Bloglander

ON INLANDER.COM 

• COVER: Staff writer Wilson Criscione explores the complexities, challenges and astonishing stories of youth homelessness. You don't want to miss this week's cover story.

• NEWS: As the case against the man accused of murdering CdA Police Sgt. Greg Moore continues, a battle to reveal how the prosecutors office is funding its case played out last week. Defense attorneys argue the prosecution faces a moral hazard because it stands to benefit financially by seeking the death penalty, rather than life in prison, due in part to a state fund for capital cases. Read our coverage here.

• MUSIC: Check out Laura Johnson's profile of the low-key diva, Bonnie Raitt (who takes the stage at the INB Performing Arts Center next Wednesday).

IN OTHER NEWS: 

• Two mysterious homicides with links to Montana: 

1. The nephew of a Montana senator was found dead in his home near Spangle, Washington. Robert Tester's body was found on his living room floor in a pool of blood, an "ax-like maul" nearby. His 8-year-old daughter was in the home, but police do not believe she witnessed the murder. The Spokane County medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide. Read what Tester posted on social media leading up to his death here. (Spokesman-Review)

2. A Montana woman was found dead in the trunk of her own car near Spokane International Airport. Rita Maze, 47, was reportedly abducted from a rest stop on her way home from Helena. Maze was able to talk with her family and police from the trunk as the assailant drove from Montana to Idaho and eventually into Washington. Local police and the FBI are still investigating. Maze was an elementary school cook in Great Falls. (KXLY)

• Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson is pushing a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Specifically, the proposal would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons with military features and a magazine capacity of 10 rounds max. Read more details here. (KIRO-Seattle) 

• Erick Hansen, the conman who defrauded investors and city officials in his Blu-ray scheme, got five years in federal prison (Spokesman-Review) The Inlander published a meaty cover story about Hansen back in 2014.