Tobacco companies give thousands to campaigns + Costs, permitting are barriers to nuclear-powered electricity + Column: We should shape next era of nuclear research

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“It was costing the states millions of dollars to litigate these cases, so in the end, it ended up just being better for the state. And we received a substantial amount of money for the state, and we didn’t have to worry about: Would we lose in some future case … then, you lose the entire amount?” - Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, on a 2024 decision to take tobacco settlement dollars up front

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador participates in a May 2026 National Police Week roundtable at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho Attorney General’s Office)

ELECTION 2026

Tobacco manufacturers donate $27K to Idaho AG Labrador’s campaign, years after settlement tweaks

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Republican Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Gov. Brad Little’s re-election campaigns received more than $20,000 each in donations from tobacco and nicotine manufacturers.

The donations come in the first election cycle for the statewide offices after Labrador struck a complex deal in 2024 with tobacco manufacturers to essentially not fight in court about a pool of settlement payments that tobacco manufacturers tend to dispute. At the time of the agreement, Labrador’s office said the deal essentially guaranteed the state a big chunk of money up front, but the deal also left millions of dollars on the table that could have come to the state over a longer period of time.

In an interview last week, Labrador said he didn’t communicate with the tobacco manufacturers about their contributions to his campaign, and he defended the deal over the settlement funds

Officials from Idaho Power, Rocky Mountain Power and Avista told members of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission that nuclear energy can provide a reliable and clean source of energy that diversifies energy portfolios, but high costs to build such projects can create barriers. (Photo by Gregory Thomas/USDA)

ENERGY

Costs and permitting are barriers to nuclear-powered electricity in Idaho, utilities say

By Clark Corbin

High costs and lengthy permitting processes are two of the barriers to bringing nuclear-powered electricity to customers in Idaho, officials from three electrical utilities told state regulators during a public forum outside of Boise on Tuesday.

Researchers work in the Idaho National Laboratory’s Hot Fuel Examination Facility. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho National Laboratory)

COMMENTARY

Idaho helped start the nuclear age. We should help write what comes next.

By Cally Younger

Much of what we know about the opportunities for used fuel is the result of the work done at Idaho National Laboratory, writes guest columnist Cally Younger.

MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US

Deadline for Idaho voters to request absentee ballot for general election is Oct. 23 | Clark Corbin
Gov. Little, state officials to travel to Arco for Idaho ‘Capital for a Day’ on Oct. 22 | Laura Guido
2026 general election voter guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote. | Idaho Capital Sun staff

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Utah sues Kalshi for ‘brazen pattern’ of violating state’s gambling ban | Katie McKellar
Washington panel eyes ways to ease hurdles to rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfires | Jerry Cornfield
USDA offering $8B in farmer relief payments | Cami Koons

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

East Idaho News: Rigby Democrat challenging four-term incumbent in race for District 31 House seat B
Local News 8: Housing costs front and center at community roundtable in Idaho Falls
Idaho EdNews: State Supreme Court weighs competing timelines for producing student records
Lewiston Tribune: Idaho shutting down steelhead harvest on Clearwater River
Shoshone News-Press: School district, city discussing new civic center in Kellogg

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