NIC SOFTBALL: Cardinals down Snow, but bow out to Salt Lake in Region 18 tourney

NIC, which beat Snow 6-5 earlier on Wednesday, finished 21-26.

Federal Reserve leaves key rate unchanged as it sees risk of higher prices and higher unemployment

As a result, the tariffs have put the Fed in a difficult spot. The Fed’s goals are to keep prices stable and maximize employment. Typically, when inflation rises, the Fed raises rates to slow borrowing and spending and cool inflation, while if layoffs rise, it would reduce rates to spur more spending and growth. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials have signaled that they want to see how the duties — including 145% on all imports from China — impact consumer prices and the economy.

House Republicans push to sell thousands of acres of public lands in the West

The land sale provision put forward by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah would sell thousands of acres of public lands in the two states, and calls for some of the parcels to be considered for affordable housing projects. Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd voted against the provision and Rep. Joe Neguse , D-Colo., called it “deeply irresponsible.”

OPINION: The Trump impact gets real

When an emerging problem starts affecting your neighbors and friends, you know it’s starting to get real.

OPINION: Elon Musk’s massive collection of personal data is a threat to all Americans

A bipartisan group of state attorneys general should be commended for calling public attention to the need for Americans to protect the privacy of their generic data. The AGs warn that about 15 million customers of DNA testing company 23andMe are in danger of having their personal genetic information fall into unsafe hands because of the company’s bankruptcy. The AGs advise customers on how to protect their data.

India fires missiles into Pakistani territory in response to Kashmir attack, killing 8 people

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Wednesday's airstrikes and said the “deceitful enemy has carried out cowardly attacks at five locations in Pakistan” and that his country would retaliate. “Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given,” Sharif said.

Trump administration asks judge to toss suit restricting access to abortion medication

The lawsuit from Idaho, Kansas and Missouri argues that the Food and Drug Administration should roll back access to mifepristone. They filed their complaint after the Supreme Court preserved access to mifepristone last year. They want the FDA to prohibit telehealth prescriptions for mifepristone, require three in-office visits and restrict the point in a pregnancy when it can be used.

Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed.

Could we have the driest year since 1929?

It was a dry April across the Inland Northwest. Only 0.54 inches of rain fell at Cliff’s station in Coeur d’Alene last month, compared to the average of 1.77 inches. At the Spokane International Airport, April’s precipitation total was just 0.39. Their April normal rainfall is 1.25 inches. Our seasonal total in Coeur d’Alene thus far is 7.71 inches. The normal rain and melted snow at this time of year is about 10 inches.

HUCKLEBERRIES: Joe Murphy: An open case

Joe Murphy was the type of newcomer that locals appreciate. He moved here to enjoy our outdoors, embrace community values, join worthy organizations, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Hospice, and make friends.

FEDERAL CUTS: Detrimental to Idaho

According to recent data, Idaho is home to approximately 10,993 federal employees. These individuals play critical roles in managing our public lands, ensuring national security, and providing essential services to our communities.

SCHOOLS: Too many districts

Idaho has approximately a two million state population, 44 counties and 115 public school districts. It appears to be an overkill on number of public school districts and they’re always putting up levies to support these public school districts!

OUR GEM: Tackling nonpoint source pollution in North Idaho, protecting Lake Coeur d’Alene

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a major environmental issue in North Idaho, particularly within the growing Coeur d’Alene Lake watershed. Unlike point source pollution, which stems from identifiable discharge points like pipes or ditches, NPS pollution is transported by diffuse sources such as rain or snowmelt. These waters pick up pollutants from urban areas, agricultural land, forests, and residential zones, eventually draining into lakes, rivers and groundwater.

'The promise of Idaho'

Buck Knives celebrates 20 years in Post Falls

Among the dozens of people that gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Buck Knives’ arrival in north Idaho on Friday afternoon, there was one commonality that threaded the group together.

Silverwood celebrates opening weekend today, Sunday

Silverwood Theme Park has much to celebrate going into their opening weekend.

How to garden without pesticides: Natural ways to fight pests

A few springs ago, I was engaged in my daily ritual of observing the garden, walking around to see what was coming up, ready to bloom, or perhaps what needed attention. As I dodged the giant bumblebees emerging from their underground lairs, I stumbled upon a strawberry plant nearly eaten to the ground.

Post Falls man gets federal prison for aiming laser at helicopter

A man who aimed a laser pointer at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office helicopter last summer will spend almost three years in federal prison.

OPINION: Why has Senator Risch gone silent on supporting NATO and Ukraine?

Although Jim Risch is one of those Congressional lifers who does not have a particularly distinguished record on domestic issues, he has exercised good sense on some national security issues. He has long seen the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) as an essential component of America’s national defense. For instance, in 2023 he called NATO “the most successful political and defensive organization that’s ever been on the face of the planet.” He elaborated: “NATO is important because the national security of the United States of America is the most important issue that the federal government exists for. And there is nothing that gives us better security than the NATO organization.”

Wall Street extends its gains to a 9th straight day, reclaiming losses since tariff escalation

Hopes remain that Trump will roll back some of his tariffs after negotiating trade deals with other countries. China has been a key target, with tariffs of 145%. Its Commerce Ministry said Beijing is evaluating overtures from the U.S. regarding the tariffs.

For Medicaid cuts, national work requirements being considered, says Idaho’s U.S. Rep. Fulcher

Congressman says saving the health insurance program is the objective, but Medicaid benefits should be kept for ‘intended’ populations