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Farewell, ‘simply’ North Idaho

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Farewell, ‘simply’ North Idaho



That is sometimes a research-based column area, meant to make little reference to something private.

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Not at present.

As you learn this, we’re cleansing an empty home which is not ours. The Pod with our meager belongings is gone, and tomorrow morning, we’ll not be Kootenai County residents. After 23 years of Idaho life.

That feels so bizarre.

This isn’t what we’d deliberate. We thought we’d get outdated and die right here. Having fallen in love with the geography, invested ourselves deeply locally, volunteered and labored and befriended so many … Go away? Uh-uh.

If something, that affection and pull have solely intensified since saying our departure. Actually tons of of pals and readers and strangers and colleagues have blessed us with outpourings of caring, complimentary and humbling sentiments that also make us cry.

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How fortunate we’ve got been. How fortunate we’re.

However you see, there’s this brand-new grandbaby in Florida and work-from-home children who want us. That’s the massive motivator and the timing. However it’s not the one motive we’re giving up this beautiful place and so many individuals we care about, hitting the highway to a different overcrowded, humid place we’re admittedly not too enthusiastic about (getting ready to hurricane season no much less).

This isn’t the North Idaho we’ve identified and liked. It’s altering in sudden methods. I don’t imagine it’s everlasting, nevertheless it’s price mentioning, as a result of it impacts you.

The hubby and I’ve lived in lots of states between us. None so form as Idaho — till lately. Till about two years in the past, pleasant was a given. Smiles and cooperation amongst strangers. Kindnesses provided unasked.

That was merely North Idaho.

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Disagree? Fantastic, however that gained’t preserve casseroles away from the sick or a lent hand when a neighbor might clearly use one.

That was merely North Idaho.

Republican, Democrat, unbiased or unaware — that didn’t change a factor. Spiritual uniformity not required. Sure, the nation has modified, however imagine you me, not prefer it has right here. There may be only a entire completely different ilk taking on. A bodily aggressive, impolite, loud and don’t-give-a-darn-what-you-want ilk.

That merely wasn’t North Idaho. And as North Idahoans (the longtime and multi-generation ones particularly) inform me, their dwelling doesn’t really feel like dwelling anymore.

People, whether or not you’re outdated or new, as we depart we hope you’ll take into account a return to “merely North Idaho,” the place you fell in love with, whether or not that was a 12 months in the past or 25. Kindness. Reliability of neighbors, variations apart. No matter your politics or preferences, don’t change this place from the “merely North Idaho” you got here to be a part of, or have loved your entire life.

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Don’t let the snarls and yelling and bullying ways change your intent to be form and “merely North Idaho” the way in which we was once. We behave and cling to our personal ethics; they aren’t ours if we let others change them.

Kindness at all times wins; that’s why I don’t imagine this transformation is everlasting. Deep down, persons are typically good. Our instincts are to attach with each other, so divides can’t final as a result of divided societies at all times fall. However how lengthy it takes to slim a divide relies upon completely on the actions we take to speed up it, by beginning with ourselves and adhering to that ethic.

In case you’re a type of who’ve been studying our columns, articles and editorials, thanks. We’ll be writing from afar for some time, and even when that ends sometime, we are going to at all times really feel linked to this place and its folks. We’ll at all times be glad about our experiences right here, and for you.

In the meantime, fare thee effectively, North Idaho. And please, care for one another once more. Whether or not or not we wish to admit it, we want each other.

Training kindness doesn’t simply profit every one, it’s merely North Idaho.

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• • •

Sholeh Patrick is a heart-sick columnist who will miss North Idaho however is form of excited concerning the big reptiles and tropical thunderstorms. Simply not the roaches. E-mail Sholeh@cdapress.com.



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Idaho

Legislative committee introduces bill to address DEI programs at colleges and universities in Idaho

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Legislative committee introduces bill to address DEI programs at colleges and universities in Idaho


BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho legislative committee is reviewing a draft bill titled the “Freedom of Inquiry in Higher Education,” presented by Republican Senator Ben Toews. The proposal aims to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices from state-funded colleges and universities and redirect those resources to academic support programs for all students.

“My goal is to work together with our higher education partners to move us in the right direction of guaranteeing the freedom of speech and freedom of thought, which I actually believe we all desire to have on our college campuses,” Toews said.

The drafted bill would prohibit public universities from funding or supporting identity-based DEI offices, with the exception of tribal centers. It would also prevent schools from requiring students to take DEI courses unless they are part of a chosen academic program.

Toews said the bill is modeled after policies in other states.

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“We’re looking for what’s worked in other places to attempt to make sure that our universities and higher education institutions have that freedom of thought that we want,” he said.

However, Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, a Democrat, criticized the proposal, saying the committee’s focus is misplaced.

“It doesn’t feel like a productive working group. And in fact, it’s really troubling that we’re spending this amount of time and resources on talking about something that the government really shouldn’t have a role in,” Wintrow said. “We should really be focusing on what’s important to students—and that’s affordability, making sure they can pay for school, get to school, find a place to live and study and thrive.”

Josh Whitworth, executive director of the Idaho State Board of Education, said it’s important to support all students without isolating specific identity groups.

“The question is, as an institution, we want to make sure that the services that they need are not focused down on their identity, but focused on what they need,” Whitworth said. “The idea is don’t just create little groups. How do you give the support of all students to engage together and really create that holistic environment?”

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The committee will continue reviewing the draft bill in the coming weeks.





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A 5% raise could be coming to most Idaho state workers

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A 5% raise could be coming to most Idaho state workers


Most Idaho state employees could see about a 5% raise come July in a recommendation approved by a legislative committee Thursday.

Specifically, the proposal calls for a $1.55 hourly pay bump. That works out to at least a 5% raise for those earning less than $64,500 annually.

Democrats on the Change in Employee Compensation Committee, like Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise), voted against the measure, saying it didn’t go far enough – especially for higher paid workers.

“I’m worried that they’re not even going to keep up with the cost of living and that’s really a problem for me,” Ward-Engelking said.

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After experiencing some of the highest rates of inflation in the country in 2022, prices in the Mountain region rose just 1.7% from November 2023 to November 2024.

The latest data from an Idaho Department of Human Resources labor market study show state workers here, on average, earn 15.1% less than the median wage of public and private sector employees in the region.

That’s also factoring in healthcare and retirement benefits, which are more generous than the private sector.

Base salaries across Idaho state workers are 25.1% below average compared to the median regional public and private sector employees.

The CEC Committee approved an 8% pay raise for Idaho State Police troopers to help retain and recruit more officers.

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“It takes years of training and expense to produce a trooper with the experience to handle all the things that a trooper has to handle and this has become, in my opinion, a public safety issue,” said Sen. Dan Foreman (R-Viola).

Nurses and healthcare staff would get a 3% raise under the plan, with IT workers earning up to 4.5% pay hikes.

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee will consider the recommendation before finalizing a bill.

Copyright 2025 Boise State Public Radio

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After receiving support during Idaho's wildfire seasons, our firefighters are headed to California • Idaho Capital Sun

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After receiving support during Idaho's wildfire seasons, our firefighters are headed to California • Idaho Capital Sun


Idaho firefighters are making their way to assist and protect communities threatened by wildfires burning in the greater Los Angeles area in southern California.

More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and at least five fires are burning covering more than 45 square miles there, according to NBC News.

The state of Idaho is mobilizing five task forces in a response to a request from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, according to a press release from the Idaho Office of Emergency Management.

“The Idaho Office of Emergency Management and the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association have coordinated efforts to evaluate available resources across the state,” and ” stand ready to provide additional assistance as needed,” the press release said.

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As of Wednesday evening, 104 firefighters and 25 fire engines from Idaho were preparing to deploy this morning to support California’s response efforts, and the task forces are set to arrive in southern California on Friday, the press release stated. The task forces were mobilized from fire agencies throughout the state, including personnel from the city of Emmett and Kootenai County, as well as the Idaho National Laboratory in southern Idaho.

“Emergencies like these remind us of the critical importance of teamwork and mutual aid,” said Idaho Fire Chiefs Association President Kirk Carpenter in the release. “Idaho firefighters are prepared to join the fight in California, standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners to protect communities in harm’s way.”

The assistance compact has been invaluable to states facing wildfire, “ensuring that states can rely on each other during crises,” said Idaho Office of Emergency Management Director Brad Richy said in the release.

“After receiving support during our own wildfire seasons, Idaho is proud to return the favor by providing resources and personnel to help protect California’s communities,” he said.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact was ratified by the U.S. Congress (Public Law 104-321) in 1996 and applies to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The compact’s members can share personnel and resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy to emergencies and be reimbursed for mission-related costs, according to the compact’s website.

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“The EMAC is a vital interstate compact that provides a proven mutual aid framework allowing states to share resources during times of disaster or emergency,” the release stated. “All costs associated with deploying resources under EMAC are paid for by the requesting state.”

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