Special session focus: election, lawsuits

But education not on Monday’s agenda

STEM academy students press Little on issues

RATHDRUM — Lt. Gov. Brad Little was impressed when Dave Johnson’s ninth grade civic/government class started the day by reciting the preamble of the U.S. Constitution by heart.

The gray areas of health

In so many areas of life, things fall in the gray area, and health is no exception. The “gray area” is defined on Dictionary.com as “an undefined situation or subject that does not seem to conform to known categories or rules; an intermediate area or topic that is not clearly defined.” It is neither the extremes of black or white, but a melding of the two, creating many shades of gray.

A bill is born; how to legislate

With Idaho's 2014 legislative session now open, today's column outlines the stages of legislation. Next time, a glimpse at various types of bills.

Tribes gather to discuss legal marijuana

Coeur d'Alene Tribe representatives participate in meeting

TULALIP, Wash. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Justice's December announcement allowing the nation's Indian tribes to legalize and regulate marijuana on their reservations brought notes of caution - if not silence or opposition - from many tribes.

Western Governors group explores rural initiatives

POST FALLS — A group of top-level local, state and federal policy makers and politicians from across the West converged in Post Falls on Tuesday for a roundtable discussion on a wide range of topics affecting the rural West.

Welcome to the (Scam) Jam

Free event to empower citizens to fight fraud, exploitation

Lakeland schools mull early release plan

RATHDRUM - The Lakeland Joint School District is considering a proposal that would release elementary students 50 minutes earlier on Thursdays next year to allow staff more collaboration time to implement new state standards.

Faith in our neighbors

Because the faith of presidential candidate Mitt Romney is an issue, The Press has devoted many column inches to debate and discussion of his faith, particularly compared to other beliefs. And we're prepared to devote a little more, although readers are increasingly telling us this topic has run its course and it's about time to turn back to issues rather than theological arguments.

What to take for arthritic knees

Osteoarthritis of the knees is a common problem, particularly after age 60. While low-impact aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, and stretching can help increase range of motion and decrease pain, medications are often also necessary. If so, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends the following medications to control symptoms: no more than 4 grams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per day; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) taken with food; cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex); or topical NSAID diclofenac sodium (Voltaren Gel). These recommendations are designed to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. If they cannot be tolerated or greater pain relief is needed, a corticosteroid injection may be needed.

Pros, cons of 'pink slime'

Social media networks have been eating up Pink Slime recently - no pun intended. Lean, finely textured beef (LFTB), also known as "pink slime" that is found in many of our beef products, is the hot new nutrition topic of interest this spring. LFTB is a low fat, high protein product derived from beef-fat trimmings. It is added to processed meat products to add value and avoid waste.

Get off the sidelines

The post-election dust hasn't completely settled, but there's still so much to be done.

This selfie is unflattering

By mid-afternoon Thursday, the story about a man charged with murdering a woman and her daughter in Post Falls had elicited zero comments on cdapress.com.

Open letter to a special reader

I get a regular stream of communications from readers. Most are about column topics, agreeing and disagreeing, asking and adding to the discussions. Less often but also somewhat regularly, they are more personal. I always try to respond, but sometimes with mailed letters, a return address is not given.

Late in the session, this bill is suspicious

Redistricting and gerrymandering are topics in the news as we approach the 10-year mark for new census data. The U.S. Census numbers affect the number of U.S. House of Representative seats allocated to states; thus redistricting based on those new numbers becomes critically important to the political parties. Idaho’s current, rather exemplary system for redistricting every 10 years is in jeopardy as a new plan is being introduced in the Idaho Senate.

Don't think opt-out was waste of time

Commissioner Bill Brooks was in his element, speaking to the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans about what’s emerging as a favorite hot topic.

Having 'the talk' with your teen

It can be more than a little uncomfortable talking to Mom and Dad about the birds and the bees, especially for adolescents who are just being introduced to the subject.

ABSENTEE VOTING BILL: Senseless voter suppression

The proposed Alfieri bill, to limit absentee voting, was a topic of discussion, consternation and concern at our weekly prayer circle gathering. We range in age from 70 to 95 and we take our right to vote very seriously. Our fathers, grandfathers and some of our husbands fought in wars that had every bit to do with freedom and democracy. The right to vote is the keystone of any democracy.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Digestive enzymes may be an effective treatment for OA study finds

Digestive enzymes have become a popular topic in recent years and for good reason.

MY TURN: Internet, social media and smart phones are hurting our kids

My letter is inspired by Debbie Critchfield's Dec. 20 letter and the follow-up Press editorial. As a mother of young Gen Zers, this topic occupies my mind regularly. As a young Gen Xer, I am part of the last generation to know a childhood without the pressure of social media and the constant inundation and temptation of the internet and smartphone.