Law penalizes people sleeping in public spaces. Advocates say it harms more than it helps. + Column: Trump's plan to bring nuclear waste to Idaho

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“Our most vulnerable unhoused are moving further and further away from resources, so that they're not able to be seen or ticketed. It’s harder to find people who are on our waitlists.” - Jodi Peterson-Stigers, Interfaith Sanctuary executive director

Public camping became illegal in Boise last summer after Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1141, which forces cities with populations over 100,000 people to police the issue or face financial penalties.

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

An Idaho law penalizes people sleeping in public spaces. Advocates say it harms more than it helps.

By Abigail Gerstein

The law applies to just three of Idaho’s cities: Boise, Nampa and Meridian. Sponsored by Sen. Codi Galloway, R-Boise, Sen. Kelly Anthon, R-Rupert, and Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, the “Galloway law,” so named after its main sponsor, was promoted as a remedy to what many saw as a growing homelessness issue in Idaho.

A year after its implementation, critics say the law makes it harder to serve homeless populations and targets the unhoused.

The three Idahoans who had heat-related deaths all lived in different communities in southern Idaho, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced. (Photo by Getty Images)

HEALTH

Idaho reports three heat-related deaths amid hot, smoky weather

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Three Idahoans over the age of 55 died from heat-related complications in the past week, state health officials announced Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright addresses Idaho National Laboratory employees at an event on June 25, 2026 in Idaho Falls. Wright visited the laboratory to celebrate recent advancements in nuclear energy, particularly with small modular reactors and microreactors. (Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images)

COMMENTARY

Trump has a plan to make Idaho home to vast stockpile of nation’s high-level nuclear waste

By Marc C. Johnson

The scheme seeks to entice Idaho to accept one-third of the country’s now homeless nuclear waste cache for a ‘promise’ of a big pay day, writes guest columnist Marc C. Johnson.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

As fires rage in the Pacific Northwest, leaders call all hands on deck | Alex Brown
String of outbreaks tests US public health system amid funding cuts, vaccine resistance | Jennifer Shutt
Trump says he might pull Blanche nomination for AG until GOP holdouts leave office | Ashley Murray
US Senate panel backs Trump’s CDC nominee after tense hearing | Shauneen Miranda
US Senate panel advances Trump Labor Department nominee | Shauneen Miranda

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

East Idaho News: Tort claim, vandalized cameras and eastern Idahoans in arms about Flock cameras
Idaho EdNews: Idaho Department of Insurance could take over depleted school benefit trust
Idaho News 6: Community rallies to support ranchers as Big Grass Fire threatens livelihoods
Post Register: Bingham County seeking interim coroner applications after Jimmy Roberts resigns early following primary defeat

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