By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“We had a number of providers say we're not even up to electrical code, plumbing. So I also want the construction industry, the electrician groups, plumbers … there's going to be a lot of need in a lot of construction projects.” — Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Charron
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is launching an awareness campaign this summer to reach out to contractors, chambers of commerce, and industry organizations about federal Rural Health Transformation grant opportunities. (Photo by Getty Images)
HEALTH
IDHW director: Rural health grant may be ‘economic opportunity’ for small communities
By Laura Guido
As Idaho prepares to dole out around $186 million in federal rural health grants, state officials are hoping local contractors are ready for the infrastructure projects those grants will fund.
Emergency management experts from Western states discuss FEMA reform and the agency’s continued lack of wildfire focus. (Photo courtesy of Ellen Jaskol/Western Governors’ Association)
ENVIRONMENT
Western US emergency experts say FEMA response still favors East Coast hurricanes over Western fires
By Patrick Lohmann
The report notes that FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps state and local governments prevent and limit damage from natural disasters, concentrates on hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, leaving “gaps” when it comes to wildfires, drought and earthquakes.
Smoke from the Claremont Fire rises above the Boise Foothills on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Photo by Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
ENVIRONMENT
Wildfire starts in Boise Foothills, public asked to leave Ridge to Rivers Trail System
By Clark Corbin
By 3:30 p.m. Monday, Boise Fire Department officials estimated that the size of the fire had increased to between 300 to 500 acres.
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ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
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Idaho State Journal: School District 25 welcomes newly appointed trustee Bill Osborn
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