A mountain lion roaming downtown Lewiston captured the attention of the entire community — and ended with Idaho Fish and Game officers killing the animal in a residential yard.

In this episode of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, Managing Editor Matt Baney and Outdoors and Environmental Editor Eric Barker break down what happened, why the decision was made, and what it says about wildlife encounters in urban areas.

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:13 Mountain Lion takes over downtown Lewiston 0:52 Why is a mountain lion sighting rare in town? 1:38 Unexpected behaviors from the mountain lion 2:53 Theories on why the mountain lion came into town 4:50 How the mountain lion met its demise 8:16 Mountain lion sighting was the talk of the town 10:20 Fish and game’s advice to deal with mountain lion

In this episode of The Lewiston Tribune Podcast, managing editor Matt Baney sits down with crime and courts reporter Dean Ferguson to break down three major cases in the Lewiston Tribune readership area.

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:19 Victor Gray case comes to a sudden conclusion 1:33 Why did Victor Gray take the deal? 6:54 Skylar Meade sentenced to two life sentences 14:36 Umphenour will have to reveal his role in the murder/prison break 16:59 Update on the Forslof case 22:14 Man pays restitution for robbery 50 years ago 27:18 The impact of the Kerry Houston story 29:25 How a story from a veteran helped Dean with crime coverage 34:51 Dean’s advice to criminals

In this episode of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, managing editor Matt Baney talks with Asotin County reporter Kerri Sandaine about multiple murder cases moving through the local court system, including the Krogman and Boyd cases.

For ongoing coverage of courts and public safety in Asotin County, visit lmtribune.com.

Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:20 Background on the Krogman case 0:44 What brought Krogman from Wyoming to Clarkston? 1:36 A quick decision from the jury 2:24 The jury’s reaction to the video evidence 3:48 Krogman’s wife facing same charges 4:41 Kerri’s interaction with Thomas Krogman 5:58 What shape was the stabbing victim in? 6:20 Krogman’s weight loss in jail 8:11 Upcoming trials in Asotin County 9:49 Background on the Boyd case 10:58 More murder cases than usual in Asotin County 12:43 Will there be a plea deal in the Phyllis Krogman case?

In this episode of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, managing editor Matt Baney sits down with Royce McCandless to break down the latest developments inside the Idaho Legislature. The conversation covers criticism of Gov. Brad Little’s spending plan, Medicaid funding questions, and the key policy debates expected to shape the session.

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:34 Problems with the budget 1:55 The budget problems extending into fiscal year 2027 2:20 Brad Little’s spending adjustments for the state 3:28 What has been criticized about Little’s budget? 5:06 When should we expect the budget to be worked out? 6:18 Is it Little’s policy that Idaho will conform with Policies set by Trump? 7:05 Business provisions in the BBB 7:52 Does what’s happening to Medicaid affect the state’s budget? 9:44 Specific Medicaid adjustments 11:03 Royce’s thoughts on how Medicaid expansion will play out 13:01 Where are the interesting storylines to follow this session? 15:10 Will fund for private school bill get larger? 17:20 Little hopeful that state economy will improve 21:20 Royce’s knowledge of the Idaho Legislature prior to stepping into his new role 22:46 Royce’s background

Filmmaker, producer, actor and director Jeffrey Decker joins the Lewiston Tribune Podcast to talk about his journey from growing up in Lewiston to working in Hollywood.

The conversation dives into Relentless, Decker's latest film, the filming of the Green River Killer in the Lewis-Clark Valley, and why returning to the region to shoot meant so much to him. Decker also shares insight into his upcoming projects.

Decker will be at Village Center Cinemas in Lewiston for a meet and greet before the 7:15 showing Friday of Relentless and will answer questions afterward.

Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:25 Decker’s roots in Lewiston 1:08 Going from basketball to regular student life 1:58 What is Relentless? 3:26 Car wash fight scene filmed in Lewiston 5:33 Decker’s Hollywood journey 8:01 Creation of Green River Killer 10:51 The joy of shooting Green River Killer in the Lewis-Clark Valley 12:50 Decker’s future projects 16:45 The impact that family has had on Decker’s career

Managing Editor Matt Baney sits down with Tribune reporter Dean Ferguson for Episode 68 of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, diving into some of the most offbeat crime stories from around the readership area in 2025.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

0:25 Dean’s ability to find offbeat crime stories

0:56 Nez Perce County inmates receive tablets

2:42 The positive effects of the tablets in the jail

3:56 Dean’s takes on the tablets in jail

5:24 The terms and conditions of the tablets in jail

8:02 Potential drawbacks of tablets in jail

10:04 Some of the security that’s in place

11:34 Baney’s favorite detail in Dean’s writeup

13:49 Dean’s final takeaway on tablets in jail

15:32 The mooning incident

20:17 The beef between private and commercial trips

22:24 What Dean will miss about the old Nez Perce County courthouse

29:26 Dean’s complaint about the new courthouse

31:22 Store clerk and dispatchers bring attention to possible kidnapping

35:52 Kidnapping charges dropped

38:30 Crazy calls to law enforcement

39:47 Dean’s big foot story

42:12 That fateful night at Skippers

In Episode 67 of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, we break down the Top 10 Stories of 2025, as voted on by the Tribune newsroom.

From Bryan Kohberger pleading guilty in the Moscow murders case to the opening of a new Nez Perce County Courthouse and the demolition of a historic downtown building, these stories captured the region’s attention and sparked debate.

Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:36 Stories of the year history 1:08 How did the voting break down? 1:36 Kohberger pleading guilty to Moscow murders story of the year 5:15 . New Nez Perce County Courthouse opens; historic building torn down 8:04 Lewiston crime 12:18 Clarkston crimes 15:34 Homeless solutions in valley start to take shape 18:10 Charlie Kirk visits Pullman 19:55 Ongoing Public Lands Debate 22:03 UI abandons attempted purchase of University of Phoenix 23:36 Major weather events 24:52 New Asotin County Jail opens after years of planning and construction

In Episode 66 of the Lewiston Tribune Podcast, we take an in-depth look at homelessness in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and the local solutions taking shape this winter.

Guests Michelle King, president and co-founder of the LC Valley Youth Resource Center, and Jeremy Stevens, director of the Union Gospel Mission Lewiston Rescue Center, join us to discuss how nonprofits, volunteers, and community funding are working to address homelessness across north central Idaho.

Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:29 Michelle and the positive effects of the LC Valley Youth Resource Center 1:56 Meeting Jeremey Stevens and the positive effects of UGM 3:14 What is the severity of the homeless in the region? 4:39 How can someone be homeless and sheltered? 6:54 What role will the rescue center fill? 10:02 The Village 11:14 Avenues for hope provides funding for nonprofits 14:13 What does the community ask about these nonprofits? 16:00 is the UGM thrift store coming back? 19:21 Michelle’s final thoughts 22:32 Jeremey’s final thoughts