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Five of nine full-time maternal-fetal medicine specialists have left Idaho since the state's strict abortion law took effect, according to a report from the Idaho Physician Well-Being Action Collaborative. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Supreme Court hears arguments on Idaho's near-total abortion ban

By Mary Anne Franks for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Northern Rockies News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

Turnover of election officials has been lower in smaller jurisdictions over the past two decades. (MyPhotoBuddy/Adobe Stock)

Steady increase in election staff changes over past two decades, report finds

A new report dives into election official turnover during more than two decades. It says rates have increased steadily nationwide since 2000…

Idaho scored low on nearly every metric of a report analyzing the state's transportation spending policy. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Report: Idaho in bottom 10 for transportation spending policies

Idaho is in the bottom ten in a report ranking states' spending on transportation. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act …

Abortions have increased in states bordering Idaho since the beginning of the year. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Federal judge puts ID abortion travel ban on hold

A federal judge has temporarily blocked an anti-abortion law in Idaho restricting people's ability to travel to other states for the procedure…

More than one in five Idahoans receive Social Security benefits. (chuck/Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge Congress to fix Social Security before cuts necessary

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, which is why advocates want Congress to start working now to ensure the program is …

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs case last year sent abortion rights to states to decide. (Heidi/Adobe Stock)

Legal Challenges Bog Down Idaho's Abortion Travel Ban

An Idaho law banning interstate travel for abortion care to people under age 18 is facing legal challenges. This week, a federal judge barred …

Pandemic-related SNAP benefits ended in March, causing thousands to fall off the

Changes to SNAP in 2023 Farm Bill Concern Hunger-Fighting Groups

Anti-hunger advocates are closely watching negotiations over the 2023 Farm Bill. Every five years, Congress considers this large piece of …

There were more than 3.3 million visits to Yellowstone National Park in 2022. (done4today/Adobe STock)

Alternatives Available to Overcrowding in National Parks

America's national parks are bracing for another record year of attendance, but overcrowding in the parks could take away some of their magic…

Idaho ranks fifth in the nation among states in the Family and Community category of a new report on child well-being. (Douglas Hughmanick/Adobe Stock)

ID Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Child Care Costs Concerning

Idaho ranks fairly high compared to other states in a new report on children's well-being, but the high cost of child care lurks as a burden for …

In 2020, 35% of Idaho mothers had Medicaid at the time of their child's birth. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

ID Lawmakers Fail to Address Health Concerns for Pregnant Women

With concerning trends emerging for pregnant and postpartum women, frustration is growing that Idaho lawmakers could end the session without …

Gov. Brad Little made his first State of the State address since being re-elected in November. (Idaho Public Television)

Little's State of the State Address Emphasizes Education Spending in ID

Governor Brad Little kicked off the 2023 legislative session with his State of the State address and an Idaho teachers' organization is applauding his…

The Idaho State Tax Commission expects to send about 800,000 tax rebate checks out by March 2023. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Tax Rebate Proposal Aims to Fend Off Inflation Impacts on ID Families

A tax rebate program approved during the Idaho special session this year has sparked an idea: why not send more rebates to families? In September…

Nearly 200,000 Idaho kids were covered through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program in June 2021. (nyul/Adobe Stock)

Tens of Thousands of ID Kids' Health Coverage in Peril

A change to Medicaid enrollment in the coming months could put health coverage for millions of children across the U.S., and thousands in Idaho…

Cerca de 200,000 ni�os y ni�as de Idaho estaban cubiertos por Medicaid o el Programa de seguro m�dico para ni�os en junio de 2021. (nyul/Adobe Stock)

En riesgo decenas de miles de coberturas de salud para niños

Un cambio en la inscripción de Medicaid en los próximos meses podría poner en riesgo la cobertura de salud de millones de niñas y …

Gov. Brad Little gave his speech to Idaho lawmakers on the first day of the session, which is scheduled to adjourn on March 31. (Idaho Public Television)

Governor Lauds ID Surplus, Urges Ed, Infrastructure Investments

Gov. Brad Little kicked off Idaho's 2022 legislative session Monday with a State of the State address outlining his budget priorities. Unlike last …

At least eight cities have pulled out of an agreement to use nuclear power from a project that will be built at Idaho National Laboratory. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Report: Taxpayers 'Losing' on Subsidies for Nuclear Industry

To modernize the industry, nuclear power is making the transition toward smaller reactors. But a report from Taxpayers for Common Sense claims …

The Build Back Better Act would fully fund universal pre-kindergarten in states for three years. (Inna/Adobe Stock)

Build Back Better Act Could Provide Universal Pre-K to ID

BOISE, Idaho -- The Build Back Better Act could provide universal pre-K to states, including those such as Idaho that currently don't fund school …

Eighteen Idaho lawmakers scored 100% in the Kids Matter Index. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Index Gauges How Much 'Kids Mattered' During 2021 ID Session

BOISE, Idaho - An organization has rated Idaho lawmakers on how they voted for measures that affect children in the 2021 session. Idaho Children …

Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls study nuclear energy. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Critics Decry $12 Billion for Nuclear in Infrastructure Bill

BOISE, Idaho -- The U.S. Senate has passed a massive infrastructure bill, and buried within the package is $12 billion for the nuclear industry…

The bipartisan infrastructure framework includes $5 billion to invest in Western water storage. (Andy/Adobe Stock)

Rural U.S., Climate Resilience Seen as Winners in Infrastructure Package

BOISE, Idaho -- Supporters from both sides of the aisle are touting a $1.2 trillion infrastructure framework taking shape in Washington, D.C…

In 2019, 109,000 Idaho children lived in households where families spent more than 30% of their income on housing. (sorapop/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic, High Housing Costs Could Stall Progress for ID Kids

BOISE, Idaho -- A new report finds child wellbeing in Idaho had been improving since the Great Recession until COVID-19 hit. The Annie E. Casey …

About 200 child-care centers have closed in Idaho since September. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

ID Child-Care Centers Raise Alarms, Await Federal-Funding OK

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho child-care providers closed their doors and came to the doors of the Capitol this week to call on lawmakers to approve federal …

The latest COVID-19 relief package makes major investments in families, including billions for child care. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

Big Boost for Child Abuse Prevention in COVID-19 Relief

BOISE, Idaho -- The latest COVID-19 relief package makes massive investments in child well-being. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan makes …

Many in the Northwest fishing industry say some of their challenges stem from four lower Snake River dams and their effects on salmon migration. (kellyvandellen/Adobe Stock)

Simpson's NW Salmon Plan Gets More Backing

BOISE, Idaho -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

Under Rep. Mike Simpson's plan, $10 billion would be invested in clean energy to replace power from the lower Snake River dams. (knowlesgallery/Adobe Stock)

Simpson's NW Infrastructure Plan Invests Heavily in Clean Energy

BOISE, Idaho -- The Northwest infrastructure plan developed by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, would benefit more than salmon. It would also mean a major …

Idaho expanded Medicaid in 2020 to about 100,000 residents. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

ID Health-Care Advocates to Gov Little: Funds Available for Medicaid

BOISE, Idaho -- To kick off the Idaho legislative session, Gov. Brad Little gave his 2021 State of the State and Budget address on Monday. The …

About 1 in 9 Idaho families doesn't have health insurance during the pandemic. (Alliance/Adobe Stock)

Report: Idaho Families 'Left on Their Own' During Pandemic

BOISE, Idaho -- As in the rest of the country, families in Idaho are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report from the Annie E. Casey …

About a quarter of Idaho households making less than $35,000 expect more income loss through the end of the year. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Reopening No Cure for ID Families' Financial Struggles

BOISE, Idaho -- Despite a largely reopened state, Idaho families are struggling and expect the financial pain will continue. Census survey data from …

The Land and Water Conservation Fund helped the Bureau of Land Management turn the Blackwell Island Recreation Site into a major recreation spot. (BLM/Flickr)

Major Conservation Legislation to Fund Important, Little-Known Program

BOISE, Idaho -- In a major victory for conservation, President Donald Trump is slated to sign the Great American Outdoors Act today. Included in the …

A backlog of deferred maintenance continues to mount on public lands. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

House Scheduled to Vote on Bipartisan Public-Lands Bill This Week

BOISE, Idaho -- The House is expected to take up a milestone public lands bill this week. The Great American Outdoors Act passed the Senate with …

NuScale is developing a nuclear reactor project at the Idaho National Laboratory. (Idaho National Laboratory/Flickr)

Proposed Emergency Plan Exemption for New Nuclear Designs Raises Concerns

BOISE, Idaho -- A proposal from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission exempting emergency planning for new nuclear plant designs is raising …

The Idaho State Police say one-in-five crashes in the state involves distracted driving. (chuchi25/Adobe Stock)

Idaho's New Distracted Driving Law: How Effective Are These Measures?

BOISE, Idaho -- As of this month, Idaho is now enforcing its new distracted driving law. Despite tougher measures across the U.S., researchers say …

Idaho ranks last among states in per-pupil spending on education, according to a National Education Association report. (Henryk Sadura/Adobe Stock)

Judge Keeps ID Tax Initiative Alive; State Attempts to Block Ruling

BOISE, Idaho -- Supporters of an initiative to tax corporations and wealthy Idahoans in order to fund education will begin to collect signatures …

Postal workers want members of Congress to help the U.S. Postal Service, as they have many other businesses impacted by the financial crisis from COVID-19. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Workers Call on Leaders to Save Postal Service

BOISE, Idaho -- Postal workers are rallying across the country today for "Save the Post Office Day." The U.S. Postal Service has struggled during …

The Idaho Panhandle National Forest has a $141 million maintenance backlog. (Greg Tensmeyer/U.S. Forest Service)

As Cost Soars, Senate Passes Maintenance Funding on Public Lands

BOISE, Idaho -- The Senate has passed a bill to address the deep backlog of maintenance on the country's public lands. Idaho has the third largest …

Idaho is allocating $300 million to small businesses affected by coronavirus. (Maridav/Adobe Stock)

Unable to Access Fed Aid, ID Small Businesses Have Chance at State Relief

BOISE, Idaho -- Many small businesses in Idaho were shut out of the federal government's popular coronavirus aid programs, so the Gem State is …

Loans totaling $1.8 billion were approved for Idaho small businesses in the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program. (Kevin McGovern/Adobe Stock)

ID Credit Unions Work Long Hours to Secure Relief for Small Businesses

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho credit unions are facilitating relief for small businesses feeling the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Before …

Some fishing communities in Idaho rely on salmon to support their local economies. (Nan Palermo/Flickr)

Federal Report Does Little to Soothe Fears of NW Salmon Disappearance

BOISE, Idaho -- Federal agencies have released a report on management plans in the Columbia River basin to save endangered salmon species, rejecting …

Eight in 10 people in Idaho see wildfire smoke as a natural hazard, according to new research. (Neal Herbert/U.S. Interior Dept.)

Health Survey: Where There's Smoke, There's Confusion

BOISE, Idaho – Wildfires are a threat in the West, but their smoke is even more deadly, researchers say. However, a new survey shows Idahoans …

Idaho's application to add work requirements for Medicaid coverage notes the proposal could affect health coverage for 16,000 people. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

ID Submits 'One-Strike' Medicaid Work Requirement for Feds' Approval

BOISE, Idaho — The public comment period is open on Idaho's application to the federal government to add work reporting requirements to its …

The inflation-adjusted average cost of a year of college education in Idaho is six times higher than it was in 1980. (Apstrinka/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: More Burden for Students as Higher-Ed Funds Decrease in ID

BOISE, Idaho – College tuition prices are up and state funding is down in Idaho, creating an affordability roadblock for many students…

Idaho communities rely on the return of salmon and steelhead each year. (Nan Palmero/Flickr)

Idaho Governor Assembles Diverse Groups to Plan Salmon Recovery

BOISE, Idaho – A diverse group of stakeholders will be in Boise on Friday to develop a plan to save Idaho's salmon and steelhead trout…

Idaho ranks 39th among states for educating its children in a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report. (Andrew Newill/Flickr)

Report: Investment in Education Needed for ID Population Boom

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho needs to focus more resources on education, according to a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey …

Idaho is one of four states that doesn't provide funding for pre-school education. (1001color/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Group Provides Grants to Establish Local Preschools

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children is providing grants and support for the development of community …

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has opened public access to places such as the Salmon River and the Sawtooth Mountains. (Fredlyfish4/Wikimedia Commons)

Public-Lands Protection Package Nears Finish Line in Congress

BOISE, Idaho - Congress is poised to pass a massive public-lands package that includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation …

The area burned each year in the Northwest could quadruple by the 2080s if current temperature trends continue. (Kari Greer/U.S. Forest Service)

As Climate Changes, How Can Idaho Forests Adapt?

BOISE, Idaho – What can Idahoans do in the new year to help forests adapt to a changing climate? The National Climate Assessment released …

The Idaho Department of Lands looked through nearly 40,000 state land sale deals for potential constitutional violations. (Idaho State Parks & Recreation)

Report: Possible Idaho Constitution Violations on Land Sales

BOISE, Idaho – A new report from the Idaho Department of Lands says there haven't been widespread violations of constitutional limits on state …

Idaho is one of three states where voters decided to expand Medicaid this year. (darby/Twenty20)

Report: Idaho Children's Uninsured Rate Stagnates

BOISE, Idaho – After a decade of progress, the number of uninsured children went up last year nationwide. In an annual report released …

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