Author
New coalition seeks to end Idaho’s closed primary elections
Organizers with Reclaim Idaho have teamed up with several other organizations to file a ballot initiative for the 2024 general election that is designed to replace Idaho’s closed primary elections with open primaries that any Idaho voter could participate in, regardless of political affiliation. The initiative would also change Idaho general elections by creating a […]
Emergency responders warn people to stay away from Boise River, amid snowmelt
With the Boise River running high and fast, the Boise Fire Department issued a dangerous river condition notice on Friday, urging people to keep themselves and their pets away from the river. The notice was issued in conjunction with the city of Boise’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Boise Police Department, Ada County Parks and […]
New Idaho Department of Water Resources order would force 900 groundwater users to curtail use
A new water methodology order issued April 21 by the director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources has left many eastern Idaho farmers and ranchers unsure if they will be able to water their crops and irrigate their land this year, said Jennifer Ellis, whose family has been involved with agriculture in Bingham County […]
For more than 10 years, Idaho marijuana legalization has failed. 2023 session was no different.
Despite public support and more than 10 years worth of efforts to create medical marijuana programs in Idaho — through bills before the Idaho Legislature and petitions seeking to qualify ballot initiatives for an election — all have failed. The 2023 session was no different. The only cannabis bill introduced during the Idaho Legislature’s recent 2023 […]
‘Hardly anybody there’: How to bicycle through Yellowstone National Park without cars
WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONT. — Three of us were walking our bicycles through the barricaded entrance to the world’s first national park when the driver of a black minivan slowly approached the “road closed” sign, turned to their passenger, shrugged and started to turn around. We smiled, pulled our gloves on, kicked a leg over the […]
GOP, Dems raise concerns about new law eliminating Idaho’s March presidential primary election
Some progressives and conservatives alike are raising concerns about a new Idaho law from the recent 2023 legislative session that eliminates the state’s March presidential primary election. With little debate or vetting, the Idaho Legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 138, which was pushed by Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello, as […]
Heavy March snowfall leads to strong southern Idaho snowpacks
Record-breaking March snowfall has led to deep southern Idaho snowpacks and a more optimistic water supply outlook than a year ago for farmers, ranchers, communities and other water users, hydrologists said during a Idaho Water Supply Committee meeting Wednesday in Boise. However, all that snow means officials are preparing for the potential for high waters […]
Idaho Rep. Nash likely to focus on Boise City Council seat if elected in November
Rep. Colin Nash, a Democratic legislator who was sworn in to fill a vacancy on the Boise City Council on the final day of the 2023 legislative session, said he will run for his own City Council seat in November and would likely leave the Idaho Legislature if he is successful. Nash, D-Boise, is serving […]
Idaho schools chief Debbie Critchfield to discuss new education laws on post legislative tour
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and officials from the State Department of Education will tour the state beginning Tuesday to discuss changes to education laws and budgets approved during the recent 2023 legislative session. Critchfield, a Republican from Oakley, kicks off the post-legislative tour at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Idaho Falls, with other […]
Idaho House fails to override Gov. Little’s veto of library materials bill, adjourns for the year
On the final day of the 2023 session, the Idaho House of Representatives narrowly failed to override Gov. Brad Little’s veto of a controversial bill that would have prohibited libraries from providing “harmful materials” to minors. On Wednesday, Little vetoed House Bill 314, writing in a letter to legislators that the bill’s ambiguity would lead […]
Idaho Legislature finishes business for the year, will recess to await governor’s action on bills
The Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate mostly wrapped up their business for the year Friday and went at recess until Thursday to see if Gov. Brad Little will sign or veto the last of the late-session bills legislators passed. Friday marked the 82nd day of a freewheeling legislative session that was marked with […]
Citing concerns over growing costs, Idaho Senate passes Medicaid budget by one vote
The Idaho Senate passed the fiscal year 2024 Medicaid budget by a single vote Thursday, removing one of the major obstacles in the way of wrapping up the 2023 legislative session. Ten days ago, the Idaho House of Representatives killed the original Medicaid budget after several Republicans complained about the budget’s overall bottom line — […]