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IDAHO POPULATION
Population shift to urban areas slows
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The shift of Idaho's population from rural counties to urban areas slowed last year.
Estimates released by the Census Bureau on Thursday showed the 33 rural counties saw their combined population increase for the first time in three years.
The population of the rural counties rose two-tenths of a percent from mid-2012 to mid-2013, or about 1,200 people.
The population of the 11 urban counties increased 1.5 percent.
Statewide, Idaho's population rose 1 percent to just over 1.6 million, resuming a growth rate higher than the national rate of seven-tenths of a percent.
The Pocatello metro area was the only one of the five metro areas to lose population, dropping a half percent.
UIDAHO-GUNS
University preparing for guns on campus
(Information in the following story is from: The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, http://www.dnews.com)
MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — The University of Idaho is taking steps to comply with a new state law that allows people with an enhanced concealed-carry permit to bring a concealed weapon on campus.
The law takes effect on July 1.
New University of Idaho president Chuck Staben sent a letter to the school community Thursday. It announced the formation of a task force to recommend what policy changes the school should make to ensure campus safety while adhering to state law.
The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports the university currently does not allow guns on campus and that policy will remain in effect until July 1.
DEPUTY-JAIL LAWSUIT
Former Canyon County jail deputy files lawsuit
(Information in the following story is from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com)
NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — A former deputy at the Canyon County jail has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in federal court contending an on-the-job injury led to his firing.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports Friday that Kyle Jackson filed the lawsuit against Canyon County in November in U.S. District Court in Boise.
He's seeking monetary damages, medical expenses, and compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
The complaint says Jackson worked at the jail from 2005 to 2012.
Jackson says he injured his knee in 2009 while trying to rescue a suicidal inmate, and underwent several knee operations. He was put on light duty status.
Jackson says in August 2012 he received a termination notice stating the jail needed an employee capable of performing jail duties.
County officials declined to comment.
TRAIN-CAR COLLISION
E. Idaho motorist injured in collision with train
POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Authorities in eastern Idaho are investigating a collision between a passenger vehicle and a train south of Pocatello that injured a 21-year-old man.
Idaho State Police say Ryan Lish of Downey collided with the moving Union Pacific train at about 7 p.m. Thursday while driving a 1989 Honda Accord.
Police say the collision occurred at Blackrock Road and Old Highway 91.
Lish was transported to Portneuf Medical Center by ground ambulance.
A hospital spokeswoman on Friday said he was listed in critical condition.
TRADE-RUSSIA
Ukraine crisis complicates trade
(Information in the following story is from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine, the resulting crisis disrupted the trade plans of some Idaho businesses.
Representatives from 17 Idaho businesses had joined Gov. Butch Otter on a trade mission to Russia last November.
The Idaho Statesman reports many of their hopes of developing new business are now on hold.
Idaho exports to Russia totaled $20.5 million in 2013.
INL CONTRACT
INL contractor gets 5-year extension
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Battelle Energy Alliance has received a five-year extension on its 10-year contract to operate the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls.
Battelle Energy Alliance began running the facility in early 2005 and will now operate the laboratory through Sept. 30, 2019.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the contract extension Thursday.
The agency says it extended the contract because of BEA's consistently strong annual performances.
The INL is one of the Energy Department's 10 national laboratories and a major employer in eastern Idaho.
EVEL KNIEVEL DAYS
Organizers battle over Evel Knievel Days in Butte
(Information in the following story is from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com)
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — The eldest son of Evel Knievel and a local official married to Knievel's daughter say the city and county should run the three-day Evel Knievel Days festival that draws thousands to Butte each summer.
Kelly Knievel tells the Montana Standard that naming rights for the event need to be renewed and he wants to do that with Butte-Silver Bow rather than the private group that runs the festival now.
Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Matt Vincent, Kelly Knievel's brother-in-law, says agreements with festival organizers that receive public money need accountability.
Chad Harrington is the top organizer with the private group that has put on the festival in past years.
He says Vincent has a conflict of interest and the city shouldn't be in the festival business.
FISH-EATING BIRDS
Army Corps to begin killing birds
(Information in the following story is from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com)
CLARKSTON, Wash. (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers this spring will begin killing birds at some Snake and Columbia river dams to help protect juvenile salmon and steelhead.
The agency unveiled a plan Thursday that will allow as many as 1,200 California gulls, 650 ring-billed gulls and 150 double-crested cormorants to be killed.
The Lewiston Tribune says the action will occur at McNary Dam on the Columbia River and Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams on the Snake River.
The corps says birds are typically the single largest cause of juvenile salmon and steelhead mortality. A 2009 study estimated that between 4 percent and 21 percent of smolts passing through the dams are eaten by birds.
The corps has long used non-lethal methods to scare away birds.
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