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Small business owners are struggling to make ends meet as inflation remains painfully high with no relief in sight.
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First-generation Idaho cattle ranchers Megan and Trevor Stark have had a “very challenging” time maintaining their enterprise while balancing rising prices and cutting costs to meet their consumer needs.
“[In] the last … year and a half, our costs have actually gone up 75% across the board for livestock, for feed prices, fuel, everything. So it’s gone up a drastic amount. And for us to continue on and to make a living, and expand and go through our entire business plan like we plan on, it’s very challenging,” Megan said on “America Reports” Thursday.
INFLATION, GLOBAL ‘SUSTAINABILITY’ PUSH A POTENTIAL DEATH SENTENCE FOR US AGRICULTURE, FARMERS WARN
Inflation accelerated in March for the third straight month, keeping prices painfully high for millions of Americans and likely delaying any interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Since starting their business in 2020, the Starks have faced increasing financial hardship in the agriculture industry.
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Trevor has even maintained his second job working at his parents’ construction company.
“I’ve always worked for my parents’ construction company, and we’d notice that with fuel prices and whatnot going up there… I’ll always continue to work the construction job,” he said. “But this is what we want to do to kind of set our kids up for a little more ag[riculture].”
First-generation cattle ranchers Megan and Trevor Stark discussed how inflation is impacting their business.(Starks/Fox News)
Businesses like the Starks’ cattle ranch are having to adapt as high prices hurt their bottom line.
“We’re trying to cut costs in a way that doesn’t hinder our quality of service and product. So we’re doing, like everybody else, cutting costs where we can and adjusting basically any which way we can to keep our costs, at least where they’re at, so they don’t keep rising. And that’s part of the problem is they continue to keep rising. So as we adjust, things keep going,” Megan said.
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The Starks, however, are being transparent and open with customers about their efforts to cut costs and adjust prices.
“We talk to our customers all the time. We have a very open and transparent business with our clients and our customers. So they feel the same things that we feel, and they know they’re basically part of our triangle as family. And so their opinions and their, their opinions matter,” Megan added.
Megan and Trevor put out a survey to gauge the thoughts and perspective of their customers on how to best address the financial constraints of pernicious inflation.
The ranchers reported the survey gave them valuable feedback and “insane” support as they navigate how to maintain their business.
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FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.
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The rotunda as seen on March 16, 2026, at the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
Ahead of the 2026 primary elections, the League of Women Voters of Idaho is teaming up with several local groups to hold candidate forums and voter education events in the hopes of boosting voter turnout.
The groups invited all candidates for public office in Ada and Canyon County’s commissions, and inlegislative district 11, which is in Canyon County.
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The groups that are hosting include Mormon Women for Ethical Government, the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of University Women’s Boise branch and the College of Idaho’s Masters of Applied Public Policy Program.
Here’s when and where the forums are:
Ada County Commissioner District 2:7-8:30 p.m. April 24 at Meridian City Hall, located at 33 E. Broadway Ave. in Meridian.
Ada County Commissioner District 1:7-8:30 p.m. April 28 at Valley View Elementary School, located at 3555 N Milwaukee St. in Boise.
Legislative District 11:6:30-8:30 p.m. April 30 at Caldwell City Hall, located at 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
Canyon County Commissioner:6-8 p.m. May 7 at Caldwell City Hall, 205 S. 6th Ave. in Caldwell.
Learn more about candidates at the League of Women Voters’ online voter guide,VOTE411.ORG.
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BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho drivers wanting to celebrate America’s anniversary this year now have a unique way to do that. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles has released an America 250 license plate to mark the occasion.
The new license plate includes an American flag on a blue background with the words “America 250” and the dates “1776 – 2026.”
The plate requires an extra fee that will go toward supporting the Idaho Heritage Trust, according to an Idaho Transportation Department news release. The specific fee wasn’t listed.
“This plate gives Idahoans a chance to mark a historic milestone and show their pride on the road,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV administrator, in a statement. “We’re proud to offer a design that honors our country’s past while supporting Idaho’s efforts to preserve its own history.”
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The America 250 license plate was released to celebrate a historic national milestone. | Idaho Transportation Department
Idaho’s favorite license plate
The new license plate may give Idaho’s favorite a run for its money.
The Idaho Transportation Department recently held a “Battle of the Plates” vote to find out which license plate Idahoans loved best.
The Forests Forever plate was crowned the champion on April 7. Funds generated from this plate go toward Idaho replanting and reforestation projects, as well as environmental education programs for Idaho students and teachers.
“One of Idaho’s newest plates, Forests Forever made a strong run and came out on top, highlighting just how much Idahoans value our forests and natural resources,” the transportation department said in a social media post.
Idahoans chose Forests Forever as their favorite specialty license plate. | Idaho Transportation Department
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