Masks are now required in public in Kootenai County after the Panhandle Board of Health passed a mask mandate Thursday, despite stiff public opposition.The board tabled a similar motion last week after hearing opposition from the public. On Thursday, more than 1,000 people tuned into the meeting’s live stream, with even more present in person.Those who turned out online and in person overwhelmingly opposed a mask mandate at both meetings.The mandate, which passed 4 to 2, requires a covering of the nose and mouth to be worn when social distancing cannot occur in Kootenai County, only one of...…Masks are now required in public in Kootenai County after the Panhandle Board of Health passed a mask mandate Thursday, despite stiff public opposition.The board tabled a similar motion last week after hearing opposition from the public. On Thursday, more than 1,000 people tuned into the meeting’s live stream, with even more present in person.Those who turned out online and in person overwhelmingly opposed a mask mandate at both meetings.The mandate, which passed 4 to 2, requires a covering of the nose and mouth to be worn when social distancing cannot occur in Kootenai County, only one of...WW…

A Washington bill aimed at regulating human-powered watercraft in the same way as motorboats is being criticized by some local paddlers.“Personally, I’m opposed,” Spokane River Forum executive director Andy Dunau said. “Trying to regulate by creating a course will create a bureaucratic burden that is not helpful. What we need to be focusing on is ordinances and measures focusing on wearing personal flotation devices.”would require canoes, kayaks and paddle board participants to take a boater education course, pass an exam and carry a boater education card.Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), a...…A Washington bill aimed at regulating human-powered watercraft in the same way as motorboats is being criticized by some local paddlers.“Personally, I’m opposed,” Spokane River Forum executive director Andy Dunau said. “Trying to regulate by creating a course will create a bureaucratic burden that is not helpful. What we need to be focusing on is ordinances and measures focusing on wearing personal flotation devices.”would require canoes, kayaks and paddle board participants to take a boater education course, pass an exam and carry a boater education card.Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek), a...WW…

By Staff and wire reportsPeople spend $26.5 billion annually in Washington to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, according to a report released earlier this month.The report, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, found that residents and tourists spend $18.8 billion annually on outdoor recreation trips, including trips to local, state and national parks. In addition, they spend $7.7 billion annually on outdoor recreation gear, equipment and repair services.As that spending reverberates through Washington’s economy, outdoor recreation spending supports $40.3...…By Staff and wire reportsPeople spend $26.5 billion annually in Washington to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, according to a report released earlier this month.The report, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, found that residents and tourists spend $18.8 billion annually on outdoor recreation trips, including trips to local, state and national parks. In addition, they spend $7.7 billion annually on outdoor recreation gear, equipment and repair services.As that spending reverberates through Washington’s economy, outdoor recreation spending supports $40.3...WW…

Apple lobbyists are trying to weaken a new law aimed at preventing forced labor in China, according to two congressional staffers familiar with the matter, highlighting the clash between its business imperatives and its official stance on human rights.The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would require U.S. companies to guarantee they do not use imprisoned or coerced workers from the predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang, where academic researchers estimate the Chinese government has placed more than 1 million people into internment camps. Apple is heavily dependent on Chinese...…Apple lobbyists are trying to weaken a new law aimed at preventing forced labor in China, according to two congressional staffers familiar with the matter, highlighting the clash between its business imperatives and its official stance on human rights.The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would require U.S. companies to guarantee they do not use imprisoned or coerced workers from the predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang, where academic researchers estimate the Chinese government has placed more than 1 million people into internment camps. Apple is heavily dependent on Chinese...WW…

President Donald Trump quote-tweeted a video Wednesday of a Moscow, Idaho, church gathering, falsely claiming Democrats want to permanently shut down churches.Trump by Cliff Maloney, president of the libertarian group Young Adults for Liberty.Maloney’s tweet said: “If you would have told me in 2019 that we were just 1 year away from Americans being ARRESTED for holding outdoor church services, I would have thought you to be insane. This is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen. Pray for America.”While Maloney’s tweet said the attendees were arrested for simply holding outdoor...…President Donald Trump quote-tweeted a video Wednesday of a Moscow, Idaho, church gathering, falsely claiming Democrats want to permanently shut down churches.Trump by Cliff Maloney, president of the libertarian group Young Adults for Liberty.Maloney’s tweet said: “If you would have told me in 2019 that we were just 1 year away from Americans being ARRESTED for holding outdoor church services, I would have thought you to be insane. This is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen. Pray for America.”While Maloney’s tweet said the attendees were arrested for simply holding outdoor...WW…

After a corpse fell on the former Coulee City Police Chief’s head in 2012, she claimed workers’ compensation. But an investigation by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries alleges she was really working as a pinup model during that time.Brenda Lynn Cavoretto, 47, was charged with two counts of making false or misleading statements to collect more than $67,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.While police chief in 2012, Cavoretto was called to the scene of a suicide where a domestic violence suspect had hanged himself in a barn, a news release from L&I says. As...…After a corpse fell on the former Coulee City Police Chief’s head in 2012, she claimed workers’ compensation. But an investigation by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries alleges she was really working as a pinup model during that time.Brenda Lynn Cavoretto, 47, was charged with two counts of making false or misleading statements to collect more than $67,000 in workers’ compensation benefits.While police chief in 2012, Cavoretto was called to the scene of a suicide where a domestic violence suspect had hanged himself in a barn, a news release from L&I says. As...WW…

More than four months after a wildfire tore through Malden and Pine City, President Donald Trump is withholding federal aid to help residents rebuild their lives because of his personal animosity toward Gov. Jay Inslee, an aide to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said.“The holdup now is the relationship between the president and Gov. Inslee,” said the Spokane Republican’s aide, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.Trump has 21 major disaster declaration requests since the Babb Fire destroyed approximately 80% of homes in the Whitman County towns on Sept. 7, including a request for wildfires...…More than four months after a wildfire tore through Malden and Pine City, President Donald Trump is withholding federal aid to help residents rebuild their lives because of his personal animosity toward Gov. Jay Inslee, an aide to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said.“The holdup now is the relationship between the president and Gov. Inslee,” said the Spokane Republican’s aide, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.Trump has 21 major disaster declaration requests since the Babb Fire destroyed approximately 80% of homes in the Whitman County towns on Sept. 7, including a request for wildfires...WW…

These may not have been the circumstances, but two years ago Nick Rolovich probably envisioned Jayden de Laura starting – and starring – in his run-and-shoot offense when he offered the young quarterback a scholarship at the University of Hawaii, three months before de Laura played his first varsity game at Honolulu powerhouse Saint Louis.There’s not a coconut tree in sight now, but the coach’s vision may still play out in year one at Washington State.According to multiple sources, de Laura, the true freshman from Hawaii, won a three-way battle with redshirt sophomore Cammon Cooper and...…These may not have been the circumstances, but two years ago Nick Rolovich probably envisioned Jayden de Laura starting – and starring – in his run-and-shoot offense when he offered the young quarterback a scholarship at the University of Hawaii, three months before de Laura played his first varsity game at Honolulu powerhouse Saint Louis.There’s not a coconut tree in sight now, but the coach’s vision may still play out in year one at Washington State.According to multiple sources, de Laura, the true freshman from Hawaii, won a three-way battle with redshirt sophomore Cammon Cooper and...WW…

Idaho’s wolf population remained stable between 2019 and 2020 despite 53% more human-caused mortality, according to an Idaho Fish and Game population estimate.According to the 2020 estimate, there were 1,556 wolves, 10 fewer than the 2019 estimate of 1,566. The estimates were made in August, when the wolf population is usually at its peak.Human-caused mortality of wolves between the two August estimates was documented at 583, 53% higher than the 382 during the previous year. Combined with natural mortality, IDFG estimates the minimum population to be 900.To come to the estimate, IDFG...…Idaho’s wolf population remained stable between 2019 and 2020 despite 53% more human-caused mortality, according to an Idaho Fish and Game population estimate.According to the 2020 estimate, there were 1,556 wolves, 10 fewer than the 2019 estimate of 1,566. The estimates were made in August, when the wolf population is usually at its peak.Human-caused mortality of wolves between the two August estimates was documented at 583, 53% higher than the 382 during the previous year. Combined with natural mortality, IDFG estimates the minimum population to be 900.To come to the estimate, IDFG...WW…

When Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ran for the Democratic nomination for president on a platform of aggressively tackling climate change, he didn’t get much traction with voters. But then the first U.S. cases of COVID-19 hit Washington state in January, and Inslee’s decisive science-based leadership suddenly seemed prescient.Bloomberg talked with Inslee about the two potentially lethal crises and their weird but undeniable parallels. The interview has been condensed and edited.Q: Before the pandemic you were perhaps best known for your committed stance on addressing climate change. Some of the...…When Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ran for the Democratic nomination for president on a platform of aggressively tackling climate change, he didn’t get much traction with voters. But then the first U.S. cases of COVID-19 hit Washington state in January, and Inslee’s decisive science-based leadership suddenly seemed prescient.Bloomberg talked with Inslee about the two potentially lethal crises and their weird but undeniable parallels. The interview has been condensed and edited.Q: Before the pandemic you were perhaps best known for your committed stance on addressing climate change. Some of the...WW…