Your trusted source for local Pullman, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A 19-year-old man from Colfax, Elijah Smith, faces felony charges for allegedly molesting a child. He appeared in court where the judge indicated he could face life in prison if convicted. Smith remains in custody with bail set at $100,000 while the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office considers filing charges.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah modifies his controversial proposal to sell public land for housing development, excluding land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and limiting sales to Bureau of Land Management parcels within five miles of communities. Despite these concessions, opposition remains strong, with critics arguing that even slight reductions in federal land access could harm outdoor recreation and wildlife habitats.
The Trump administration's decision to rescind the national roadless rule will not impact Idaho's state-specific roadless rule, which allows limited logging and roadbuilding. A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson confirmed that Idaho's rule, established in 2006, remains unaffected by the changes to the broader national policy.
The Port of Whitman County received a $2 million grant to build a Technology Transfer and Commercialization Facility. The funding, sourced from the Washington State Department of Commerce Green Jobs Grant Program, aims to foster clean energy growth by providing six rentable spaces for emerging technology companies. The facility is expected to create up to 100 jobs within five years.
President Trump plans to revoke the 2001 roadless rule, which protects 59 million acres of unroaded forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins argues the rule is outdated and hinders forest management, while critics warn it threatens vital habitats and clean water. The process for revocation is expected to involve a new rulemaking procedure.
Washington State University plans to implement funding cuts of over 4%, totaling $17 million, for the fiscal year 2026. Department leaders must submit plans by July 11 on how to allocate the reduced budget, amid broader challenges faced by higher education institutions in Washington.
Local students participated in a week-long Robotics Coding Camp at the University of Idaho, gaining valuable skills in computer programming and engineering. The program aims to prepare participants for future careers in high-demand fields, with students expressing aspirations to become engineers.
Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo oppose a provision in the "Big Beautiful Bill" that mandates the sale of up to 3 million acres of federal land. Their stance, along with similar opposition from Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, complicates the proposal's prospects in the Senate.
Idaho State Police received approval to use $300,000 from the governor's emergency fund for transporting unauthorized migrants for deportation processing. This funding follows a 287(g) agreement between the state police and ICE, despite concerns from state budget writers regarding the fund's original intended use.
Candidates for the Pullman School Board will debate at a public forum on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Neill Public Library. Questions for the candidates can be submitted via email until Monday.