Director for state's largest agency steps down + Largest gas pipeline in PNW could grow + Health insurance costs surge

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“I want to thank Juliet Charron for her outstanding service as Health and Welfare Director. Under her leadership, the department made meaningful progress in strengthening child welfare prevention, preparing to distribute nearly $200 million in Rural Health Transformation funding in the coming months as part of nearly $1 billion over five years, and improving compliance, accountability, and program outcomes.” - Idaho Gov. Brad Little

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Charron presents on the agency’s budget to the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27, 2026. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Idaho’s health agency director to step down by end of year

By Laura Guido

The director of Idaho’s largest state agency will step down by the end of the year.

Natural gas pipeline and infrastructure in the Northwest. One of the largest pipeline systems in the state could soon carry even more gas to the region under a proposal by Oklahoma-based pipeline company Wilson. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

ENVIRONMENT

Largest gas pipeline network in Northwest could grow as Oklahoma-based owners pursue expansion

By Alex Baumhardt

Pipeline company Williams, owner of the 4,000-mile long Northwest Pipeline system that brings fracked gas from Rocky Mountain states to Idaho, Washington and Oregon, last month submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission paperwork to build a new pipeline called the Silver Spur between two existing gas transmission lines in Idaho and Nevada.

The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, according to a survey by KFF. (Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images)

HEALTH

Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds

By Jennifer Shutt

The amount of money an employee pays toward an individual health insurance plan rose by $232, or 16%, from 2025 to 2026. The price an employee pays for a family health insurance policy increased by $621, or 9%, according to the survey.

MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US

Deadline for Idaho voters to request absentee ballot for general election is today | Clark Corbin
2026 general election voter guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote. | Idaho Capital Sun staff

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

New Mexico AG sues Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer, accountant in federal court | Joshua Bowling
DOJ is sending election monitors to Utah polls this November | Alixel Cabrera
Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in 9 states | Jonathan Shorman

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

Coeur d’Alene Press: Group requests ICE resistance resolution from Coeur d’Alene
East Idaho News: District 33 to see race between incumbent and local mental health counselor
Idaho EdNews: Rep. Redman has contributed over half a million dollars to his PAC this year
Idaho News 6: Stolen and vandalized ‘No to Prop 1’ signs frustrate Boise neighbors ahead of election
Local News 8: Public meeting addresses Pocatello police use of Flock Safety tech
Valley Lookout: Valley County Election Preview: Brian Beckley vs. Jared Dawson for Idaho Legislature

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