Stores have a solid start to back-to-school season

NEW YORK - The back-to-school shopping season is off to a promising start, but retailers may be sacrificing profit for sales.

Medication-related weight gain

As if it weren't difficult enough to maintain normal body weight, some people actually put on pounds as a result of the medication they are taking.

Idaho judge upholds controversial feedlot permit

JEROME (AP) - A 5th District judge has upheld a permit for a controversial 13,000-animal feedlot near a national historic site where Japanese Americans were confined during World War II.

Caruso's burglarized in Post Falls

POST FALLS - Caruso's Sandwich Co. was burglarized late Wednesday and the suspect busted the cash register to steal a small amount of cash.

Tapering off anti-depressant medication

If you are being prescribed the antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), you may feel that, for one reason or another, the time has come to stop taking the medications.

Local Briefs June 30, 2011

Purse stolen during church service

Natural treatment of depression and anxiety with 5 MTHF

5 MTHF (5 Methlytetrahydrofolate) is a biologically active form of folic acid. 5 MTHF has shown to be very effective in treating depression and anxiety in people who have a genetic defect in metabolizing folate and folic acid into their active forms.

More poisonings than auto deaths

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more Americans died of poisonings than in automobile crashes during the most recent year for which there are available statistics. That means that poisoning is now the leading cause of injury death in this country.

On the record about off-label drugs

A medication is said to be used "off label" when it is prescribed to treat a condition for which it has yet to be approved by the FDA. An example of off-label drug use may be an anti-depressant that is prescribed to treat insomnia or a pain condition.

High-stakes lobbying on Iran deal; pressure for Congress

TURNOUT: An inside story

Benjamin Franklin was once asked what kind of government we will have. “A Republic, ma’am, if you can keep it,” he replied. I am very concerned after last Tuesday’s election with only 8.45 percent turnout that maybe ol’ Benjamin was onto something. The Founders chose a Constitutional Republic as the best means for America to self-govern, but can we with such low turnout?

JIMMY'S: Thanks for everything

With very mixed feelings, my wife and I recently decided that it was time to relinquish our ownership of Jimmy’s Down The Street, the breakfast and lunch diner that we have very successfully owned and operated for the last seven-plus years.

PATRIOT FRONT: Send message via prosecution

Strong stand with weight of the law called for

Strong stand with weight of the law called for

Wal-Mart: We'll fix U.S. economy

Company to hire vets, buy more American products

Going for gold

'Apprentice' second-place finisher goes from Trump Tower to Cd'A pawn shop owner, gold buyer

HEALTHCARE: In Obama we trust

How refreshing to hear a voice of reason and reality about the Bush tax cuts (to the wealthiest) coming to an end. Thank you Chad. The bottom line is we cannot continue entitlements and bailouts while cutting taxes and have a healthy economy.

COLUMN: Too far to the right, Dean

I discovered a column last month by Dean Haagenson. One bizarre idea he expressed was withholding citizenship until a person completes some kind of term of service.

There's money – and then, there's funny money

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were invented to solve a problem with the world’s currencies, and Blockchain was developed to solve a problem with cryptocurrencies.

How health care case will unfold

Supreme Court to hear arguments beginning Monday

How to select charities worthy of your money

Many readers let me know in no uncertain terms that my recommendation to donate to the Red Cross to help hurricane victims was a bad idea. The primary concern they voiced was that the salaries of the executive staff of the Red Cross were too high. The overall administrative costs of charities, relative to what they end up donating to the intended recipients, is the critical test.