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VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO NURSING HOMES
Nursing homes account for 60% of Idaho COVID-19 deaths
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — New numbers released by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare show that more than 60% of Idaho’s coronavirus-related deaths are among residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said that so far nearly 290 people at 25 long-term care facilities have contracted COVID-19. Of them, 52 people have died. That's well over half of the 83 coronavirus deaths recorded in Idaho so far. The state had previously refused to reveal facility-specific case numbers during the public health crisis. The Idaho Statesman newspaper in Boise warned last week that it would sue unless the records were released.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT POWERS-LAWSUIT
Idaho Supreme Court considers State Superintendent lawsuit
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Supreme Court is expected to rule in the coming weeks on whether the Legislature can transfer 18 technology employees and $2.7 million from the superintendent of public instruction's office to the state board of education. Lawmakers approved the move earlier this year, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra sued. She contends that the Legislature's move illegally strips her office of core duties. But attorneys for the board of education and the Legislature argue that the technology functions aren't core duties and it's the Legislature's right to appropriate funds and positions as it sees fit.
AP-US-IDAHO-UNEMPLOYMENT
Idaho offers $1,500 bonus for people to return to work
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho residents on unemployment could receive a one-time bonus of up to $1,500 to return to work under a plan Gov. Brad Little announced Friday. The Republican governor says he’s concerned unemployment benefits could encourage people to stay home. The $100 million in bonus incentive money is from the $1.25 billion Idaho received in federal relief. Part-time workers would receive $750 under the governor’s plan. The state's unemployment rate has rocketed to 11.5%. But Idaho is in the third stage of Little's four-stage plan to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, and there are signs the economy is turning around.
AP-US-AMERICA-PROTESTS-WASHINGTON-STATE
Seattle mayor bans 1 type of tear gas amid protests
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle mayor has banned the police use of one type of tear gas as protests continue in the city and nationally over the killing of George Floyd. Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a news conference Friday afternoon that the ban on CS gas would last for 30 days. The move came hours after three civilian police watchdog groups urged city leaders to do so. Police Chief Carmen Best says officials will review police crowd control policies. Local health officials had also expressed concerns over the use of the gas and other respiratory irritants based on the potential to increase spread of the coronavirus.
PROTESTS-NATIONAL GUARD
Idaho National Guard sent to Washington during protests
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho National Guard says it is sending about 400 members to Washington to be deployed at monuments and federal buildings in the nation’s capital amid protests stemming from the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The National Guard Bureau initially sent out a request for volunteers to go to Washington temporarily. The deployment is expected to last five days, with Idaho Guardsmen assisting U.S. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. The Idaho National Guard has deployed out-of-state in support of national emergencies in the past, including for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and wildland fire suppression in Oregon and Washington in 2015.
WORKER DEATH-OSHA FINE
Meat-rendering company where worker died fined by OSHA
KUNA, Idaho (AP) — The owner of an Idaho meat-rendering plant where an employee died earlier this year has been fined more than $63,000 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Darling Ingredients owns the Kuna, Idaho plant as well as facilities in Tampa, Florida and Bastrop, Texas. The federal agency said the fine was because the company failed to implement procedures for maintaining meat grinders, and one of the grinders lacked a barrier guard. OSHA officials haven’t revealed how the worker at the Kuna plant died. Darling Ingredients has until June 18 to appeal the fine, and didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
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