“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

If you get a chance to get out of the Treasure Valley, do it. Get out of the inversion.

I did a photo shoot up at Lake Cascade State Park today and it was wonderful to be in the sun.

High elevations are the place to be.

The cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and just hanging out in the sun at Lake Cascade State Park was a wonderful winter tonic needed to break the spell of the Treasure Valley's inversions.

The Idaho Water Users Association approved a resolution against condemnation against irrigation districts prompted by Caldwell’s eminent domain lawsuit.

The state’s largest and most powerful water group and its executive director Norm Semanko can now take “all steps necessary” to stop Caldwell or others from using condemnation to take existing irrigation and drainage facilities, water rights and storage water from irrigation districts or canal companies. The likely means legislation will show up this year.

MaxPreps began its coverage of the 2013 high school baseball season by selecting the top player in each of the 50 states.

Fruitland High senior Joe Martarano was chosen as the top player in Idaho.

MaxPreps had this to say about the third baseman:

"The state's top football player at linebacker, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is a possible early-round draft pick at third base. He dominated at the state tournament last year, hitting a grand slam and throwing a no-hitter in the tourney."

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and J.R. Simplot Co. President and CEO Bill Whitacre will headline an all-day conference on doing business in China at the Boise Centre on the Grove Feb. 7

Sometimes when we're working on our weekly show, it all comes down to the final few hours and we pack in a ton of interviews on Friday afternoon.

This is not one of those weeks...

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By Brian Murphy
bmurphy@idahostatesman.com

Boise State junior guard Jeff Elorriaga will miss Saturday's game at Nevada and could miss an extended period of time as he deals with concussions and concussion-like symptoms, Broncos coach Leon Rice said Thursday.

"He'll be out for a while," Rice said.

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Jerry Joseph: With Steve Drizos and Steve James. $12, at The Record Exchange, Egyptian Theatre box office, 387-1273, or egyptiantheatre.net. $14 at the door. Two-day pass is $20.
Æ 8 p.m. Feb. 15, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. Opening: Stoneseed.

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UPDATED: To add quote from owner.

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European bistro and bakery La Vie en Rose has closed in Downtown Boise. Its last day of business was Sunday.

The restaurant, which opened in 2006, was located at 928 W. Main St. in the Idanha building.

Brundage and Tamarack both reported 4 to 5 inches this morning, Jan. 24 and Bogus, Sun Valley and Soldier all picked up about an inch. More snow is reportedly on the way this weekend. If you're a skier or boarder, that should perk up your ears. But now comes the dilemma; brave bad roads for new snow? It's kind of a trick question. Of course you will. Enjoy the powder.