News Digest:
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:55 AM PDT
GOOD AFTERNOON
IDAHO
Ruling recharges Idaho wolf foe’s ballot drive
LEWISTON (AP) — The leader of the Anti Wolf Coalition in Idaho says he will try again to put a wolf removal initiative on the ballot now that a federal judge has restored endangered species protection for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies.
“We are very pleased this liberal judge did what he did,’’ Ron Gillett told the Lewiston Tribune. “Now it will be all-out war.’’
He said restoring federal protection to the wolves will reinvigorate his attempts to put a ballot initiative before Idaho voters. Two previous attempts to put such an initiative before voters failed, the last one falling about 10,000 signatures short of the 45,000 needed by the May 1 deadline.
Federal minimum wage poised for increase
BOISE (AP) — Thousands of Idaho workers are getting ready for a pay raise.
The federal minimum wage is expected to increase 70 cents per hour Thursday to $6.55 per hour. It’s the second in a three-phase hike that will increase the minimum federal pay rate to $7.25 per hour. The Idaho Department of Labor anticipates the higher wage will boost paychecks for nearly 22,000 jobs across the state. The agency estimates that this year’s increase will cost Idaho employers about $24.6 million over the next 12 months.
OREGON
Oregon National Guard to train for firefighting
PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon National Guard plans to activate more than 300 Guard members for forest fire training at three sites in Oregon so they can be used if needed to back up regular contract crews.
“We’ve seen very active fire seasons for our neighbors to the north and south, and we may face a similar situation in Oregon,’’ Gov. Ted Kulongoski said on Tuesday. ‘’We have robust resources already in place, but I want to ensure we have the ability to respond with additional support if needed.’’
Washington and especially California have had bigger fires this year than Oregon has. On Tuesday only a few small fires were burning in Oregon.
After certification, the Guardsmen can be deployed on 48-hour notice to wildfires if Kulongoski declares a state of emergency. They will be used primarily to strengthen firelines and support agency firefighters.
