Idaho News & Current Events | Public News Service

Idaho student-loan borrowers have an average of about $32,000 in public and private education debt. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 29, 2021

Ready or Not, Student-Loan Payments Set to Resume Next Year

BOISE, Idaho - Student loan borrowers take note: a pause on federal student-loan payments is set to end in February. The moratorium on payments has …

Ivy Smith, who was part of the foster care system, recieved her undergraduate degree from Boise State University in 2020. (Ivy Smith)

Struggles of Aging-Out Foster Youth in Focus as Holidays Approach

BOISE, Idaho - The holidays can be a hard time for foster care youth, especially young people who have recently aged out of the system. Ivy Smith…

The Tesla Gigafactory, where the Megapack was designed, is in Nevada. (Smnt/Wikimedia Commons)

Nez Perce Tribe First in ID to Receive Tesla's Large-Scale Solar Battery

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho's first large-scale solar battery from Tesla has been installed by the Nez Perce Tribe. The Tesla Megapack is about the size …

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 …

A report suggests Idaho lawmakers should commit to ensuring public schools provide age-appropriate sexual-health education. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Crisis-Pregnancy Centers Greatly Outnumber Abortion Clinics in ID

BOISE, Idaho -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities …

Advocates for rooftop solar say it will better localize the energy system, making it more resilient. (kmlPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Utility's Study Could "Determine Future of Solar in ID"

BOISE, Idaho - A years-long battle over the future of residential solar power continues in Idaho. The Idaho Public Utility Commission is taking …

Idaho's 23rd district between Boise and Twin Falls has a large prison population. (ronstik/Adobe Stock)

Prison Gerrymandering Could Dilute Idahoans' Representation

BOISE, Idaho -- As Idaho redraws the lines for its voting districts, the state's prison population could skew representation toward the places where …

The Lower Granite Lake Dam on the Snake River is among the dams conservation groups want removed to help salmon. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Columbia, Snake Rivers Litigation Pause Puts Spotlight on NW Salmon

BOISE, Idaho - Action on behalf of Northwest salmon could be in the works after announcements from the Biden administration, leaders in Washington …

Credit unions were able to provide services to help folks make ends meet before Congress passed pandemic aid last year. (W PRODUCTION/Adobe Stock)

International Credit Union Day Marks Growing Movement

BOISE, Idaho - Millions of members around the world, including some Idahoans, are observing International Credit Union Day today. This year marks 73…

A beaded medallion from Shoshone Bannock artist Brodie Sanchez raises awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women. (Brodie Sanchez)

Indigenous Peoples Day Marks Challenges, Celebration of Culture

BOISE, Idaho -- Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day, a celebration of the people native to North America. Tai Simpson, organizer for the Indigenous …

While Idaho is one of the least-vaccinated states in the country, almost 79% of residents age 65 and older are fully vaccinated. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

Groups Call to End "Age Discrimination" in ID Care Rationing

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho hospitals are rationing care because of the strain from the pandemic. Some groups are questioning the use of age as one of the …

Pronghorn today inhabit a fraction of their historic range, which used to stretch from Canada to Mexico. (BGSmith/Adobe Stock)

Challenges for Pronghorn Highlight Importance of Connected Landscapes

BOISE, Idaho - Millions of pronghorn used to roam the West freely. But impediments like road and fences, as well as a changing climate, threaten the …

There are more than four times as many dairy cows in Idaho today as there were 40 years ago. (Cat/Adobe Stock)

Report Finds Contaminant Concern in Magic Valley Ground Water – Again

TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- An annual report finds poor groundwater quality continues to be an issue for the Magic Valley. The Idaho Conservation League …

Meetings on redistricting in Idaho began in the State Capitol on Sept. 1. (Devin Allphin/Adobe Stock)

As ID Redistricting Sprints to Finish, Latinx Coalition Urges Engagement

BOISE, Idaho - Redistricting is happening fast in Idaho, and one group wants to ensure the state's Latinx voices are heard in this process. The …

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. gymnasts alleged the FBI could have done more to prevent abuse in their sport. (gustavofrazao/Adobe Stock)

National Abuse Scandal Reminder it Can Be Prevented

BOISE, Idaho - Simone Biles and other U.S. gymnasts are confronting sexual abuse in their sport, including at a Senate Judiciary Committee this month…

Local opposition to the proposed land swap near Payette Lake was strong before the Idaho Department of Lands rejected the deal. (Ty/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Proposes Conserving Lands Previously Targeted by Developer

MCCALL, Idaho -- After the rejection of a developer's proposed land swap near Payette Lake, a coalition of groups wants the state to do the opposite…

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-ID, has proposed a $33.5 billion plan to save Chinook salmon and other endangered fish in the Columbia River Basin. (BLM/Flickr)

ID Salmon Industry Feels the Pain from Dismal Runs

BOISE, Idaho -- Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late. Steelhead …

About 14% of Idaho's electricity was generated from wind in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (knowlesgallery/Adobe Stock)

ID Wind Project Stirs Concerns for Impact on National Parks, Wildlife

TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- The public has an opportunity to weigh in on a large wind-energy project proposed in Idaho. The Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project …

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 …

Nearly 240,000 Idahoans identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the 2020 U.S. census. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

ID Grows More Diverse, But Not Its Redistricting Commission

BOISE, Idaho - The redistricting process begins today in Idaho, and some are raising concerns that the commission overseeing it doesn't reflect the …

The United States has 93 nuclear reactors, down from 104 in 2012. (ThomasLENNE/Adobe Stock)

Hundreds of Groups Sign Letter Opposing Nuclear Subsidies

BOISE, Idaho -- Hundreds of groups have signed a letter opposing nuclear subsidies in Congress's infrastructure and budget reconciliation bills…

About 95% of the population needs to be immune to measles for the population to reach herd immunity. (natara/Adobe Stock)

After Pandemic Dip, Pediatricians Encourage Families Back for Checkups

BOISE, Idaho -- For many Idaho families, the pandemic may have pushed wellness checkups off the calendar for their kids, including routine …

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…

Programs such as Double Up Food Bucks help families buy more fresh food at farmers markets. (Jeremy Segrott/Flickr)

Anti-Hunger Advocate to Tout Safety Net's Benefit in ID

BOISE, Idaho -- The head of Hunger Free America is coming to Idaho this weekend as part of his tour across the country. Joel Berg, CEO of the …

A video from July shows sockeye salmon with red lesions and fungus because of the Columbia River's hot water. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

In Hot Water, Rallies Planned for NW Salmon

BOISE, Idaho -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

Smoke from the Bootleg fire in southern Oregon is blowing across Idaho and as far east as New York. (National Interagency Fire Center/Flickr)

Tiny Particles in Wildfire Smoke Pose Health Risks

BOISE, Idaho -- Wildfires are affecting air quality across the West, bringing hidden dangers in smoke that can harm people's health. The Boise-based …

Treating food as medicine is becoming a more mainstream remedy in doctors' offices. (ARTFULLY-79/Adobe Stock)

ID Partnership on 'Farmacy' Treats Food as Medicine

BOISE, Idaho -- Boise State University nursing students and the Idaho Foodbank are teaming up to establish healthy food as crucial medicine for …

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…

More than 8,700 acres have burned in Idaho so far this year as wildfire season ramps up. (Glen/Adobe Stock)

NW Heat Wave, Fires Could be 'Preview' of Hotter Future

BOISE, Idaho -- An unprecedented heat wave and fears of another severe wildfire season have put the warming climate at center stage in the Northwest…

The Pandemic EBT program offers about $375 in food benefits per eligible child over the summer months to replace school meals. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Report: Permanent Summer Food Program Would Benefit ID Kids

BOISE, Idaho -- Summer usually coincides with a troubling spike in childhood hunger while kids are out of school, but a program set up during the …

A new report gives Idaho a 'D' for its civics education standards. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

Report: ID Civics, US History Education Leaves 'A Lot to Be Desired'

BOISE, Idaho - Civics and history education are lacking in Idaho, according to a new report. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute rated every state's …

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 …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

BOISE, Idaho -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

About one in three Idaho children don't see a doctor for an annual checkup. (lordn/Adobe Stock)

ID Groups Launch Campaign for Health Coverage for All Kids

BOISE, Idaho - A new campaign aims to ensure every kid in Idaho has health-care coverage. Health groups have launched Idaho Kids Covered to close the …

New parents can save money with smarter meal planning and trips to secondhand stores for baby clothes. (AntonioDiaz/Adobe Stock)

With Father's Day Coming, These Money Tips Can Help New Dads

BOISE, Idaho - Father's Day is approaching and, for new dads, some financial tips can help set their families up for success. First, revising …

More sustainable agriculture practices have several benefits, including less water usage. (Worawut/Adobe Stock)

Carbon Summit in ID Aims to Grow Sustainable Ag Movement

CALDWELL, Idaho -- An event in Idaho this week hopes to plant seeds for the sustainability movement in agriculture. The Carbon Summit will be held …

Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel was studied at the Argonne National Laboratory-West site in Idaho. (Argonne National Laboratory-West/Wikimedia Commons)

Experts: Halt Comeback of Spent Nuclear Fuel Technology

BOISE, Idaho -- As the U.S. aims to push past fossil fuel dependency, nuclear power is part of the conversation, but non-proliferation watchdogs hope …

Idaho ranks 39th in broadband internet access, according to BroadbandNow.(cienpies/Adobe Stock)

You May Have Help with High-Speed Internet Thanks to Pandemic

BOISE, Idaho - The internet has become a key facet to life during the pandemic, but access still lags in many parts of the country. To help people …

Ryan Meier was able to reunite with his daughter seven weeks after she was born. (Courtesy of Ryan Meier)

Reuniting Parents, Children in Focus During Reunification Month

BOISE, Idaho -- June is Reunification Month, and the spotlight is on parents being reunited with their children. Ryan Meier, a parent who was …

Idaho food pantries have been filling the need this month, as more than 40,000 families have seen their emergency food benefits decrease. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

ID Food Banks See Need Grow as Emergency SNAP Ends

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Food banks have seen increased need since pandemic-related food benefits expired in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Health and …

Organizers of Kites for Hope will be distributing free kites across the state on Friday. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

ID Event Creates Right Conditions to Let Kites, Children Soar

BOISE, Idaho -- Families are flying kites in Idaho Friday to lift each other up during Mental Health Awareness Month. Organizations are holding …

At least 10 states have introduced legislation aimed at banning schools from teaching about systemic racism. (Blake/Adobe Stock)

ID Among First States to Ban Teaching on Systemic Racism

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho lawmakers are among the first in the country to attempt to ban critical race theory in public schools. Conservatives across …

The pandemic has emphasized the important work done by volunteers. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

Nominations Open for ID Volunteer Award

BOISE, Idaho -- Nominations are open for Idahoans who are making a difference in their communities through volunteering as part of the 2021 Andrus …

Idahoans will no longer receive enhanced unemployment benefits as of June 19, although many continue to struggle as costs for housing, food and other necessities rise. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

"Unintended Consequences" of Ending Pandemic Unemployment in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho - Gov. Brad Little announced this week he will pull Idaho out of the federal unemployment programs that have provided enhanced benefits …

More than half of renters with extremely low income in Idaho are older or have a disability. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

Housing Crisis Hits Idahoans on Fixed Income Harder

BOISE, Idaho -- The shortage of affordable housing in Idaho is hitting people on fixed incomes especially hard. The state is short more than 22,000 …

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 total student loan debt in Idaho is $7.4 billion for about 200,000 borrowers. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Forgiveness Plan Would Remove One-Third of ID Students' Loan Debt

BOISE, Idaho - About one in three Idahoans who have federal student-loan debt would see it erased entirely if the Biden administration goes forward …

A symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month, pinwheels represent the playfulness of childhood. (Fotoluminate LLC/Adobe Stock)

Greater Importance for Child Abuse Prevention Month After Pandemic Year

BOISE, Idaho -- It's Child Abuse Prevention Month and this year the awareness campaign comes in the wake of a hard year with the COVID-19 pandemic…

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