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Posts published in “Day: March 18, 2014”

A national view on the Stallings entry

ridenbaugh Northwest
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From a political update today on the left-leaning Daily Kos site, which each day reviews political developments around the country.

Idaho's filing period closed last Friday, revealing a welcome blast from the past who had previously flown under the radar: Democratic ex-Rep. Richard Stallings is running to get his old seat back. You might put the stress on "old," though: Stallings is 73 and served from 1984 to 1992. He gave up the seat to run for Senate, lost to Dirk Kempthorne in the general election, and tried again to get it back when it was open in 1998, but lost to current occupant Mike Simpson (by a not-awful 53-45 margin).

This isn't quite so crazy as it sounds: Stallings seems to be taking a page from Joe Donnelly, in that he probably senses an opening here thanks to the GOP primary battle. If the establishment-flavored Simpson loses to tea partier Bryan Smith, and Smith subsequently goes on to insert his foot in his mouth repeatedly, he might have a bank-shot opportunity here, despite the district's dark red leanings. On the other hand, though, Donnelly made the leap straight from House to Senate, while Stallings has been out of the congressional picture for decades.

However, while you might imagine that this district has shifted dramatically over the decades, it was actually almost as red back when Stallings represented it. In fact, Stallings was also one of the most conservative Dems in the House at the time. The question, though, is whether he can re-find a niche in a decidedly more polarized national landscape. (David Jarman)

On the front pages

news

Here’s what public affairs news made the front page of newspapers in the Northwest today, excluding local crime, features and sports stories. (Newspaper names contracted with location)

Jewell awaits delegation invite before White Clouds talk (Boise Statesman)
Evaluating Boise grocery stores (Boise Statesman)
Congress looks at fire-fighting funds (Lewiston Tribune)
Pistol club still set for eviction by Lewiston (Lewiston Tribune)
Lawsuit filed over ag-gag (TF Times News, Lewiston Tribune, Nampa Press Tribune, Sandpoint Bee)
Moscow Syringa park water woes may be over (Lewiston Tribune)
Lighting upgraded on Paradise Path (Moscow News)
Schools could opt out of Idaho wifi deal (Moscow News)
Caldwell subdivision still battled over (Nampa Press Tribune)
ID Senate approves big biz tax credit (Pocatello Journal)
Boating negligence law clears legislature (Sandpoint Bee)
Masive windstorm in southern Idaho (TF Times News, Pocatello Journal)

Downtown Philomath leader speaks (Corvallis Gazette Times)
Snowpack still below average (Corvallis Gazette Times)
Local governments consider pot moratoria (Eugene Register Guard, Medford Tribune, Ashland Tidings)
Cougar 2 captured, seeking No. 3 (Eugene Register Guard)
Uproar in Klamath commission race (KF Herald & News)
Two KF fire district directors face recall (KF Herald & News)
New federal wildfire funds sought (KF Herald & News, Ashland Tidings)
Ashland looks at seismic upgrades (Ashland Tidings)
Adjusting schools with Common Core (Mail Tribune)
Wyden reviews area for teest drone (Pendleton East Oregonian)
Massive diesel spill near Pendleton (Pendleton East Oregonian)
The 27 unchallenged legislators (Portland Oregonian)
Possible lawsuit from former Cover Oregon leader (Portland Oregonian)
Debate over hatchery fish degrsding natives (Portland Oregonian)
Possible connection: OHSU and Salem Health (Salem Statesman Journal)

On complaints of Woodland principal (Longview News)
Tulalip Tribe leaders change (Everett Herald)
New ferry to be paid from car tabs (Everett Herald)
State alleged fraud from PS ex-employee (Port Angeles News)
Seattle sets ceiling on rideshare drivers (Seattle Times)
Amazon grows ad sales business (Seattle Times)
Many physical forms of pot sales (Tacoma News Tribune)
State supreme justice retires (Tacoma News Tribune)
Spokane limiting outlying utility service (Spokane Spokesman)
FEMA money could go to wildfires (Spokane Spokesman)
No agreement on oil train state bill (Vancouver Columbian)
Vancouver gets $200K for brownfield cleanup (Vancouver Columbian)
High Medicaid signup in Yakima (Yakima Herald Republic)
Common core examined in Yakima (Yakima Herald Republic)