Bloglander

ECON 101: Taxes — In a fit of delirium, Spokane city council snatches money from snow plow and street repair budget to punish one union and reward others. (SR)

ECON 201: Wages — Paying more can be thrifty, owner of Spokane Valley burger haven declares. (SR)

ELEX 101: Snowplows — As she kicks off reelection campaign, Spokane Mayor Mary Verner is tweaking the city snow removal plan to get plows onto streets of angry residents even earlier. "We work for the citizens," she says. (KREM)

ELEX 29.99 — Coeur d'Alene City Council votes to pay $69,660 in legal fees for councilman who had to fight a year-long challenge from loser of close election. "We have to defend our election," another councilman says. (CdA Press)

Strawberry Fields Forever — Hump Day Morning Headlines remembers the 30th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon. (AP)

BONUS: Cyberwar against Wikileaks — The Hump Day Morning Headlines special bonus link (because it's our birthday and you're so nice) is fascinating reporting on the behind-the-scenes attacks by governments to muffle Wikileaks, and Wikileaks' efforts to stay online. (NPR)