Abortion lawsuit trial wraps + Idaho's top 10 candidates with the most $ + Column: Salmon extinction on our watch

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

The James A. McClure Federal Building, a United States Courthouse in Boise. Monday marked the fifth and final day of the trial over a lawsuit brought by Dr. Stacy Seyb, a Boise maternal fetal medicine specialist. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for the Idaho Capital Sun)

ABORTION POLICY

Idaho federal judge to decide on lawsuit seeking to increase medical abortion exemptions

By Laura Guido

An Idaho federal judge will weigh whether there are cases in which abortions could be allowed in health-threatening, but not fatal circumstances — a situation that is not explicitly protected under Idaho’s abortion ban.

Attorneys from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office on Monday brought in as an expert witness a Missouri maternal fetal medicine physician who argued Idaho’s laws were adequate to allow abortions in severe emergency situations. Her testimony was disputed by the expert witness chosen by the attorneys challenging the state’s laws.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, surrounded by friends and family, speaks to supporters at a May 19, 2026, primary election party at the Grove Hotel in Boise. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Idaho Gov. Brad Little reports raising more campaign money than all other statewide candidates

By Clark Corbin

Among the top 10 list of statewide and legislative candidates who have raised the most campaign money this year, seven were Republicans, two were Democrats and one was an independent.

A new Kids Count Data Book bumps Idaho from 15th to 13th in the nation for overall child well-being. (Photo by Getty Images)

EDUCATION

Idaho ranks 13th in overall child well-being, trails in healthcare and education

By Abigail Gerstein

Idaho has ranked 13th in overall child well-being in a new national data set, making improvements teen pregnancy and child death rates, according to the latest Kids Count Report.

Released June 8, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book — which analyzes trends in child well-being across domains including health, economic welfare, and education — found that Idaho worsened in six of 16 categories since 2019.

The Middle Fork Salmon River. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Brinkley)

COMMENTARY

On our watch: Salmon extinction on the Middle Fork Salmon River in the heart of Idaho

By Pat Ford

The genius in salmon to persist and thrive through change means this heart attack is still treatable, writes guest columnist Pat Ford.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Utah bid to roll back Grand Staircase-Escalante plan veers off the fast track | Annie Knox
Ceasefire reached with Iran, ending hostilities and opening Strait of Hormuz | Jennifer Shutt
Kennedy Center facade blocked from public view by tarp after Trump’s name removed | Sam Gauntt
One US-made drug treats congenital syphilis, and the country is running short | Nada Hassanein

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Idaho EdNews: Emerging ‘outliers’: School facility measures grow harder to pass
Idaho News 6: Darl Bruner sworn in as Nampa’s new mayor after months-long search
Idaho Press: Boise Airport to host open house on master plan
Local News 8: Portneuf Health out of network for Regence patients
Post Register: District 91 and teachers union approve contract for this coming school year but frustrations linger

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