30-year fixed mortgage rate dips to 4.77 percent

NEW YORK - Rates on fixed mortgages dipped this week after rising steadily over the last two months.

It took quite a while to get into this mess

Regarding Ms. Gressler's My Turn Nov. 20. She is correct in that too many people "want it and want it now." In my opinion, things have NOT been turned over to the "ignorant untried candidates." Those of the "intelligent tried and true experienced" were really doing a cracker job, but only an additional 60 seats of the House changed to the GOP, the remaining 375 seats either stayed Democrat or Republican even when the incumbent was voted out.

Tesoro and Walgreen hit by robbers

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department is investigating two possibly related business robberies that took place overnight.

Gratitude for a gadget and medical professionals

In December Cheryl Freeman and her husband, Kenny, came down with a "bug." Cheryl was feeling sick for several days when her friend, Dianna Haug dropped off a "care package" of chicken noodle soup, over-the-counter medications and an oximeter. Cheryl is convinced the finger pulse oximeter saved her life.

Taste, taste, taste

Mary and I affectionately refer to tasting wine many times as "homework." For us while it really isn't work at all it is a big part of the job, as we never feel comfortable or confident recommending a wine to a customer if we have not tried it first regardless of the price we pay and therefore charge our customers, it has to meet our standards. Allegorically, customers can and for their own protection should approach wine the same way.

Learn the joys of hand spinning your own yarn

Age old craft can soothe the soul, calm your nerves

The art of hand spinning yarn has been around for thousands of years and recently has made a resurgence among fiber arts enthusiasts who yearn to take their knitting projects back to the very source they originated from. Hand spinning is the art of twisting fiber, fleece, or roving of wool, silk, alpaca, angora, mohair, etc. into a continuous thread by using a spinning wheel or drop spindle. Both methods let you transform your raw fiber into a spun yarn you can then craft into a unique knitting or crochet project.

Strong enough

Economy's spring rebound sets stage for Fed rate hike

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy isn't moving at warp speed, but it looks like it will be strong enough to handle an expected interest rate increase later this year.

Wal-Mart cuts profit outlook

Stock dragged down by sluggish sales, high health care costs

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut its annual profit outlook on Thursday amid sluggish sales, higher-than-expected health care costs and the need to invest more in its e-commerce operations.

What's PayPal's first solo move?

Day-after rush seals strong shopping season

For many in North Idaho, Dec. 26 is usually a day of leftovers, work-free afternoon naps and — for the less festive among us — the ritual of pulling down colored lights and tinseled trees.

Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts open Monday

There are several ways to apply for a controlled black bear hunt this spring

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Sinus relief: Solutions that really work

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) millions of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with sinusitis each year. It is estimated that that amounts to around 12% of the U.S. population.

Income flat, but wallets open

U.S. consumer spending up 0.4 percent in December

WASHINGTON - Americans increased their spending at a solid pace for the second straight month in December even though their income was flat.

Plenty of books available from local Christian authors

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making

What do wrinkles and green bananas have to do with hearing well?

Nothing, except I may have gotten your attention. I love telling hearing stories. I have two recent stories to share with you. Both are about elderly people with happy hearing endings.

Internet help desks: They may offer too much help

This week, I contacted a company that offers technical assistance for internet users. These organizations can provide a valuable service, even for seasoned communications network professionals. After all, even a network pro cannot know the ins-and-outs of the operations of thousands of internet products.

University of Washington moves classes online over virus fears; EWU moves finals online, up

Despite the University of Washington’s announcement Friday to move all classes online, Washington State University, Idaho and other area colleges will continue holding classes while monitoring developments with the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.

Jobs news sends stocks higher

Over-the-counter birth control? Drugmaker seeks FDA approval

Many conservative groups stress they are only interested in curtailing abortion

Udall swipes at opponent's birth-control plan

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. - Democratic Sen. Mark Udall went after his opponent's proposal for over-the-counter birth control Friday, bringing big names to a suburban Denver battleground to argue that Rep. Cory Gardner's plan doesn't make him the "new kind of Republican" he has been claiming to be in ads.