Initiative ending abortion ban qualifies + Albertsons trial begins + Cole reappointed to CDH board

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“When it comes to making the tough decisions in our lives and in our families, we call the shots and not the government. That is something that has resonated in every corner of the state.” - Idahoans United for Women and Families Executive Director Melanie Folwell, on gathering enough signatures to qualify a ballot initiative that would end Idaho’s strict abortion ban

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

Initiative to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban qualifies for November’s general election ballot

By Laura Guido and Clark Corbin

In a Monday press release, Idahoans United said more than 1,250 volunteers helped collect the 110,000 signatures, and Idahoans from all of the state’s 44 counties signed the initiative’s petition.

“The 110,000+ signatures on the Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act are the most collected for a qualified ballot initiative in Idaho history, over 1.5 times the 70,725 valid signatures required by law,” the press release said.

Between 2006 and 2022, Albertsons dispensed more than 641 million opioid pills in Washington, according to the state’s attorney general. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

COURTS + POLICING

Trial begins in WA suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability

By Jake Goldstein-Street

Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown argues Albertsons dispensed hundreds of millions of opioid pills despite red flags in many cases that should’ve made the company’s pharmacy staff think twice.

In this file photo, Dr. Ryan Cole speaks during a panel discussion titled “COVID 19: A Second Opinion” in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

HEALTH

Vaccine skeptic Dr. Ryan Cole to stay on board of Idaho’s largest public health district

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Include enough information about the story to draw interest, but not so much that the reader no longer needs to click to read more. Sparse bolding could be used to draw the reader's eye through the section.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Oregon, 11 other states sue to block Paramount-Warner Bros. merger | Mia Maldonado
After US Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, Trump recommends Graham’s sister to fill out term | Jennifer Shutt
Judge blasts Trump for using the presidency to ‘manipulate’ courts in IRS case | Ashley Murray

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Idaho News 6: City of Nampa seeks new operator for public shooting range
Idaho Press: 'See what we can get done': Nampa Mayor Darl Bruner acknowledges there's work to do
Idaho Statesman: ‘Abuse of discretion’: Death row prisoners sue over Idaho’s new firing squad
InvestigateWest: Idaho Supreme Court: Judges can consider immigration status in probation decisions
Post Register: Secretary of Steak: Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane balances ballots and barbecue smoke

Thanks for reading The Sunrise. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.