Idaho officials support state grizzly managment + Yellowstone's oldest pack exits park + Church conference leaves Idaho

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“Idaho has proven we can successfully conserve grizzly bears while responsibly managing wildlife and protecting our communities. This proposal is another important step toward returning wildlife management to the states, where decisions are guided by science and those closest to the land.” — Idaho Gov. Brad Little

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov Mark Gordon, and U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announce a rule to shift grizzly bear management toward the states. (Photo courtesy of the Montana Governor’s Office)

ENVIRONMENT

Federal government proposes rule shifting management of grizzly bears to states

By Micah Drew and Christina Lords

The federal government announced it is planning to shift management of grizzly bears in the contiguous U.S. to the states.

But many environmental groups criticized the proposed rule as harmful to the species, which they say could lead to increased mortality for the bears and risk their recovery.

“This is a decision being made for political reasons, it is not based on science, in the best interest of the survival of the species, or in compliance with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act,” Greg LeDonne, Idaho director of Western Watersheds Project, said in a statement. “It’s clearly too soon to remove federal protections in light of the continued lack of connectivity, ongoing habitat destruction and modification due to climate change, and record numbers of grizzly bear mortalities in 2025 even under existing protections.”

Members of the Mollie’s Pack trudge through the snow as seen from a flight March 7, 2015, in Yellowstone National Park. (Photo courtesy of Douglas Smith/National Park Service)

ENVIRONMENT

Yellowstone’s oldest wolf pack, Mollie’s Pack, leaves the park, raising fears for its future

By Mike Koshmrl

Wyoming’s wolf hunting season starts Sept. 15, and state wildlife officials voted Tuesday to allow the killing of up to four wolves in the area, sparking concern about the pack’s future.

A memorial worship is held from the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference at Boise First UMC Cathedral of the Rockies. (Contributed photo courtesy of FāVS News)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

United Methodist conference to move meeting out of Idaho, citing LGBTQ+, immigrant safety concerns

By Micah Yip

Citing dangers to LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church voted last month to move next year’s annual conference out of Idaho.