Last modified: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 10:19 AM PDT News Digest: Good Afternoon Idaho Otter marks super sockeye return BOISE (AP) — Gov. C.L. ‘‘Butch’’ Otter is taking part in two events marking one of the biggest sockeye salmon runs in the state in decades. Otter is expected to join Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen today in releasing more than 30 adult sockeye into Redfish Lake to spawn naturally. Later today, Otter is scheduled to celebrate the opening of a new state-of-the-art sockeye spawning center at the Eagle Fish Hatchery. Idaho flag to be featured on new stamp IDAHO FALLS (AP) — Idaho’s state flag will featured on a new U.S. postage stamp. Former Gov. Phil Batt, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa and postal service officials will dedicate the new 42-cent Idaho State Flag Postage Stamp at a ceremony today. Boise Postmaster Dan Frasier says the stamps are impressive and pay homage to the majesty of the state flag. The stamp is part of the second set of 10 Flags of Our Nation Stamps. OREGON Panel: Widen tax to expand health coverage PORTLAND (AP) — Next year, the Oregon Legislature may consider expanding a medical provider tax to pay for health insurance for children and 100,000 low-income adults. The idea is coming from a committee the Legislature named. In all, the plan would provide insurance for about a third of the state’s uninsured, who now number about 621,000. Last year, voters rejected a tobacco tax whose proceeds would have paid for health insurance for 117,000 children who lack it. 2 Eastern Ore. counties seek federal relief HERMISTON (AP) — Farm service agencies in at least two Eastern Oregon counties are applying for disaster relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Unseasonably cool temperatures in the spring delayed the wheat crop in Morrow and Gilliam counties. Then a hot, dry spell in the middle of the growing season caused wheat kernels to shrink, said Darcy Vial, county executive of the Morrow County FSA.