News Digest:
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 9:57 AM PDT
GOOD AFTERNOON
IDAHO
Boise schools brace for refugee influx
BOISE (AP) — Administrators with Boise schools say they are expecting another record influx of refugee students when classes begin this month.
Last August, more than 200 new students entered the Boise School District from countries such as Burundi and Burma. Many of those did not speak English at the time.
Jury selection expected to resume in Duncan case
BOISE (AP) — After a delay that lasted more than three months, lawyers are poised to continue putting together a jury in the sentencing phase of Joseph Edward Duncan’s capital murder case.
U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge suspended jury selection in late April after Duncan sought to dump his legal team and serve as his own lawyer.
Coeur d’Alene officials ban cell phones
COEUR D’ALENE (AP) — Students in the Coeur d’Alene School District may be better off leaving their cell phones at home this fall.
On Monday, the Coeur d’Alene School District approved a ban on cell phone use from the moment a student enters the building until the final bell rings.
School board trustee Vern Newby says the intent is to preserve the learning environment and eliminate distractions. Under the rules, students will be allowed to keep cell phones with them, but the phones cannot be turned on — not even during lunch or breaks.
OREGON
Security review planned for Oregon State Hospital
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A consulting firm has been enlisted to help improve security at the Oregon State Hospital following a pair of recent escapes.
Sparling, a technology consulting and engineering firm with offices in Seattle, Portland and San Diego, is already working for the state to develop security for a planned 620-bed psychiatric facility that will help replace the existing 125-year-old mental hospital
Its contract is being amended to include its new role in evaluating security at the existing complex.
