Jessica Robinson

Federal Agents Search Spokane Apartment For Ties To Ricin Letters

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:25:18 +0000

Federal agents in hazmat suits and SWAT gear searched a Spokane apartment Saturday. They were looking for evidence connected to a pair of ricin-laced letters sent through the mail. The letters were addressed to a federal judge in Spokane and to the post office itself.

Study Finds Urban Stresses Cause Birds To Abandon Eggs

Jessica Robinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:34:08 +0000

A bird of prey can get so stressed out by city noise, it will abandon its nest – with eggs still in it. That's according to a new study by researchers at Boise State University. The study suggests human disturbances affect the American kestrel more than previously thought.

Bottom Rung: Why One Idaho Border Business Chose Washington

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:37 +0000

The border between Washington and Idaho is like a petri dish for what the minimum wage does to the economy. That’s where two extremes meet. Idaho has the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour. While Washington’s is nearly $2 more.

Gay Rights Efforts Gain Traction In Small Idaho Towns

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:31:34 +0000

Efforts to pass more local gay rights laws are moving ahead in Idaho. A city councilor in Coeur d'Alene plans to introduce an ordinance later this month. And in Pocatello, a failed ban on discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people is getting a second chance.

The first attempt in the southeast Idaho town of Pocatello raised fears about religious liberty and the possibility of men using the law to harass women in public restrooms.

Hydropower Bills Open Gates Of Bipartisanship In Congress

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:30:42 +0000

An effort to streamline the regulatory process for small hydropower dams is generating a rare moment of bipartisanship in Congress. Two bills sailed through a Senate committee Wednesday. They've already passed the House.

Whatever gridlock exists elsewhere, it didn't show up in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Boston Marathon Runner Races Again In Spokane

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:38:30 +0000

Three weeks after the Boston bombings, one of the iconic figures of that tragedy was racing again in Spokane. Bill Iffrig of Lake Stevens, Wash., joined more than 50,000 runners on Sunday for the Bloomsday Run. You might remember the images of Iffrig on the ground immediately following a blast at the Boston marathon.

The 78-year-old runner wore the same orange shirt he'd worn in Boston as he waited for the starting gun in Spokane.

Idaho Company Seeks To Introduce Genetically Engineered Potato

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:41:47 +0000

One of the country's leading suppliers of french fries is asking the federal government to approve genetically modified potatoes. The USDA announced the move Friday by the J.R. Simplot Company of Idaho. It would be the only genetically engineered potato on the market.

Simplot has branded them Innate potatoes. The company figured out how to use existing potato DNA to design a spud that’s less prone to dark spots. It also produces less acrylamide when cooked. Acrylamide is a neurotoxin found in many foods. Studies on animals have indicated it may also cause cancer.

Gonzaga University Gives Club Status To Knights Of Columbus

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:49:57 +0000

The president of Gonzaga University has reversed an earlier decision and now says a campus chapter of the Knights of Columbus can receive official club status. The Catholic university in Spokane first denied that recognition because the Knights do not admit women or non-Catholics.

President Thayne McCulloh's decision allows the Knights of Columbus council to use the university's name in its title, use school facilities and fundraise on campus. Official club status also makes the group eligible for money from the university and student fees.

Idaho State Professor Turns To Drones In Quest For Sasquatch

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:05:54 +0000

An Idaho anthropologist has risked his career in pursuit of what the rest of science considers a myth. Jeff Meldrum of Idaho State University is the nation’s lone academic trying to make the scientific case for Bigfoot. It’s no joke. Now he's even raising money to launch an unmanned aircraft that would scan the Northwest's forests for the large, hairy creature. Meldrum now hopes drones can finally prove his critics wrong.

Jeff Meldrum gets frustrated when he walks into Barnes and Noble. It's one of the stores that carries his book.

Pocatello Rejects Gay Rights Ordinance In Close Vote

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:46:09 +0000

An ordinance to ban discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people failed in the city council of Pocatello Thursday night. The close vote was a setback for gay rights advocates.

Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad cast the deciding no vote, making it four against, three in favor. The ordinance would have made it a misdemeanor to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Those voting no said they didn't reach their decision easily.

Pocatello Latest Idaho City To Take Up Gay Rights In Absence Of State Action

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:54:54 +0000

Thursday, the city council in Pocatello is expected to vote on whether to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s one of several cities in Idaho that have taken up the cause of gay rights – an issue the Idaho Legislature has so far resisted. But even some gay rights supporters wonder if the local ordinance would change anything.

Idaho Mining Family Sues Company For Deadly Cave-In

Jessica Robinson — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:47:01 +0000

The family of a silver miner killed in north Idaho has filed a lawsuit against the Hecla Mining Company. The suit claims the mine managers’ attempt to extract more silver caused the cave-in that killed Larry Marek exactly two years ago Monday.

Wolf Count: Numbers Up in Oregon, Washington; Down In Idaho

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:10:47 +0000

There are fewer wolves overall in the West, but Oregon and Washington's wolf populations continue to grow. That's according to the federal government's annual gray wolf tally, released Friday. The count has also revealed the initial effect of a controversial wolf hunting season in Idaho.

In the 2011-12 season, Idaho hunters and trappers killed nearly 400 wolves. Yet the population count decreased by just 63 animals, or 11 percent. David Allen heads the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He says when you take into account new pups, the once-endangered wolves are now stable.

Rosauers Supermarket In Idaho Bans Trans Woman From Store

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:31:05 +0000

A supermarket in north Idaho has banned a transgendered woman from the store after she used the women's restroom. Police issued Ally Robledo a trespass notice that will make it a misdemeanor for her to enter the store for one year.

Managers at the Rosauers in Lewiston told police they received complaints from women about Robledo using the restroom. Robledo was born male as Alberto, but identifies and dresses like a woman and is the process of transitioning physically.

Pocatello Council Hears Emotional Testimony Over Local Gay Rights Law

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:43:37 +0000

A city in the heart of Idaho's Mormon country held a four-hour public hearing Thursday night on whether to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians. A growing number of cities in Idaho are adopting local rules that protect sexual orientation and gender identity.

Parents and grandparents spoke about the fears they have for their gay or lesbian family members. Gloria Mayer said she's been hiding her identity for years.

“I am 63 years old ... and I'm gay," she said. "That is the first time I have said that publicly.”

Idaho School District Looks For Answers After Multiple Bomb Threats

Jessica Robinson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:41:10 +0000

A small school district in north Idaho is trying to figure out who's behind 10 bomb threats made since the beginning of the school year. The series of hoaxes has rattled the community, and caused huge disruptions in school.

Boundary County schools superintendent Richard Conley says mostt of the threats were made on bathroom stalls. Conley says the last four threats alone came in March.

“I've been in education for 41 years and I've never seen this," Conley says.

Police believe multiple students are responsible. None of the threats, however, turned up an actual bomb.

In Birthday Message, POW's Parents Promise To Bring Him Home

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:48:18 +0000

The parents of Idaho soldier Bowe Bergdahl are hoping a message they recorded for his 27th birthday will reach him in captivity. Bergdahl remains America's only POW from the war in Afghanistan.

Bob and Jani Bergdahl recorded a message on KECH, a radio station in Idaho's Wood River Valley.

“Happy birthday, Bowe Bergdahl!” they say.
“You're 27 years old today, if you forgot," says Mr. Bergdahl. "And you've been in Afghanistan for over four years now.”

Coeur d'Alene Mines Leaves Namesake Idaho Home

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:07:24 +0000

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho – Idaho is losing one of its oldest silver mining companies to Chicago. The Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation announced Wednesday it plans to move to the Windy City by the end of September.

The company employs 65 people at its headquarters in Coeur d'Alene in north Idaho.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Turns 27 In Enemy Hands

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:56:24 +0000

Captured U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl turns 27 Thursday. It's the fourth birthday the Army sergeant from Idaho has passed in the hands of the Taliban and their allies. People who knew Bergdahl are trying to call more attention to the only known POW from the war in Afghanistan.

Not a lot is known about Bergdahl's life since he was captured in June 2009. But it's believed he's now being held by a Taliban-allied insurgent network in Pakistan. U.S. efforts to bring Bergdahl home are wrapped up in slow-moving peace negotiations in Afghanistan with the Taliban

Gonzaga Uses Basketball To Boost Academic Profile

Jessica Robinson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:28:08 +0000

This year’s March Madness has been full of surprises. The University of Oregon Ducks have made it to the Sweet Sixteen - the final 16 teams in the national college men's basketball tournament. But Number 1-seed Gonzaga University is out, after a shocking defeat to Wichita State over the weekend. Students and alumni of the small Catholic school in Spokane may be in mourning. But as far as school admissions go, Gonzaga has already won, big time. Jessica Robinson reports on how the school has used basketball to improve academics.