Idaho
New bill aims to address doctor shortage in Idaho, bring changes to WWAMI program
BOISE, Idaho — A new bill aims to bring changes to Idaho’s partnership with the University of Washington and expand more education options for medical students. House Bill 368 also addresses the doctor shortage in Idaho.
“We do have a physician shortage in the state of Idaho, and I love that the legislature is recognizing that and they’re motivated to make changes,” says Boise-based Doctor Joie Florence.
The bill would require the State Board of Education to create a plan to address the shortage. Specifically, it would remove 10 seats reserved for Idaho medical students at the University of Washington by 2027 while adding up to 30 new seats at the University of Utah.
“We know WWAMI produces good doctors, that’s not the issue. The issue is if we’re gonna invest more, how do we make that investment? How do we diversify our interests and how do we prioritize dollars being in Idaho,” says bill sponsor Representative Dustin Manwaring (R).
Manwaring says that though the bill would pull seats away from the existing WWAMI partnership, overall it means growth for Idaho.
“We’re going to net at least 20 new undergraduate medical education seats that the state would invest in in Idaho. So we’re not contracting, we’re expanding the opportunities, we’re expanding the program partners,” says Manwaring.
“I got to train here in Idaho, in my home state,” says Dr. Joie Florence, who attended medical school at Idaho WWAMI.
“I was part of a class of 30 so I watched the expansion take place… now we’re at 40. I’m very concerned at moving backward,” added Florence.
Now, she helps teach Idaho WWAMI medical students and feels the program is in a unique position to train new Idaho doctors.
“The University of Washington partnered with Idaho WWAMI has this excellent infrastructure, this network of doctors, all through the state of Idaho, and throughout the whole WWAMI region… University of Utah doesn’t have that yet,” Florence explained.
Representative Chris Matthias (D) — who voted no on Wednesday morning — argued the bill, as it is currently written, likely won’t address Idaho’s shortage.
“It is not going to lead to more physicians, removing medical education seats prematurely, before we know whether the University of Utah is ready to bring on all these students and make sure they have clinical sites in Idaho to train them,” says Matthias.
“Now is not the time to potentially disrupt our pipeline of physicians to Idaho,” says Florence.
House Bill 368 is now on its way to the house floor for consideration.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — A joint investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Home Police Department has led to the arrest of a man accused of multiple sexual offenses in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home.
An arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2026, for Dillon Thorpe following an investigation conducted by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Thorpe was taken into custody on June 11, 2026, on a warrant by the Idaho State Police.
Thorpe is charged with rape, child enticement, lewd conduct with a minor, and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Authorities said additional details about the investigation will not be released at this time because of the nature of the crimes and to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional suspected victims and/or witnesses who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information or evidence relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain Home Police Department to make a report.
DENVER (KDVR) — Three Colorado motorcyclists died on Tuesday in northern Idaho after a pickup truck driver, also from Colorado, hit all three while trying to pass another vehicle, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the town of Kooskia on U.S. 12, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as a 60-year-old Colorado Springs woman, was headed west on the highway when she crossed the double yellow line in a no-passing zone while trying to pass another vehicle.
She then collided head-on with the three motorcycles that were headed east on the highway.
The three motorcyclists died at the scene. The Idaho County Coroner identified the motorcyclists as: Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath, Jeremy Coleman, 45 of Berthoud, and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland.
The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police later identified Coleman and Powers as a sergeant and deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and McCormick as Coleman’s son-in-law.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, coworkers, and the members of FOP Lodge 4 as they face the difficult days ahead,” the union said. “The law enforcement profession is built on service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. Sgt. Coleman and Deputy Powers dedicated their lives to protecting their community, and their impact will continue to be felt by those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.”
The truck driver was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being released then arrested. She was booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter, police said.
The following is a press release from the Idaho State Police:
The Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating a three-fatality crash that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on U.S. Highway 12 near milepost 113 east of Kooskia.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The pickup crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with three motorcycles traveling eastbound.
The three motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 60-year-old female driver of the Ford, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Following her release, she was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.
U.S. Highway 12 was closed for approximately six and one-half hours while emergency responders assisted at the scene and investigators processed evidence.
ISP was assisted by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS personnel.
The crash remains under investigation.
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