Idaho human rights champion retiring • Louisiana man being held in Lewiston tries to kill himself • Lots of strong women in these parts • Ladies and gentlemen ... Vice President Larry Craig • Is it really organic? • Magic Valley residents give input on wolf plans

Idaho human rights champion retiring

The Spokesman-Review reports that Tony Stewart, a "longtime champion of human rights," a college instructor and public TV host, is stepping down after 38 years at North Idaho College.

Stewart was one of the loudest voices speaking out against Richard Butler's Aryan Nations when the racist group's Hayden compound was attracting white supremacist and national media attention.

**

Louisiana man being held in Lewiston tries to kill himself

A man suspected of killing three people in Louisiana tried to kill himself in the Nez Perce County Jail Monday.

Robert Leroy McCoy is suspected of shooting his wife's parents and her 17-year-old son in Bossier City, La., a week ago.

He hitchhiked across the country and was apprehended in Lewiston after he lied to police officers and had a .380 caliber handgun hidden behind his seat.

**

Lots of strong women in these parts

Boise teacher Amy Wattles isn't the only woman in the northwest competing in the World Strongwoman Championship in Poland on May 24.

Washington newspaper The Columbian profiles Camas, Washington, resident Lacy Okey, who also is going to Poland in a few weeks to compete in the contest.

Am I the only one wondering about the trend of 17% of the World Strongwoman Championship competitors being from the northwest?

**

Ladies and gentlemen ... Vice President Larry Craig

Not that he needs to worry about it, but the Hill newspaper asked all 97 senators - including Larry Craig – if they would accept an offer to be the vice presidential nominee.

Craig responded by saying, "I would say 'No, Hillary.' "

Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) had a slightly wittier response: "Of course," Bennett said. "Big house, big car, not much to do. Why not?"

**

Is it really organic?

Dallas-based Dean Foods Co., whose 8,000-cow dairy operation in Paul, Idaho, was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2005 and 2006 for possibly breaking federal rules, is in trouble again.

A consumer group is saying that a California farm that supplies organic milk to Dean, the nation's largest dairy processor, is breaking federal rules on organic production by keeping cows penned instead of letting them roam over pastures.

A story on Forbes.com says other dairy companies also have run into controversy over whether their products met government standards to be sold as organic.

The complaints about the Paul factory were dismissed last October.

**

Magic Valley residents give input on wolf plans

The Times-News reports that a handful of concerned residents stopped by Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region headquarters near Jerome on Monday to weigh in on proposed rules for hunting the Canadian gray wolf.

Three hundred twenty eight Idaho wolves allowed to die this year from hunting, control actions and natural causes are not enough for folks like Castleford resident Jerry Vaughn.

Wolves are fine in the backcountry, he told Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials Monday. But they hurt other big game animals elsewhere.

F&G will approve the rules and seasons May 21 and 22 during its meeting at the Jerome office.