ID Supreme Court orders new abortion ballot initiative titles + Fish and Wildlife staff down 35% in Idaho

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“As directed by the court, we are working closely with the Attorney General’s Office to prepare and submit revised statements. We remain focused on meeting all necessary deadlines to ensure ballots are printed and distributed on schedule.” - Joe Parris, spokesperson for Idaho’s secretary of state

The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday unanimously ruled that state officials must redraft explanations of the effect of voting for or against the proposed abortion rights initiative that will appear on voters’ Nov. 3 general election ballots.

COURTS + POLICING

Idaho Supreme Court rules state officials must re-write abortion initiative ballot statements

By Laura Guido

The court does not have the authority to write new language, but told the offices of the Idaho Attorney General and Secretary of State that they must submit revised ballot language to the court by 5 p.m. Saturday — around 24 hours after the decision was entered.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist examines macroinvertebrates at the National Elk Refuge near Jackson Hole, Wyo. The agency has lost 1,900 scientists due to early retirements, buyouts and cuts under the Trump Administration. (Photo by Kari Cieszkiewicz/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

US Fish and Wildlife staff down more than a third nationwide, 35% in Idaho since Trump 2.0

By Alex Baumhardt

The number of people staffing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has dropped by 3,600 during President Donald Trump’s second term, according to federal data obtained by the nonprofit conservation group Center for Biological Diversity.

Consumer advocates worry that unchecked wildfire spending and mitigation costs by utility companies will drive up electricity rates. (Photo by Thianchai Sitthikongsak/Getty Images)

GROWTH + AFFORDIBILITY

Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities

By Aspen Ford

When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers.

Earlier this year, PacifiCorp settled a federal lawsuit over its lines allegedly starting six fires in Oregon and California, burning nearly 300,000 acres of public land. Thousands of residents also filed claims against the investor-owned utility, which serves 2 million customers in the West.

The company has agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle roughly 90% of all claims, and it’s preparing to settle more.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

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As the Trump administration dismantles Temporary Protected Status, Salvadorans may be next | Ariana Figueroa
Judge criticizes Trump pressure on prosecutors on reflecting pool vandalism charges | Ariana Figueroa

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Idaho Department of Correction signs federal 287(g) immigration agreement | Laura Guido
ACLU of Idaho calls on Gov. Brad Little to pull back Idaho National Guard from DC | Laura Guido
Federal judge’s order allowing an Idaho doctor to perform certain abortions is put on hold | Laura Guido
Fulcher signs on to bill limiting federal agents’ access to Flock, other surveillance data | Laura Guido
Idaho US Senate candidate David Roth removes name from general election ballot | Laura Guido
Idaho’s Medicaid work requirements start in January. Here’s how they will work. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
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‘It’s a powerful symbol’: Idaho’s Liberty Bell is back on tour and coming to your county | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho Supreme Court to weigh if ballot language on abortion rights initiative could mislead voters | Laura Guido

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

Associated Press: Judge lacked power to overturn ex-soldier Bowe Bergdahl’s military conviction, appeals court rules
Coeur d’Alene Press: Rathdrum spending plan includes tax hike
Local News 8: Rexburg officials consider remodeling City Hall as a new police station
Sandpoint Reader: Early City Beach RV park design comes in $1M over budget

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