Commentary
Some in the Idaho GOP threaten the rights of women
There is a concerted effort among leadership and members of the Idaho GOP to stifle the voices of women by removing the president of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women from being a member of the GOP Executive Committee. The IFRW president would not be allowed to vote on state party matters. They also want […]
Do’s and don’ts for the 2023 Idaho Legislature
Carrie: With the Idaho Legislature back in session, we’ve asked five of eastern Idaho’s top business leaders for their number one do’s and don’ts. Jerry: We’re pleased to share comments from Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot, Bank of Idaho President and CEO Jeff Newgard, Idaho Farm Bureau President Bryan Searle, Ball Ventures CEO Cortney Liddiard and […]
As reactions to the University of Idaho homicides show, free speech isn’t absolute
The First Amendment says we have the right to free speech, right? While the First Amendment says Congress shall make no law abridging the right of free speech, there is no such restriction on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court have placed certain limitations on what people can and cannot […]
As Idaho GOP chairwoman slams Little’s priorities, fissure between GOP, elected officials grows
Gov. Brad Little, who by his admission is not known for his great oratory skills, must be feeling good about the quality of his State of the State address that he delivered to kick off this legislative session. In fact, better than normal. Mind you, there was nothing spectacular about the speech. There were lots […]
A Christmas (misinformation) story: Yellowstone National Park edition
On Oct. 30, 1938, Orson Welles directed and narrated a live radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel “The War of the Worlds.” The incident is famous for supposedly having incited a panic that the events being described were really happening. Some people apparently thought that Martians were invading Earth! Fast forward over 80 years […]
2,500 earthquakes, 26 swarms. 11 Steamboat Geyser eruptions. Here’s Yellowstone’s year in a glance.
Any annual review of Yellowstone’s activity has to start with seismicity. Yellowstone is an active place in terms of earthquakes. Typically the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, which is responsible for the operation of the Yellowstone Seismic Network, locates 1,500–2,500 earthquakes every year in the region. Over the last several years, annual seismicity in and around Yellowstone National […]
As affordable housing crisis continues, informal evictions harm Idaho renters
According to the Idaho Policy Institute, in 2021, Idaho averaged three evictions per day, which is an increase of 11% from 2020. Although these numbers are lower compared to pre-pandemic evictions, they don’t include informal evictions, such as landlords threatening or intimidating tenants, absent of the legal process. Idaho law defines “self-help” evictions to include […]
Wild salmon and 50 years of Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Fifty years ago, Idahoans in large numbers and variety asked the U.S. Congress to create the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in the headwaters of the Salmon River. In the 1972 creation statute, the first stated purpose of the new area is to preserve its wild salmon. The opposite has happened. All the Sawtooth National Recreation […]
Idaho’s new Secretary of State Phil McGrane ready for tough new job
Here’s how a transition should work. A day after Phil McGrane was elected as Idaho’s secretary of state, he had a friendly lunch with retiring Secretary of State Lawerence Denney and his chief deputy, Chad Houck. As McGrane observed, “I’m pretty sure we were the only ones that had lunch together.” He’s probably right. It […]
Vital rental assistance helps Idahoans stay housed
Our neighbors, children, people who fix our cars, stock our groceries, care for our elderly parents and small children, teachers, farm and dairy workers, hotel and restaurant workers, church friends, seniors, people in poor health and with disabilities – all deserve access to a safe and affordable home that meets their needs. Yet many of […]
Doing what’s best for our Idaho kids means saving early for higher education
As parents, it goes without saying that one of our primary objectives is to do what’s best for our children. We strive to protect their health and well-being. We encourage participation in sports, the arts, or other activities to give their lives balance, joy and the opportunity to connect with peers. It’s no different when […]
When ‘privacy’ does not apply: Idaho voters should know if Simpson is voting by proxy
According to the Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson underwent surgery recently and will be out until after the new year. He gave his proxy to his counterpart in the First District, Congressman Russ Fulcher. Thank goodness, all is well for the longtime congressman. “He is doing great and will be back in D.C. […]