Bloglander

Welcome back! Infamous Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Hirzel — who spent the last month vacationing in Las Vegas and then doing whatever on paid administrative leave — is back at work. "I think it sends a clear message to me that their intention is not to press this any further," said Alan Creach, the son of the Spokane Valley man Hirzel shot and killed while on duty. (KXLY)

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas Since we're on the topic, Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich changed a procedure in the fallout of the shooting. Previously, deputies had to wait 72 hours after a shooting before being formally interviewed by investigators. That rule (and some bad decision-making) let Hirzel hit the city that never sleeps before being interviewed — an entire week later. Now, deputies can skirt the rule and be interviewed right away. (KREM)

Idahoans are infecting Washingtonians Chris Voight, head of the Washington State Potato Commission, is going to eat nothing but potatoes for the next 60 days. That's 20 potatoes a day, with nothing else, to show that the tubers are not junk food, but actually quite good for you. Prediction: Voight will suffer immeasurably and probably die young. (AP)

Failed coup or failed strike? Scary stuff in Ecuador as members of the military and police force strike, paralyzing the country and greatly endangering the president. (NYT)