The story is still developing, of course. But I suspect many of you saw the online report that Avista's second quarter profits rose 69% year over year. (Link here) Utility financials are more complicated than those of the newspaper industry. So I'm the last person to question whether such profits are too high or just right. But from a PR standpoint, I can predict Avista will be in for another rough ride. Natural gas rate hikes already have been foreshadowed for this fall, and they will be steep/Steve Smith, News Is A Conversation. More here.

*Who would do what at Duncan hearings/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
*Stevens' indictment is big news in Alaska/Gary Graham, News Diary
*New home sales off locally, nationally/Parker Howell, Here's The Dirt
*Updates from the publisher/Thuy Nguyen, Daily Briefing
*Wednesday's political briefing/Jim Camden, Spin Control 2.0

Question: What's your reaction to the news that Avista is asking for big rate hikes at a time when its earnings are skyrocketing?

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