By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“The federal government gets no special treatment under Idaho law. We will work with federal agencies to meet their needs, but we will not sacrifice the water rights of Idaho farmers, ranchers, and families to do it.” - Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador
An Idaho National Laboratory sign stands at the exit to the desert site during spring 2023. Much of INL’s research and experimental work supports the development of advanced nuclear technology, integrated energy systems and national security. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy)
COURTS + POLICING
Federal government sues state over Idaho National Laboratory water rights
By Clark Corbin
Arguing that the federal government has supremacy over the states, the lawsuit seeks to throw out a water curtailment order that would apply to Idaho National Laboratory and block the department and Weaver from administering any federal water rights in Idaho in the future.
Voters cast their ballots in the May 19, 2026, primary election at Emerson High School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
In Idaho, independent political polls are rare ahead of elections. Here’s why.
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
Some polling experts say that Idaho lacks independent polls because the state is reliably Republican controlled, and independent pollsters aren’t willing to invest the high funds needed to conduct reliable polling.
Instead, there are candidate and special interest groups polling in Idaho, like the back and forth of polls released by the campaigns of incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Jim Risch and independent challenger Todd Achilles.
Voters mark their ballots during the first day of early voting at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Jack Dura/North Dakota Monitor)
ELECTION 2026
Early voting surges in midterm elections as millions cast their ballots
By Ariana Figueroa and Shauneen Miranda
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 34 million people have either gone to the polls to cast a ballot or have mailed in their vote, and the current tally is on track to surpass early voting in the 2022 midterm elections, said Michael McDonald, a professor of political science at University of Florida who runs the UF Election Lab that tracks early voting.
Additional election reporting: Trump’s DOJ sends 1,000 election monitors to 50 states; locations not yet disclosed | Jonathan Shorman
MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US
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
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
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