KAMIAH, ID - Despite the dense smoke and poor air quality settling over the area in the last 48 hours, fires across the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests experienced minimal growth as the inversion has helped keep temperatures relatively low.  Fire managers continue full suppression tactics on fires where potential risk to life and property is greatest.

HARVARD, ID - Firefighters continue to make huge gains toward containment of the 970-acre Strychnine Fire, which is located 4.5 miles northeast of Harvard.  On Tuesday, firefighters widened existing fireline and the interior of the fire is burning slowly, moving mostly through brush and slash piles.

SPOKANE, WA - A longtime Avista employee and his wife have pledged $1 million to recognize and encourage Avista employee contributions to communities in which they live and work.  The Scott and Liz Morris Employee Engagement Fund pledge will be fulfilled upon the successful completion of Avista’s merger with Hydro One.  Morris, a 36-year Avista employee, serves as the company’s Chairman, President, and CEO.

LEWISTON, ID - The Lewiston Civic Theatre is partnering with Lewis-Clark State College's theatre department to produce two shows this season, "The Odd Couple" and "Hands on a Hardbody (A Musical)."  Half of the proceeds from one of the shows will go to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Auditions are open to the community and take place this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Silverthorne Theater at LCSC.
 

LEWISTON, ID - A home security and safety website's recent study says Lewiston was ranked #1 in Idaho in the number of burglaries in 2015, the most recent year data was available.

LEWISTON, ID - Smoke from several wildfires in Idaho and surrounding states is affecting the air quality for residents in nearly every Idaho community and is expected to continue to do so for the next several days. Public health officials are advising people to limit their time outside as much as possible to reduce their exposure to smoke.

PULLMAN, WA - Gender reassignment surgeries may be offered at a Palouse hospital in the near future.  The Pullman Regional Hospital Board of Commissioners will consider at its regular meeting tomorrow a recommendation to provide gender reassignment surgeries, specifically vaginoplasty procedures (male to female).

SPOKANE, WA - Many people are wondering just when the heavy smoke will leave the region.  The National Weather Service in Spokane says that may happen on Thursday or Friday, but until then, we can expect continued hot, dry, and smoky conditions.

OLYMPIA, WA - Beginning at midnight tonight, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is expanding its burn ban to cover the entire state.  Officials say the move is due to multiple fires and communities suffering from dense layers of smoke.

LEWISTON, ID - Former Idaho House Minority Leader John Rusche has been appointed to the state Water Resource Board. Rusche is filling the unexpired term of Charles “Chuck” Cuddy of Orofino.  He was originally appointed in January 2007 and recently announced he was stepping down from the eight-member board.