Bloglander

ON INLANDER.COM

NEWS: A new billboard in Spokane, paid for by a Massachusetts nonprofit, says Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers wants a slower and censored internet. She says that's not the case.

NEWS: Even the Center for Justice's Rick Eichstaedt doubts that the oil train initiative on November's ballot would survive a court challenge.

FESTIVAL: As the summer beer fests wind down, No-Li is already planning its winter FrostFest. This year the event runs from 2 to 6 pm on Dec. 9. Proceeds from the dozen one-off beer sales will go toward maintenance of the Fallen Heroes memorial sculpture. Tickets are now on sale for $30 through TicketsWest outlets.


IN OTHER NEWS  

Brown is running for Congress
Former Democratic state legislator and WSU Spokane chancellor Lisa Brown is running for the 5th Congressional District seat that has been held by Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers since 2005. The election is in 2018; Brown plans a formal announcement today. (Spokesman-Review)

Doctors' bill
The Spokane husband-and-wife doctors who filed a $191 million personal bankruptcy in January might be able to settle the claims by paying as little as $130,000, to be split among more than 8,000 creditors. (Spokesman-Review)

Chemical-plant blasts caused by Texas flooding
A chemical plant near Houston caught fire after chemical-reaction blasts that sent clouds of black smoke into the air. Authorities expect more explosions, which were a result of severe flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. (Houston Chronicle, Washington Post)  

Idaho State Police retaliated against their own detective
An Idaho State Police detective claimed that ISP retaliated against him and others in the agency who believed a Payette County deputy was the cause of a 2011 car accident that killed a civilian. An Ada County jury agreed. (Idaho Statesman)

Texas 'sanctuary city' ban blocked
A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked a state law that would prevent Texas cities from enforcing policies that could qualify them as so-called "sanctuary cities." (New York Times)
• Here's our explanation of the complicated definition of "sanctuary city."