.

Idaho unemployment rate steady

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February held steady at 3.6 percent while the state continued to lead the nation in over-the-year job growth for the sixth consecutive month.

Council endorses streetscape plan

By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter

Keystone XL and Bullock bill should be supported

As many as 2,000 temporary high-paying blue collar jobs will be created in Montana if the U.S. government approves the much publicized Keystone XL pipeline. More than twice as many similar private-sector construction jobs, however, will result from state government approval of the “Build Montana” program proposed by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock and sponsored in the legislature by Republican Rep. Jeff Welborn, of Dillon.

City, cyclists look to expand trails, recreation here

Both the private and public sector are working on creating greater recreational opportunities for Columbia Falls in the future. On the public side, the Columbia Falls City Council Tuesday night gave city manager Susan Nicosia the OK to apply for the Trust for Public Land’s Community Land and Water Intermountain West Pilot Program.

Council OKs nonunion pay raises

After several years of going without, the city of Kalispell’s nonunion employees were granted a 1.3 percent pay raise Monday night by the Kalispell City Council.