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Information from some sites may not be reliable, or may not be vetted.
Some sources may require subscription.
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from Addicting Info
A poll recently released by Pew Research surveyed how Americans feel about the two major political parties. Pew’s findings reflect just how ridiculous the Republican primary field is, coupled with the frustration Americans must be feeling about the Republican Party’s inability to govern effectively, or at all.
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from The American Conservative
Why Walkability Matters
The ability—and perhaps, to some extent, the desire—to walk is largely disappearing from America, says Antonia Malchik. In an Aeon Magazine piece, she considers the ways we’ve undermined walking through modern urban planning, and through our obsession with cars.
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Trump And Cruz May Have Plans To Campaign Together… SPREAD THIS
Why Walkability Matters
The ability—and perhaps, to some extent, the desire—to walk is largely disappearing from America, says Antonia Malchik. In an Aeon Magazine piece, she considers the ways we’ve undermined walking through modern urban planning, and through our obsession with cars.
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from Americas Freedom Fighters
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
from The Cato Institute
Who Could Have Seen That Coming?
Recent news stories on the effects of minimum wage increases, student loans, and "green jobs" programs aren't really surprising if you understand a bit of economics. Understanding basic economics can make it fairly easy to predict the results of price floors, price ceilings, subsidies, job creation schemes, and other efforts in economic discoordination.
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from Forum for Middle East Understanding
(FFMU) (Shoebat.com) [Information from this site may be unreliable.]Over A Million People Are Living As Slaves In Saudi Arabia, And Obama Never Once Has Mentioned This. Instead He Is Too Busy Blaming America For Racism
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from The Heritage Foundation
Why Progressives Are Wrong to Revere Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger is a saint in the feminist church. She is a charter member of the progressive hall of fame. Liberals revere this woman who preached “race improvement” and denounced what she called “human weeds”.
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from History
The Trotsky Assassination, 75 Years Ago
Exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky had expected an assassination attempt to be launched from outside the walls of his fortified Mexico City compound. When the deadly attack occurred 75 years ago, however, it was delivered by a pickaxe-wielding secret agent inside the walls of his study.
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from Huffington Post
[Information from this site may be unreliable.]
With the FBI Investigating Clinton's Emails, Bernie Sanders Should Be Considered the Democratic Frontrunner
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With the FBI Investigating Clinton's Emails, Bernie Sanders Should Be Considered the Democratic Frontrunner
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from Indian Country Today Media Network
Navajo Crops Drying Out as San Juan River Remains Closed After Toxic Spill
Navajo Crops Drying Out as San Juan River Remains Closed After Toxic Spill
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from Jews News
[Information from this site may be unreliable.]
Prince Talal of Saudi Arabia: my visit to Israel shall mark the new age of peace and fraternity
The Saudi multi-millionaire media tycoon, prince Talal Bin Waleed, has urged all Arab nations to give up their acrimonious stance toward the Jewish nation and instead continue to strive for a more peaceful , prosperous and homogenous Middle-East.
Prince Talal of Saudi Arabia: my visit to Israel shall mark the new age of peace and fraternity
The Saudi multi-millionaire media tycoon, prince Talal Bin Waleed, has urged all Arab nations to give up their acrimonious stance toward the Jewish nation and instead continue to strive for a more peaceful , prosperous and homogenous Middle-East.
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from LifeSiteNews.com
This is what Donald Trump’s popularity says about us. And it ain’t pretty.
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This is what Donald Trump’s popularity says about us. And it ain’t pretty.
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from Military Times
VA employees' use of outside social media criticized
Federal investigators are chastising tens of thousands of Veterans Affairs employees for using an outside social media network for internal department conversations, in violation of professional and security protocols. The relatively minor offenses drew new attention this week after reports of information leaks from hacks of federal accounts and the news that thousands of federal employees may have used their work accounts to enroll in an online adultery dating site. At issue is VA’s use of Yammer, a Windows application that bills itself as “your company's private social network.”
U.S. confirms Islamic State use of chemical weapons
U.S. military officials in Iraq have issued preliminary confirmation that Islamic State militants used mustard gas in a mortar attack on Kurdish forces in August, a Defense Department official said.
VA employees' use of outside social media criticized
Federal investigators are chastising tens of thousands of Veterans Affairs employees for using an outside social media network for internal department conversations, in violation of professional and security protocols. The relatively minor offenses drew new attention this week after reports of information leaks from hacks of federal accounts and the news that thousands of federal employees may have used their work accounts to enroll in an online adultery dating site. At issue is VA’s use of Yammer, a Windows application that bills itself as “your company's private social network.”
U.S. confirms Islamic State use of chemical weapons
U.S. military officials in Iraq have issued preliminary confirmation that Islamic State militants used mustard gas in a mortar attack on Kurdish forces in August, a Defense Department official said.
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from PoliticusUSA
[Information from this site may be questionable.]
CNN and MSNBC Dump Coverage Of Trump’s Rambling Racist Alabama Rally
CNN and MSNBC Dump Coverage Of Trump’s Rambling Racist Alabama Rally
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from The Spokesman-Review
Obama signs Emergency Declaration for Washington
President Barack Obama ordered federal aid to state and local agencies fighting wildfires in Washington that began Aug. 13. In signing an emergency declaration requested Wednesday evening by Gov. Jay Inslee, Obama authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief “to save lives and protect property and public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.”
Inslee, U.S. senators promise push for federal funds as fires top 400,000 acres
With smoke filtering the summer sun and flags at half-staff to honor three firefighters killed near Twisp, Gov. Jay Inslee and other top elected officials pledged state and federal resources to battle fires that by late morning Thursday were scorching nearly 400,000 acres around the state.
For three killed in Twisp, firefighting was part of passion, past
The men who died Wednesday fighting a fire near Twisp were a college physics student who had a passion for theater, an outdoorsman who recently hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the son of a firefighter who yearned for a career in the Forest Service. The three men, Tom Zbyszewski, 20; Andrew Zajac, 26; and Richard Wheeler, 31, were killed after the vehicle they were in crashed and was enveloped by flames. Another firefighter, Daniel Lyon, 25, was critically injured and is being treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
New evacuations in Ferry County
The Ferry County Sheriff’s Office has ordered new Level 3 evacuations for several areas near Highway 395 north of Kettle Falls due to the Renner Fire.
Ferry County evacuations ordered for fast-moving fires
Evacuations have been ordered for some northern sections of Ferry County as firefighters battle multiple blazes in the region.
New evacuations ordered in Okanogan County
Residents living along Twisp River Road from Arnica Lane to Little Bridge Creek in Okanogan County are now under a Level 3 evacuation order, which means they should leave immediately. The areas of West Buttermilk Road and East Buttermilk Road near Twisp River Road should also evacuate. The Aeneas Valley, Conconully, Malot, Omak Flats and Winthrop are all under Level 3 evacuation notices. The towns of Okanogan, Riverside, Tonasket and Twisp are under a Level 2.
Officials urge evacuation for Okanogan area as fire rages
Emergency officials before dawn Friday called for the immediate evacuation of areas near the north-central Washington community of Okanogan as a wildfire raged.
State makes unprecedented call for volunteers
Fire officials continued to scramble from emergency to emergency Thursday as numerous giant fires pushed by gusty winds scorched the landscape. A blaze in southwestern Stevens County doubled in size, forcing evacuation of a wide area. And late in the day, officials called for the evacuation of another whole town. This time, Tonasket. The situation is so severe that state leaders announced they are taking the unprecedented step of asking for volunteers to assist the Department of Natural Resources’ firefighting effort.
Wildfires: How to help
Check this list for updates about how to help those affected by the wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.
Spokane’s air pollution sinks to lowest level, ‘hazardous’ for first time
Spokane’s smoke-filled skies Friday evening turned the Lilac City into the most air-polluted place in the country as air quality dropped to a reading of very unhealthy for all. Air quality readings in Spokane County continued to sink and were considered ‘hazardous,’ the worst level, at 8:20 p.m. At 9:20 p.m., readings improved to “very unhealthy” and improved again to the “unhealthy” level at 10:20. The readings are reported hourly by the Spokane Clean Air Agency. Experts said it was likely the poorest air quality in the region since Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, sending a massive cloud of volcanic ash around the world. The forecast calls for continued unhealthy air today and Sunday, said Julie Oliver, director of Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.
Air quality concerns halt sports
Concern about wildfire smoke and its effects on children has led to the cancellation of a large soccer tournament at Plantes Ferry Park in Spokane Valley. In addition, the Greater Spokane League has implemented a new smoke pollution protocol that could lead to cancellation of practices and games when air pollution rises to unhealthy levels.
Mother, daughter killed in fire near Chattaroy identified
The Spokane County medical examiner released the name of the woman and her daughter who died in an RV fire near Chattaroy Tuesday. Melina O’Flynn, 37, and her daughter Ariana, 4, died in the fire but a cause of death is pending further testing. A dog caged outside the RV also died.
Doctor fights for her career after Idaho telemedicine sanction
Dr. Ann DeJong has had to sell her house in Wisconsin and is $200,000 in debt. Now her medical career is in jeopardy, all because she was sanctioned by Idaho for prescribing a common antibiotic over the phone. At the time, Idaho law required a face-to-face exam for a prescription. This year, lawmakers changed that to allow for consultations through telemedicine. DeJong was working for such a company, Consult-a-Doctor, when she prescribed the medication; it subsequently pulled out of Idaho. She says if Idaho doesn’t modify its order by October, she’ll lose her board certification in family practice, and thus her job and livelihood. Idaho House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, a retired physician who sponsored this year’s telemedicine legislation, said, “I think the action on the part of the Board of Medicine is excessive. … It seems to me that this was a statement or an attempt by the members of the Board of Medicine to take on the whole issue of tele-health and telemedicine, and the vehicle that they had was this individual.”
Man shot by bean bag rounds outside STA Plaza
A man was shot by bean bag rounds outside the STA Plaza Friday evening after police were called by security officers reporting that the man was waving a knife around.
Six years after 33-year-old Robin Anderson and her unborn baby were stabbed to death, her former boyfriend Robbie Bishop was sentenced to just under 35 years in prison for killing them.
Three arrested in Idaho, Washington on federal drug charges
Three men from Idaho and Washington face federal drug charges after a federal grand jury indicted them on Aug. 18 for allegedly possessing and distributing large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine. Blair T. Murphy, 40, of Lewiston and Darin K. Taylor, 55, of Post Falls were arrested separately this week. A third man, Hugo Acevedo, 34, of Pullman was also indicted following an Aug. 14 arrest.
Bedsheet rope found hanging from federal inmates’ jail cell window
Two cellmates lowered a rope made of bedsheets from the fifth floor of the Spokane County Jail early Thursday through a window no wider than an iPhone. The FBI is investigating the incident as an escape attempt because the men are in federal custody. Reports indicated one of the men was James Henrikson, the North Dakota oil speculator who will be tried in October on charges he ordered a hit man to kill South Hill businessman Doug Carlile in December 2013, as well as several other targets.
First Ranger School female grads are pilot, MP
The first two women to pass the Army’s notoriously difficult Ranger School impressed male classmates left in their dust during road marches and proved their mettle as teammates by helping carry heavy weapons when others were too fatigued to lift another ounce. As the Pentagon weighs a decision on allowing women to serve in combat jobs long held by men only, a Ranger School comrade offered a blunt assessment of Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver as they spoke to reporters Thursday. “They can serve by my side anytime because I know I can trust them,” 2nd Lt. Erickson Krogh said. “Especially these two. I’d have no qualms about serving with them in combat.”
Cancer now in his brain, Carter says
The nation’s 39th president, wearing jeans with a red tie and sport coat, strode in to deliver some bad news: He had cancer, it had spread to his brain, and he would be undergoing radiation treatment immediately. But Jimmy Carter was smiling. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends. I’ve had an exciting, adventurous, gratifying existence,” Carter, 90, said during a televised Thursday morning news conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta.
BP Gulf spill money flowing far inland
Clusters of landlocked municipalities more than 100 miles from the Gulf Coast have secured millions of dollars in BP money through settlements designed to compensate local governments for lost tourism dollars and other economic damage from the company’s 2010 oil spill, according to records obtained by the Associated Press.
Cheating website members held sensitive U.S. jobs
Hundreds of U.S. government employees — including some with sensitive jobs in the White House, Congress and law enforcement agencies — used Internet connections in their federal offices to access and pay membership fees to the cheating website Ashley Madison, the Associated Press has learned.
In brief: Black man, 18, fatally shot by St. Louis police in home raid
The police chief on Thursday unapologetically defended the fatal shooting of a black 18-year-old who was killed by two white officers in a confrontation that drew protesters and unrest back to the streets. Protesters pledged to stand firm. Said the director of a group called the Organization for Black Struggle: “We will not go away.” Mansur Ball-Bey, who police said had a handgun, was shot as officers raided a home in a violence-plagued part of north St. Louis. Within an hour of Wednesday’s shooting, more than 100 people converged on the scene, taunting officers and decrying the use of deadly force.
Rockets fired into Israel from Syria draw retaliatory fire
Militants in Syria fired several rockets into northern Israel on Thursday afternoon, prompting Israeli retaliatory fire, the military said – the first time since the 1973 Mideast war that rockets from Syrian territory have slammed into Israel.
Three shot to death outside Boys and Girls Club
A gunman shot into a crowd that gathered outside the Rochester Boys and Girls Club after a basketball game, killing three people and wounding four others in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo called “a deplorable act of violence.” The drive-by shooting happened at about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday as people milled about outside the club, which is across the street from a school. Police said there was no problem at the club before the shooting.
In brief: Deputy shot, killed man in ‘domestic situation’
A Stevens County deputy shot and killed a man not far from where a raging wildfire has consumed thousands of acres. The incident began when deputies responded to a “domestic situation” in the 4900 block of Hunter-Shop Road. A temporary Red Cross shelter for fire evacuees has been set up in that block. Red Cross employees called the police after they were told there was a man with a gun outside.
Police seek bar owner wanted on fraud charges
Jamie Pendleton, the owner of the defunct Spokane Downtown Daiquiri Factory, is wanted by the Post Falls Police Department on charges of credit card fraud.
Former North Idaho College official pleads guilty in scheme to exchange aid for sex
The former financial aid director for North Idaho College pleaded guilty Thursday to computer crimes and attempted misuse of public funds related to a scheme to entice students to have sex with him in exchange for college aid. Joseph M. Bekken, 37, could be sent to prison for up to 7 1/2 years and fined as much as $52,500 when sentenced Oct. 19 in Idaho’s 1st District Court.
Lawsuit against Boise’s homeless camping ordinance back in court
Attorneys once again defended an ordinance that bars sleeping and camping in public spaces on Thursday in an ongoing lawsuit brought by several homeless Idaho residents against the city of Boise. The suit is one of many filed in multiple states challenging the legality of local laws targeting the homeless, several of which have been overturned or modified. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Justice came out in opposition of Boise’s ordinance, arguing that it unconstitutionally punishes people for being homeless while submitting their support for the federal lawsuit. However, Boise officials maintain that the ordinance addresses public health and safety concerns.
Crews pull swimmer from Spokane River near falls
A man was pulled to safety from the Spokane River at the base of the Upper Falls Thursday morning, as 21 firefighters responded in kayaks, climbing ropes and medical vehicles. It took about 45 minutes to pull the man from the water, and initial reports suggested that he was not injured.
Bakery in wedding cake case sends gifts to LGBT groups
The owners of a Portland-area bakery who were fined for denying service to a same-sex couple have sent cakes and copies of a Christian film to 10 LGBT groups on the West Coast. Melissa and Aaron Klein, of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, told the Oregonian they sent the custom-designed cakes and copies of the movie “Audacity” to the groups as “an expression of love.”
Shaky ground slows recovery after Alaska landslides
Crews searching for the body of the last man believed buried by a landslide in a coastal Alaska town sifted log-by-log Thursday through a debris field, careful not to trigger any more movement of the mass of unstable, tree-tangled muck.
Idaho county fairs exclude ducks, geese amid avian flu concerns
Ducks and geese are absent from county fair exhibits across North Idaho this year due to concerns about avian flu. Infected waterfowl can appear healthy and spread the virus to poultry, so the Idaho Department of Agriculture recommended county fair boards bar the birds from exhibits and shows.
Further NOAA investigation planned in whale deaths in Alaska
A federal agency announced plans Thursday for a more intense investigation into what caused the deaths of 30 large whales in the western Gulf of Alaska since May. NOAA Fisheries declared the deaths an “unusual mortality event,” triggering a new-level investigation that brings with it access to additional resources. The agency said the deaths are about three times the historical average for the region.
Trump ‘traitor’ comments threat to fair trial, Bergdahl’s lawyer says
The lawyer representing Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who left his infantry post and was held by the Taliban for five years, said Thursday that callous statements Donald Trump is making about his client are threatening the soldier’s right to a fair trial.
Bush takes aim at top rival Trump
Having been knocked from his front-runner perch, a fiery Jeb Bush lashed out at Republican rival Donald Trump on Thursday as the former Florida governor fights to energize his stalled campaign and stop the billionaire businessman’s summer surge.
Filings show Trump evolved from high-risk investor to cautious businessman
Donald Trump sells himself as a bold empire-builder, the kind of businessman who could force through big changes in Washington as president. Yet for all his bravado – “I’ve done an amazing job,” the Republican White House hopeful boasted during his announcement speech – a review of the billionaire’s financial filings and recent deals suggests he’s no swashbuckler.
In brief: N. Korea declares front-line troops in ‘quasi-state of war’
North Korea declared today that its front-line troops are in a “a quasi-state of war” and warned of military operations a day after the rival Koreas exchanged fire across the world’s most heavily armed border.
Foreigners now being checked at San Ysidro border crossing
Walking into Mexico at the nation’s busiest border crossing with the United States is no longer an uninterrupted stroll for foreigners. Now, pedestrians going to Tijuana from San Diego at the San Ysidro crossing must choose between a line for Mexicans who walk through unchecked, and a line for foreigners who must show a passport, fill out a form and – if staying more than a week – pay roughly $20 for a six-month permit.
Peru permits military to shoot down suspected drug flights
Peru’s Congress voted unanimously Thursday to authorize military planes to shoot down suspected drug flights, which police say smuggle more than a ton of cocaine to Bolivia daily. President Ollanta Humala is expected to sign the legislation into law. It passed 89-0.
Attack in Yemen governor’s compound kills 4; officials safe
A bomb attack in the governor’s compound in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on Thursday killed four people, security officials said. The governor and other officials who were present at the time were not hurt in the apparent assassination attempt.
Dow drops more than 500 points
The Dow Jones industrial average has plunged more than 530 points and is in a correction amid a global sell-off sparked by fears about China’s slowing economy. Oil tumbled below $40 per barrel for the first time since the financial crisis.
In Brief: Senators call on Takata to recall all vehicles with their air bags
Two U.S. senators on Thursday called on auto-supplier Takata to voluntarily recall all vehicles with their air bags following reports that a side air bag canister exploded two months ago in a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Smartphone sales slow in China for first time
Worldwide sales of smartphones in the second quarter grew at the slowest pace since 2013 as sales in China declined for the first time, according to research firm Gartner Inc.
Twitter stock falls below IPO price
Twitter’s battered shares dipped below their IPO price Thursday as investors worry about the company’s ability to grow its user base.
U.S. markets stumble as China slump spreads
The U.S. stock market endured its worst performance in 18 months on Thursday, driven lower by another slump in Chinese shares and heavy selling by technical traders.
State high court rules $15 wage applies to Sea-Tac airport
The $15 an hour minimum wage law passed by SeaTac residents two years ago does apply to workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday. In a 5-4 decision, the court majority upheld Proposition 1 in its entirety, saying it can be enforced at the airport as well as in the surrounding city because there’s “been no showing that this law would interfere with airport operations.”
Valeant buys maker of women’s libido drug days after approval
Valeant Pharmaceuticals will pay about $1 billion in cash to buy Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the first prescription drug intended to boost sexual desire in women. The deal comes two days after U.S. regulators approved the pill Addyi, a milestone for the drug industry that could revive interest in medications for women’s sexual problems.
‘Boomerang buyers’ hit by recession are back in the housing market
Seven years after the real estate bust, many who lost their homes have rebuilt their credit and are back in the market. Experts say these boomerang buyers will be an important segment of the real estate market in the coming years. About 700,000 of the 7.3 million homeowners who went through foreclosure or short sales during the bust have the potential to get a mortgage again this year. That compares to the 3 million people who got a mortgage between October 2013 and September 2014.
Shawn Vestal: If ARUs aren’t going to be the answer, Spokane needs to find another one.
[ARUs: Alternative Response Units – smaller, single-firefighter trucks employed on medical calls considered non-life-threatening.]
Amy Goodman: Julian Bond worked for justice all the way
Editorial: Wasden on right side of Idaho’s nuclear waste debate
Rack of skulls found at Aztec temple
Archaeologists have found the main trophy rack of sacrificed human skulls at Mexico City’s Templo Mayor Aztec ruin site, scientists said Thursday. Racks known as “tzompantli” were where the Aztecs displayed the severed heads of sacrifice victims on wooden poles pushed through the sides of the skull. The poles were suspended horizontally on vertical posts.
Cenex Zip Trip’s Ian Johnstone missed at Salvation Army fundraiser
One man was sorely missed among the nearly 15,000 people who were expected to move through the Salvation Army’s back-to-school backpack distribution by the end of the day Thursday: Ian Johnstone, the general manager of Cenex Zip Trip, who was one of the biggest supporters of the event. Johnstone died in his sleep early Wednesday morning [19 August] at the age of 54.
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from Tribal Tribune (Nespelem, WA)
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from The Washington Post (DC)
Five myths about wildfires
Northern California’s burning. Oregon’s ablaze. Three firefighters died in Washington on Wednesday while trying to keep flames from razing the entire town of Twisp. With weeks of fire season still to go, the federal government has already spent more than $800 million trying to extinguish blazes that promise to rival history’s worst in terms of size, destructiveness and cost. In other words: same sad stories, new year. This weekend, while the American West glows that weird and terrifying orange of the fire season, consider that it may only look like the apocalypse. And maybe we’re just thinking about wildfires in the wrong ways.
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from The Wenatchee World
Okanogan County fires active as residents mourn fallen firefighters
Wheeler wanted to make firefighting his career
Richard “Rick” Wheeler, 31, had moved to Wenatchee with his wife, Celeste, only about a year ago, said Pastor Joanne Coleman Campbell of the First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee. The couple were members of the congregation.
Douglas County marks $320,000 in lost structures
Eight residential structures and two outbuildings were consumed in Douglas County as a result of the Chelan Complex Fires. County Assessor Jim Ruud put the estimated loss at $320,000 Friday, saying the homes lost consisted of one manufactured home and seven recreational cabins.
Probe into firefighters’ deaths began Friday
The U.S. Forest Service Friday launched what will be a several month internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three of its firefighters and the serious injury to a fourth firefighter assigned to the initial attack of the Twisp River Fire. Forest Service firefighters Tom Zbyszewski, 20; Andrew Zajac, 26,and Richard Wheeler, 31, were killed Wednesday when they were involved in a vehicle accident and the fire overtook them, officials have said. The fourth Forest Service firefighter, Daniel Lyon, 25, of Puyallup, was in critical condition Thursday at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center with burns over 60 percent of his body.
Outlets for NCW fire aid
While the Department of Natural Resources called Thursday for skilled firefighting volunteers, civilian resources of all kinds are needed by agencies working in NCW’s fire relief efforts. Here’s a roundup of ways you can help.
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