By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
"We need nurses. We need lab workers. We need radiology techs. And it's kind of a double edged sword, where we have a lot of young people that might want to live here, but a lot of times, especially in northern Idaho, they can't afford to buy something, or there just isn't anything available for them to even get started into. Rentals are few and far between." – Benewah Community Hospital CEO Burt Keltner, on the pressures facing Idaho's rural hospitals
Bonner General Health’s emergency room entrance in Sandpoint, Idaho. (Photo by Erick Doxey for States Newsroom)
HEALTH
Idaho’s rural hospitals grapple with insurance denials, employee housing shortages, Medicaid changes
By Laura Guido
Idaho’s rural hospital leaders, who are facing mounting financial pressures, are hoping a $930 million, five-year federal grant will ease some of their pains.
The Ada County Courthouse in Boise on March 21, 2021. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
It’s not clear if Idaho district judge candidate in Ada County is legally qualified for the role
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
It is unclear whether an attorney running to become a judge in Ada County meets the legal requirements to be an Idaho judge, a spokesperson for the agency that manages state elections said Tuesday.
A standardized test score shows whether a student has met grade-level academic standards. A certification shows whether a student is ready to apply a skill in a specific job, writes guest columnist Tony Hilde. (Photo by Catherine McQueen/Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
Too few Idaho students graduate ready for the workforce. Where they live shouldn’t be the reason.
By Tony Hilde
Career and technical education, or CTE, is one of the clearest solutions to finding enough qualified workers for our state, writes guest columnist Tony Hilde.
MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US
Want to learn about Idaho Power’s wildfire plans? Listen in here. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
Cost of Iran war rises to $29B as US gas prices spike | Ashley Murray
Trump nominates ousted FEMA chief to return | Jennifer Shutt
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
Lewiston Tribune: Shepherd faces challenge from ‘hard-liner’ in District 7 race
East Idaho News: Inkom to celebrate grand opening of first public library
Idaho State Journal: Sacajawea Center will mark 25th anniversary this week in Salmon
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