Senate approves insurance exchange

Measure goes to Gov. Butch Otter for his signature

The Idaho Senate approved a proposed state-based health insurance exchange on Thursday, after a debate in which it was alternately bashed as federal tyranny and praised as protecting Idaho's sovereignty.

School shopping? Kids not necessary

Some parents opting to leave the children at home this year

NEW YORK - Anyone who has taken their kids back-to-school shopping knows how hard it can be to resist pleas for a Dora the Explorer folder or a Lightning McQueen lunchbox. But this year, some parents have been testing a new strategy: leaving the little ones at home.

High gas prices linger

AAA expects slight cost decrease over summer

POST FALLS - Dan Johnson is fuming over gas prices.

An insight into Insight

DEAR DR. GOTT: Thank heavens for your Web site, since I can get a very important question out to you immediately without using snail mail. While watching the news last evening, I heard about a test kit I can purchase over the counter that will indicate a possible genetic predisposition to such medical problems as Parkinson's disease and heart trouble. I was informed the kit will cost up to $30, and once a saliva specimen is sent in to the laboratory, the testing will begin at an additional expense of up to $437.

Double-digit growth

U.S. home prices rise 10.9 percent most since 2006

Rent, or buy? BUY!

COEUR d'ALENE — A new study ranks Kootenai County third among the state's 44 counties where buying a home is a better financial option than renting.

U.S. wholesale prices up 0.8 percent in June

How to be a millionaire - without Regis

Realtor says buying now can lead to financial gain

COEUR d'ALENE - Marshall Mend has a question: "Who wants to be a millionaire - without Regis?"

Op-Ed: Don’t count on prescription drug reform

What does it take to get a prescription-drug bill to the U.S. Senate floor?

Misery for sneakerheads

New Nike shoe with outer space theme causes frenzy

Sneaker fanatics who lined up outside stores overnight got their first crack Friday at a new outer-space themed Nike basketball shoe, getting so unruly in some cities that police were called to restore order.

Retail sales post strongest gains since late 2007

NEW YORK - Shoppers returned to the nation's malls last month, buying a surprising amount of spring clothing and other items and helping stores post the strongest retail sales since November 2007, a month before the recession began.

Bitcoin is booming

Digital payment option soaring in popularity, stocks jump

'As-is' guarantees you're on your own

When purchasing a used vehicle, you’re agreeing to an “as-is” deal.

Euro falls near $1, but European goods remain pricey

Time is running out

You have read about the changes in the market, with city real estate increasing in price. More than escalating prices, there is another threat to low income buyers and it is getting closer.

Hunters can buy immediate tags with new system

Hunters who apply for a controlled hunt can buy their tickets online if they are chosen for the hunt.

Signed contracts to buy U.S. homes dips slightly

New NIC president tours raffle house on his first day

Less than 600 tickets remain for the chance to win this year’s $250,000 grand prize home. Only 5,000 tickets are sold at $100 each. A $100 ticket gives a chance to own the three-bedroom, two-bath rancher-style home loaded with special features including a full, unfinished basement, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace, high efficiency heat pump, large covered patio and a fully landscaped lot.

Google buys travel software company

WASHINGTON (AP) - Government officials are imposing significant conditions on Google Inc. as they allowed the Internet search leader on Friday to proceed with its $700 million purchase of airline fare tracker ITA Software.

Great deals at auction

Many ask and even more wonder what opportunities they may be missing to buy bargain-priced real estate at auction. The answer is, it depends. It depends on a lot of factors like; do you have cash or a lender who will authorize you to bid up to a pre-approved amount? Some auctions want to receive the entire sale amount the day of your successful bid. Others will wait a couple of days and some will allow a financing contingency period that will give you the appropriate 30-45 days to get your ducks in a row.