Boise River's report card + Bathroom ban lawsuit ends +Column: Dangers with kratom

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“We’re going to make sure that this is an ongoing resource in order to provide information to decision makers, to the public and to anyone who will be impacted by the water quality.” - Idaho Rivers United Communications Director Dave Womack, on a new report card on the health of the Boise River

Volunteers with Idaho Rivers United removed 3,850 pounds of trash from the Boise River last year. (Photo courtesy of Ashley McIntosh/Idaho Rivers United)

ENVIRONMENT

‘An ongoing resource’: Idaho Rivers United issues report card on health of Boise River

By Clark Corbin

Officials with the Boise-based nonprofit organization Idaho Rivers United released a new report card Thursday showing that the Boise River is thriving in many areas and healthier than in the past.

A bathroom sign as seen on March 16, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

COURTS + POLICING

High school group challenging Idaho’s trans bathroom ban drops lawsuit after student’s death

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

A lawsuit challenging Idaho’s transgender bathroom ban in K-12 public schools could end soon, after a group at Boise High School suing over the law dropped the case.

The move came after a transgender student who was part of Boise High School’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance died by suicide, and another stopped attending the school, the group’s lawyers wrote in a legal agreement reached Wednesday requesting the case be dismissed.

A variety of kratom and 7-OH products — including capsules, cartridges and wellness shots — are on display at a smoke shop in Buffalo, N.Y. (Photo by Amanda Hernández/Stateline)

COMMENTARY

Natural does not mean safe. Idaho doctors are concerned about kratom and 7-OH.

By Cate Heil

Healthcare providers have seen breathing problems, pediatric overdoses, newborn withdrawal syndromes, skin changes, medication interactions, addiction, and other problems from these substances, writes guest columnist Cate Heil.

MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US

Southern Idaho’s Celebration Park boat ramp to be reopened for recreator access | Christina Lords

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Four Mountain West states join forces to accelerate geothermal energy development | Alixel Cabrera
This wildfire season could be hotter, drier and pricier, Utah officials say | Annie Knox
US House passes sweeping ‘gender ideology’ bill aimed at trans kids in schools | Shauneen Miranda
Sagging poll ratings, soaring gas prices put GOP in a fix for keeping US House control | Jonathan Shorman and Jacob Fischler

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

BoiseDev: Boise looks to increase taxes, fees as it says it’s ‘constrained’ in budget
Boise State Public Radio: Largest study of firefighting-related cancer nears 50K enrollees
Idaho Press: City of Caldwell to pay ex-police officer $1.5 million in lawsuit settlement
Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Pullman-Moscow airport to get fed funding for taxiway upgrade
Sandpoint Reader: Ponderay City Council approves new Avista substation

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