Advocates for the West director retires + Yellowstone sets visitation record + Inflation hits three-year high

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“We know that sustainable protections don’t necessarily just come with a court order, they have to be implemented out on the ground. You can strike deals in different ways to get those longer term protections, and we’re always looking for those opportunities.” - Advocates for the West Executive Director Laird Lucas

Advocates for the West Executive Director Laird Lucas speaks during an event in summer of 2024. (Photo courtesy of Advocates for the West)

ENVIRONMENT

Leaving a trail: Laird Lucas retiring after 23 years leading Idaho environmental law firm

By Clark Corbin

After 23 years of providing free legal services to protect the environment through the Boise-based law firm that he helped build, Advocates for the West Executive Director Laird Lucas is retiring this month.

Advocates for the West is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services for conservation groups, Native American tribes and concerned citizens seeking protection for fish, wildlife, clean water, public lands and communities.

Yellowstone National Park’s sign at the North Entrance. (Photo by Jim Peaco/Yellowstone National Park).

ENVIRONMENT

Yellowstone National Park visitation on record pace through May

By Micah Drew

Yellowstone National Park saw more than 570,000 visitors pass through its entrance stations last month, the busiest May on record, and it is currently on pace to exceed its overall record year.

Consumer price inflation reached 4.2% in May, the highest mark in three years, boosted largely by higher energy prices that have spiked because of the Iran war. (Photo by Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

GROWTH + AFFORDABILITY

Inflation spiked to 4.2%, a three-year high, in May

By Tim Henderson

The higher year-over-year inflation rate was expected. But at more than double the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%, the new numbers dimmed hopes for a cut in the interest rate.

IDAHO COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY: 30,000 Idahoans had to drop health insurance from the state exchange this year. Why don’t we care? | Dan Schmidt

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Nearly half of adults struggled to afford healthcare last year, survey finds | Nada Hassanein
Trump says ‘great settlement’ of Iran war in the works, signing ceremony soon | Jennifer Shutt
Tariff refunds for small businesses past due, US Senate Dems tell Trump administration | Amelia Twyman

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

East Idaho News: East Idaho forensic nurses seek community support to continue critical services
Idaho Statesman | Idaho will soon turn to firing squad executions. Police will pull the triggers.
KREM: Idaho DEQ awards more than $7M to the City of Kendrick for wastewater treatment improvements
Local News 8: National estrogen patch shortage hits eastern Idaho menopause patients
Sandpoint Reader: ITD announces pedestrian Long Bridge will close ‘indefinitely’ for safety

Thanks for reading The Sunrise. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.