Big Country News

As he makes the rounds on his Okanogan County ranch, Joel Kretz watches for moisture with fire on his mind. It's been a cold spring, said Kretz, who is also a GOP state representative, "and then every time it rained, we got a ton of wind afterward, dried it all up."

Grizzly bears haven’t yet patronized the fast-food joints of central Idaho. But they have started wandering so far from the recovery areas set up for them 30 years ago that the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee may need to rethink the way it works. “The bears of the Selkirks and Cabinet-Yaak...

OLYMPIA — Washington's military members and veterans are getting a COVID-19 vaccine lottery of their own, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday. That lottery will begin July 20 and include two weekly drawings for $100,000, and then a drawing in the third week for $250,000. Other prizes will include $250 Amazon gift cards and $100 state parks gift cards.

BOISE - During a conference call on Thursday, June 17, Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners amended current wolf trapping and hunting seasons in response to recent legislative direction. The amended seasons take effect on July 1, consistent with the effective date of Senate Bill 1211. Changes will not be reflected...

OLYMPIA - On Thursday, June 17, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Google will pay $423,659.76 to Washington’s Public Disclosure Transparency Account for violating the state’s campaign finance disclosure law, which Washingtonians adopted by initiative in 1972. Washington’s voter-approved Fair Campaign Practices Act requires political advertisers to retain records...

LEWISTON - On Thursday, June 17, Division Chief Linda Steputat with the Lewiston Fire Department announced her retirement after working for the City of Lewiston for the past 17 years. Linda came to the department on January 6, 2004 from Salinas Fire Department in California. She had been a part of the fire service in that state for almost 25 years.

OLYMPIA - On Thursday, June 17, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced “A Heroes Thanks,” a vaccine incentive for Washington state’s military and staff, veterans and their families. "We're so grateful to those who serve our state and country, and they deserve the opportunity to win prizes for getting this life-saving...

OLYMPIA - As of Monday, June 14, more than 7,528,340 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given across Washington and more than 4.1 million people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Washington continues getting closer to its 70%...

BOISE - So far in 2021, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) firefighters have already responded to 99 wildfires that have burned 433 acres on state and private lands protected by the Idaho Department of Lands. The department provides fire suppression and prevention on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands across Idaho.

LEWISTON - On the evening of Wednesday, June 16, the Lewiston Police Department held their 2020 awards ceremony where two Deputy Prosecutors received recognition for their commitment to this community. Deputy Prosecutor Briana Allen was voted as “2020 Prosecutor of the Year” by the Lewiston Police Department staff, while Chief Deputy Prosecutor April Smith received the “2020 Merit Award” for her role in an incident on December 18, 2020.

SEATTLE — The year’s first Asian giant hornet sighting in the nation was reported in Snohomish County, entomologists with state and federal agencies confirmed Wednesday. Officials said the hornet, which had died, was found by a resident near Marysville. The resident alerted authorities June 4 by submitting a report through the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s online Hornet Watch Report Form, officials said. WSDA retrieved the dried remains of the male hornet on June 8, according to a statement from the state agency.

Idaho’s population growth from 2019 to 2020 led the country, and eight of the state’s cities are among the fastest-growing in the U.S., according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Idaho Department of Labor. The Gem State increased its population by an estimated 2.1%, from 1.79 million to...

Idaho's fish and game managers will make changes to the 2021-22 wolf hunting season Thursday, following a new law aimed at drastically reducing wolf numbers. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will meet via conference call at 8 a.m. To listen to the conference call, go to an Idaho Fish and Game Regional Office.

More than a year after Idaho expanded Medicaid to include the so-called “working poor,” some Idahoans have their sights set on further expanding access to coverage. Several groups in Idaho, including Saint Alphonsus Health System and several medical professional and advocacy organizations, on Tuesday kicked off the Idaho Kids Covered campaign that seeks to get 100% of children insured.

MOSCOW - Gritman Medical Center's high standards in treating emergency care have been validated by the State of Idaho. In a decision this month, the Idaho Time Sensitive Emergency System (TSE) has granted Gritman Level IV Trauma Certification for the care provided by the Emergency Department. “The Level IV designation...

BOISE - On Wednesday, June 16, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit arrested a Boise man on Monday, June 14, for alleged possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho filed a complaint on June...

BOISE - Did you know Idaho offers diaper and wipes incentives to help people who live with a baby quit tobacco? The Diapers and Wipes Program is offered through the Department of Health and Welfare’s Tobacco Prevention and Control program – Project Filter – which helps people quit tobacco. Anyone who wants to quit smoking, vaping, and chewing for good, and who lives with a baby can apply.

PULLMAN - Washington State University is loosening its COVID-19 protocols in response to new state guidance, plummeting case numbers, and the widespread availability of vaccines. Effective immediately, students, employees and visitors to a university location no longer have to attest to their current health status. Additionally, the Risk Management Advisory...

BOISE - Idaho Governor Brad Little announced on Wednesday morning that vaccinated state employees will be rewarded with four hours of paid leave. Idaho state employees can get the paid leave if they have already received or choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In a Facebook post, Little added that...

MOSCOW - Cybersecurity job openings in Idaho have increased 160% since 2015, according to a recent Idaho Department of Labor report, and the University of Idaho is adding to its degree offerings to meet state and national demand. After receiving approval by the Idaho State Board of Education on Wednesday,...