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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON
COVID-19 is growing in Spokane, and Inslee says wear masks
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The rate of people being hospitalized for COVID-19 in Spokane has doubled in the past week, and the state’s second-largest city is “”on the edge of a cliff.″ That's according to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday. Inslee met with civic leaders on the Spokane campus of Washington State University.His visit drew a small crowd of protesters against his administration’s proclamation earlier this week requiring people to wear masks when in public. Inslee, who wore a mask during his press conference, said the way to battle the spread of the coronavirus is simple.“”You’ve just got to wear a little cloth on your face,″ Inslee said.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDAHO
Idaho governor says restrictions to stay as cases still rise
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little says there are too many coronavirus infections for him to lift more restrictions, and Idaho will remain in the fourth and final stage of his plan to reopen during the pandemic. The Republican governor also said Thursday that he’s moving the state to a regional response system. He says that will allow the state’s seven health districts and local officials to evaluate conditions in their areas and decide on restrictions with his oversight. Stage 4 was originally scheduled to expire Saturday. It allows gatherings of more than 50 people as long as precautions are taken and social distancing is practiced.
CONCORDIA-LAW SCHOOL
Concordia University School of Law closing
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Concordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho, which planned to reopen this fall as an affiliate of Concordia University St. Paul, will instead shut down. The Statesman reports that interim Dean Latonia Haney Keith informed students, faculty members and staff on Thursday afternoon that the law school’s original sponsor, Concordia University in Portland, and Concordia St. Paul could not reach a final agreement for the transfer. In February, Concordia University in Portland announced it was closing due to financial troubles. The law school had been looking for another transfer.
REDFISH-STANLEY TRAIL
Justice Department: Helicopter hounded trail building crew
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice says a low-flying helicopter harassed a work crew building a public trail on an easement crossing private land that connects the popular tourist destinations of Redfish Lake and Stanley in central Idaho. The department on Wednesday asked a federal judge to prohibit the harassment during work on the trail that's at the center of a federal lawsuit. David Boren and Lynn Arnone own the property and want work halted, but have lost in court. The department says the helicopter is owned by Boren's brother, Michael Boren. Workers say the helicopter on Saturday kicked up debris, and someone inside made an obscene hand gesture.
IDAHO UNEMPLOYMENT-EXTENDED BENEFITS
Idaho unemployment numbers trigger rare extended benefits
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — So many Idaho workers lost jobs so quickly this year due to the coronavirus pandemic that an unemployment extended benefits program will go into effect that was last used during the Great Recession in 2009. The state Department of Labor said Wednesday that the program will give people receiving weekly unemployment payments up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment insurance beyond the normal 20-week maximum period for payments. Idaho won’t pay for the extra unemployment payments because a federal program called the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation that’s part of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package approved by Congress in March offers the extended benefits.
YELLOWSTONE-GRIZZLY BEAR ENCOUNTER
Bear knocks woman to ground near Yellowstone's Old Faithful
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park administrators say a woman was knocked to the ground by a grizzly bear and suffered minor injuries as she was hiking near Old Faithful geyser. Park officials said Wednesday that the 37-year-old tourist from Columbia, Missouri was hiking alone earlier this week when she came upon two grizzly bears. One of the bears knocked the woman to the ground, scratching her thigh and causing minor injuries to her face when she fell. She declined medical attention and the surrounding area has been temporarily closed. Park bear biologist Kerry Gunther says no action is planned against the bears.
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