RAY ERKU

Coeur d'Alene regulates kratom products

Under 21 prohibited from purchase, product cannot exceed set chemical levels

Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a new ordinance requiring kratom providers within city limits to obtain permitting to sell the product, which is generally used either as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for the symptoms of quitting opioids, according to the Mayo Clinic.

More data centers, then more energy resources, needed

Expected influx of tech sector, data centers prompts calls for natural gas, renewables

Bracing for a Pacific Northwest influx of data centers and the tech sector over a short-term period, a power planner is calling for more infrastructural needs to meet future electricity demand.

Fueling frugality: North Idaho consumers, grocers, contractors feeling record diesel costs

North Idaho consumers, grocers, contractors feeling record diesel costs

Trisha Miles pushed a shopping cart full of groceries, a small child leading the way in a toy car, toward her vehicle. It sat in a busy Super 1 Foods parking lot in Hayden on Friday. Diesel prices just hit an all-time high this past week in Idaho, according to motor club AAA. The cost per gallon has now increased from about $3.82 last year to over $6.

Reflections on Sept. 11

Today marks 25th anniversary of American tragedy

Sept. 11, 2001, is forever ingrained in history books as one of America’s greatest tragedies. But Julia Byrum said it’s important to remember tragedies. The young Coeur d’Alene resident wasn’t alive that fateful day. Instead, she learned much of what she knows about it in school.

Diners bite into Longest Table potluck

Hosted by United Way North Idaho, event is region's first

That smells delicious. Flocks of people descended upon City Park in Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday evening for a massive community potluck. Called The Longest Table, host United Way of North Idaho invited everyone to provide and enjoy an array of their favorite dishes in a communal setting.

Local and state educators talk school funding

Top 25 for academic efficiency. Dead last in spending per pupil. This was just one point about Idaho’s education system that local and state educators tackled during a Tuesday morning breakfast at Coeur d’Alene Resort. Tuesday is also, coincidentally, the first day of school.

Region sees increase in drownings, data shows

This year has seen eight boat crashes in Kootenai County

Lakes and rivers in Kootenai and Spokane counties have seen a rise in drownings. According to data gleaned from water rescue teams in Spokane and Kootenai counties, fatal drownings increased from six in 2025 to 11 so far in 2026. Of those drownings, nine bodies were recovered and two are still missing.

Resignations accepted

Dr. Thomas Fletcher named Panhandle Health interim director

Following nearly a two-hour executive session amid the special meeting, Dr. Thomas Fletcher, a Board of Health representative from Bonner County, was named the district’s interim director. Meanwhile, the district has not named new head HR and financial positions.

PHD officials submit resignations

Board of Health hosts special meeting today

Three area health officials seek to resign from their positions. At a special meeting called for Thursday, the Panhandle Health District Board of Health will decide whether to accept the proposed resignations of its district director, human resources specialist and financial officer.

No go on 1% tax hike reduction

City passes $154.83 million budget

No dice for Coeur d’Alene property owners hoping to pay less in taxes. On Tuesday, City Councilmember Christie Wood's proposal to slash 1% from a proposed 7% property tax hike for fiscal year 2027 failed.