By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“We have to have guarantees on all the safety issues. Those are non-negotiable. So the amount of ancillary money that comes later on, we know there’s going to be some. There absolutely has to be. But the guarantees about the safety – of protecting our aquifer, protecting our air, protecting the people that are around us – that’s not negotiable. We have to have rock-solid guarantees for that.” - Idaho Gov. Brad Little, on negotiating with the U.S. Department of Energy about the potential for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus coming to the Gem State
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (center) visits Idaho National Laboratory with Idaho Gov. Brad Little (right) in December 2025. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Wood/U.S. Department of Energy)
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
In nuclear campus talks, Idaho Gov. Brad Little says protecting Snake aquifer is ‘nonnegotiable’
By Clark Corbin
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said he will not jeopardize the health of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer or the health of Idahoans as he continues to negotiate potentially bringing a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus to Idaho.
“I’ve had this direct conversation with Secretary (of Energy Chris) Wright: Disposal of spent fuel over the aquifer in Idaho – that’s a nonstarter,” Little said in an interview Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
In July, U.S. Department of Energy officials announced that Idaho is one of five states selected as a finalist to host one of the new innovation campuses.
State officials are in the process of creating draft contracts for three managed care organizations, called MCOs. (Photo by Getty Images)
HEALTH
Idaho lawmakers hope to ensure timely doctor payments, treatment approvals in Medicaid transition
By Laura Guido
As the state works to reshape how it provides Medicaid services, Idaho state lawmakers are hoping to prioritize timely healthcare provider payments and prior authorizations, and recipients are hoping to improve coordination among services.
Members of the Mollie’s Pack traverse a wind-blown hillside as seen from the air March 12, 2018, in Yellowstone National Park. (Photo by Douglas Smith/National Park Service)
ENVIRONMENT
No Mollie’s Pack, Yellowstone wolves killed, Wyoming reports after hunt area’s quick close
By Mike Koshmrl
Yellowstone National Park’s last original wolf pack, Mollie’s Pack, emerged unscathed from a hunting season that opened last week and has already closed, Wyoming wildlife officials announced.
MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
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ICYMI
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Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
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