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XGR-RAPE KITSIdaho committee introduces rape kit retention legislationBOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho House panel has introduced legislation that would create statewide standards on how long local law enforcement agencies should retain physical evidence in sexual assault investigations.

NORTHWEST WEATHER-THE LATESTThe Latest: Sewage overflows into Willamette RiverPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services says melting snow and rain have caused sewage to overflow in several locations into the Willamette River.The bureau said the overflow started Wednesday afternoon and was continuing several hours later. People were urged to avoid the river for two days after the overflow ends due to increased bacteria in the water.

OTTER-AGRICULTUREIdaho governor being vetted for agriculture secretaryBOISE, Idaho (AP) — A spokesman for Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says he is being considered as a possible candidate for agriculture secretary.Jon Hanian confirmed Thursday the Republican governor is currently being vetted by President-elect Donald Trump's transition team. Hanian added that he did not have any further information about other candidates or a time-frame about when a decision would be made.

BERGDAHL-SCREENWRITEROscar winner gets to keep Bergdahl interviews Army soughtLOS ANGELES (AP) — A lawyer for an Oscar-winning screenwriter says the U.S. Army dropped its efforts to seize unaired interviews he recorded with Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.Attorney Jean-Paul Jassy said Tuesday that Mark Boal settled a lawsuit that sought to prevent the government from obtaining 25 hours of recordings with the soldier who abandoned his post in Afghanistan in 2009.

PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDINGReport: Funding for 22 school programs not based on needBOISE, Idaho (AP) — State evaluators say many of the programs intended to help students in Idaho's public schools are not funded based on need or actual costs.Furthermore, evaluators found that the state lacks information on the total amount of money spent on these 22 programs at the school district and charter level.

IDAHO UTILITY-OREGONIdaho utility seeks to negate Oregon fish passage lawBOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho utility is asking federal authorities to negate an Oregon law requiring fish passage as part of relicensing for a hydroelectric project on the Snake River that forms the border between the two states.Boise-based Idaho Power in a notice made public last week asks the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to exempt the three-dam Hells Canyon Complex from the Oregon statute.

TROOPER CRASHTrooper, K-9 OK after highway crash(Information from: KULR-TV, http://www.kulr8.com)BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A trooper and his K-9 partner are doing well after a crash.KULR-TV reports Trooper Scott Neilson sustained non-life threatening injuries when his patrol car and a pickup truck collided on U.S. Highway 89.The driver of the pickup truck was treated at a hospital and released.

STREAM ALTERATIONCentral Idaho officials approve river alteration work(Information from: Idaho Mountain Express, http://www.mtexpress.com)KETCHUM, Idaho (AP) — A stream alteration of the Big Wood River in central Idaho south of Ketchum to protect homes hasn't worked as expected.The Idaho Mountain Express reports in a story on Friday that Blaine County commissioners as a result are allowing a landowner to try to fix the problem.

STATE REVENUEIdaho projected to see $139M surplusBOISE, Idaho (AP) ��� Idaho could be on track to finish the fiscal year with $139 million in surplus tax revenue if a new forecast holds true.The state's legislative budget office released the projection Thursday for the year ending next June 30, estimating that Idaho should take in nearly $3.44 billion in state taxes and fees.

FISH AND GAME-REVENUE STRUGGLEIdaho Fish and Game to try for fee hike once againBOISE, Idaho (AP) ��� Officials with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are once again preparing to push a plan to raise hunting and fishing fees despite facing years of resistance from state lawmakers.