Expect small Social Security benefit increase in '13

The good in Idaho liquor law

As the New Year starts and the State Legislature starts to gather and plan its session for the coming year, the subject of liquor law and the potential for deregulation always seems to come up. As we have in past articles, we continue to urge caution as the debacle in neighboring Washington state shows it is a far more complex and nuanced subject than many acknowledge. For now, the groups that supported the law so heavily in Washington seem to have their attention focused on Oregon for the coming election cycle - not surprising, given Oregon's larger population versus Idaho's.

Hearing it firsthand

Tasting wine - whether it is at the winery, a wine tasting, or a winemaker dinner held locally - is always the best way to buy wine. You try it, you like it and you buy it - or you try it, think "not so much" and decide not to buy it. The important thing is that you actually have the chance to evaluate the wine for yourself to guide your buying decisions.

Forecast sees job growth lifting housing in 2011

Full recovery still more than two years away

ORLANDO, Fla. - The housing market could gradually begin to emerge from its doldrums this year, industry experts said Wednesday, but their forecast depends on a steady ramp-up in hiring and for the U.S. jobless rate to get no worse than it is right now.

Ford CEO gets $56.5M in stock award

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Co.'s top two executives received nearly $100 million worth of stock for their performance during 2009 and 2010, years in which the company's profits and stock price surged.

Protecting that investment

Ask The Propellorheads

Dear PropellerHeads: I just got my daughter a smartphone. I think she needs to use some kind of protective case; she's resisting. What do you think?

Digital movie locker 'UltraViolet' nears launch

LOS ANGELES - A group of media and electronics companies will soon start testing a system that will let you watch the movies and TV shows that you buy wherever you are, regardless of formats and other technical hurdles. Like ATMs, your account would follow you, no matter what brand of machine you use.

Survey: Sun Road trails are over used

Cameras are used but can't distinguish faces

Glacier National Park is trying to get a handle on how many people are using trails along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, but some trail users have questioned the park's methods and the impacts they have on the wilderness experience.

Airlines promise a return to civility, for a fee

Personal data will be used in the near future to customize new offers for each flier

The benefit of glass time

A customer of ours stopped in the store this week and ordered a case of wine called Barinas. Barinas is a delicious wine from the Jumilla region of Spain, known for producing some of the very best Monastrell, which is also known as Mourvedre. The wines can be quite massive, with dense rich fruit and firm structure, ranging in price from $11 for the Barinas that our customer enjoys so much to wines that retail close to triple digits.

Mishandled mercury mess

School will be closed until professional team can clean it

POST FALLS — A mercury spill in a high school science lab has closed the Immaculate Conception St. Dominic school and church until a hazmat team can handle it.

Housing market not cooling off

Summer season for real estate expected to be another hot one

Real estate market remains hot

Left out in the cold (water)

About three years ago, a consumer, not a member of Kootenai County Electric co-op, bought a super duper brand new water heater from Kootenai Electric Cooperative. Because he was not a member (he lives in the Silver Valley), he had to pay more than members of the co-op pay for the H2O heater. No problem.

HOUSING HOT SPOT

Within 45 minutes of posting her house on the local Multiple Listing Service website, Libbi Keyes had two showings scheduled.

Broker: Housing market 'won't plummet'

But prices are coming down, says real estate leader

Housing forecast: No collapse

Housing market in flux

Interest rates will be a key factor for many seeking to buy

As of Jan. 5, there were 634 active residential listings , up from 184 from one year ago.

Idaho GOP makes its point

Gem State first to sign law aimed at health care plan

BOISE - Idaho took the lead in a growing, nationwide fight against health care overhaul Wednesday when its governor became the first to sign a measure requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government if residents are forced to buy health insurance.

Vikings reunite in Cd'A

'Tis the season to reunite. This weekend there will be ample opportunity to reconnect with old friends, literally. On Friday my fellow old Vikings from Coeur d'Alene's class of 1970 will be mingling at Sherman Park, on the hallowed ground of the old Woolworth's. That night CHS class of 1985 will be meeting up at the Eagles and CHS class of 1980 will be on the deck at Parkside Towers. On Saturday the class of '70 will enjoy a catered dinner by Ekness (and yes, there are North Idaho beer balls on the menu!) in the gardens of the Roosevelt Inn, where many of our classmates attended elementary school. The class of '80 will be at the Eagles Saturday night and class of '85 is taking a cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene until 8 p.m. Word has it that Post Falls High School's class of 1980 will be cruising Sherman Avenue on Friday night before their Saturday evening get-together at Moon Dollars.

Economy holds, but prices rise

Asked, "Economically, how will 2012 compare to 2011?" 28 percent of voters at CdaPress.com responded things will get worse. A surprising 48 percent say 2012 will be a better year. Yet it was the remaining quarter who pegged it, according to most economic predictions: 2012 will be about the same, with steadily slow growth measurable in inches rather than miles.

Bernanke notes economy better than expected

Speech did not include any mention of more government bond-buying

WASHINGTON - Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Wednesday that the economy has performed better in recent months than the Federal Reserve had expected. If the trend continues, he said the Fed might have to reassess its outlook for a slow recovery.