Idaho Briefs March 17, 2013

GOP lawmakers press for inquiry into robocalls

BOISE - A group of freshman lawmakers has asked the Idaho attorney general to investigate whether a series of computer generated telephone calls opposing Gov. Butch Otter's health insurance exchange bill violated state law.

The group, six Republicans and a Democrat, want Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and his consumer protection division to determine if the telephone calls violated the Idaho Telephone Solicitation Act, according to a story published Friday by the Idaho Statesman.

Brett DeLange, who heads Wasden's Consumer Protection Division, said Friday that his office will follow up.

Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, said she received about 120 computer generated calls on her unlisted cellphone and office phone last Saturday and Tuesday. She said each of the calls failed to include legally required disclosure information, including the identity of the person or group initiating the call and contact information for the caller.

In a separate story published earlier last week, Tea Party Boise President Chad Inman said the calls were made on behalf of Gem State Tea Party, an umbrella group uniting 13 Idaho tea party groups.

Woman dies skiing at Bald Mountain

KETCHUM - Central Idaho authorities said a 38-year-old Hailey woman died while skiing at Sun Valley Resort's Bald Mountain after apparently hitting a tree.

Authorities said other skiers found Melanie Kendall unconscious about 4 p.m. Wednesday near the Roundhouse Lane ski track.

- The Associated Press