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A quick but brutal storm last night left fallen trees, destroyed mobile homes and thousands without power. (KXLY)

Even though no one was suggesting Idaho as a place to send the thousands of migrant children coming over the nation's southern border, Gov. Butch Otter wants to make sure nobody does. He wrote a letter to other state officials saying he doesn't want the state used as a way to address the crisis. (SR)

The Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office says Coeur d'Alene school board members did not violate open meeting laws when they traveled to Boise together to attend meetings and meet with legislators. (CdA Press)

The federal government has proposed new oil train rules to remove old tanker cars, like those that have raised concerns among Spokane leaders, though many details remain unclear. (AP)

ELSEWHERE

An Air Algerie flight went missing over the Sahara and officials now say it crashed. (BBC/Reuters)

A man sentenced to lethal injection in Arizona took two hours to die, prompting the governor to order an investigation and reigniting the debate over the death penalty. (LAT)

The U.S. has increased surveillance and sent more military advisers to Iraq. (WSJ)

At least 15 are dead after shells hit a U.N.-run school being used as shelter for Palestinian evacuees. (WaPo)

Welcome back to Weed Wednesday, your weekly dose of pot news. Wondering what this is about? Click. Looking for our previous marijuana coverage? Click. Got a question or tip? Email me at heidig@inlander.com.

You're next, Oregon. An initiative to legalize marijuana for people 21 and older and regulate its production and sale has been cleared to appear on the November ballot. If the group pushing the measure — New Approach Oregon — sounds familiar, it should. It's the same name used by I-502's backers: New Approach Washington.
New Approach Oregon spokesman Peter Zuckerman says the groups are not related, though there is some overlap in the groups' strategies and supporters, and that the name brings with it some name recognition and conveys that "treating marijuana as a crime has failed." There are some differences in the initiatives, including the way pot is taxed, but they are largely similar. Read the full text of Oregon's effort here. (Speaking of I-502, chief author Alison Holcomb is thinking about running for Seattle City Council.)

It's now been more than two weeks since Washington's first retail pot stores opened and things remain slow. Spokane's first open store, Spokane Green Leaf, remains open only during limited and changing hours, mostly on weekends. Satori, which had expected to open today, now says they're shooting for August 1. Seattle's only open store, Cannabis City, plans to reopen Friday. The state has continued to issue licenses to retailers as they're ready, with 28 total now. (Still just three in Spokane County.)

Nevertheless, the first 10 days of sales in the state brought in more $1.2 million in sales taxes and $318,000 in excise taxes, according to the Liquor Control Board.

As has been well-documented by now, the pot shortage in Washington has a lot to do with the timeline. Many growers have plenty of pot; it's just not ready yet. Recently, The Stranger's Dominic Holden came east to meet some of those growers for this feature.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has released three anti-high-driving ads, first produced for the Colorado Department of Transportation. They hover on the verge of being too stoner-trope-y, but they could be worse. Watch them here:

Meanwhile, a report to the Seattle City Council shows that in the first six months of this year, blacks were disproportionately cited by Seattle police for consuming pot in public. Read more from the Seattle Times here.

Edibles are in the news again. Washington's Liquor Control Board approved the process by which edibles will be reviewed and allowed to the market. Edibles makers will be required to have their products tested and follow the rules the board approved last month. In Colorado, an edibles maker's products have been recalled by the Denver Department of Environmental Health, reports The Cannabist.

In Missouri, a group is working to raise awareness of the case of a man serving a life sentence for marijuana charges in hopes of getting the governor there to grant him clemency. Learn more from their Indiegogo campaign here or in this video:

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Federal aid has been available to the scorched areas of central Washington, and now President Obama has authorized FEMA to oversee relief efforts. (KHQ)

The Spokane City Council may temporarily suspend fees for taxi drivers after drivers complained that ride-share services like Uber and Lyft don't have to pay the same fees. They'll also look at overhauling the city's taxi rules. (SR)

The Bonner County Sheriff's Department is looking for tips on a boat hit-and-run on Lake Pend Oreille last week. (CdA Press)

Washington Trust has purchased the Ridpath Annex to convert it into office space. (SR)

The South Hill Target is now open. (KXLY)

ELSEWHERE

A plane crash in Taiwan has killed at least 40 people. (BBC)

Ukraine says Russia has shot down two of its fighter jets. (ABC)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo established a commission last year to root out corruption in local politics. Then, when it started to investigate a firm he'd worked with, a senior Cuomo aid told investigators to "pull it back." And that's only the beginning. (NYT)

Some are accusing U.S.-supported militias in Afghanistan of human rights abuses. (Al Jazeera)

D.C. police are crafting risky sting operations to catch people they think might be criminals, prompting accusations that they're luring people into crimes they wouldn't otherwise commit. (WaPo)

Sorry to be a downer, but summer is already more than halfway over, which may be news to those who haven't bothered to keep track. There are less than six short weeks from now until Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of the season. What have you done so far to enjoy the warm weather, outdoors and summer living in the Inland Northwest? Don't forget that our big Summer Guide issue has lots of suggestions for exploring the outdoors, arts, music, theater and food scenes, as well as lots of events for families to enjoy.

Yet if you've been too busy to flip through the Inlander's online or weekly print edition of the community events calendar, there's a chance you've missed listings for the many local, outdoor concert and film series (most listed here are free). There's no better time to enjoy what's otherwise an indoor activity — here's a round-up of what we know of happening around the region.

MUSIC

Manito Park Bench Cafe | The quaint, seasonal cafe hosts free, live music every Friday night, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 22. It's all ages but those of age can enjoy a beer/wine garden serving No-Li brews. 

Riverfront Park Fountain Cafe | The park's newest food stop hosts free, live music every Wednesday night, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 20. 

Sandpoint Summer Sounds | The Park Place stage in downtown Sandpoint hosts free, live music for the annual Summer Sounds concert series on Saturdays, from 4-6 pm, through Aug. 30. 

Rock the Nest | The return of Kendall Yards' outdoor, summer concert series on Wednesday nights is set for July 30, at 7 pm, and live local bands perform weekly through Aug. 20. 

Browne's Addition Summer Concerts | This annual outdoor series is on Thursday nights, from 6-8 pm, through Aug. 28, at the Coeur d'Alene Park gazebo.


Summer Concerts at Riverstone | The Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance host a free, Thursday night concert series in Riverstone Park, from 6:30-8 pm, through Aug. 28. 

Performers on the Patio | Enjoy live music and the scenic vistas of Arbor Crest Winery's Cliff House Estate grounds, during two ongoing, summer concert series. Thursday's Performers on the Patio concerts, from 5:30-7:30 pm, offer free admission, and run weekly through Sept. 25. Saturday's Concerts on the Cliff series are $8/person, with music from 5:30 pm to dusk, through Sept. 28. Remember, because it's at a winery, these shows are only open to ages 21 and up. 

Outdoor music this summer isn't limited to these series. There's also concerts at the Gorge Amphitheater, the upcoming Festival at Sandpoint, Northern Quest's outdoor summer concerts, the Spokane Symphony's special summer concerts, Schweitzer's Fall Fest during Labor Day weekend and several other local festivals. For the most updated info, make sure to keep up with the Inlander's weekly print and online music listings.

FILM

Spokane Valley Summer Movies in the Park | Outdoor screening at dusk, with free crafts and activities in Mirabeau Meadows Park starting an hour before the show. July 25, Despicable Me 2; and Aug. 22, Frozen.

South Perry Summer Theater | Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for The Shop's annual (free) summer tradition of projecting movies from its parking lot onto the side of Casper Fry restaurant. Movies start at dusk, every Saturday through Aug. 23. July 26, The Lego Movie; Aug. 2, Raiders of the Lost Ark; Aug. 9, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug; Aug. 16, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure; Aug. 23, Frozen.

Friends of Pavillion Park Movies in the Park | All screenings (free) start at dusk and are free to the public. Pavillion Park movies: July 26, Turbo; Aug. 2, The Princess Bride; Aug. 9, Star Trek Into Darkness; Aug. 29, Brave. Half Moon Park movies: July 25, How to Train Your Dragon; Aug. 16, The Croods. 

Airway Heights Moonlight Movie Series | Screenings (free) start at dusk in the outfield of Martella Ball Field at Sunset Park. July 25, National Treasure; Aug. 8, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2; Aug. 29, Free Willy.

Spokane County Parks Swim and a Movie | The Northside and Southside Family Aquatics Facilities host a two-hour evening swim, followed by a family film screening. Gates open at 6 pm; movies start at dusk. $2-$3. Aug. 2, The Lego Movie; Aug. 16, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.

THEATER

Tomato Plant Girl | An outdoor theater performance on the lawn of the University of Idaho's Hartung Theater, featuring a script geared toward younger audiences. Picnic meals are welcome and encouraged. Showing July 24-26, and July 31-Aug. 2 at 7 pm. $5/youth ages 16 and under; $15/adults. (208-885-6465)  

Shakespeare in the Park | Montana-based Shakespeare in the Park travels around the Western U.S. every summer, performing free plays to the public. This year's Spokane stop is a performance of "As You Like It," on Sat, Aug. 23, at 5 pm, in Liberty Lake's Pavillion Park.

You may have been a little confused when the advertisements rolled out, including the full back page of the Inlander, announcing that Ted Nugent would be playing the Coeur d'Alene Casino in August.

First off, you'd be forgiven for not knowing who Ted Nugent is if A) you aren't a fan of 1980s agro-rock or B) you don't watch Fox News (or The Daily Show, for that matter).

But if you do know about Ted Nugent, you, like me, probably thought he'd given up his guitar in favor of shooting large animals, campaigning for losing presidential candidates, sitting on the National Rifle Association board, and getting investigated by the Secret Service for implying that he was going to harm the president. But yes, Ted Nugent does still tour as a musician. He's playing a theater in New Jersey tonight, in fact.

Nugent's show slated for Aug. 4 at the Coeur d'Alene Casino, though, has been canceled by the venue after the Tribal Council learned of Nugent's history of ridiculous, racist and violent rhetoric.

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has always been about human rights – for decades, we have worked individually and as a Tribe to make sure that each and every person is treated equally and with respect and dignity. We know what it’s like to be the target of hateful messages and we would never want perpetuate hate in any way,” said Chief Allan, Chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in a statement released yesterday.

The tribe asserted that they were unaware of Nugent's penchant for controversial rhetoric until they got a call from Bill Morlin, who you should remember from his excellent work over the years for the Spokesman Review, who now writes for the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch blog. Click here for Morlin's account of what transpired when he asked the casino if it saw anything controversial in booking Nugent.

Hours later after Morlin raised the question, the casino had canceled the show.


Nugent's most known racist remark is when he called the president of the United States a "subhuman mongrel," but he also penned this editorial about why the Washington Redskins shouldn't have to change their name. In the piece, Nugent says his song "Great White Buffalo" has made him beloved in Native American communities. A viewing of him performing that song in a headdress (see above) makes that somewhat hard to believe, as well as him saying things like, "Call me crazy horse..."

This isn't the first time the self-proclaimed Motor City Madman (he gave himself the name because he's from Detroit and he's crazy) has had a show canceled for being, at best, a little out there. A city in Texas agreed to pay him $16,000 not to show up at their Fourth of July festival this year.

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The Coeur d'Alene Casino has canceled Ted Nugent's Aug. 4 show because of his "racist attitudes and views." (SR)

Police have released more details about the woman shot and killed by police outside Bonner General Health in Sandpoint. (CdA Press)

A judge has authorized more than $220,000 in taxpayer money to repay Gail Gerlach's legal fees. (SR)

President Obama will be in Seattle campaigning tonight, including at a dinner event that costs $25,000 a plate. (Seattle Times)

As central Washington wildfire victims begin rebuilding, local residents are offering help. (KXLY) Plus, watch this video of just how devastating the damage is.

Carlton Complex Fire Devastation Part 2 from Chelan HD Productions on Vimeo.

ELSEWHERE

Israel says one of its soldiers is missing as conflict in Gaza continues. (Al Jazeera)

The bodies of those killed on MH17 have been moved to eastern Ukraine and out of the combat area. (NYT)

Other departments are poaching Detroit's low-paid police officers. (NPR)

The economy is making it harder to have kids. (WaPo)

Calling all humanitarians, philanthropists, artists, environmentalists and activists: Who do you think is making a positive difference in the Inland Northwest?

We're currently looking for nominees for our fifth annual Peirone Prize — a cash reward recognizing passionate, local folks who have dedicated their lives to the service of others. Previous winners include Jamie Borgan  the program director of New Leaf Bakery; Virla Spencer, the outreach coordinator at Center for Justice; and Brent and Amy Hendricks, founders of Global Neighborhood. One of our goals is to inspire young people to get involved in our community, so we're especially looking for people under or around the age of 35.

Know anyone who deserves our support? Please send us the names of the people you'd like to nominate to giveguide@inlander.com no later than Friday, Aug. 1. In your email, include their ages and a brief explanation as to why they deserve recognition. We'll choose three winners based on your responses and showcase their contributions to the community in our annual Give Guide issue on Aug. 28.

The hazy, smoky air still makes my stomach curdle with fear.

I was 4 when the regional disaster known as Firestorm torched the Spokane area. On Oct. 16, 1991, heavy winds downing power lines sparked more than 90 separate fires around the Inland Northwest, burning more than 100 homes and blackening the land all around. I vividly recall Firestorm’s terrifying uncertainty, and now view it as one of the most impactful events of my childhood, growing up on 20 wooded, rural acres in Stevens County.

After the first flames ignited and sent embers flying, my parents quickly packed up our valuable belongings — antique furniture, family heirlooms, photographs and important documents — and rented a storage unit in Spokane. My mom packed clothing and we made the short drive to my grandparent’s 80-acre farm above our home on a hill. It was safer there, with more routes out if the fire moved in. One night during the fires, my dad took me outside, lifting me up on his shoulders. There, in my striped nightgown, I saw the mountain vista in front of our homes glowing with orange flames against the black night sky.

We were lucky. The firestorm burned for days all around the region, but our land and our homes remained untouched. It was the first memory I’d have of many more fires to threaten our rural community. Each one filled me with more terror than the last. Just as anxiety-causing were summer’s hot, dry spells, lightning storms and windy days that all meant high fire danger. The fires alone didn’t make fear course through my body, but the materialistic thought of losing everything in a fire’s wake.

As residents across the Inland Northwest woke up this past Friday morning to a brown sky blocking out the rays of a blood red sun, the dense ashy air left a fine, grayish-black powder on everything it touched. Street lights stayed on long past sunrise, and the world was cast in an ominous, yet eerily beautiful, goldish glow. These remnants of wildfire stirred up my long-dormant feelings of dread. I tried to imagine the emotions of residents of Central Washington — the people in Brewster and Pateros who lost everything in the still burning Carlton Complex fire. In place of a desire for empathy was something stronger — guilt. Guilt that here I was, conjuring up old childhood fears of losing my home to a raging wildfire when they just had.

When natural disasters — tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and forest fires — strike, our collective reaction is to consume breaking news reports. We become almost morbidly fascinated by the images and stories of destruction fed to us, all so accessible on our social media accounts. At the same time we ache for the losses of others due to what’s largely attributed a random event. The Carlton fire was sparked by lightning; the whims of changing winds paired with the intense summer heat propelled it toward towns with little warning.

Every region of the world comes with its own set of natural threats. Those who choose to call these places home do so with some understanding of the chance they might be affected by a mostly unpredictable disaster. But until one happens to or close to us, that probability doesn’t dominate our thoughts.

Most of us will never lose our homes to wildfires. But when we see it happen on such a tragically large scale like the Carlton Complex fire, we’re reminded of our vulnerability to the odds and also comforted by it. Homes can be rebuilt and things replaced, but the scars of any disaster will live on in the landscape and its victims memories forever.  ♦

Firefighters continue to battle the Carlton Complex fire and the Watermelon Hill fire outside of Cheney. You can help victims of Washington's forest fires by donating to the Red Cross or other efforts listed here. (SR/KXLY/Wenatchee World)

A body was found on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene early Saturday. Police have not yet identified the victim. (CDA Press)

Conservatives on the Spokane City Council are worried the liberal majority will pick another liberal to fill departed Councilman Steve Salvatori's seat. (SR)

Some people who've bought insurance through Washington's state exchange are still having issues with the site. (Seattle Times)

ELSEWHERE

Death and destruction continue in Israel and the Gaza Strip. (NYT)

A friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been convicted of obstructing justice. (NPR)

Separatists in eastern Ukraine have agreed to hand over the black boxes from a Malaysian plane that was shot down and allow investigators into the area. (WaPo)

China has suspended operations at the meat supplier used by Chinese branches of McDonald's and KFC amid accusations the supplier repackaged expired meat products. (BBC)

The first Food Truck Palooza showcased the food, deserts and beverages of 18 different vendors. A entry ticked allowed anyone free samples from all of the vendors. Dj Mayhem entertained fifteen hundred ticket holders and a beer garden was not far away for those of age.