Constituents from Idaho’s Legislative District 2 have submitted a letter to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office requesting an investigation into Republican state Sen. Phil Hart’s residency.
Hart, who is in his first term in the Idaho Senate, and has previously served four terms in the Idaho House, is registered at an address in Kellogg. He is running for reelection in the Nov. 5 general election against challenger Tom Hearn, a Saint Maries Democrat.
According to the letter sent by two constituents, Hart’s registered home has been under construction for several years and they believe it is unoccupied. Idaho Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, works from the Senate floor at the State Capitol building on Jan. 9, 2023. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
“Given the extended construction on the property and concerns raised by residents within our community, we ask that your office investigate whether Senator Hart is in fact residing within Legislative District 2 or whether he is residing outside the district,” the letter said, signed by district 2 constituents Debra Rose and Bruce Koch.
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On Tuesday, the constituents with assistance from the Idaho Democratic Party, held a press conference outside of Hart’s home to discuss the issue. According to a press release from the Idaho Democratic Party, the constituents and party claim to have evidence from a private investigator that suggests Hart does not live at his home, but at a Hayden office outside of his district leased by his business.
Hart could not be immediately reached for comment.
To run for state office, individuals must be a registered voter within their legislative district at least one year prior to the election. According to Idaho law, individuals who temporarily leave their home do not lose their residence. But if the individual moves to another area with the intention of making it their permanent home, they lose their residence under Idaho law.
This is not the first time Hart is at the center of controversy. In 1996, Hart illegally cut down trees from state school endowment land to complete his log home in Athol. The property was later sold in 2016 as a settlement for not paying years worth of federal income taxes, the Spokesman-Review reported.
Idaho Secretary of State’s spokesperson Chelsea Carattini confirmed that the office has received the request to review the issue.
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The constituents in the letter said they represent “both sides of the political aisle – one a registered Democrat and the other a registered Republican,” and their goal is to maintain transparency and accountability.
GARDEN CITY – A Boise-area girl is competing in the 2026 Junior Ranger Competition, and she needs your vote to advance.
Eleven-year-old Cali Lindsay of Garden City is currently in the top 10 in her age group. The first place contestant in each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will wrap on July 17.
The final round concludes on July 24. The winner will be awarded $20,000 and be featured on the cover of Ranger Rick Magazine. They’ll also win a trip with Jeff Corwin.
Cali’s mom, Emily Edginton, tells EastIdahoNews.com how the competition works.
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“You’re allowed one free vote every 24 hours. People can also pay (to vote),” Edginton says. “The contestants have challenges every week to learn about animals and share what they’ve learned. People vote for the answer they like best. If you have enough votes, you move to the next round.”
Cali needs to secure enough votes by Thursday in order to advance to the next round.
The competition is a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation, the largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization in the United States.
Edginton says they recently moved to Idaho from San Bernardino, California. Her daughter acquired a love of wildlife living in Lytle Creek, a community near the San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino National Forest.
“She’s already like a junior ranger. We picked up trash (in the forest) for fun,” Edginton says. “We try to keep it clean because we get a lot of visitors up there in the summertime and they trash the place. It affects the animals.”
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Edginton says they moved to Idaho in February to be closer to family.
She’s grateful her daughter can be part of what she feels is a great cause, and hopes to see her advance, and even win the tournament.
“It’s a good cause, plus it’s a learning experience,” says Edginton.
To vote for Cali or learn more, click here.
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JACKSON, Wyo. — Springtime conjures images of adorable baby animals. Unfortunately, sometimes well-meaning humans feel compelled to interfere with Mother Nature by “rescuing” baby animals who appear to be alone.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) issued a spring reminder discouraging people from intervening when they assume a wild animal is lost, abandoned or orphaned.
“While these folks typically mean well, the sad reality is they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene — and typically, mom was not far away to begin with,” IDFG shared in a press release.
“Here’s the hard truth,” the agency wrote. “Animal parents will periodically leave their young for an extended period of time for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s to search for food, to rest or to divert attention from their vulnerable offspring, especially if they sense danger. When it comes to wildlife babies, wildlife mothers know best.”
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In short, in an encounter with a lone duckling, gosling, deer fawn, baby bird, red dog or moose calf, do not disturb it. Instead, contact the state’s wildlife agency to report it. In Jackson, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307) 733-2321. In Idaho, reach IDFG at (208) 525-7290.
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