Idaho and other states are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried + governor gives state employees more time off for 4th of July

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

By Robbie Sequeira

States and cities are loosening building code requirements in an effort to lower construction costs and boost affordable housing.

Some of these changes include allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have just one stairway, reducing how often building codes are updated and rolling back specific electrical or fire safety standards.

But critics have raised safety concerns, noting that existing rules were shaped by past tragedies and aim to prevent future harm.

This year, Idaho enacted a new law that allows local governments to permit certain apartment buildings to use one stairway — generally up to six stories without an occupiable roof, or five stories with one, along with limits on unit per floor, sprinklers, stair width, and smoke and fire detection.

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order granting two extra days of paid time off for state employees near this year’s Independence Day, which will commemorate the 250th annual anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

By Jonathan Shorman

The Trump administration illegally overhauled a U.S. Department of Homeland Security computer program in its hunt for noncitizen voters, a judge ruled Monday in a stinging decision that laid into federal officials for violating the privacy of millions of Americans.

ICYMI

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