Public land advocates look to play hardball A new group, PAC for Public Lands, makes plans to target politicians willing to shift public lands to private ownership

Idaho public land advocates form PAC, target pols who support selling or transferring public land.
www.lmtribune.com/local-news/p...

How Medicaid fallout forced Idaho to retract past cuts | News From The States

I joined @statesnewsroom.com's podcast to break down how Idaho politicians restored a cut mental health program, after patients died.

And you get to hear from a provider who was a big part of the push to restore the program! #idleg #idpol

How Medicaid fallout forced Idaho to retract past cuts | News From The States How Medicaid fallout forced Idaho to retract past cuts

Episode 24 is live!

This week, we will examine the Medicaid fallout that forced the state of Idaho to retract past cuts with Laura Scuri, the co-owner of Access Behavioral Health Services and @pfannyyy.bsky.social, of @idahocapitalsun.com.

Poll about sports betting finds that for men ages 18-49:
• 52% have an online sportsbook account
• 35% of users have accounts with 3+ sportsbooks
• 68% of users bet at least once a week
• 36% of users have bet $500+ in one day
• 64% of users have bet against favorite team

An Idaho Transportation Department letter asking immigrants for status records is worrying attorneys and their clients Idaho immigration attorneys are puzzled by a new letter from the Idaho Transportation Department notifying immigrants of issues with their records that allow them to be in the United States.

NEW: A new letter from the Idaho Transportation Department is telling immigrants to submit citizenship or lawful presence documents, prompting worries of deportation.

Why is it new? ITD now has access to a federal citizenship status verification program.

More: www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

I've got one for ya today!

First time it's worked for me all day!

For a Boise family of medical providers, Idaho criminal trans bathroom ban was the last straw • Idaho Capital Sun After the Idaho Legislature and Gov. Brad Little pass a criminal transgender bathroom ban, medical providers with a trans kid plan to move.

The Devitts have seen a lot.

They watched their transgender daughter testify against a bill that outlawed her health care.

But Idaho's criminal trans bathroom ban was their last straw. #idleg #idpol

Idaho state revenues up in March but still behind for the current fiscal year as a whole • Idaho Capital Sun The projected state budget surplus is $30.5 million less than the amount Idaho legislators estimated during the 2026 legislative session.

Idaho state revenues beat their projections for the month of March, but continue to lag behind the forecast the Idaho Legislature used for the state budget, according to a new state revenue report released Monday. #idleg #idpol

Ballot initiative to end Idaho’s abortion ban close to 100,000 signatures • Idaho Capital Sun The group behind a proposed ballot initiative to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban says it is close to qualifying for November ballots.

The head of a group leading the push to repeal Idaho's abortion ban says she believes the initiative will soon qualify for the ballot.

“We’re getting close to the point where everyone has a story" about how Idaho's ban is working, she said. #idleg #idpol

Idaho medical cannabis advocates say they have collected 100,000 signatures • Idaho Capital Sun Supporters of the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act have until April 30 to turn in signatures to the state for verification.

A group called the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho is hoping to legalize medical cannabis as a treatment option for Idahoans with debilitating medical conditions like cancer, post traumatic stress disorder, AIDS, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. #idpol

“Idaho is facing one of the most severe physician shortages in the nation for a variety of reasons,” Little wrote in his veto letter. “Our graduate medical education (GME) program has proven to be one of the most effective tools in addressing this challenge ..." #idleg #idpol

Idaho governor signs bill to force teachers, doctors to out transgender minors to their parents • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill to require teachers and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents, or face lawsuits.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill to require teachers and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents, or face lawsuits.

Idaho governor signs bill for Medicaid expansion work requirements by 2027 • Idaho Capital Sun Roughly 80,000 low-income Idahoans on Medicaid expansion will need to start proving that they are working to stay on the program.

By the end of the year, roughly 80,000 low-income Idahoans on Medicaid expansion will need to start proving that they are working to stay on the program.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the Medicaid work requirements bill today. #idleg #idpol

Conservative Idaho blogger who defamed drag performer appeals verdict, seemingly using AI for legal backing A conservative Idaho blogger who defamed a drag performer by implying he exposed himself during Coeur d'Alene's Pride in the Park four years ago wants her jury verdict thrown out.

North Idaho far-right blogger Samantha Bushnell asked Idaho’s high court to overturn her $1.1 million defamation judgement from when she implied a drag performer flashed children at Pride.
The judges accused her of using AI to write her legal arguments.

www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...

Thank you!

After this legislative session, Idaho Medicaid is bracing for quite a few changes — including work requirements, cut to disability provider pay rates, and restoring two critical mental health programs. #idleg #idpol

After Legislature adjourns, Idaho governor has another week to act on final bills • Idaho Capital Sun Because the Idaho Legislature officially finished, Gov. Brad Little has more time to decide on the final bills of 2026 legislative session.

The governor has until 5 p.m. April 14 to decide what to do on the bills left on his desk. #idleg #idpol

Analysis: Inside the teachers’ union battle that split the Senate GOP At the last minute, lawmakers turned one education bill into a bill targeting teachers’ unions — defying one committee chair in the process. This could be a sign of things to come.

Analysis: At the last minute, lawmakers turned one education bill into a bill targeting teachers’ unions — defying one committee chair in the process. This could be a sign of things to come. #idaho #idleg
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Immigration bills caused big stir this year, but none advanced in Idaho Legislature • Idaho Capital Sun After several immigration bills were introduced, none advanced in the 2026 Idaho legislative session. Hardline Republicans are frustrated.

“The White House is paying attention to Idaho,” Nampa Republican Sen. Brian Lenney said, referencing a letter from a White House adviser supporting one of the stalled bills. “And they’re not happy with what they’re seeing and what they saw this legislative session.” #idleg #idpol

Idaho Cut Services for People With Schizophrenia. Then the Deaths Began.

Idaho cut wraparound services for people with schizophrenia. In the weeks after the service was discontinued, there was a preventable death among the program's former clients. And another. And another. And another.

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/h...

After Legislature adjourns, Idaho governor has another week to act on final bills • Idaho Capital Sun Because the Idaho Legislature officially finished, Gov. Brad Little has more time to decide on the final bills of 2026 legislative session.

Because the Idaho Legislature officially wrapped up work for the year last Thursday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little has more time to decide what to do with the final bills of the 2026 legislative session. #idleg #idpol

The waiting game: Teachers’ union bill now sits on Little’s desk Gov. Brad Little has until April 14 to act on a bill banning taxpayer support of teachers’ union activities. His word figures to be the last word.

Gov. Brad Little has until April 14 to act on a bill banning taxpayer support of teachers’ union activities. His word figures to be the last word. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/the...

After governor approves, Idaho health agency announces restored Medicaid mental health programs • Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced it would start reimbursing providers for Assertive Community Treatment and peer support.

After the governor signed into law a bill to reinstate cut Medicaid mental health programs, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced it would start reimbursing providers for the full services. #idleg #idpol

I'm just happy the issue is getting a big platform. They spent the time to talk to families of the folks who died. I thought their piece was well done.

Idaho Cut Services for People With Schizophrenia. Then the Deaths Began.

The New York Times wrote about an Idaho issue I've been following for months! They talked to the families of several of the four people who died after Idaho cut a mental health treatment program.

After four patients died, Idaho governor approves restoring cut Medicaid mental health programs • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill to restore mental health treatment programs the state cut to comply with the his budget cut order.

After four patients died, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill to restore Medicaid mental health treatment programs that the state cut to comply with the governor’s order for budget cuts. #idleg #idpol

Idaho Legislature approves use of $930M federal rural health care grant  • Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Legislature has approved the use of a five-year, nearly $930 million federal grant for rural health care.

The state will have around $186 million to spend in the first year on subgrants meant to improve rural health care access. #idleg #idpol

After divisive session marked by budget cuts, Idaho Legislature adjourns 2026 session • Idaho Capital Sun The 2026 Idaho Legislative session was marked by budget cuts and additional restrictions on LGBTQ+ communities.

The Idaho Legislature and Gov. Brad Little enacted a series of across-the-board budget cuts that reduced funding for most state agencies and departments by 4% this year and 5% beginning in fiscal year 2027, which starts July 1. #idleg #idpol

Idaho Senate rejects House speaker’s bill to bar local officials from office for violating laws • Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Senate rejected a bill that would let Attorney General seek to disqualify local elected officials if they “willfully” violate law.

The Idaho Senate swiftly defeated House Speaker Mike Moyle's bill to bar local elected officials from office for "wilfully" violating state law. #idleg #idpol