Consider this our holiday greeting card arriving just in time for the holiday weekend. It's a map displaying the probability of a white Christmas in areas around the United States using data from the National Climatic Data Center.

There's no way to zoom in, but if you look carefully at the Eastern Washington and North Idaho regions, our chances of a white Christmas range from 26-100 percent depending on where you're located.

Have a safe weekend and don't forget to email weather photos at news4@kxly.com.

A researcher is heading to North Idaho to study a rare carnivore. Kelsey Brasseur will work with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to help track data from bait stations across North Idaho and Western Montana.

A new report suggests 18 backcountry areas that are recommended to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar for congressional protection.

At this point it’s only a preliminary list that will be used to collection local support for the foundation of a bipartisan public lands bill that they hope to pass through Congress.

The list was compiled by Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes and BLM director Bob Abbey based on input from congress, state and city officials and interested parties.

"The backcountry areas we identify in this report are by no means the only public lands that may deserve protection by Congress, but this preliminary list of possibilities shows that there is a compelling case for bipartisan legislative action to conserve lands for recreation, protection, and enjoyment," said deputy secretary David J. Hayes.

Locations from Washington, Idaho and Montana made the list. They’re not exactly localized near you, but if you find yourself traveling for vacation, check them out.