Columns
See the latest columns from CDA Press!
Nuclear waste plan a threat to Idaho
I was appalled to read in the Oct. 4 Coeur d’Alene Press that the federal Department of Energy wants to build a $1.6 billion nuclear waste storage facility at the Idaho (Nuclear) Energy Lab.
Idaho's Constitution doesn't need HJR 5
Vote NO! on HJR 5. Two years ago, Idahoans rejected HJR 2. Idaho voters properly rejected the Legislature’s attempt to permanently invade Executive discretion and prohibit Judicial oversight of the relationship bet…
Taxpayers rights: A work in progress
If death and taxes are indeed life’s only certainties, at least one has terms we can control. Well, Congress can anyway, and does give taxpayers a bill of rights, however minimal.
Songs that inspire
I look out my kitchen window to see Canfield Mountain lit by the setting sun like a candle’s flame warming a dark room. My backyard, neighbor’s yard and the base of the mountain turn from green to black while the m…
Babies' birth months mirror Main Street
In a decidedly unscientific exercise, I noticed that most of the Main Street birthdays, out of nearly 2,000, seem to be in September or October. So I did a little Google research and found that my list of local bir…
IRS scammers can't wait until April
It’s not even tax time. Nevertheless, I received a call a few days ago — on my cell phone — with this automated message:
Many parts of the country, and world, continue to see wild weather extremes
Much of North Idaho and surrounding regions enjoyed a nice summer season. It was a bit drier than normal overall and temperatures were close to normal. Despite a few showery periods, the early fall season has been …
School board drops the ball
First and foremost I would like to thank the Coeur d’Alene School District Board of Trustees for their service. Their job is not an easy one and in many instan…
Idaho's teacher shortage reaching a critical low
Idaho is seeing an increased demand for teachers, but the supply is hitting a critical low and school districts across our state are struggling to fill teaching positions. Given the importance of a high-quality tea…
Secrets of great presidents
Pulitzer-winning presidential historian and former White House staffer Doris Kearns Goodwin captivated the standing-room only crowd at this month’s Idaho Humanities Council dinner. Her intelligence, wit, and insigh…
Comfort food
Waking up as the sun lightens this cold, gray September morning, I reach for my heavy bathrobe in search of the morning paper. Opening the front door, I feel the chilly morning mist moisten my face — like an unexpe…
Prep football with a royal touch
Homecoming is a rite of passage as well as a celebration of school spirit and a new school year ... oh, and there’s a football game, too. Last week Lakeland High School crowned Jordan Plonka and Heidi Boyer as its …
Banned is beautiful
The most important nugget, yet least understood, of human wisdom is this: The greatest thing to fear is fear itself. Fear permeates and corrupts all it touches, too often masked as protection, righteous anger, or u…
A phenomenon known as 'thundersnow'
Last Sunday night, Sept. 18, a thunderstorm of a relatively small size, but rather intense, moved across the Coeur d’Alene area. There were numerous flashes of lightning, loud thunder and pockets of heavy rainfall.…
Here's an ideal way to save for college
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Idahoans having a 529 college savings program of their own to plan and save for higher education. Created by the Idaho …