Vaughn Ward and Raul Labrador have railed against earmarks and lashed out at the reach and spending of the federal government, both actively seeking the support of tea party voters.

A federal program that began as a safety net for Pacific Northwest logging communities hard-hit by battles over the spotted owl in the 1990s has morphed into a sprawling entitlement that ships vast amounts of money to states with little or no historic connection to timber.

Turns out David Letterman doesn't just live on a TV show. He also lives in a glass house, where for years he's hurled comedy zingers at misbehaving politicians, even as he brashly engaged in hanky-panky of his own.

Idaho's last two remaining C-130s are set to be redeployed to other states sometime this year; lawmakers say loss of the C-130s "hurts not only Idaho but leaves the governors in Northwest severely lacking in their ability to respond to regional disasters in a timely manner."

Minneapolis attorney Tom Kelly says he concluded that the state Supreme Court would not accept a petition for further review of the case, so it would be a futile exercise.

When asked about losing a decision in the Minnesota Court of Appeals to overturn his guilty plea, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig said he's considering ending the court battle.

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has lost his latest attempt to withdraw his guilty plea in the Minneapolis airport men's room sex sting that effectively ended his Senate career.

Democrats fattened their majority control of the Senate on Tuesday, ousting Republican Sens. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John Sununu of New Hampshire and capturing seats held by retiring GOP senators in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado.

Senator Larry Craig makes swing through north central Idaho, shares his appreciation for supporters and staff in Lewiston; last day serving in Congress will be Jan. 3.

LaRocco, Risch and Rammell don't agree on much in one-hour debate televised live on KLEW; candidates differ on Wall Street bailout, climate change and other issues. CLICK ON VIDEO TO WATCH DEBATE.

Idaho Democrat Larry LaRocco spends afternoon at UI shaking hands and sharing his vision; U.S. Senate candidate was in Moscow for forum with Independent candidate Rex Rammell.

The Senate has passed a $700 billion bailout for the financial industry aimed at preventing the economy from plunging into a recession.

The massive tax relief bill passed by the Senate includes several major provisions sought by Northwest lawmakers. The Senate approved the bill, 93-2, late Tuesday.

Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and a figure in Alaska politics since before statehood, has been indicted on seven counts of falsely reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.