By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
Voters cast their ballots during the May 19, 2026, primary election at Emerson High School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Check out our 2026 Nov. 3 general election voter guide
By Idaho Capital Sun staff
The Idaho Capital Sun sent a candidate survey to all candidates in six statewide constitutional officer races and all candidates in the state's three congressional races. We also sent surveys to candidates in the state's most competitive legislative races, or legislative races which do not have an incumbent.
Don’t miss our how-to guide on all things voting, including how to request an absentee ballot, how to register to vote, how to find Idaho’s campaign finance portal and how to find your polling place on Election Day.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as photographed on June 12, 2017, in San Francisco, California. A panel of Ninth Circuit judges heard arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging Idaho's abortion ban, seeking expanded exemptions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
COURTS + POLICING
Federal appeals court weighs lawsuit seeking to expand Idaho’s abortion ban exemptions
By Laura Guido
A panel of federal appeals judges will soon decide whether to continue to allow full enforcement of Idaho’s abortion bans, or to allow a lower court’s previous ruling that provided more exemptions to the law.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who has championed Disagree Better, a national, nonpartisan initiative “designed to reduce inflammatory rhetoric and foster a culture of healthy debate.” (Photo by Getty Images)
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
Secretary of state announces new ‘Idaho Free Speech Summit’ in partnership with UI, BSU
By Christina Lords
“Free speech is fundamental to our system of government, but protecting it requires more than simply agreeing that it is important,” said Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane. “It means listening to people we disagree with, defending their right to speak, and being willing to have difficult conversations. That is what we hope to accomplish with the Idaho Free Speech Summit.”
MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
Trump administration’s Washington voter roll lawsuit dismissed | Jake Goldstein-Street
MORE FROM KFF HEALTH NEWS
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: Idaho Supreme Court rejects appeal in drag queen defamation case
Idaho EdNews: Idaho State lab expansion project to begin this fall
Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Moscow Council OKs East City Park stage bid
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.