Our Northwest Economy

Potential Closure of U of I Ag Center May Hurt Idaho's Economy

(photo: University of Idaho plant researcher Danny Barney grows berry plants from seed in his lab at the Sandpoint Research Center. They hope to grow huckleberries as a commercial crop one day.)

SANDPOINT, ID - Northwest colleges and universities have been tightening their belts in this tough economy. Some are dropping degree programs and refocusing their basic fields of study. But the University of Idaho is proposing cuts even in places that go to the core of its agricultural mission as a land-grant institution. Within the next few weeks, the university expects to announce whether it’s closing three ag research facilities.

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New Federal Report Shows More People Went Hungry in 2008

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The federal Agriculture Department reports more Americans are going hungry because of the recession. Today (Monday), the agency released its annual “food security” survey. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports the state of Washington is following the national trend.

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The Crush Part One: Go West! Wine-Makers Set Up Shop in Woodinville

 
(pictured: Dusted Valley Vintner tasting room in Woodinville)

WOODINVILLE - Walla Walla is known as Washington's wine capital. But as the economy has faltered, a trend is emerging. Eastern Washington winemakers are heading West over the Cascades. They're opening tasting rooms in Woodinville wine country (near Seattle) - to be closer to their customers. This week as winemakers process their latest grape harvest - we're looking at how the wine industry is adjusting to the new economy. In part one of The Crush, Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports on the westward expansion of eastside vintners. 

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The Crush Part Two: New Business Plan for Walla Walla Wineries

(photo: Gilles Nicault, a winemaker for Long Shadows out of Walla Walla, WA, inspects his grapes on Red Mountain. He makes high end wines - which face a tough economy.)

WALLA WALLA, WA - The bad economy has hit the Northwest wine industry hard. That’s especially true in the market for high-end wines. In the last 20 years, Washington alone has added 600 new wineries. Now, signs of stress are leaking out in one of the region’s wine hubs, the Walla Walla Valley.

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The Crush Part 3: Northwest Winemakers Team With Stars

 
(Pictured:  Kyle MacLachlan and Eric Dunham sip some Baby Bear wine straight from the barrel. The L.A.-based actor and Walla Walla winemaker have teamed up to make high-end wines.)
 
RICHLAND If you want to see stars outside of Hollywood, head to a Northwest winery. Across the region winemakers are increasingly courting rockers, artists and movie stars to help market premium wines. In the down economy, they hope a little rub of star dust will add some cache to the fermented juice. In part three of our series on wine in the new economy called "The Crush," Correspondent Anna King reports on how big names are investing a little cash down on the farm.

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