James Tidmarsh

Idaho State Police is investigating after an off-duty officer's loaded service weapon was found in the parking lot of a taco restaurant in northern Idaho. Officials say the officer took off his holster to change his license plates, placed the .45-caliber gun on the top of his truck and drove o

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Fire officials are calling a home destroyed by a in Burley a total loss. The blaze broke out at 1850 Bennett Avenue just before midnight. Investigators say the fire started in the garage of the home

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Electronic cigarette sales to kids would be banned under a bill that unanimously cleared Idaho's House yesterday. Thursday's 68-0 vote sends the measure to restrict the nicotine delivery devices to the Senate. E-cigarettes,

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A proposal to oust the Occupy Boise movement's tent village from state-managed land near the Capitol has been diverted in the Senate, as lawmakers opened the door to postponing when the protesters must leave, as well as allowing them more time to reclaim property they leave behind. The State Affairs Committee voted 7-1 Wednesday to open the House-passed bill, which would ban camping from state properties, to

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The state Department of Education has released the results of a 2011 survey of high school students.  The department gathers the data from students every two years as part of the Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In the latest

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Lawmakers are making another run at banning texting while driving after legislation in past sessions stalled. The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday voted to consider making texting while driving an infraction. It's now due a full hearing. Senator J

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Democratic lawmakers rolled out their plan to create jobs this morning.  IJOBS 2.0  is made up of six bills ranging from tax credits to an accountability measure. According to the Spokesman-Review, th

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House Speaker Lawerence Denney faced detractors in his Republican caucus over his handling of an fight over redistricting last week, where he and GOP Chairman Norm Semanko tried unsuccessfully to fire two of their own party's commissioners.  Denney called a caucus this morning over the issue. Lawmakers normally sworn to secrec

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According to a new report, Idaho's suicide rate in 2009 was the fourth highest in the nation. According to the American Association of Suicidology. Idaho's suicide rate was 19.7 per 100,000 people in 2009 -- or 304 suicides. The national average was 12 per 100,000. Idaho went up in the rankings from 2008, when it had the sixth highest rate in the country. Kathie Garrett, cha

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Republican Representative Jim Patrick of Twin Falls  has declared his intention to run for the District 25 Idaho Senate seat in this year's election.  Patrick, who has served in the House since 2006, Tells the Times- News he decided to run for the vacant seat after looking at

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