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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 Alex Jones (INFOWARS.COM)
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
from The Blaze (& Glenn Beck)
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Senator Rand Paul Implements ‘Rule 14′ to Fast-Track His Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood
Following through on his vow to defund Planned Parenthood, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has introduced legislation to strip the abortion provider of federal funding. The bill is now being fast-tracked after the Kentucky senator invoked “Rule 14” on Friday, clearing the way for a floor vote as early as next week, a spokesman for the Rand Paul campaign confirmed to TheBlaze.
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from Breitbart
from CNN
from The Hill
McConnell to fast-track bill to defund Planned Parenthood
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell started a fast-track process Friday on legislation to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding in the wake of two controversial videos showing officials discussing delivery of fetal parts. The Republican leader began "Rule 14," which will let the legislation skip the committee process and be placed on the Senate calendar so it can be brought up for a floor vote.
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from Houston Chronicle
Appeals court rejects one criminal count against Rick Perry, still facing second
An appeals court on Friday rejected one of the criminal counts against former Gov. Rick Perry but said he must face the other one in the abuse-of-power case against him. Perry was indicted by a grand jury in 2014 after being accused of abusing his veto power to try to force out the Democratic Travis County district attorney in the wake of her messy drunken-driving arrest.
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from Independent Journal Review
‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Reveals What He Thinks About Donald Trump Giving Out Lindsey Graham’s Number
Much of the current immigration debate in the United States centers around the issue of “amnesty,” which is a vague term that may mean anything from “we won’t deport you” to “let’s fast-track you to citizenship and voting rights.” From a laissez-faire perspective, the deportation aspect of amnesty — an increase in federal inaction — is one thing. The extension of voting privileges, though, is something else entirely. Indeed, the amnesty debate has helped to illustrate the difference between real, concrete property rights, and the much different political “rights” such as voting. Limiting property rights is always illegitimate. Limiting political rights, on the other hand, may sometimes be essential.
Suspect in murder-for-hire killing of Doug Carlile accused of jailbreak plan
U.S. marshals foiled a Spokane jailbreak plan by the man accused of hiring a gunman to kill South Hill businessman Doug Carlile. Federal prosecutors described a scheme by James Henrikson to put together a team to help him escape en route to a hearing in U.S. District Court in downtown Spokane. Henrikson and Carlile were business partners in a North Dakota oil patch venture until Carlile sought to cut ties with Henrikson.
AT&T-DirecTV deal set to close after clearance from FCC
AT&T’s $48.5 billion purchase of DirecTV is set to close after winning clearance from the Federal Communications Commission. The Justice Department had already cleared the deal, which will create the largest provider of cable or satellite TV in the U.S., with 26.4 million cable and satellite TV subscribers. That’s more than Comcast as well as a bigger Charter, which is seeking government approval to buy Time Warner Cable.
Emergency sockeye closure set for Sunday in Upper Columbia
The sockeye salmon fishing season will come to an early end on the upper Columbia River after this weekend, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department officials announced today. Half of this year’s big run toward spawning grounds already has died because of warm water conditions, they said. Anglers will not be allowed to retain sockeye they might catch from Rocky Reach Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam starting Sunday a half hour after sunset. The rule does not affect fishing for summer chinook.
‘Kettle Falls Five’ member gets 16-month sentence
The only member of the so-called “Kettle Falls Five” marijuana-growing family to plead guilty received a 16-month sentence Friday, but will remain out of custody pending an appeal. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice did not accept Jason Zucker’s explanation that the plants he and the Harvey family grew on property in Stevens County were for medicinal purposes.
Two killed, four injured in car accidents
Coeur d’Alene resident Joan C. Sanders, 75, died Thursday afternoon in a car crash. Sanders was driving north on state Highway 57 near Priest Lake at 2:47 p.m. when she drove her 2015 Subaru Forester off the right hand shoulder and hit a tree.
A Florida man was killed in a car accident around 9 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 90 east of Ritzville. Kenneth D. Kautto, 67, of Cape Coral, Florida, was driving west at a “slow rate,” the Washington State Patrol reported. His 2014 Nissan 4-door was hit from behind by a 2012 Kenworth semi driven by William D. Oblak, 35, of Las Vegas. No charges are pending.
Paul G. Larsen, 71, of North Las Vegas, was injured Thursday in a car accident at 8:54 p.m. Larsen was headed south on state Highway 3 near St. Maries, Idaho. He was driving a 2007 Mercury Sable when he lost control on a turn and went off the northern embankment.
A dog on eastbound Interstate 90 in Post Falls at 7:15 p.m. Thursday caused a three-car pileup that sent one man to the hospital. Dylan Beaver, 20, of Post Falls, was driving east in a 2004 Ford Focus when his car was rear-ended by a 2003 GMC Yukon driven by Justin Adams, 38 of Albany, Oregon, a news release from the Idaho State Police said. The collision caused Beaver’s car to be pushed into a 2006 Ford Escape driven by Russell Trump, 61, of Yoncalla, Oregon. Only Beaver was injured.
3 dead, including gunman in Louisiana movie theater
A man sitting in a packed movie theater stood up and began firing into the crowd, killing two and injuring at least seven others Thursday night before fatally shooting himself.
Scientists find close cousin of Earth-sun system
Scientists have identified a “close cousin” to Earth that’s orbiting a sunlike star and might harbor life. “It is the closest thing that we have to another place that somebody else might call home,” said Jon Jenkins from NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. This older, bigger cousin to Earth is called Kepler-452b.
Appeals court rules pharmacists must make Plan B, other contraceptives available in Washington
Washington pharmacists who have religious objections to abortion or birth control can be sanctioned by the state if they send customers to another store for emergency contraception, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday. In a case watched closely by advocates of personal religious freedom and women’s rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a trial court ruling against a state regulation that pharmacies must make Plan B and other emergency contraception available. A pharmacist with a religious objection to the drug can refuse to fill a prescription only if another pharmacist at the store is available who will, the state had said.
Former Salvadoran refugee’s father granted martyrdom by Pope Francis
When she was a child in a small El Salvadoran village, Luisa Orellana-Westbrook would imitate her father by preaching the word of Jesus Christ to other children. Today, living in Spokane 32 years after her father was hauled away by death squads, she’s still motivated by her father’s mission to lift up the poor and suffering. And she’s especially pleased that Pope Francis formally recognized her father as a martyr recently – an apparent change of attitude from the church toward Catholic clergy and others killed during El Salvador’s civil war.
Physical exercise good for brain, even for those with Alzheimer’s
Exercise may do more than keep a healthy brain fit: New research suggests working up a good sweat may also offer some help once memory starts to slide – and even improve life for people with Alzheimer’s. The effects were modest, but a series of studies reported Thursday found vigorous workouts by people with mild memory impairment decreased levels of a warped protein linked to risk of later Alzheimer’s – and improved quality of life for people who already were in early stages of the disease.
In brief: Autopsy shows no evidence of homicide
The autopsy of a black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail revealed no injuries that would suggest she was killed by someone else, authorities said Thursday. Waller County prosecutor Warren Diepraam said the autopsy showed that 28-year-old Sandra Bland had no defensive injuries on her hands that would typically indicate a struggle.
Shot mistakenly fired at military center
An armed civilian accidentally fired a shot from an AR-15 rifle into the pavement outside a military recruiting center in Ohio on Thursday but no one was hurt, police said. The incident occurred days after armed citizens started showing up at military recruiting centers around the country to act as guards following last week’s killing of four Marines and a sailor in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Retired detective may be ‘Snowbird Bandit’
Authorities in California say a retired Los Angeles Police Department detective is the so-called Snowbird Bandit who’s responsible for a string of Orange County bank robberies.
Warnings, charges fly at Iran hearing
Amid warnings of war and charges of diplomatic failure, a historic debate over the Obama administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran erupted in the Senate on Thursday, highlighting deep disagreements over the deal’s implications and the potential consequences of rejecting it.
Police find five family members stabbed to death
Oklahoma police responding to a 911 call in which no one spoke found a gruesome scene at a suburban Tulsa home – five members of a family dead or dying from stabbing and a sixth wounded but alive near the front door. Broken Arrow Police Cpl. Leon Calhoun said Thursday that two teenage sons were apprehended and expected to be charged in the deaths of their parents, three siblings and an attack on a fourth sibling. A fifth sibling, a 2-year-old girl, was found unharmed and transferred to state custody.
Hispanics ‘already’ love him, Trump says
Ever sure of himself, Donald Trump paid a whirlwind visit to the Mexico border Thursday and predicted Hispanics would love him – “they already do” – because as president he’d grab jobs back from overseas and give more opportunity to those who live in the U.S. legally. “There’s great danger with the illegals,” the Republican presidential contender told reporters. But he claimed a “great relationship” with Hispanics, even as Latino leaders have come at him with blistering criticism for his painting Mexican immigrants as criminals. “I’ll take jobs back from China, I’ll take jobs back from Japan,” Trump said. “The Hispanics are going to get those jobs, and they’re going to love Trump.”
Western wildfires threaten homes, disrupt tourism
Firefighters on Thursday braced for a fresh run by a wildfire that sent tourists fleeing from hotels and campgrounds in Montana’s Glacier National Park, while a blaze threatening hundreds of homes in Northern California shot flames 100 feet in the air.
Obama, on eve of trip, talks gay rights
President Barack Obama voiced strong support for gay rights in Africa on Thursday as he began a trip to the continent, bucking calls from some African leaders to keep his views on such controversial issues to himself. Obama, who departed from Washington late Thursday for a trip to Kenya and Ethiopia, had faced criticism from rights groups and growing calls to press the issue aggressively while in a region known for a bleak record on human rights. In an interview with the BBC, Obama said he had been “blunt” with African leaders about gay rights in the past and planned to make it part of his agenda for this trip.
Turkey allowing U.S. to use key air base in fight against IS
Turkey has agreed to let the U.S. military launch airstrikes against the Islamic State from a key air base near the Syrian border, senior U.S. officials said Thursday, giving a boost to the U.S.-led coalition while drawing Turkey deeper into the conflict. President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan finalized the deal in a phone call Wednesday, officials said, following months of U.S. appeals and delicate negotiations over the use of Incirlik and other bases in Turkey. Frustrated by Obama’s focus on fighting IS instead of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Turkey’s government had resisted the move, but in recent days a surge in Islamic State activity in Turkey has brought concerns about the militant group to the forefront.
Magnuson son sues siblings over estate
A son of the late Silver Valley mining magnate Harry Magnuson is suing three siblings for allegedly writing him out of their mother’s will and misusing money from the family’s trust account. Harry Magnuson died in 2009 at age 85, leaving behind a large fortune in mining companies, banks, hotels and shopping malls throughout the Inland Northwest. He’s often credited with revitalizing the town of Wallace, Idaho, and helping save Gonzaga University during financial struggles in the 1970s.
Spokane bar owner indicted for allegedly defrauding local banks
The owner of several downtown Spokane bars has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding local banks of more than a half-million dollars while taking advantage of mortgage relief programs for which he didn’t qualify. Jeremy Tangen has been involved in operations at the now-shuttered MarQuee Lounge, Fast Eddies Bar & Grill and Borracho Tacos & Tequileria. The five criminal charges span nine years and allege Tangen inflated his income on loan applications for residential real estate in Cheney and did not disclose all of his property holdings to lenders.
Condon, Straub lead Spokane delegation to White House to highlight police reforms
Efforts to reform the police department and enhance community involvement have made Spokane a national model, said Mayor David Condon and police Chief Frank Straub, who were at the White House on Thursday as part of a forum on community policing.
Accused shooter tried to give victim medical aid
Edward Bushnell, the man accused of fatally shooting another man Tuesday in East Central Spokane, attempted to provide medical aid to the victim, according to new court documents. Bushnell, 27, told police that while longboarding near Altamont Street and Fifth Avenue, he heard a woman screaming. That’s when he saw William Poindexter, 45, grabbing and throwing a woman to the ground.
Second suspect arrested in fatal shooting
Spokane police arrested a second suspect in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Ceasar Medina at a store on North Monroe Street in May. Vatsana “Linnie” Muongkhoth, 28, was arrested early Thursday for her suspected involvement in the shooting during a robbery attempt at Northwest Accessories, 3400 N. Monroe St.
Ed Hume receives Gold Circle Emmy for long-running show
Ed Hume has been honored with the 2015 Gold Circle Emmy award, which honors media professionals who have been in television for at least 50 years. Hume’s TV show is the only show in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska to reach the 50-year mark. Hume’s show has been on nearly every network in the Seattle-Tacoma market, with expansions into the Portland and Spokane markets. He also wrote a gardening column for the Seattle PI newspaper before becoming the Seattle Times’ garden editor.
Apple maggot find halts compost intake
A composting company that operates at Ovenell Farms in Quincy was forced to halt hauling unprocessed organic waste from Seattle July 7 after inspectors discovered apple maggot larvae. The state Department of Agriculture issued the suspension to PacifiClean, which had received a special permit to begin transporting covered containers of Seattle-area organic waste June 30. Inspectors discovered and confirmed the presence of apple maggot larvae in the waste less than a week after transportation began.
NOAA grant to help Washington monitor toxic algae bloom
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is committing $88,000 to help Washington analyze a massive bloom of toxic algae off the coast that have closed some shellfish harvests. The algae blooms have occurred along the West Coast from Southern California to Alaska since May. Dangerous toxin levels prompted the closure of Dungeness crab fishing off the southern coast of Washington. Ocean beaches were also closed to recreational razor clamming.
Three vie to represent Washington’s 9th District
Candidates hoping to represent southeastern Washington’s 9th Legislative District include an incumbent who was appointed just 10 weeks ago, a former sheriff of nearly three decades, and a 76-year-old Democrat with a background in construction.
In brief: Box of live grenades found in Post Falls home
A box of live grenades was found at a Post Falls home Wednesday and safely removed by the Spokane Police Department bomb squad.
Free blood-lead testing offered
The Panhandle Health District’s Kellogg office is offering free blood-lead testing for children and expectant mothers.
Man to serve for grand theft
A Coeur d’Alene man will serve up to 10 years in prison for stealing cash, a credit card and gift cards from Lake City Junior Academy last November, and for two other cases of grand theft. Jason Dunbar, 41, was sentenced Wednesday in 1st District Court to at least three years in prison with the possibility of an additional seven years. He pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit burglary, three counts of grand theft, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine.
NorthTown to add 2 restaurants
NorthTown Mall will add two popular restaurants, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, later this year. The restaurants will share a kitchen but have separate entrances and dining areas. They will occupy 9,814 square feet next to Kohl’s in the mall’s redeveloped north concourse.
Man sentenced for scam
A Spokane man has been sentenced to a year in jail and ordered to pay back $76,000 in disability benefits after the Department of Labor and Industries accused him of running a worker’s compensation scam. Gary B. Farnworth II, 48, was managing the TCS Auto Wholesale used car dealership on East Sprague Avenue from 2010-12 while telling the Department of Labor and Industries he couldn’t work because he injured his back while working for a steel company in 2007.
‘Protector’ killed in shooting
A community leader credited with patrolling and protecting the streets of Seattle’s International District for decades has been killed in a shooting. Seattle police said officers were called to the downtown neighborhood at 3 a.m. Thursday and a man with life-threatening injuries was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died. Authorities have not released the victim’s name, but Gov. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and others issued statements mourning the loss of Donnie Chin
GM-certified used cars may have recalls
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating General Motors because of dealers who advertised certified used cars for sale even though they still needed repairs under existing recalls.
Internet, movies bolster Comcast’s bottom line
Despite a slowdown in subscriber growth, the Internet is still propelling Comcast. The movies and theme parks in its NBCUniversal entertainment unit also bolstered results in the quarter. The country’s largest cable company added 180,000 Internet customers in the April-June quarter, the smallest gain in at least two years. That brings its total Internet subscribers to 22.6 million. Comcast’s Internet customers surpassed its cable customers for the first time. The company finished June down 69,000 TV customers, to with 22.3 million.
YouTube posters tap many streams of cash
With YouTube taking about a 45 percent cut of ad revenue from videos posted on the site, YouTubers and companies that manage them are hunting for new ways to make money from the audiences they’ve built on the platform. That will be a big topic of conversation at VidCon, the annual convention in Anaheim, California, that kicked off Thursday.
Briefcase: SHMC wins architect award
The new pediatric emergency department at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center was recognized by the American Institute of Architects this week as one of the best health care design projects in the country. The addition was one of five recipients in the category of less than $25 million in construction cost, according to an AIA news release.
Starbucks quarter plenty perky
Starbucks said Thursday its quarterly profit jumped 22 percent as pricier drinks and food helped lift sales at its U.S. cafes. The Seattle-based coffee chain said sales rose 8 percent in its flagship Americas unit.
Amazon finds profits in cloud
Amazon.com reported a surprise second-quarter profit Thursday on continued strength of its cloud-computing business and strong revenue both domestically and abroad.
Loan program out of money
The Small Business Administration’s biggest lending program is on hold after the SBA ran out of money for loan guarantees. The agency on Thursday reached the $18.75 billion limit set by Congress on the amount of loans it can back in a fiscal year. The shutdown will force business owners to wait for loan approvals until money starts flowing again. That could happen if Congress raises the ceiling on the program, which backs 7(a) loans. If lawmakers don’t act, business owners will have to wait for the new fiscal year Oct. 1.
House bill targets GMO labels
Food companies would not have to disclose whether their products include genetically modified ingredients under legislation passed by the House on Thursday. The House bill is backed by the food industry, which has fought mandatory labeling efforts in several states. The legislation, which passed 275-150, would prevent states from requiring package labels to indicate the presence of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
In brief: Omak family among four killed in car collision west of Davenport
Three members of an Omak family were among four killed Wednesday night in a car wreck west of Davenport. The Washington State Patrol said Jake Walter, 28, Georgina Walter, 32, and 5-month-old Logan Walter died when their 1999 Chrysler 300 slammed head-on into a semi-truck on state Highway 2. George Friedlander, 68, of Nespelem, was the fourth person in the car killed when Jake Walter failed to negotiate a turn, crossed the centerline and collided with the tanker truck.
Fire east of Gifford growing
A 30-acre wildfire threatened homes near Gifford in Stevens County on Thursday night. The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. and was not contained as of 8:30 p.m. It started south of Addy-Gifford Road and spread north.
WSU: Roundup not found in breast milk
Washington State University researchers have found that glyphosate, the main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, does not accumulate in human breast milk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is using the study as part of a review of glyphosate prompted by public concern last year over a controversial report that said traces of glyphosate were found in three of 10 breast milk samples.
Downtown skatepark to be demolished
Downtown Spokane’s Under the Freeway Skatepark will be demolished starting Aug. 3, the city says. The park sits on Department of Transportation property and has a reputation for attracting crime and graffiti, prompting city officials to begin talking about options for its replacement several years ago.
Idaho Transportation Department to pay $52K in fines for asbestos error
The Idaho Transportation Department has agreed to pay nearly $52,000 in fines for demolishing a Priest River office building that was riddled with asbestos, without taking precautions to keep the cancer-causing fibers from spreading. The Jachetta Building, which formerly housed insurance and law offices, was torn down last November. It was the second time in less than a year ITD had made such a mistake. The agency agreed to pay $55,800 in fines to the Environmental Protection Agency for demolishing an asbestos-laden building in Rigby, in southeastern Idaho, in June 2014.
Amy Goodman: U.S., Cuba begin new chapter
Editorial: Renewing overdue bids would refuel economy
Letter: Stratton coverage fails
Letter: Protect Medicare
Letter: Obama appeasing Iran
‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Reveals What He Thinks About Donald Trump Giving Out Lindsey Graham’s Number
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from Mises Institute
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
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from NBC News (& affiliates)
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from PoliticusUSA
[Information from this site may be questionable.]
Rick Perry Loses As Court Rules That He Must Face Felony Abuse Of Power Charge
Rick Perry Loses As Court Rules That He Must Face Felony Abuse Of Power Charge
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from The Spokesman-Review
Suspect in murder-for-hire killing of Doug Carlile accused of jailbreak plan
U.S. marshals foiled a Spokane jailbreak plan by the man accused of hiring a gunman to kill South Hill businessman Doug Carlile. Federal prosecutors described a scheme by James Henrikson to put together a team to help him escape en route to a hearing in U.S. District Court in downtown Spokane. Henrikson and Carlile were business partners in a North Dakota oil patch venture until Carlile sought to cut ties with Henrikson.
AT&T-DirecTV deal set to close after clearance from FCC
AT&T’s $48.5 billion purchase of DirecTV is set to close after winning clearance from the Federal Communications Commission. The Justice Department had already cleared the deal, which will create the largest provider of cable or satellite TV in the U.S., with 26.4 million cable and satellite TV subscribers. That’s more than Comcast as well as a bigger Charter, which is seeking government approval to buy Time Warner Cable.
Emergency sockeye closure set for Sunday in Upper Columbia
The sockeye salmon fishing season will come to an early end on the upper Columbia River after this weekend, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department officials announced today. Half of this year’s big run toward spawning grounds already has died because of warm water conditions, they said. Anglers will not be allowed to retain sockeye they might catch from Rocky Reach Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam starting Sunday a half hour after sunset. The rule does not affect fishing for summer chinook.
‘Kettle Falls Five’ member gets 16-month sentence
The only member of the so-called “Kettle Falls Five” marijuana-growing family to plead guilty received a 16-month sentence Friday, but will remain out of custody pending an appeal. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice did not accept Jason Zucker’s explanation that the plants he and the Harvey family grew on property in Stevens County were for medicinal purposes.
Two killed, four injured in car accidents
Coeur d’Alene resident Joan C. Sanders, 75, died Thursday afternoon in a car crash. Sanders was driving north on state Highway 57 near Priest Lake at 2:47 p.m. when she drove her 2015 Subaru Forester off the right hand shoulder and hit a tree.
A Florida man was killed in a car accident around 9 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 90 east of Ritzville. Kenneth D. Kautto, 67, of Cape Coral, Florida, was driving west at a “slow rate,” the Washington State Patrol reported. His 2014 Nissan 4-door was hit from behind by a 2012 Kenworth semi driven by William D. Oblak, 35, of Las Vegas. No charges are pending.
Paul G. Larsen, 71, of North Las Vegas, was injured Thursday in a car accident at 8:54 p.m. Larsen was headed south on state Highway 3 near St. Maries, Idaho. He was driving a 2007 Mercury Sable when he lost control on a turn and went off the northern embankment.
A dog on eastbound Interstate 90 in Post Falls at 7:15 p.m. Thursday caused a three-car pileup that sent one man to the hospital. Dylan Beaver, 20, of Post Falls, was driving east in a 2004 Ford Focus when his car was rear-ended by a 2003 GMC Yukon driven by Justin Adams, 38 of Albany, Oregon, a news release from the Idaho State Police said. The collision caused Beaver’s car to be pushed into a 2006 Ford Escape driven by Russell Trump, 61, of Yoncalla, Oregon. Only Beaver was injured.
3 dead, including gunman in Louisiana movie theater
A man sitting in a packed movie theater stood up and began firing into the crowd, killing two and injuring at least seven others Thursday night before fatally shooting himself.
Scientists find close cousin of Earth-sun system
Scientists have identified a “close cousin” to Earth that’s orbiting a sunlike star and might harbor life. “It is the closest thing that we have to another place that somebody else might call home,” said Jon Jenkins from NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. This older, bigger cousin to Earth is called Kepler-452b.
Appeals court rules pharmacists must make Plan B, other contraceptives available in Washington
Washington pharmacists who have religious objections to abortion or birth control can be sanctioned by the state if they send customers to another store for emergency contraception, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday. In a case watched closely by advocates of personal religious freedom and women’s rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a trial court ruling against a state regulation that pharmacies must make Plan B and other emergency contraception available. A pharmacist with a religious objection to the drug can refuse to fill a prescription only if another pharmacist at the store is available who will, the state had said.
Former Salvadoran refugee’s father granted martyrdom by Pope Francis
When she was a child in a small El Salvadoran village, Luisa Orellana-Westbrook would imitate her father by preaching the word of Jesus Christ to other children. Today, living in Spokane 32 years after her father was hauled away by death squads, she’s still motivated by her father’s mission to lift up the poor and suffering. And she’s especially pleased that Pope Francis formally recognized her father as a martyr recently – an apparent change of attitude from the church toward Catholic clergy and others killed during El Salvador’s civil war.
Physical exercise good for brain, even for those with Alzheimer’s
Exercise may do more than keep a healthy brain fit: New research suggests working up a good sweat may also offer some help once memory starts to slide – and even improve life for people with Alzheimer’s. The effects were modest, but a series of studies reported Thursday found vigorous workouts by people with mild memory impairment decreased levels of a warped protein linked to risk of later Alzheimer’s – and improved quality of life for people who already were in early stages of the disease.
In brief: Autopsy shows no evidence of homicide
The autopsy of a black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail revealed no injuries that would suggest she was killed by someone else, authorities said Thursday. Waller County prosecutor Warren Diepraam said the autopsy showed that 28-year-old Sandra Bland had no defensive injuries on her hands that would typically indicate a struggle.
Shot mistakenly fired at military center
An armed civilian accidentally fired a shot from an AR-15 rifle into the pavement outside a military recruiting center in Ohio on Thursday but no one was hurt, police said. The incident occurred days after armed citizens started showing up at military recruiting centers around the country to act as guards following last week’s killing of four Marines and a sailor in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Retired detective may be ‘Snowbird Bandit’
Authorities in California say a retired Los Angeles Police Department detective is the so-called Snowbird Bandit who’s responsible for a string of Orange County bank robberies.
Warnings, charges fly at Iran hearing
Amid warnings of war and charges of diplomatic failure, a historic debate over the Obama administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran erupted in the Senate on Thursday, highlighting deep disagreements over the deal’s implications and the potential consequences of rejecting it.
Police find five family members stabbed to death
Oklahoma police responding to a 911 call in which no one spoke found a gruesome scene at a suburban Tulsa home – five members of a family dead or dying from stabbing and a sixth wounded but alive near the front door. Broken Arrow Police Cpl. Leon Calhoun said Thursday that two teenage sons were apprehended and expected to be charged in the deaths of their parents, three siblings and an attack on a fourth sibling. A fifth sibling, a 2-year-old girl, was found unharmed and transferred to state custody.
Hispanics ‘already’ love him, Trump says
Ever sure of himself, Donald Trump paid a whirlwind visit to the Mexico border Thursday and predicted Hispanics would love him – “they already do” – because as president he’d grab jobs back from overseas and give more opportunity to those who live in the U.S. legally. “There’s great danger with the illegals,” the Republican presidential contender told reporters. But he claimed a “great relationship” with Hispanics, even as Latino leaders have come at him with blistering criticism for his painting Mexican immigrants as criminals. “I’ll take jobs back from China, I’ll take jobs back from Japan,” Trump said. “The Hispanics are going to get those jobs, and they’re going to love Trump.”
Western wildfires threaten homes, disrupt tourism
Firefighters on Thursday braced for a fresh run by a wildfire that sent tourists fleeing from hotels and campgrounds in Montana’s Glacier National Park, while a blaze threatening hundreds of homes in Northern California shot flames 100 feet in the air.
Obama, on eve of trip, talks gay rights
President Barack Obama voiced strong support for gay rights in Africa on Thursday as he began a trip to the continent, bucking calls from some African leaders to keep his views on such controversial issues to himself. Obama, who departed from Washington late Thursday for a trip to Kenya and Ethiopia, had faced criticism from rights groups and growing calls to press the issue aggressively while in a region known for a bleak record on human rights. In an interview with the BBC, Obama said he had been “blunt” with African leaders about gay rights in the past and planned to make it part of his agenda for this trip.
Turkey allowing U.S. to use key air base in fight against IS
Turkey has agreed to let the U.S. military launch airstrikes against the Islamic State from a key air base near the Syrian border, senior U.S. officials said Thursday, giving a boost to the U.S.-led coalition while drawing Turkey deeper into the conflict. President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan finalized the deal in a phone call Wednesday, officials said, following months of U.S. appeals and delicate negotiations over the use of Incirlik and other bases in Turkey. Frustrated by Obama’s focus on fighting IS instead of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Turkey’s government had resisted the move, but in recent days a surge in Islamic State activity in Turkey has brought concerns about the militant group to the forefront.
Magnuson son sues siblings over estate
A son of the late Silver Valley mining magnate Harry Magnuson is suing three siblings for allegedly writing him out of their mother’s will and misusing money from the family’s trust account. Harry Magnuson died in 2009 at age 85, leaving behind a large fortune in mining companies, banks, hotels and shopping malls throughout the Inland Northwest. He’s often credited with revitalizing the town of Wallace, Idaho, and helping save Gonzaga University during financial struggles in the 1970s.
Spokane bar owner indicted for allegedly defrauding local banks
The owner of several downtown Spokane bars has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding local banks of more than a half-million dollars while taking advantage of mortgage relief programs for which he didn’t qualify. Jeremy Tangen has been involved in operations at the now-shuttered MarQuee Lounge, Fast Eddies Bar & Grill and Borracho Tacos & Tequileria. The five criminal charges span nine years and allege Tangen inflated his income on loan applications for residential real estate in Cheney and did not disclose all of his property holdings to lenders.
Condon, Straub lead Spokane delegation to White House to highlight police reforms
Efforts to reform the police department and enhance community involvement have made Spokane a national model, said Mayor David Condon and police Chief Frank Straub, who were at the White House on Thursday as part of a forum on community policing.
Accused shooter tried to give victim medical aid
Edward Bushnell, the man accused of fatally shooting another man Tuesday in East Central Spokane, attempted to provide medical aid to the victim, according to new court documents. Bushnell, 27, told police that while longboarding near Altamont Street and Fifth Avenue, he heard a woman screaming. That’s when he saw William Poindexter, 45, grabbing and throwing a woman to the ground.
Second suspect arrested in fatal shooting
Spokane police arrested a second suspect in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Ceasar Medina at a store on North Monroe Street in May. Vatsana “Linnie” Muongkhoth, 28, was arrested early Thursday for her suspected involvement in the shooting during a robbery attempt at Northwest Accessories, 3400 N. Monroe St.
Ed Hume receives Gold Circle Emmy for long-running show
Ed Hume has been honored with the 2015 Gold Circle Emmy award, which honors media professionals who have been in television for at least 50 years. Hume’s TV show is the only show in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska to reach the 50-year mark. Hume’s show has been on nearly every network in the Seattle-Tacoma market, with expansions into the Portland and Spokane markets. He also wrote a gardening column for the Seattle PI newspaper before becoming the Seattle Times’ garden editor.
Apple maggot find halts compost intake
A composting company that operates at Ovenell Farms in Quincy was forced to halt hauling unprocessed organic waste from Seattle July 7 after inspectors discovered apple maggot larvae. The state Department of Agriculture issued the suspension to PacifiClean, which had received a special permit to begin transporting covered containers of Seattle-area organic waste June 30. Inspectors discovered and confirmed the presence of apple maggot larvae in the waste less than a week after transportation began.
NOAA grant to help Washington monitor toxic algae bloom
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is committing $88,000 to help Washington analyze a massive bloom of toxic algae off the coast that have closed some shellfish harvests. The algae blooms have occurred along the West Coast from Southern California to Alaska since May. Dangerous toxin levels prompted the closure of Dungeness crab fishing off the southern coast of Washington. Ocean beaches were also closed to recreational razor clamming.
Three vie to represent Washington’s 9th District
Candidates hoping to represent southeastern Washington’s 9th Legislative District include an incumbent who was appointed just 10 weeks ago, a former sheriff of nearly three decades, and a 76-year-old Democrat with a background in construction.
In brief: Box of live grenades found in Post Falls home
A box of live grenades was found at a Post Falls home Wednesday and safely removed by the Spokane Police Department bomb squad.
Free blood-lead testing offered
The Panhandle Health District’s Kellogg office is offering free blood-lead testing for children and expectant mothers.
Man to serve for grand theft
A Coeur d’Alene man will serve up to 10 years in prison for stealing cash, a credit card and gift cards from Lake City Junior Academy last November, and for two other cases of grand theft. Jason Dunbar, 41, was sentenced Wednesday in 1st District Court to at least three years in prison with the possibility of an additional seven years. He pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit burglary, three counts of grand theft, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine.
NorthTown to add 2 restaurants
NorthTown Mall will add two popular restaurants, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, later this year. The restaurants will share a kitchen but have separate entrances and dining areas. They will occupy 9,814 square feet next to Kohl’s in the mall’s redeveloped north concourse.
Man sentenced for scam
A Spokane man has been sentenced to a year in jail and ordered to pay back $76,000 in disability benefits after the Department of Labor and Industries accused him of running a worker’s compensation scam. Gary B. Farnworth II, 48, was managing the TCS Auto Wholesale used car dealership on East Sprague Avenue from 2010-12 while telling the Department of Labor and Industries he couldn’t work because he injured his back while working for a steel company in 2007.
‘Protector’ killed in shooting
A community leader credited with patrolling and protecting the streets of Seattle’s International District for decades has been killed in a shooting. Seattle police said officers were called to the downtown neighborhood at 3 a.m. Thursday and a man with life-threatening injuries was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died. Authorities have not released the victim’s name, but Gov. Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine and others issued statements mourning the loss of Donnie Chin
GM-certified used cars may have recalls
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating General Motors because of dealers who advertised certified used cars for sale even though they still needed repairs under existing recalls.
Internet, movies bolster Comcast’s bottom line
Despite a slowdown in subscriber growth, the Internet is still propelling Comcast. The movies and theme parks in its NBCUniversal entertainment unit also bolstered results in the quarter. The country’s largest cable company added 180,000 Internet customers in the April-June quarter, the smallest gain in at least two years. That brings its total Internet subscribers to 22.6 million. Comcast’s Internet customers surpassed its cable customers for the first time. The company finished June down 69,000 TV customers, to with 22.3 million.
YouTube posters tap many streams of cash
With YouTube taking about a 45 percent cut of ad revenue from videos posted on the site, YouTubers and companies that manage them are hunting for new ways to make money from the audiences they’ve built on the platform. That will be a big topic of conversation at VidCon, the annual convention in Anaheim, California, that kicked off Thursday.
Briefcase: SHMC wins architect award
The new pediatric emergency department at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center was recognized by the American Institute of Architects this week as one of the best health care design projects in the country. The addition was one of five recipients in the category of less than $25 million in construction cost, according to an AIA news release.
Starbucks quarter plenty perky
Starbucks said Thursday its quarterly profit jumped 22 percent as pricier drinks and food helped lift sales at its U.S. cafes. The Seattle-based coffee chain said sales rose 8 percent in its flagship Americas unit.
Amazon finds profits in cloud
Amazon.com reported a surprise second-quarter profit Thursday on continued strength of its cloud-computing business and strong revenue both domestically and abroad.
Loan program out of money
The Small Business Administration’s biggest lending program is on hold after the SBA ran out of money for loan guarantees. The agency on Thursday reached the $18.75 billion limit set by Congress on the amount of loans it can back in a fiscal year. The shutdown will force business owners to wait for loan approvals until money starts flowing again. That could happen if Congress raises the ceiling on the program, which backs 7(a) loans. If lawmakers don’t act, business owners will have to wait for the new fiscal year Oct. 1.
House bill targets GMO labels
Food companies would not have to disclose whether their products include genetically modified ingredients under legislation passed by the House on Thursday. The House bill is backed by the food industry, which has fought mandatory labeling efforts in several states. The legislation, which passed 275-150, would prevent states from requiring package labels to indicate the presence of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
In brief: Omak family among four killed in car collision west of Davenport
Three members of an Omak family were among four killed Wednesday night in a car wreck west of Davenport. The Washington State Patrol said Jake Walter, 28, Georgina Walter, 32, and 5-month-old Logan Walter died when their 1999 Chrysler 300 slammed head-on into a semi-truck on state Highway 2. George Friedlander, 68, of Nespelem, was the fourth person in the car killed when Jake Walter failed to negotiate a turn, crossed the centerline and collided with the tanker truck.
Fire east of Gifford growing
A 30-acre wildfire threatened homes near Gifford in Stevens County on Thursday night. The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. and was not contained as of 8:30 p.m. It started south of Addy-Gifford Road and spread north.
WSU: Roundup not found in breast milk
Washington State University researchers have found that glyphosate, the main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, does not accumulate in human breast milk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is using the study as part of a review of glyphosate prompted by public concern last year over a controversial report that said traces of glyphosate were found in three of 10 breast milk samples.
Downtown skatepark to be demolished
Downtown Spokane’s Under the Freeway Skatepark will be demolished starting Aug. 3, the city says. The park sits on Department of Transportation property and has a reputation for attracting crime and graffiti, prompting city officials to begin talking about options for its replacement several years ago.
Idaho Transportation Department to pay $52K in fines for asbestos error
The Idaho Transportation Department has agreed to pay nearly $52,000 in fines for demolishing a Priest River office building that was riddled with asbestos, without taking precautions to keep the cancer-causing fibers from spreading. The Jachetta Building, which formerly housed insurance and law offices, was torn down last November. It was the second time in less than a year ITD had made such a mistake. The agency agreed to pay $55,800 in fines to the Environmental Protection Agency for demolishing an asbestos-laden building in Rigby, in southeastern Idaho, in June 2014.
Amy Goodman: U.S., Cuba begin new chapter
Editorial: Renewing overdue bids would refuel economy
Letter: Stratton coverage fails
Letter: Protect Medicare
Letter: Obama appeasing Iran
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from The Western Center for Journalism
(Western Journalism)
Watch: ‘Duck Dynasty’ Says THIS Trump Move Was ‘One Of The Best Things I’ve Ever Seen In My Life’
(Western Journalism)
Watch: ‘Duck Dynasty’ Says THIS Trump Move Was ‘One Of The Best Things I’ve Ever Seen In My Life’
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