Senators request investigation into Boren ranch wildfire response + Council identifies at-risk counties for opioid funding

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“Mr. Boren’s actions constitute potentially a misuse of taxpayer funds and put American families at further risk by diverting scarce resources from high-priority wildfires threatening communities elsewhere in the region and country.” - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; and Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (left) swears in Michael Boren as the under secretary for Natural Resources and Environment in her office on Jan. 20, 2026, at the USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Christophe Paul/U.S. Department of Agriculture)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Dems push Trump administration for investigation into wildfire response near Boren’s Idaho ranch

By Clark Corbin

Three Democratic U.S. senators are demanding the Trump Administration investigate reports that Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment Michael Boren allegedly pushed officials for additional resources to fight a small wildfire near his Idaho ranch this summer.

An advisory group is recommending Idaho use its opioid settlement funds to focus on at-risk populations and communities. (Photo by Getty Images)

HEALTH

Idaho Behavioral Health Council identifies at-risk counties for targeted spending of opioid funding

By Laura Guido

A summary highlighting some of the counties facing the highest risk of opioid use disorder included Kootenai, Benewah, Nez Perce, Bannock, Bear Lake, Clearwater, Boise and Ada counties.

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Abortion initiative group sues Idaho state officials over ‘misleading’ ballot language | Kelcie Moseley-Morris
Idaho US Rep. Simpson hopes to increase resources for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis | Laura Guido
Quagga mussels detected again in Idaho, but numbers are down as Ag Department makes eradication push | Clark Corbin
Idaho federal judge narrows abortion ruling to only protect Boise doctor who filed lawsuit | Laura Guido
Twin Falls ICE flight observers record more than 500 detainees flown out of Magic Valley airport | Laura Guido
Idaho State Police want to speed up DNA tests. The state just broke ground on a new forensics lab. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Northwest late summer days marred by historic drought, exacerbating wildfires | Alex Baumhardt
Instagram’s parent company to pay Idaho up to $127M to settle social media addiction lawsuit | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho Democratic candidate Peterson challenges Republican Fulcher, independent Zabel to debate | Laura Guido

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

Coeur d’Alene Press: North Idaho leaders seek stronger voice in Statehouse decisions
Idaho State Journal: Trump approval reaches new record low in Idaho
Local News 8: Flags in Idaho to fly at half-staff to honor late military leader Maj. Gen. Darrell Manning
Sandpoint Reader: Sandpoint council approves $90M FY ’27 budget

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