Idaho
OPINION: Small numbers will make huge decisions in Idaho
Among those who have agreed to do so are Republicans Cindy Agidius, of Moscow, and Colton Bennett, of Troy, Rep. Kyle Harris, R-Lewiston, House candidate Maureen Anderson, of Lewiston, and state Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins.
Medicaid expansion — Even before they succeeded in imposing a work requirement so technically onerous that it may disenfranchise up to 34,000 working poor Idahoans from healthcare coverage simply for failing to fill out the paperwork, lawmakers made a serious run at repealing the 2018 voter-approved Medicaid expansion outright. Last year, a measure aimed at doing that passed the House 38-32 and was held up by the Senate. Given the GOP-led Legislature’s antipathy for the program and the initiative process that implemented it, a few seats in either chamber could hold the balance of power.
Higher education — Legislative hostility toward Idaho’s colleges and universities has been on full display, first by removing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and then by disproportionately cutting state funding to correct a budget deficit brought on by the GOP’s overzealous tax-cutting propensities. As a result, annual student tuition is within striking difference of the bellwether $10,000.
At the same time, support for Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Launch program — which promised $8,000 to help high school graduates pursue training and higher education — was tepid at best. It cleared by a 39-31 vote two years ago and already lawmakers are whittling away at it.
If you need to see what the GOP activists have in mind, look no further than the state Republican Party platform: “We strongly support professional technical and continuing education programs that provide career readiness and college preparation, but do not support using taxpayer funding for programs beyond high school.”
Legislative power brokers — Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, is plowing new ground by allocating $350,000 to a funding apparatus that is funneling big checks, untethered by campaign finance limits, to legislative candidates. It’s not just that a sitting legislator is openly picking winners and losers among incumbents and challengers. There is so much money involved that it could make a difference.
For instance, Redman’s PAC has allocated $16,478 to Bennett’s campaign — which is almost half the amount Bennett has raised for his own campaign. Agidius, on the other hand, has raised $25,789.
Redman’s PAC also has distributed $17,383 to Harris’ effort, coming close to the $23,874 the incumbent has accumulated. Harris’ challenger, former Lewiston Mayor and City Councilor Mike Collins, has collected $30,031.
If voters are prepared to tolerate that, you have to ask at least two questions: What kind of IOUs is Redman collecting from the 20 candidates he’s supporting? And who will be the next lawmaker to follow his example?
Someone is going to decide these questions Tuesday. If not you, who? — M.T.
Idaho
2A STATE SOFTBALL: Loggers fall to Pilots, finish second in …
Potlatch 202 101 0—6 3 3
C. Stewart and P. Stewart; D. Fry, R. Lusby (1), B. Breeze (3) and O. Smith.
Glenns Ferry hits — N. Hernandez 2, P. Stewart (2B), M. Fisher, K. King, J. Titus.
Potlatch hits — E. Vowels (2B), D. Fry, H. Sawyer.
Potlatch 15, Genesee 13
GENESEE — The Loggers spoiled a comeback attempt by the Bulldogs late in the Idaho Class 2A state tournament semifinals.
Genesee (14-11) scored seven runs in the sixth inning, but Potlatch responded with three runs of its own to take the lead back and win the game.
Reese Lusby paced the Loggers with four hits and had two RBI.
Olivia Smith had two hits and two RBI for Potlatch.
Miley Grieser had two hits and led the Bulldogs with three RBI.
Katie O’Connell had a double and two RBI for Genesee.
Genesee 011 407 0—13 8 6
Potlatch 082 023 x—15 13 1
L. Herman and R. Baysinger; D. Fry, R. Lusby (6), B. Breeze (7) and O. Smith.
Genesee hits — S. Banks 2, R. Baysinger 2, M. Grieser 2, K. O’Connell (2B), K. Krick.
Potlatch hits — R. Lusby 4, C. Larson 2 (2B), O. Smith 2, B. Breeze 2, D. Fry, E. Vowels, R. Tucker.
Genesee 12, Clearwater Valley 9
GENESEE — The Bulldogs had five extra-base hits, and three players had three hits apiece to defeat Clearwater Valley of Kooskia in an elimination game earlier in the day.
Alia Wareham and Katie O’Connell each had three hits, including two doubles, driving in one run apiece for Genesee.
Sydney Banks also had three hits and one RBI.
Kaylee Krick had a double and two RBI for the Bulldogs.
Riley Parsons had two hits, one a double, and totaled three RBI for the Rams (16-6).
Seasha Reuben had two hits and two RBI for Clearwater Valley.
Genesee 310 231 2—12 13 1
Clearwater Valley 202 001 4—9 5 4
Idaho
Idaho primaries come next week
Idaho voters will head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election that includes races at the county, legislative, statewide and congressional levels.
Well, at least some voters will head to the polls. This election two years ago drew just 27.9% of registered voters statewide.
The turnout was especially dim in Nez Perce County (19.3%), while Latah County (24.5%) and Clearwater County (25.3%) were near the statewide total. Bright spots were in Lewis County (40.7%) and Idaho County (51.5%).
Voting will be done at regular polling places, and the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Absentee ballots must reach the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, regardless of when they are postmarked.
In Idaho, voters must pick from one of five ballots. Those are Republican, Constitution, Libertarian, Democratic and unaffiliated. Only those registered with the Republican, Constitution or Libertarian parties can vote in those closed primaries. All voters, regardless of affiliation, can vote in the Democratic or nonpartisan primaries.
Those who aren’t registered to vote may do so at their polling place on Election Day by bringing a photo ID and proof of residency. Those who are unaffiliated may join a party on Election Day, but those who are already affiliated can’t switch parties at this time.
Marquee races
One of the most-watched Idaho Legislature races is the District 6 Republican primary that is for incumbent Dan Foreman’s Senate seat. Foreman is being challenged by Lori McCann, of Lewiston, who is leaving her House seat to run for the Senate.
Idaho
“Mamas know best”: Idaho Fish and Game Warns against interfering with spring baby animals – LocalNews8.com
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Springtime in Eastern Idaho means warmer weather and recreational activities in nature for residents. It also means baby animals are out and about, sometimes with no mother in sight. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) wants to warn people against interfering with nature and the abilities of mother animals to care for their young, recalling an incident last year when a group of citizens dropped off a young fawn in a box at an Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) office.
“The weather is wonderful, and of course we have the chance to see wildlife moms with their babies, which makes it extra fun,” said Jennifer Jackson, Regional Communications Manager for Idaho Fish and Game in Eastern Idaho. “But it’s also a time to be aware of protective mothers and give them space on the trails.”
“Trust that the mom’s going to come back”
While exploring nature areas or unmarked trails, people may encounter baby moose, fawns, goslings, ducklings and more. Residents may also find these species right in their own backyards.
“We’ve had situations where people see a little fawn curled up under a tree and think the mom’s not in the picture,” she said. “They think they need to pick up the animal and take it to Fish and Game. The reality is, much of the time a baby animal has been left where it’s at because the mom put it there.”
Mother animals, particularly deer, may leave their children behind while they forage for food, drawing predators away from the babies. By stealing from nature and grabbing a baby animal, people are taking it away from it’s mother and putting it in more danger.
“If you encounter a situation where you’ve found a little baby, don’t assume it’s orphaned. Rather, keep your distance and trust that mom’s going to come back,” Jackson said.
When Fish & Game Steps In
In some cases, people may have real concerns about the condition of a young animal. For those situations, IDFG encourages you to call their local office so they can investigate the situation.
Jackson said that IDFG has stepped in on special occasions when conditions are met to help save young wildlife. A few years ago, two moose calves were orphaned when the mother moose was hit by a car in southeast Idaho. In collaboration with Zoo Idaho in Pocatello, IDFG was able to transport the calves and locate a facility with the capacity to permanently and properly care for them.
She also said to beware of hiking with your dog, as mother moose and bear can see the dogs as threats to their children and may try to engage or charge. In that situation, it’s best to back up and move away.
“If you do have a concern about a situation you’re seeing, if you think it’s an orphaned animal, just give us a call,” Jackson said. “We deal with wildlife species here in the state of Idaho, and so it’s really under our purview to make those calls.”
She said most times, they’ll tell you to leave the animal where it is, and the mother will likely be back to take care of it, and is aware of its location. By putting it in a box and bringing it to Idaho Fish and Game, it removes the baby from its home and potentially from necessary parental care.
“They’re doing it because they love wildlife. They care about the animals, and they want what’s best for that animal,” Jackson said. “We like to tell them sometimes what’s best is leaving those animals right where they’re at.”
If you’re concerned about an animal situation, call the Southeast Idaho Regional Fish and Game office at 208-232-4703.
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