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USDA announces food assistance benefits in Idaho will increase permanently Oct. 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a press release it would recalculate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, meaning benefits will increase for households starting Oct. 1. The average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase by $36.24 per person per month, or $1.19 per day, […]
Housing for the ‘missing middle’: Boise development recognized nationally
With no state-level support for affordable housing solutions, organizations like the Capital City Development Corporation must come up with their own developments to fill housing needs, especially for those in the “missing middle” of area median income. One of the Boise-based redevelopment agency’s most recent projects, Ash+River Townhomes, is a finalist for an Urban Land […]
Texas man settles case with Idaho AG for preparing false returns for refugees
An audit of the tax returns prepared by a man from Wichita Falls, Texas, showed he grossly overstated the deductions and expenses of his customers, all 106 of whom are members of Idaho’s refugee community, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office announced in a press release. Bushambale Kashunga was investigated by the attorney general’s office and […]
‘This is very, very serious’: Little urges vaccinations to keep students in classrooms this fall
Amid a surge of cases of COVID-19 across Idaho and school starting in some districts next week, Gov. Brad Little held a press conference Thursday to urge Idahoans to get vaccinated so students can attend school in person this year. Little is also making $30 million in federal dollars available to school districts to step […]
Idaho lawyer announces Democratic run for lieutenant governor
Terri Pickens Manweiler, a Boise attorney who was born and raised in Pocatello, announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor on Wednesday morning on a platform of support for public education and an end to what she called theater in Idaho politics. Pickens Manweiler made the announcement at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in […]
‘Once-in-a-generation opportunity’: Idaho officials react to national infrastructure bill
An infrastructure bill that includes more than $2.5 billion in dedicated funding for Idaho passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, with “yes” votes from both of Idaho’s Republican senators. According to a statement from Republican Sen. Mike Crapo about the bill, it includes $1.9 billion in funding for road construction, repair and maintenance alone. The […]
Dry, smoky and hot: Summer conditions leading many Idaho ranchers to cull cattle herds
Wildfire smoke and hot conditions are bad enough for humans when it stretches on for weeks and makes outdoor activity difficult or dangerous. But for animals who are out in the elements at all times, like cattle, it can have many adverse effects on the cows and, consequently, on ranchers. Idaho is home to more […]
North Idaho businesses identify housing as severe issue affecting success
The task force that will examine workforce housing needs in the Sandpoint area of Idaho will have its first meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of a lack of affordable housing and how it is affecting local businesses. The task force is led by Mayor Shelby Rognstad and includes individuals from the area’s largest […]
Need help paying rent? These pop-up events can connect you with financial assistance
Jesse Tree, a Boise nonprofit organization that works to prevent eviction and homelessness, announced in a release it will hold rental assistance pop-up events over the coming months, with the first one taking place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday at Western Idaho Community Action Partnership, 502 Main St. in Caldwell. The staff is […]
House ethics committee recommends censure for North Idaho representative
The House Ethics and Policy Committee voted unanimously Tuesday morning to recommend Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, be censured by the full House of Representatives and removed from one of her three assigned committees. Under the recommendation, Giddings would be removed from the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee but remain on the Agricultural Affairs […]
Idaho House member denies allegations of conduct unbecoming of legislator at ethics hearing
Idaho Rep. Priscilla Giddings denied all allegations of conduct unbecoming of a legislator at Monday’s House ethics hearing, calling them unfounded, politically motivated attacks by “woke cancel culture.” Two complaints were filed in April and May against Giddings, R-White Bird, for revealing the name and photo of the 19-year-old legislative staffer who accused former Rep. […]
2 complaints, 3 possible outcomes: What to expect from Idaho Rep. Giddings’ ethics hearing
Formal ethics investigations at the Idaho Legislature have historically been rare. There have been a few instances over the years, including a high-profile hearing on former Rep. Phil Hart’s tax evasion problems in 2010, but for many years there have been no formal hearings before the House Ethics and Policy Committee. That is, until this […]