Idaho Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Federal Court To Rule On Sex Reassignment Surgery For Idaho Inmate

By Amanda Peacher May 16, 2019

A corrections officer walks the grounds of the Idaho State Correctional Institution south of Boise where Adree Edmo was incarcerated. CREDIT: Heath Druzin/BSPR

A federal district court judge ruled in Adree Edmo's favor last December and ordered the prison to provide the surgery within six months. But the state of Idaho appealed, and the case is now being heard by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Continue Read More

Federal BLM Bans Exploding Targets In Idaho After Firearms Users Caused Wildfires Last Year

By NWPB News May 15, 2019

The 2018 Sharps Fire in Idaho was caused by an exploding target. CREDIT: INCIWEB

The federal Bureau of Land Management has banned fireworks and exploding targets this summer in Idaho. Last year, people shooting at exploding or steel targets caused 60% of the wildfires on BLM land. Continue Reading Read More

Washington Becomes First West Coast State Ready To Ditch Twice-Yearly Time Changes

By Tom Banse May 8, 2019

File photo. A loosely coordinated effort is gaining steam to get all West Coast states to synchronize their clocks to year-round daylight saving time. CREDIT: HENRIQUE SIMPLICIO / FLICKR PHOTO HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/F1JXBL

With the stroke of the governor's pen Wednesday, Washington officially became the first West Coast state to ditch the twice-yearly time switch. But the end of "spring forward-fall back" won't happen until Congress gives the green light to all of the states moving toward year-round daylight saving time. Read More

Police Defuse Potentially Explosive Device In Pullman Following Similar Incident In Moscow

By Scott Leadingham May 5, 2019

Police in Pullman say a Spokane explosives team diffused a device Sunday, May 5 at the City Playfields near the WSU campuse. CREDIT: GOOGLE MAPS

Pullman Police say they defused a possible explosive device Sunday morning. It follows the discovery and disposal of a similar incident in Moscow, Idaho last week. Continue Reading Police Defuse Potentially Read More

Idaho Gov. Brad Little Signs Medicaid Expansion Bill With Work Requirements

By NWPB News April 9, 2019

Idaho Gov. Brad Little delivers his State of the State address inside the house chambers at the state Capitol building, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019 in Boise, Idaho. CREDIT: AP PHOTO/OTTO KITSINGER

Idaho will ask the federal government for permission to implement mandatory work requirements for those covered under the state’s Medicaid plan. Gov. Brad Little signed the bill despite concerns about the constitutionality of such requirements that were repeatedly brought up during public testimony and debates. Read More

Idaho Gov. Brad Little Vetoes Bill That Would Have Made Ballot Initiatives Tougher

By NWPB News April 5, 2019

In a rebuke to the Idaho legislature, Gov. Brad Little has “reluctantly” vetoed a bill that some say would’ve made it nearly impossible to get an initiative on the ballot. Little also plans to veto a second, similar bill that would’ve loosened some of the original proposal’s restrictions. Read More

Federal Legalization Of Hemp Creates Confusion For State And Local Police

By NWPB News March 29, 2019

Samples of hemp sit on a table in the conference room at Andrew Ross' office in Denver on Friday, March 22, 2019. Ross, a Marine who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, is facing 18 years to life in Oklahoma if he is convicted after he was arrested in January while providing security for a load of state-certified hemp from Kentucky. Federal legalization for hemp has created a quandary for police as authorities lack the technology to distinguish marijuana from agricultural hemp at a roadside stop. CREDIT: THOMAS PEIPERT/AP

Federal legalization of hemp arrived in the U.S. late last year and expanded an industry already booming because of the skyrocketing popularity of CBDs, a compound in hemp that many see as a health aid. But now, just a few months after Congress placed the marijuana look-alike squarely in safe legal territory, the hemp industry has been unsettled by an unexpected Read More

Small-Scale Nuclear Company Looks To Build First Plant In Idaho

By Cassandra Profita March 11, 2019

An artist’s rendition of the NuScale nuclear power project planned for construction in Idaho. Courtesy of NuScale Power

As coal plants retire across the country, Portland-based NuScale Power wants to replace some of that electricity with its small-scale nuclear plants. Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems wants to build a 720-megawatt nuclear plant at the Idaho National Laboratory site in Idaho Falls. Read More

New Idaho Law to Make Overdose Reversal Drug More Available

By NWPB News February 14, 2019

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signs into law legislation to make the overdose reversal drug naloxone more readily available. CREDIT: Keith Riddler/AP News

Idaho Governor Brad Little signed legislation into law Thursday aimed at reducing the number of opioid deaths in the state by making naloxone overdose reversal medication more available. Continue Reading New Idaho Law to Make Overdose Reversal Drug Read More

Idaho Supreme Court To Decide Fate Of Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansion

By NWPB News February 1, 2019

File photo of Idaho Supreme Court chamber. The state's high court will rule soon on a challenge to the voter-approved Medicaid expansion. CREDIT: JAMES DAWSON/BSPR

The future of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion is now in the hands of the state Supreme Court. The libertarian-leaning Idaho Freedom Foundation quickly filed suit after more than 60 percent of voters signed off on expanding Medicaid in November. Read More

Plans Continue For Moscow’s Edible Forest

By Murrow News - Jasmine Darakjy January 29, 2019

The plan to build Idaho’s first edible food forest keeps on growing. Continue Reading Plans Continue For Moscow’s Edible ForestRead More

Crow Murders In Idaho Are Nothing To Squawk About: Human Scarecrows Try To Divert Bird Invasion

By NPR News January 27, 2019

Almost 10,000 migratory crows have descended on Nampa, Idaho, for the past three winters. A task force is deploying drones, lasers and even a live hawk to try to divert the annual migration. CREDIT: Winfried Rothermel/AP

Every winter for the past three years, almost 10,000 migratory crows have descended upon Nampa, Idaho, dotting the skyline in black and squawking away. By day the birds scavenge for food in farmland that surrounds the city. By night they flock to town to roost. Read More

Washington May Rope In Ranchers To Help With Wildfires — As Oregon And Idaho Already Do

By Tom Banse January 18, 2019

A water tender for fighting wildfires is parked next to rancher Charlie Lyon’s barn near Mountain Home, Idaho. CREDIT: JESSICA ROBINSON/N3

Washington may soon copy a rural wildfire fighting strategy that Oregon, Idaho and Nevada already employ: letting private ranchers attack range fires before the blazes get big. Continue Reading Washington May Rope In Read More

School Closures & Delays

By NWPB News January 7, 2019

Latest school closures and delays from our area. You can also report closures and delays on this page by filling out the form located at the bottom of the page. Continue Reading School Closures & DelaysRead More

Brad Little Sworn In As 33rd Idaho Governor As Legislature Looks To Tackle Medicaid Expansion

By Doug Nadvornick January 4, 2019

Brad Little was sworn in as Idaho's governor Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, with his wife Teresa Little holding a Bible. CREDIT: OTTO KITSINGER/AP

Idaho has a new governor for the first time in 12 years. Brad Little took the oath of office Friday during a ceremony on the statehouse steps in Boise. Continue Reading Brad Little Sworn In As 33rd Idaho Governor Read More

Washington Utility Regulators Deny Acquisition Of Avista By Canadian Firm

By Doug Nadvornick December 6, 2018

Washington utility regulators say the Canadian utility Hydro One may not acquire the Spokane-based utility Avista. In a statement, the state Utilities and Transportation Commission said "the proposed merger does not serve the public interest." Read More

Idaho’s Proposition 2 Puts Medicaid Expansion To Voters After State Lawmakers Refused

By NWPB News November 3, 2018

Amy Pratt personally collected more than 1,000 signatures to help get Proposition 2 on the ballot. It's the first time she's been politically active and she has no plans of stopping. CREDIT: JAMES DAWSON / BSPR

After years of inaction by the Idaho legislature on the state's healthcare gap, Proposition 2 on the state ballot gives Idahoans the chance to say whether they want Medicaid expansion -- a proposal endorsed by outgoing Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter. Read More

Idaho School District In Hot Water After ‘Insensitive And Inappropriate’ Photos Of Staff As Border Wall

By NWPB News November 2, 2018

In another photo put on social media by the Middleton School District, educators can be seen posing with segments of a wall emblazoned with "Make America Great Again." CREDIT: FACEBOOK

Photos of teachers wearing Halloween costumes at Middleton Heights Elementary in Idaho are going viral and causing controversy. Continue Reading Idaho School District In Hot Water After ‘Insensitive And Read More

Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Talk Issues At Idaho Gubernatorial Debate

By NWPB News October 16, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan and Lt. Gov. Brad Little participate in a debate at the studios of Idaho Public Television in Boise, Idaho, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. CREDIT: OTTO KITSINGER

Idaho’s gubernatorial candidates struck starkly different tones on topics ranging from transparency to health care and education during a live televised debate on Oct. 15. Continue Reading Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Talk Issues At Idaho Read More

Wildlife Groups Scramble For New Way To Block Grizzly Hunts

By NWPB News August 30, 2018

Wildlife advocates scrambled Thursday to find a new way to block grizzly bear hunts set to begin this weekend after a judge said he wouldn't immediately restore federal protections on the bears living in and around Yellowstone National Park. Continue Read More

As Wildfire Seasons Worsen, Scientists Point To Summer Precipitation As Major Driving Factor

By Emily Schwing August 20, 2018

Washington fire managers responded to nearly 70 new fire starts August 11, 2018, including the Grass Valley Fire that threatened the Grand Coulee Dam area and forced hundreds of evacuations. CREDIT: INCIWEB

Wildfire activity in the American West is likely to get worse in coming years. A new study out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences points to the lack of precipitation in the summer as the major driving factor when it comes to increasing fire severity. Read More

North Idaho Man Charged With Hate Crime After Threatening, Yelling Racial Slurs At Teens

By Zachary Garner July 18, 2018

A North Idaho man hurls racial slurs, profanity at teenagers getting ice cream at McDonald's CREDIT: THE INLANDER

A North Idaho man has been arrested and charged with a hate crime after hurling racial slurs and threats at a group of teenagers at a Coeur d’Alene McDonald's on July 12. Continue Reading North Idaho Man Read More

Mother Of Boise Attack Victim Mourns Loss Of Daughter

By NWPB News July 5, 2018

Bifituu Kadir remembers her only child, 3-year-old daughter Ruya Kadir, who was stabbed at her own birthday party along with others last Saturday when a man armed with a large knife attacked them, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Kadir is mourning her little girl, slain in the very community that was supposed to keep her safe. The International Rescue Committee is working with immigration services and government officials to try to get Bifituu's husband to the U.S. CREDIT: DARIN OSWALD/IDAHO STATESMAN/AP

Ruya was at her third birthday party — complete with a pink doll-shaped cake and a Disney princess banner — Saturday evening when a man armed with a large knife attacked. Ruya and five other children were badly injured, along with the three adults who tried to protect them. Read More

Big Wildfire Season And Summer Of Drought Await The Northwest

By Tony Schick June 26, 2018

The Chetco Bar Fire remained relatively quiet for its first month before exploding into Oregon's largest wildfire. Courtesy of Chetco Bar Fire incident command team

Federal officials anticipate a big wildfire season in the Northwest throughout July, August and possibly into September. Continue Reading Big Wildfire Season And Summer Of Drought Await The NorthwestRead More

Idaho Primary Results: Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Advance In Governor’s Race

By Frankie Barnhill May 16, 2018

Democratic Paulette Jordan addresses supporters after winning the party primary Tuesday, May 15, 2018. CREDIT: AMANDA PREACHER/BSPR

Two of the most bruising Republican primaries in 2018 were the gubernatorial race and the race for Idaho’s First Congressional District. Continue Reading Idaho Primary Results: Brad Little And Paulette Jordan Advance In Governor’s RaceRead More

175 Years On, Vote To Form ‘Oregon Country’ Highlights Differences In Northwest States

By Tom Banse May 3, 2018

A 1920 painting and newer interpretive displays at Champoeg State Park recreate the historic 1843 vote to establish the first government in the Oregon Territory. CREDIT: TOM BANSE

Before there was an Oregon, Idaho and Washington state, there was the Oregon Country. Early settlers and pioneers voted to form a provisional territorial government 175 years ago this week. The vote was close and featured arguments that may sound surprisingly familiar today. Read More

Apple Varieties Thought Extinct Rediscovered In Washington And Idaho Palouse Region

By NWPB News March 9, 2018

Five types of apples, once thought to be extinct, have been rediscovered in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The Lewiston Tribune newspaper reported that “apple detective” David Benscoter located the trees growing near Steptoe Butte on the rolling hills of the Palouse. Read More

Idaho Senate Committee Keeps Climate Change In New Science Standards

By NWPB News February 23, 2018

An Idaho Senate panel voted February 22 to retain all references to man-made climate change in proposed science standards for K-12 education, which could end a three-year fight over the rules. Continue Reading Idaho Senate Read More

Record Bald Eagle Numbers In North Idaho (And Biologists Don’t Know Why)

By Emily Schwing January 13, 2018

Every winter, hundreds of bald eagles migrate through Idaho’s panhandle. This year, eagles numbers are at a record high. Migrating eagles start to arrive in mid-November, just as the blue-backed kokanee salmon return to the lake. Continue Reading Read More

Census Data: Idaho Fastest Growing, Washington Adds Fourth Most People

By Anna Boiko-Weyrauch December 28, 2017

2016 Census Data Shows Idaho Fastest Growing State

Northwest states are among the fastest growing in the country. And according to the latest census figures, it’s gaining people more than twice as fast as the national average. Continue Reading Census Data: Idaho Fastest Growing, Washington Read More

Idaho Legislature Moves To Nip ‘Sanctuary Cities’ In The Bud

By Tom Banse January 30, 2017

The red-blue divide on immigration is on prominent display in the Northwest Monday. The state attorneys general of Washington state and Oregon are denouncing the Trump administration for its order limiting travel from seven majority-Muslim countries. Meanwhile, Idaho legislators took the first step to require local police to assist the federal government on immigration Read More

Idaho Athletic Diector Says UI Wants To Stay In Football Bowl Subdivision

By Sueann Ramella May 7, 2012

Gingrich Attracts North Idaho Voters Still On The Fence

By Sueann Ramella February 24, 2012

Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista attended a campaign rally in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Thursday evening. PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA ROBINSON / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Newt Gingrich was in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Thursday night to fund raise and rally voters before the state’s Super Tuesday caucus. Newt Gingrich: “Barack Obama is,… Read More

Otter Creates Commission to Study Nuclear Energy Issues

By Sueann Ramella February 8, 2012

Idaho Governor Butch Otter PHOTO BY: JUSTMAKETHESHIFT.IDAHO.GOV / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK Idaho Governor Butch Otter has created a nuclear energy commission to look at the future role of the Idaho National Laboratory. A federal task force on America’s nuclear future issued its final report last month, and now, Idaho Governor Butch Otter has created… Read More