State Rep. Mat Erpelding is attempting to hike a 950-mile route along the Centennial Trail stretching the entire length of Idaho in about 40 days, reports S-R outdoors writer Rich Landers, who has a write-up about Erpelding’s hike here. Erpelding said he’s making the big…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Former Canyon County prosecutor John Bujak can practice law again after his license was re-instated by the Idaho Supreme Court. Bujak's license was suspended in 2012 as he was fighting prosecution for misusing…
Lightning touched off three new, large fires in Idaho, a reminder wildfire season is continuing even as crews finally get some help from shorter days, lower temperatures and higher humidity that accompany fall's arrival, the AP reports. Meanwhile, massive blazes that earlier burned in south-central…
Looking for some outdoor adventure over the holiday weekend, but want to avoid the wildfire smoke? Longtime Idaho outdoors writer Steve Steubner has some suggestions here at his blog, Stueby’s Outdoor Journal. Among them: Five easy-to-access kid-friendly lakes in the McCall area; camping near Cascade…
First, Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman issued a letter to the city of Boise asking it to back off on its proposed bond issue member on November’s ballot for parks, open space and public safety improvements. Hoffman contended the bond includes “items that fall…
After adverse weather conditions halted the balloon launches two days in a row, this morning’s mass balloon launch from Ann Morrison Park for the “Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic” was a sight to see. Dozens of brightly colored balloons rose from the park; some drifted…
Two cattle operations and dairies in southwestern Idaho have agreed to stop over-drugging cows - at such high levels that the medications could pass to human consumers - in response to a lawsuit from the federal government, the AP reports. The U.S. Food and Drug…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — It took potential military action against Syria to get Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador on the same side. The feuding Idaho lawmakers signed a letter to President Barack Obama, urging…
The faded, ratty-looking yellow ribbons that have festooned the front columns of the Idaho state capitol for several years were replaced this morning with bright new ones, thanks to Support Our Troops, an Florida-based organization that established a Boise office in March; the state hadn’t…
The Idaho State Police has announced enhanced patrols for the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, including its second "All Hands on Deck" operation of the summer, in which every officer who's working is out on patrol, inluding those who normally would be working behind a…
An Ada County woman in her 50s has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first confirmed human case in Ada County this year. That brings the number of reported human infections in southwestern Idaho this year up to six; previous cases were reported in…
Treasure hunters likely using metal detectors have dug hundreds of holes in the historic wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail near the Snake River in Idaho, causing what BLM archaeologist Suzann Henrikson calls “ghastly” damage, Boise State Public Radio reports. Henrikson discovered the damage last…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Sen. Les Bock aims to be appointed as a judge and says he'll leave the Senate in 2014 even if he's not named to the bench. The Idaho Statesman (http://tinyurl.com/pj9tflz ) reports…
For one small North Idaho school district, yesterday’s levy election results brought welcome news, with voters approving a two-year $1.1 million supplemental level that’ll allow the reversal of deep cuts, including eliminating all sports, cutting kindergarten to half-time, furlough days for all employees and cutting…
Baldy reopens at Sun Valley today, with gondola rides from 10-5 daily through Sept. 8 and the Roundhouse and Lookout restaurants open. This comes as the resort community pulls out of the unexpected high-season slump brought by the huge Beaver Creek wildfire, which is now…
Melissa Davlin, former Statehouse reporter for the Twin Falls Times-News, and Aaron Kunz, a producer for EarthFix, a public media project that includes Idaho Public TV, Oregon Public Broadcasting and KCTS Seattle, have been named co-hosts of Idaho Reports, the long-running public television program on…
Idaho First Lady Lori Otter dislocated her shoulder in a calf-roping accident and is facing surgery, Gov. Butch Otter announced today. “For those of you … who asked about Miss Lori, the first lady and I had intention to go out and rope cattle once…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter today endorsed the sweeping recommendations of his school reform task force, including restoring tens of millions cut from school budgets during Idaho's recession years. “It met every one of my expectations of what we could come out with,” the governor said.…
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced today that the state has recovered more than $28 million, as a result of six years of litigation regarding overcharging by major drug manufacturers who sold prescription drugs to Idaho’s Medicaid program. Idaho has settled with 33 drug companies…
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner raised more than $95,000 for 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson in Boise yesterday, reports Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, speaking at a $50 a plate luncheon at the Boise Centre that drew 430 and a roundtable for 36 high-dollar…
A federal court hearing originally scheduled for tomorrow afternoon on Highway 12 megaloads has been postponed to Sept. 9, after a company that’s already sent one giant load over the route this summer agreed to hold off on any further shipments until at least Sept.…
Special funding is available through the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers rehab private land burned in the recent wildfires, but they have to apply by Friday. “NRCS can help ranchers and agricultural producers that were significantly impacted by this year’s devastating…
The State Board of Education, in a special meeting this morning, has voted 5-3 in favor of adding a second year to the University of Idaho’s law school program in Boise, which currently offers only the third year of law school; you can read my…
The huge Beaver Creek fire that threatened Sun Valley and Ketchum is now 90 percent contained, with full containment estimated for Aug. 31. Growth potential has dropped to medium, and all evacuation orders have been lifted, but some Forest Service and BLM area closures remain…
Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BURLEY, Idaho (AP) — Law enforcement officers in south-central Idaho seized 3,300 marijuana plants from a grow site in the Sawtooth National Forest. Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward says the street value of the plants was estimated…