State sells 'Driggs 160' to billionaire's LLC + Judicial race heads to runoff + Congress faces data center battles

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“Honestly, I’m glad that he got it because I’m pretty sure it won’t be developed. I would rather have someone that is going to conserve the land and not try to put up a mini subdivision there.” - Fifth-generation rancher Nick Beard, on billionaire Thomas Tull purchasing the ‘Driggs 160’ property for $5 million

The piece of Idaho state land known as the '“Driggs 160” parcel is primarily sagebrush and grassland, with views of the Tetons to the southeast. (Photo by Bradly J. Boner/Jackson Hole News&Guide)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

State sells 160 acres of Idaho endowment land near the Tetons to billionaire’s LLC for $5M

By Clark Corbin

Officials with the state of Idaho sold 160 acres of state-owned endowment land located in the shadow of the Teton Range for $5 million at a public auction Friday in Garden City.

The Ada County Courthouse in Boise as seen on March 21, 2021. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

ELECTION 2026

Ada County district judge race headed to a runoff in Idaho’s November general election

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

An Idaho race for a district judgeship in Ada County is headed to a runoff election in November, after no candidate received a majority of votes in Tuesday’s primary election.

Community members protest ahead of a special Box Elder County Commission meeting to discuss the Stratos project, a massive data center proposed for an unincorporated area in Box Elder County, Utah, on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Data center battles started in the states. Now it’s Congress under siege.

By David Lightman

Higher electric rates? Massive data centers looming over neighborhoods? Ugly political fights over what to do about them?

The future of data centers and their huge appetite for electricity is quickly escalating as a political flashpoint from coast to coast, moving from cities and states now to the nation’s capital.

Bills are under debate in Congress. The Trump administration has weighed in. Lobbying is intensifying. The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes.

But finding consensus on how to proceed in D.C. is tough, with the industry spreading around millions to make its case, some lawmakers pushing a moratorium, and others looking for ways to ease the burden on Americans without halting development.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Washington’s largest utility moves to add more wind power | Aspen Ford
Governor declares drought emergency as Utah dips into reservoir ‘savings’ | Annie Knox
Jan. 6 police officers sue Trump over $1.77B ‘taxpayer-funded slush fund’ | Jacob Fischler

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

High school group challenging Idaho’s trans bathroom ban drops lawsuit after student’s death | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Nine Idaho Republican lawmakers lose primary election, including some who pushed for budget cuts | Kyle Pfannenstiel
About 30% of Idaho voters turned out for 2026 primary election, early data shows | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Three members of Idaho Legislature’s budget committee lose primary elections | Clark Corbin
Independent challenger calls on Risch to do three public debates ahead of Idaho’s general election | Laura Guido
‘An ongoing resource’: Idaho Rivers United issues report card on health of Boise River | Clark Corbin
Conservation groups, Forest Service add new public land near Yellowstone National Park | Darrell Ehrlick

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

Idaho EdNews: Private education tax credit applications reopen Thursday
Idaho News 6: Idaho Transportation Department seeks public feedback on proposed Rainbow Bridge designs
Idaho Press: Chad Hessing is new Kuna police chief
Spokesman-Review: New USDA conditions are hampering state and local wildfire services. Northwest fire officials warn of dire consequences.

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