By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“Without those management practices in place, or with significant rollback of those management policies, you could see wilderness across the West be under threat from potential development, potential road building and the potential handing over to the private sector.” - Michael Carroll, BLM campaign director with the Wilderness Society
Officials with the nonprofit organization The Wilderness Society published a map depicting wilderness and wilderness study areas to show what public land could be affected by a U.S. Department of Interior policy review. (Map provided courtesy of The Wilderness Society)
ENVIRONMENT
Wilderness in Idaho, the West is subject to review by Trump administration, Wilderness Society says
By Clark Corbin
Officials at the nonprofit Wilderness Society say more than 1 million acres of wilderness and wild lands in Idaho could be affected by a federal policy review being undertaken by U.S. Department of Interior officials.
In June, officials with the Department of Interior announced they were beginning a nationwide review of rock climbing management, as well as policies governing wilderness study areas and land that has wilderness-like qualities.
The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee clashed over SNAP error rate policy, and failed to advance updated farm bill legislation. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
GOVERNMENT + POLITICS
Farm bill proposal fails in US Senate ag committee over SNAP error rate issue
By Cami Koons
Farm groups expressed disappointment in another delay to the farm bill, which has not been reauthorized since 2018, especially since the Senate version included a provision for year-round, nationwide E15 sought by ethanol and corn producers.
Other groups celebrated that policies like the Save Our Bacon Act, which would block individual state rules on the growing conditions of agricultural products, were not advanced.
Rob Stone, pictured with his mother, Jeneva, has a rare genetic movement disorder, dystonia-parkinsonism, that limits his mobility and speech. He has advocated for the preservation of state-funded services that allow him to live in his community, rather than in an institution. (Photo courtesy of Jeneva Stone)
HEALTH
As federal protections fade, Americans with disabilities fear a return to institutions
By Andrew Ellestad
Disability advocates around the country are fighting a surge of federal and state actions that have eroded protections meant to keep people with disabilities living and working in their communities, rather than in institutions.
The federal government has walked away from decades-old requirements that states deliver disability services to people where they live. At the same time, state leaders, citing budget shortfalls, have rolled back community services the feds don’t require them to fund.
As I look at our nation, I’m convinced we don’t have a disagreement problem, we have a disagreement skills problem, writes guest columnist Andrew Ellestad.(Photo by Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
The lost art of disagreeing well: In Idaho, we need these ground rules to truly solve conflicts.
By Andrew Ellestad
We should challenge claims, not character; ask questions before assigning motives; and begin with a shared goal, writes guest columnist Andrew Ellestad.
MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US
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: CDA considering deficit reduction plan
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