Northwest News

Analysis: The Showdown Between Idaho Lawmakers And Governor That Could Define 2021 Session

By NWPB News
Senators watch Gov. Brad Little’s 2021 State of the State address from the floor of the Senate chambers. Because of COVID-19 precautions, Little delivered the address remotely instead of in the traditional joint gathering of the House and Senate chambers. CREDIT: Nik Streng/ Idaho EdNews
With at least 11 pieces of legislation already in the pipeline — all addressing some aspect of Little’s coronavirus response, and the Legislature’s role during an emergency — this issue is a long way from settled. And it could be a fascinating, defining debate of the 2021 session. Separation of powers, once the stuff of a “Schoolhouse Rock” segment, is all a bit more real Read More

With Worries Of Armed Protests, Inauguration Day At Washington State Capitol Was Quiet

By NWPB News
John Hess holding a sign describing President Joe Biden as a “traitor” and a “thief," as he stands outside a barricade set up by state troopers at the Washington state Capitol building, Jan. 20, 2021. CREDIT: Melissa Santos/Crosscut
Washington National Guard troops were on site to guard against any repeat of the violence and disruption seen Jan. 6. While security forces were less visible than they have been in recent days, a spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol said they were still there protecting the seat of the Washington state government. He declined to share more information, but said the Read More

10 Years After White Supremacist Tried To Bomb Spokane’s MLK Parade, Extremism Is More Mainstream

By Scott Leadingham
The backpack bomb made by Kevin Harpham, of Stevens County, Washington, was discovered on the parade route of Spokane's 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, before it could be detonated. CREDIT: FBI
This week marks 10 years since a white supremacist attempted to bomb the Martin Luther King Junior Day parade through downtown Spokane. The bomb was discovered and defused just in the nick of time. But the effects of extremist ideologies in the region lived on. Journalist Leah Sottile examined that in the podcast Bundyville, from Oregon Public Broadcasting. Leah spoke with Read More

In Opening Legislative Session, Idaho Governor Calls For Reversing Budget Cuts, More Teacher Pay

By NWPB News
Senators watch Gov. Brad Little’s 2021 State of the State address from the floor of the Senate chambers. Because of COVID-19 precautions, Little delivered the address remotely instead of in the traditional joint gathering of the House and Senate chambers. CREDIT: Nik Streng/ Idaho EdNews
Idaho Gov. Brad Little called for reversing budget holdbacks, increasing teacher pay, cutting taxes and fighting the coronavirus virus pandemic during a historic, remote State of the State address Monday. In conjunction with the 30-minute speech, Little unveiled a budget proposal that would increase K-12 general fund spending beyond $2 billion for the first time in Idaho Read More

Washington’s 2021 Legislative Session Kicks Off Under The Cloud Of Heightened Security Concerns

By Scott Leadingham
Washington National Guard troops set up outside the state Capitol Jan. 10, 2021, ahead of the session beginning on Monday, Jan. 11. Security is heightened after threats recently, following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3
The Washington Legislature kicks off its 2021 session today. It comes with heavy security outside the building amid threats of protesters trying to force their way in. Inside, lawmakers are meeting to approve the rules that will allow them to meet mostly remotely this year due to the pandemic. That could mean the session has fewer partisan policy disagreements – or more.Read More
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