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Kaye Thornbrugh

@kayethornbrugh

Reporter, Coeur d’Alene Press. Covering Kootenai County government, crime and courts, higher ed in North Idaho and more. Contact: kthornbrugh@cdapress.com

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Latest posts by Kaye Thornbrugh @kayethornbrugh

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Kootenai County Republicans divided on Gaetz When hundreds gather Saturday night at the Resort for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s biggest bash of the year, the Lincoln Day dinner, some elected precinct committeemen won’t be t...

When hundreds gather tomorrow night at The Resort for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s biggest bash of the year, the Lincoln Day dinner, some elected precinct committeemen won’t be there.

The KCRCC stands divided on the keynote speaker, former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

27.02.2026 19:00 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 4

Took years off my life, I swear 😩

10.02.2026 23:26 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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North Idaho College retains accreditation After sanctions, commission returns NIC to good standing

Today is a special day in North Idaho.

10.02.2026 18:55 👍 11 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
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I understand you... Literally me during the climax of the movie, every time:

19.01.2026 18:58 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Sheriff Norris revokes special deputy status of Cd’A, Rathdrum police chiefs Chief White says Norris retaliated after town hall investigation

Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White alleges the sheriff revoked their privileges because of their involvement in the investigation into Norris’ actions during the Feb. 22 legislative town hall.

11.12.2025 20:23 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 1

Congratulations! 🎉

10.12.2025 18:54 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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The first film made in Idaho was headed back to the big screen. Then DOGE intervened - High Country News When a large-scale restoration effort was halted by feds, history could not be forced back into the archives.

The first film ever shot in Idaho was lost for decades, and was headed back to the big screen for the first time in a century when DOGE cuts hit. Arts organizers, tribal members, composers, musicians, and editors rallied together to make sure it happened.

buff.ly/l0MNH2v

27.10.2025 14:02 👍 36 🔁 15 💬 0 📌 1
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Moose grin, Moscow, Idaho. (August Frank/Lewiston Tribune)

23.09.2025 21:45 👍 7 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Ukrainian immigrants caught up in Trump's immigration crackdown Stuck in a “no-man’s land” of uncertainty, many who’ve fled the Ukrainian war have lost the right to work in America

Denys and his family made a new life in Washington away from the chaos of the war in Ukraine. But he and other Ukrainian immigrants are now stuck in limbo after the Trump admin froze a program giving them temporary legal status. bit.ly/47IzFQD

17.09.2025 15:25 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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Coalition files lawsuit to block new private school tax credit The coalition, which is petitioning the Idaho Supreme Court, argues that House Bill 93’s tax credit program violates the state constitution’s ‘free common schools’ provision…

The coalition of plaintiffs includes the Idaho Education Association, the Moscow School District, a former state superintendent and current state lawmaker. www.idahoednews.org/top-news/coa...

17.09.2025 21:03 👍 8 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1

CALLOUT: I’m looking for people to talk to on the record about their experiences with receiving any kind of care at Planned Parenthood in Oregon, especially those who needed low-cost options. This can be any clinic, but I would especially love to talk to anyone who used the Ontario clinic. DM me!

16.09.2025 17:25 👍 52 🔁 30 💬 1 📌 1
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UPDATE on town hall chaos: Woman who was dragged out speaks, police chief condemns security, name of security firm confirmed A legislative town hall organized by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee devolved into chaos Saturday when unidentified, plainclothes security personnel dragged a Post Falls woman from th...

It was this town hall, for context:

04.09.2025 18:58 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Man seeks $2.5 million in damages for town hall removal A man is seeking $2.5 million in damages from Kootenai County, alleging that Sheriff Bob Norris violated his constitutional rights by removing him from a legislative town hall and zip-tying his hands ...

A man is seeking $2.5 million in damages from Kootenai County, alleging that Sheriff Bob Norris violated his constitutional rights by removing him from a legislative town hall and zip-tying his hands after he spoke against the actions of then-unidentified security personnel.

04.09.2025 17:40 👍 102 🔁 32 💬 3 📌 5
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State Public Defense adopts policy on capital defense guidelines  - Idaho Reports By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports   The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office has adopted a policy on minimum qualifications to be a capital qualified death penalty attorney, after a change in state law may...

The State Public Defender’s Office has adopted a policy on minimum qualifications to be a capital qualified death penalty attorney, after a change in state law may increase the number of death penalty cases in Idaho. #idpol blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2025/07/30/s...

30.07.2025 19:15 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 1
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Community Library Network’s new policies could fracture regional library consortium For decades, the Cooperative Information Network has enabled libraries in North Idaho and eastern Washington to share their collections and broadened patrons’ access to materials. Now a restrictive ...

More background on this situation:

17.07.2025 17:21 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Regional library consortium will dissolve The regional library consortium that allowed libraries in North Idaho and Eastern Washington to share their collections will dissolve in September, ending more than 40 years of partnership.

The regional library consortium that allowed libraries in North Idaho and Eastern Washington to share their collections will dissolve in September, ending more than 40 years of partnership.

17.07.2025 16:53 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 4 📌 1
A photo of the print edition of the Coeur d'Alene Press, dated Monday, June 30, 2025. It is a special print edition.

A photo of the print edition of the Coeur d'Alene Press, dated Monday, June 30, 2025. It is a special print edition.

The Coeur d’Alene Press doesn’t have a print edition on Mondays. We made an exception today.

I’m proud of the way my colleagues came together to create this paper last night and grateful to have the opportunity to serve our community in this way.

Our coverage continues at cdapress.com.

30.06.2025 20:08 👍 199 🔁 30 💬 10 📌 2
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State provides guidance on classroom displays, days before law goes into effect The new law tasked the IDE with enforcing the new law, so the department created a complaint form.

A new Idaho law prohibiting schools from displaying flags and banners with a political viewpoint left many teachers with the question:

What counts as a political viewpoint?

Today, the Idaho Dept. of Ed tried to give them an answer.

www.idahoednews.org/news/state-p... #idedu #idleg

27.06.2025 01:48 👍 28 🔁 9 💬 3 📌 1
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1/3 📷 for @inlander.com of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation actions, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. www.inlander.com/news/police-...

12.06.2025 21:11 👍 9 🔁 4 💬 1 📌 0
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Bonners Ferry rejects Idaho flag order Following a directive from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to remove the Canadian flag from city grounds, the Bonners Ferry City Council on May 6 voted to declare a 365-day special occasion honori...

From the Bonners Ferry Herald:

The Bonners Ferry City Council voted to declare a 365-day special occasion honoring its Canadian neighbors, effectively sidestepping the new state law limiting which flags may fly on government property.

08.05.2025 16:50 👍 9 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Federal judge blocks new Idaho immigration law through preliminary injunction as lawsuit plays out • Idaho Capital Sun A Federal judge temporarily blocked Idaho from enforcing two new crimes created through a new Texas-style immigration enforcement bill.

The law took effect immediately after Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law on March 27. But hours later, the judge blocked Idaho from enforcing the law through a temporary restraining order that she later extended in response to a lawsuit by ACLU of Idaho. #idleg #idpol

30.04.2025 20:39 👍 7 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
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Judge blocks Idaho executions until prison officials improve media access Idaho won’t be able to carry out the death penalty until prison officials increase witness access for executions.

Thank you, @idahostatesman.com , @apnews.com and East Idaho News for fighting to preserve media access. www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...

29.04.2025 21:37 👍 9 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

This was a really special one. I am so lucky to call this place home. 🥹

28.04.2025 15:34 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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‘With love from Coeur d’Alene’ Bench honors Scott and Mary Lou Reed, saviors of Tubbs Hill

More than 100 people gathered at the base of Tubbs Hill for the unveiling of a tribute bench honoring Scott and Mary Lou Reed.

28.04.2025 15:34 👍 20 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
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Idaho Supreme Court hears arguments in abortion ballot initiative lawsuit • Idaho Capital Sun Idahoans United for Women and Families lawsuit alleges ballot titles and financial analysis — developed by state officials — are inaccurate.

The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a lawsuit that alleges state officials drafted biased and misleading information for voters on an abortion rights ballot initiative.

25.04.2025 21:14 👍 41 🔁 13 💬 0 📌 0
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Daniel Bice Daniel Bice is a columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Watchdog team.

Shoutout to Daniel Bice of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, who’s been on the Judge Dugan story all week. You can catch up on his coverage here www.jsonline.com/staff/264800...

25.04.2025 15:15 👍 3523 🔁 1063 💬 46 📌 27
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‘A reset’ for U.S.: Fulcher talks DOGE, tariffs, immigration U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher said President Trump’s second term marks a “reset” for the country, amid talk of tariffs, economic uncertainty and efforts to root out inefficiencies in government.

The Coeur d’Alene Press sat down with Russ Fulcher yesterday and talked tariffs, DOGE and due process.

24.04.2025 15:34 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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Reports: Shoshone County deputies delayed medical care for man who died in jail The death of a man in the Shoshone County jail last fall could have been prevented had deputies not delayed seeking emergency medical care for six hours, public records revealed.

The death of a man in the Shoshone County jail last fall could have been prevented had deputies not delayed seeking emergency medical care for six hours, public records revealed.

18.04.2025 15:04 👍 180 🔁 60 💬 8 📌 4