By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“The level of missing documentation across all financial transactions reviewed is very concerning. We were unable to determine if the missing documentation was due to incompetence or fraudulent activities, but it does call into question the integrity of many transactions.” - State audit report on the city of Kamiah’s financial procedures
The Kamiah city pool as seen last month. The city spent more than $500,000 on a renovation project that is not yet complete. (Photo courtesy of Idaho County Free Press)
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
In rare Idaho state audit of a city, report finds major procedural shortcomings in Kamiah’s spending
By Laura Guido
Amid a rapidly declining cash balance and a half-a-million dollar public pool renovation project that isn’t yet complete, Idaho state auditors are referring a report on spending by the city of Kamiah to the state’s chief legal officer.
The audit report, published Thursday, included information on employee pay raises, vacation time, large vendor payments for candy, and a nearly $455,000 over-spend on a contract for the pool renovation — all with little to no documentation to justify the expenses and seemingly with little input from the City Council.
The Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise shines in the sunlight on Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
IMMIGRATION
Idaho sheriff tells legislators decisions on ICE partnerships should be left to local officials
By Clark Corbin
An Idaho sheriff told a committee of state legislators on Thursday that partnership agreements with ICE should be local decisions, not required by the Idaho Legislature or state government.
The 2026 NCSL Legislative Summit will bring together state lawmakers and legislative staff from the 50 states and U.S. territories from July 27-29 in Chicago. (Photo by Leontura/Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
‘E pluribus unum’ is not a slogan. It’s a choice.
By Tim Storey and Sue Urahn
Americans must recognize that our political differences are not inevitably divisive, because our futures are fundamentally connected, write guest columnists Tim Storey and Sue Urahn.
MORE FROM US
Want to weigh in on Prop 1, the Idaho abortion ballot initiative? Here’s how. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
Judge denies feds’ request to pause bison plan lawsuit | Jordan Hansen
Cyclosporiasis outbreak surges to over 4,173 confirmed cases | Shalina Chatlani
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: Stibnite opponents continue to bring legal challenges
Coeur d’Alene Press: Coeur d’Alene’s rapid growth prompts city fee increase proposal
Idaho Press: Caldwell eyes public safety levy for November
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