By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
From left, Democrat Kaylee Peterson, independent Sarah Zabel, and incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher. (Photos courtesy of the candidates)
ELECTION 2026
US District 1 candidates: Idahoans face high healthcare costs. Here’s how they want to fix it.
By Laura Guido
Idaho U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher will face three election challengers for his seat this November. The candidates in the race acknowledged that the increasing cost of living is a major challenge Idahoans are facing, but largely disagree on how to solve it.
Democrat Kaylee Peterson, independent Sarah Zabel, and Constitution Party candidate Brendan Gomez are running against the Republican incumbent to represent Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the Idaho panhandle and western side of the state.
Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, is an acute care facility that has provided health care to eastern Idaho since 1907. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)
HEALTH
After falling out, East Idaho hospital reaches deal to re-join network for health insurer
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
After a public contract dispute that led an East Idaho hospital to become out of network with a major health insurer, the two businesses agreed to a contract.
Cattle graze along the Snake River. Snake River Basin steelhead are among species that conservationists are concerned could be harmed by expanded cattle grazing under a new federal plan. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management)
ENVIRONMENT
Conservationists sue feds over plan to allow cattle grazing on 24 million western acres
By Alex Baumhardt
Lawyers for the Center for Biological Diversity allege that Rollins, Burgum and officials at their departments violated federal laws including the Endangered Species Act by approving the grazing plan without consulting U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries officials about federally protected species and designated critical habitat.
MORE STATE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
Mice may drive Lyme disease more than deer | Amanda Watford
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
Boise State Public Radio: Idaho AG, Secretary of State, push back against campaign finance lawsuit
Coeur d’Alene Press: Hayden City Council moves forward on AI policy vote
Lewiston Tribune: Achilles says his campaign is on the rise
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