By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“We have asked our Legislature to act. They have heard stories that would break anyone’s heart and move anyone with a clear moral compass to rapid action. But make no mistake, for four years in these halls they have failed to act. But here in Idaho we retain something powerful, a citizens ballot initiative, a tool of direct democracy when our Legislature will not act. So we acted.” - Idahoans United for Women and Families Executive Director Melanie Folwell
Volunteers pass boxes of signatures supporting a ballot initiative to end Idaho’s strict ban on abortion on July 2, 2026, outside the state Capitol in Boise. (Photo by Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Supporters of ballot measure to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban turn in nearly 110K signatures
By Laura Guido
If the initiative does qualify for the ballot, it would take a simple majority of votes in November to pass.
Idahoans United for Women and Families Executive Director Melanie Folwell confidently told supporters in the rotunda, “make no mistake, we have qualified to be on the ballot in November.”
The Boise National Forest covers more than 2.5 million acres. All of Idaho's counties are set to receive federal payment in lieu of taxes, or PILT, funding to offset lost revenue from the lack of property taxes on federal lands in their boundaries. (Photo by Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
Idaho counties to receive $49.6 million in payment in lieu of taxes for federal public lands
By Laura Guido
Elmore County will get the largest payment, according to the Department of Interior, with nearly $3.6 million. Elmore County has more than 1.3 million acres of public lands. Cassia County will receive the second largest payment, at around $3.1 million, followed by Blaine County at around $3 million.
American Prairie transferred 107 bison in November 2023 to tribal nations in Montana, South Dakota and Washington. (Photo courtesy of American Prairie)
ENVIRONMENT
American Prairie wins preliminary injunction against state in bison grazing suit
By Micah Drew
American Prairie, a nonprofit conservation organization, has been fighting the state of Montana and federal government for years over its ability to graze its herd of 900 bison on public lands.
And while the U.S. government yanked the organization’s federal grazing permits earlier this year, a Helena judge gave the group a temporary win in a lawsuit over its use of state trust lands.
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
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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: Low morale, serious concerns among federal wildland firefighters, advocacy groups’ survey finds
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