Idaho
Idaho Antimony Mine Finally Receives Final Permit
US President Joe Biden (L) speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the … [+]
As President Joe Biden’s remaining days in office count down with many of his top energy and environmental priorities remaining unfulfilled, his regulators managed to publish a final record of decision (ROD) related to a major Idaho mining operation targeting the production of antimony, a key mineral integral to batteries and other aspects of green energy. The decision comes amid a rising trade war between the United States and China as the Biden Administration prepares to leave office.
On Friday, the U.S. Forest Service approved the final permit necessary for the Stibnite Mine, operated by Perpetua Resources, to proceed to production after a permitting process that consumed well over a decade. “I have taken into consideration the degree to which the (mine’s) environmental design features, monitoring, and mitigation measures will, where feasible, minimize adverse environmental impacts on (federal lands),” the Forest Service’s Matthew Davis said in a report published along with the permitting decision.
The Conclusion Of A Long, Complex Permitting Process
Perpetua estimates the mine will be able to provide as much as 35% of the nation’s antimony needs once it becomes fully operational in 2028. The mine will also produce a substantial amount of gold, which was the original target of the Stibnite mine when it was first opened in 1927. The mine was later re-tooled and was able to produce about 90% of U.S. antimony needs during World War II.
The additional gold production will serve to enhance the mine’s revenue stream, but in today’s world, antimony is the main prize being sought by Perpetua in its efforts to reopen a mine that has been inactive since it was shut down in 1996. In addition to its applications related to renewable energy, antimony is also integral to the production of tungsten steel and is used in a wide variety of other military applications.
The military considers access to domestic stores of antimony such a critical need that it contributed $60 million to help fund the permitting effort of the Stibnite Mine, the total cost of which was estimated to come in at a whopping $1.3 billion in 2020. That number will have likely risen substantially due to the high rates of inflation and supply chain issues that have run epidemic over the last four years.
The project was opposed by Idaho’s Nez Perce Tribe, which expressed concerns the mine could impact the state’s salmon population. The mitigation plans for the mine were modified at several points in response to Nez Perce concerns.
China’s Antimony Export Restrictions
The last-minute approval of the final ROD by the Biden Forest Service comes a month after China’s government invoked restrictions on the export of antimony and two additional critical energy minerals, gallium and germanium, in response to enhanced U.S. semiconductor export controls specific to China. It was the third such crackdown by the Biden government in the past three years. The timing is critical given that the U.S. relies on imports for the vast majority of its antimony needs.
Anticipating a positive outcome to this permitting process, Perpetua Resources announced in December the execution of a non-binding agreement with Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining to explore the potential for the domestic processing of the antimony recovered from the Stibnite mine.
“We are thrilled to receive our Final Record of Decision from the Forest Service,” said Jon Cherry, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources said Monday in a release. “This approval elevates the Stibnite Gold Project to an elite class of projects in America that have cleared NEPA. The Stibnite Gold Project can deliver decisive wins for our communities, the environment, the economy, and our national security.”
Judy Nissula, Mayor of nearby Cascade, Idaho, said she was pleased by the final decision. “Perpetua Resources has been part of our community for more than a decade. During this time, they’ve shown us the type of company they are. They’ve invited us to provide feedback, answered our questions, supported causes that matter to our community and looked for ways to partner with local businesses and provide well-paying jobs for Valley County residents.”
Perpetua estimates the mining operation will provide “substantial environmental and economic benefits to the region,” including “more than one billion investment dollars and an average of 550 jobs.”
The Bottom Line
In light of the growing trade war with China related to energy minerals, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of this final permitting decision. The successful outcome for Perpetua Resources is especially impressive given the complex nature of the federal, state, and local permitting process, as well as the work involved in satisfying the concerns of local communities and the Nez Perz Tribe.
The federal government has for more than 40 years been very reluctant to permit the opening of domestic mining operations. It will need to permit many more such mines if this energy transition is going to continue to move forward.
Idaho
Notre Dame pulls away from Idaho, wins 80-65 despite missing leading scorer Markus Burton
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jalen Haralson scored 20 points, Carson Towt had 19 points and 15 rebounds and Notre Dame pulled away late to beat Idaho 80-65 despite playing without leading scorer Markus Burton on Wednesday night.
Burton, who leads the Fighting Irish at 18.5 ppg, was to have had surgery Wednesday on his left ankle after suffering an injury in Notre Dame’s previous game, an 87-85 overtime win over TCU. He is expected to be out “for the foreseeable future,” according to the school.
Haralson was 8-of-16 shooting and Towt was 9 of 12 in collecting his third double-double this season. Cole Certa had a trio of 3-pointers and 15 points and Braeden Shrewsberry made four 3s and scored 14. The Irish (8-3) shot 52% and made 9 of 14 from the arc in winning their third straight game and improving to 6-0 at home.
Biko Johnson made three 3s and scored 19 points and Jackson Rasmussen added 16 points though the pair combined for only eight second-half points for Idaho (6-4). Brody Rowbury added 11 points. The Vandals shot 40% and made 10 of 24 3-pointers.
Tied 33-all at halftime, Notre Dame never trailed in the second half, going up 61-51 with nine minutes to go after Certa scored the first seven points in an 11-2 run. The Vandals got back within four with six minutes left on a Johnson 3-pointer but that was their final field goal. Shrewsberry and Certa hit 3-pointers in a game-ending 12-1 run.
Up next
Idaho is home against Evergreen State on Sunday.
Notre Dame is home against Evansville on Sunday.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Idaho
Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Pick 3 on Dec. 9, 2025
Looking to win big? The Idaho Lottery offers several games if you think it’s your lucky day.
Lottery players in Idaho can chose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Lucky For Life, 5 Star Draw, Idaho Cash, Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 9 drawing
19-32-41-49-66, Mega Ball: 06
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 9 drawing
Day: 2-2-0
Night: 0-7-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 9 drawing
Day: 2-8-4-0
Night: 3-3-0-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 9 drawing
19-24-33-39-40, Lucky Ball: 06
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Idaho Cash numbers from Dec. 9 drawing
04-12-24-28-45
Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- 5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Idaho
Idaho families feel effects of new refugee restrictions after D.C. shooting
BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. refugee system has faced major disruptions over the last year, and new federal restrictions issued just last week are now affecting families here in the Treasure Valley.
The latest changes follow a November ambush-style shooting in Washington, D.C., in which one National Guard member was killed and another wounded. An Afghan man has been charged in the case. In response, the federal government placed additional limits on Afghan immigration processing as part of a broader national security review.
WATCH | Idaho families navigate new delays under tightened federal refugee rules
Idaho families feel effects of new refugee restrictions after D.C. shooting
Under the new restrictions, most new visas for Afghan nationals are on hold. Many immigration and family-reunification cases have been paused, and federal review of pending cases has tightened.
This is not the first major federal policy shift to impact refugees this year.
In January, all U.S. refugee admissions were halted nationwide, immediately affecting families in Idaho who were preparing to reunite with loved ones.
Holly Beech, communications manager with the Idaho Office for Refugees, said the sudden pause triggered an immediate wave of disruptions for families across the state.
“People in Idaho who had loved ones very close, had those flight dates on the calendar, and then those got canceled,” Beech said.
Later in June, the broad shutdown shifted to a country-specific travel ban, restricting travel from 19 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia.
“And people were no longer able to get those visas for their loved ones to come here,” Beech added.
Beech said the deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., has continued to ripple through refugee communities nationwide and right here in Idaho.
RELATED | West Boise YMCA creates special swimming lessons for refugees with special challenges around water
“That kind of violence should never happen to anybody,” Beech said. “So now, due to that, the whole group is having to carry the weight of what one individual did. None of us would want to be held responsible for the actions of somebody else.”
For families already living in Idaho, Beech said even routine legal steps toward permanent residency have stalled under the new restrictions.
“Some people have been waiting over a year to get their green card,” explained Beech.
And for others still separated from family members overseas, the future remains uncertain.
“Any hope of that is in limbo right now,” Beech said.
Federal officials say the pauses and restrictions are part of a broader national security review.
For now, most Afghan visa and immigration processing remains largely on hold.
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