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NUCLEAR TESTING-COMPENSATION
Western governors want nuclear testing compensation expanded
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Western governors say atmospheric nuclear weapons testing exposed more states and more people to radiation fallout and resulting cancers and other diseases than the federal government recognizes.
The Western Governors' Association on Friday sent letters to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House urging passage of proposed changes to a law involving "downwinders."
The changes would add all of Nevada, Arizona and Utah, and include for the first time downwinders in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and the island territory of Guam.
The changes to the 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act would also include increasing the maximum payment to $150,000 for someone filing a claim.
The U.S. between 1945 and 1992 conducted more than 1,000 nuclear weapons tests, nearly 200 in the atmosphere.
WOMAN STABBED
Man arrested after Pocatello woman stabbed several times
(Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com)
POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Police say a southern Idaho woman who was stabbed several times is expected to survive, and a man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing.
The Pocatello Police Department tells the Idaho State Journal that the woman was stabbed by an acquaintance at her Pocatello home Saturday night. The woman's name was not released, but police say she was in critical condition at a Salt Lake Hospital on Monday.
Twenty-nine-year-old Steven Skylar Drain was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery Sunday afternoon. Online court records did not show on Tuesday if he has been formally charged or if he has obtained an attorney.
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BOISE MASS STABBING-COMPETENCY
Man accused in Boise mass stabbing found competent for trial
(Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A man charged with first-degree murder in connection with a mass stabbing that left a 3-year-old girl dead and eight other people wounded has been found competent to stand trial.
The Idaho Statesman reports 31-year-old Timmy Earl Kinner Jr. is scheduled for trial in January in the death penalty case.
Fourth District Judge Nancy Baskin found Kinner was "dangerously mentally ill" and unable to assist in his own defense earlier this year. In the months since he has been held in a secure mental health facility while professionals worked to restore his competency for trial.
Prosecutors say Kinner attacked several people at a Boise apartment complex in June 2018, leaving many of them with permanent injuries and killing a young girl who was celebrating her third birthday.
In a written order Saturday the judge said Kinner now has a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings against him, and is able to consult with his attorney.
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SOLAR POWER-IDAHO POWER
Solar power deal involving Idaho homeowners reached
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho utility has reached an agreement involving paying homeowners who generate electricity with rooftop solar panels and other renewable energy methods.
Idaho Power and the staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on Friday submitted the agreement to the commission for its possible approval.
The Sierra Club, city of Boise, Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association and others also took part in the negotiations.
Idaho Power has 560,000 customers in Idaho and eastern Oregon, with increasing numbers of homeowners generating power and being credited for extra power sold back to the utility.
Idaho Power says the current system allows homeowners to sell power without paying their fair share to maintain the company's vast electric grid.
Solar power backers fear killing incentives for homeowners to produce clean energy.
The agreement calls for the commission to hold public hearings.
FUEL BREAKS
Proposed wildfire fuel breaks plan released for 3 states
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have released plans to stop devastating wildfires in southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada with one option creating 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) of fuel breaks up to 400 feet (120 meters) wide along existing roads.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday released a draft environmental impact statement for the Tri-State Fuel Breaks Project and is taking public comments through the end of November.
The BLM says creating fuel breaks by clearing vegetation will help firefighters stop wildfires and protect key habitat for sage grouse and other wildlife on land also used by ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The BLM says options include fewer miles of fuel breaks all the way down to no fuel breaks at all.
The region in recent decades has seen repeated giant rangeland wildfires.
SCHOOL BUS CRASH
6 students injured in school bus crash
KUNA, Idaho (AP) — Six middle and high school sustained minor injuries when a vehicle collided with the school bus they were riding in southwestern Idaho.
The crash happened about 7:25 Monday morning in Kuna.
Kuna School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall says five of the injured students were picked up by their parents after the crash, and the sixth student was taken to a nearby hospital.
The rest of the students were driven to school by another bus.
No other information about the collision was immediately available.
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