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Study shows Idaho’s Native American tribes have nearly $1.5B economic impact
The five Native American tribes in Idaho have a combined economic impact of $1.45 billion, according to a study by a University of Idaho economist. The tribes contribute heavily to the economy, agriculture, tourism, recreation and hospitality industries and support more than 12,500 jobs across the state, said Steven Peterson, a University of Idaho research […]
Idaho agriculture department reports non-living invasive zebra mussels found in aquarium balls
Non-living zebra mussels — a fast-spreading invasive species that can clog pipes — have been detected in Marimo moss balls being sold in Idaho, state officials announced Monday. A news release by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture said the mussels were found on moss balls shipped to a Boise aquarium product retailer, and that […]
Idaho AG refiles lawsuit seeking to block open primaries ballot initiative
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has refiled his lawsuit seeking to block the ballot initiative that aims to end closed party primary elections from going up for a vote in the Nov. 5 general election. Labrador filed the suit in Ada County District Court on Friday, two days after the Idaho Supreme Court dismissed an […]
A tale of two workers: Heat deaths on the job provoke differing responses in Oregon, Idaho
This story was originally published by InvestigateWest on Aug. 15, 2024. In a historic heatwave that covered the Pacific Northwest in June 2021, two workers died. Sebastian Francisco Perez, a 38-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, collapsed in 100-degree heat while moving irrigation lines outside at a farm and nursery in St. Paul, Oregon. Just 500 miles away, […]
Drought in the West has cost hydropower industry billions in losses in two decades, analysis finds
Persistent drought in the West over the last two decades has limited the amount of electricity that hydropower dams can generate, costing the industry and the region billions of dollars in revenue. The sector lost about 300 million megawatt hours of power generation between 2003 and 2020 due to drought and low water compared with […]
Digging into the history of hydrothermal explosions at Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin
Scientists are hard at work investigating the hydrothermal explosion on July 23, 2024, at Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin. An important part of understanding the recent activity involves investigating past similar events. And there have been several at Biscuit Basin. At the turn of the 20th century, Biscuit Basin looked a little different than it does today. […]
‘Perfect storm’ of crises is leading to cutbacks in abortion care, advocates say
Advocates for abortion access say compounding crises of abortion bans, rising economic costs and systemic health care issues are beginning to cause significant funding challenges and potential disruptions to reproductive care of all kinds. Several people described it as a “perfect storm” of problems with the U.S. health care system, particularly post-pandemic, and the rise […]
Raw milk linked to outbreak under investigation in Idaho
Idaho public health officials are investigating an outbreak of bacterial infections in 18 people who drank raw milk. Before they got sick with campylobacteriosis, all but one of them told health officials they drank raw milk produced by Paradise Grove Dairy, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said in a news release. Located in […]
Measles case reported in child visiting southeast Idaho while traveling internationally
Idaho health officials are searching for other possible measles exposures after the highly contagious virus was reported in a child visiting southeast Idaho on international travel. The child, who officials said was not vaccinated, was not hospitalized after seeing a health care provider for measles symptoms, the state health department announced in a news release […]
Idaho watchdog office preparing report on effectiveness of state’s troubled Luma business system
Idaho’s independent Office of Performance Evaluations is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to its study of the implementation and effectiveness of Luma, the massive new state business system that is tied to all state agencies and state employees. In February, the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Legislative Oversight Committee authorized the Office of Performance Evaluations to undertake study […]
Idaho transgender youth gender care travel fund, assistance program launches
The Trans Youth Emergency Project is expanding into Idaho, offering families of transgender Idaho youth financial and logistical assistance to access transition-related care for minors. Add the Words Idaho is partnering the Campaign for Southern Equality on the project, which they say has grown to 25 states and is the only project “of its scale […]
Rural North Idaho volunteer EMS service temporarily exempt from 24-hour response requirement
In a rare move, Idaho health officials granted a rural north central Idaho volunteer ambulance service a waiver to a 24-hour response requirement in Idaho law. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare board on Thursday unanimously approved the waiver for Kendrick and Juliaetta’s J-K Ambulance service for seven months. Amid recent wildfires and staffing […]
Idaho group files four initiative proposals to restore abortion access to state with ban
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10: 27 a.m. with a statement from Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador. The organizers of an Idaho ballot initiative to restore access to abortion and protect all other types of reproductive care have filed four proposals with the offices of state attorney general and secretary of state — […]
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library crosses construction milestone
MEDORA, North Dakota – The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will produce its own heat and energy using geothermal sources. The facility will emit zero carbon emissions, produce zero waste and serve as a catalyst for continued development in North Dakota’s scenic western border region. And, as of this week, it’s halfway to completion. “The Theodore […]
State of Idaho ends 2024 fiscal year with $52.5M revenue surplus
Despite revenue shortfalls in the spring, the state of Idaho ended the 2024 fiscal year with a budget surplus and will have $76.5 million to put toward reducing property taxes, Gov. Brad Little’s budget chief said Tuesday. Overall, the state finished the 2024 fiscal year on June 30 with a $52.5 million revenue surplus, Idaho […]
Idaho State University’s PaCT Program is one way to help with teacher shortages, retention
Shell-shocked. That is how I felt after a long-term substitute teaching assignment in Idaho Falls more than 20 years ago. I taught sixth grade, which was an experience that a few colleagues called “The Crucible.” It was a firsthand experience of the many challenges that Idaho teachers deal with annually. Working as an educator for […]
Idaho Supreme Court dismisses Idaho Transportation Department headquarters lawsuit
The Idaho Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the would-be buyers that the Idaho Legislature blocked from purchasing the Idaho Transportation Department’s former Boise headquarters. In a unanimous decision, the five Idaho Supreme Court justices dismissed the lawsuit, writing that the state did not sign a contract with the would-be buyers of […]
Idahoans should inspect moss aquarium balls for possible zebra mussels, officials warn
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture says aquarium owners should inspect Marimo moss aquarium balls after fast-spreading zebra mussels were found in neighboring Washington state. Zebra mussels — like quagga mussels — are an invasive species that can clog water pipes and harm native fish populations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Zebra mussels […]
U.S., Canada officials to study impact of coal mining in North Idaho’s Kootenai River
Officials from the U.S. and Canada are taking steps to address concerns from Native American tribes and environmental groups in Idaho who have pushed for years to strengthen regulations on water contamination in the Kootenai River. The International Joint Commission, which is made up of U.S. and Canadian officials, is accepting public comment until Aug. […]
Idaho environmental groups to host rally in Boise to push for more solar power
Idaho environmental groups will rally Saturday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise to push for more renewable energy options in the state. The rally, “Solar for the People Rally,” is organized by the Idaho Sierra Club. Some of the cosponsors of the event include the Idaho Climate Justice League, the Snake River Alliance, […]
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