Idaho
Idaho DOGE Task Force recommends repealing Medicaid Expansion, defunding Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
BOISE, Idaho — During an end-of-year meeting, the Idaho DOGE Task Force recommended that the Idaho Legislature repeal Medicaid Expansion in Idaho. The task force also recommended the eventual defunding of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
The Idaho DOGE Task Force is not a representative committee and can only make recommendations to lawmakers ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
In 2018, 60% of Idahoans voted in favor of Medicaid expansion, then listed on the ballot as Idaho Proposition 2.
RELATED | Local mom with MS speaks out as Medicaid cuts impact Idahoans relying on mental-health support
In Idaho, Medicaid Expansion allows state residents ages 19–64 with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid benefits— even if they don’t have dependent children or disabilities, which were previously required.
The program is jointly funded by the federal government and the state. The program aims to reduce the uninsured rate, improve access to care, and lower uncompensated care costs for hospitals.
Now, the state faces a $40+ million budget deficit and is looking for ways to mitigate the effects of that windfall.
Recommended repeal of Medicaid Expansion
During preliminary comments ahead of the discussion regarding Medicaid Expansion, Co-Chair of the Idaho DOGE Task Force, Senator Todd M. Lakey (R) said he didn’t support Medicaid Expansion when it was proposed and to this day remains opposed.
Sen. Lakey cited one comment on the DOGE Task Force website that claimed people were defrauding Medicaid in lieu of working full-time. Sen. Lakey read that comment aloud, which stated that Medicaid Expansion is “training and teaching Idahoans how to be poor and live like they are our liberal neighbors.”
Following that preliminary statement, Representative Josh Tanner (R) of Eagle made the motion to repeal Medicaid Expansion, saying that in his business experience, he witnessed prospective employees who wanted to work less than 30 hours to retain their Medicaid benefits. He went on to claim that Medicaid is keeping working Idahoans out of the workforce.
Hear Sen. Lakey’s preliminary statement on Medicaid Expansion in Idaho
Idaho DOGE Task Force: Medicaid Expansion
The motion passed with the lone dissenting votes coming from Senator Carrie Semmelroth (D) of Boise and Representative Dustin Manwaring (R) of Pocatello.
Sen. Semmelroth cited concerns on exactly how the move would ensure “fiscal responsibility” for the State of Idaho moving forward, “given how complex this issue is.” She went on to cite that the catastrophic fund was eliminated when Medicaid was expanded and that she would like to see its return if Medicaid Expansion were repealed.
Rep. Manwaring said his “no” vote came from a reform mindset that would forgo a full repeal. He stated that his approach was due in large part to Medicaid Expansion’s previous support by Idaho voters. Rep. Manwaring stated he’d rather “contain costs” without a full repeal.
Defunding the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Earlier in the meeting, the Idaho DOGE Task Force also heard testimony from the executive director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Annette Tipton, regarding its state funding. The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs was created to serve as a bridge between the Hispanic Community and the state government. The commission regularly hosts events and programs to empower the Hispanic community within Idaho while simultaneously serving as a communication channel between the state government and the Hispanic community.
Tipton called the commission “modest but mighty” and explained how they had cut costs over the past 7 months while “doing more with less.” She went on to say the commission’s “impact has affected all of Idaho.” Ultimately, she said the commission will be requesting $85,000 for the 2026 fiscal year. Those funds would go solely towards paying her salary as well as an assistant.
Hear Rep. Tanner’s comments on the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and Executive Director Annette Tipton’s repsonse
Idaho DOGE Task Force: Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Rep. Tanner questioned the commission’s premise, asking, “How do you justify within a Hispanic Commission a separate specialized commission that’s doing something, when realistically, we are all Americans, and that is what we should be working for?” He went on to add, “This seems like more of a DEI type thing.”
Tipton said the commission’s purpose is not DEI-based but instead is based on “Idaho values.” She went on to claim that the Commission has seen its Idaho Youth Leadership event retain a 50% Hispanic, 50% non-Hispanic attendance. She says all the commission’s events are open to all Idahoans, not just Hispanics.
Rep. Tanner ultimately made a motion to remove any general funds for the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and instead, recommended that the commission be privately funded in the future. The task force passed the motion and recommended a two-year runway to defund the commission. The only dissenting vote came from Sen. Semmelroth.
(KRON) — An Idaho man is recovering after a life-threatening rattlesnake bite during a family visit to Oroville, Northern California. Chris Howarth spent nearly two weeks in intensive care following the incident in his mother’s garden.
During his 12-day stay in intensive care, Howarth received 54 vials of anti-venom and multiple blood transfusions, split between six days at Oroville Hospital and six days after being flown to Stanford.
Six weeks after the incident, he is approximately 80% recovered.
Howarth initially believed the bites were a prick from a thorn or a “star thistle or one of those goat heads.” He described the sensation as feeling “like getting your blood drawn.”
“I think I got bit twice. I said ‘ow’ again and ‘ow’ again. It almost felt like getting your blood drawn,” said Howarth. Howarth also noted he “didn’t hear it at all” when his father went to inspect the area and observed the snake shaking its tail without making noise.
As his wife drove him to the hospital, his condition worsened.
“On the way there, he was started kind of feeling some numbness and tingling in his mouth and his tongue so I knew we needed to get to the closest hospital,” said Jenny Howarth.
Howarth is still experiencing lingering effects from the bite, including swelling, soreness and fatigue.
“My leg is still kind of sore and tender, my ankle still swells, I barely got able to tie a shoe just a few days ago and also still having lingering effects of fatigue,” Howarth said.
California’s Poison Control system has received 77 rattlesnake-related calls this year, with experts reporting encounters are occurring earlier and more frequently. Dr. Rafa Lima, an emergency physician at Kaiser Permanente in San Leandro, explained that rattlesnake venom “destroys local tissue and causes a lot of pain and swelling.”
Dr. Lima advised immediate medical attention for suspected venomous snake bites. “If you are bitten by a snake with a rattle or you suspect is venomous, you should really get care immediately,” Dr. Lima said.
He also dispelled common myths, stating, “There’s a common myth that you should just tourniquet up the wound and bind it and mobilize it, or even try to suck the venom out but all that does is delays the time to get treatment and the longer the venom is in the tissue, the worst prognosis.”
Howarth mentioned that the weather conditions were unexpected for a rattlesnake encounter.
“That day and even the day before, it kind of been cooler and it had been raining so we weren’t expecting to see a rattlesnake,” she said.
Howarth hopes his experience highlights that rattlesnakes pose a risk in garden areas, not just hiking trails, even during cooler weather. Howarth hopes to return to work next week.
Those who want to donate to a GoFundMe set up for Howarth can do so here.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.
NAMPA, Idaho — Nearly 20 years after Idaho soldier John Borbonus was killed in Iraq, his legacy is continuing to serve fellow veterans.
The Borbonus Family Foundation, created in his honor, announced a $500,000 grant Tuesday to the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa.
WATCH: One Idaho soldier’s legacy continues to serve fellow veterans
Warhawk Air Museum receives $500K grant honoring Idaho soldier John Borbonus
The museum says the unrestricted gift is its largest ever and will help cover operating costs as it continues to grow.
Executive Director Carson Spear says grants of this size often come with requirements to fund a specific project, but the Borbonus Family Foundation instead asked to use the funds where they are most needed.
Warhawk leaders say the funding will help preserve veterans’ stories and continue programs like the Kilroy Coffee Klatch, which brings together veterans from different generations each month.
RELATED | Kilroy Coffee Klatch brings veterans together at the Warhawk Air Museum
Vietnam veteran Emil Berry says the museum is more than a place to display history.
“It brings back memories, and also it helps the veteran, helps the military personnel. It’s just a special, very special establishment,” Berry said.
Borbonus’ sister, Alexa Borbonus, says Warhawk already preserves part of her brother’s story through a display dedicated to his service.
“The Warhawk Museum, they have a special place in our hearts,” Alexa Borbonus said. “They have John’s case on display now, and they provide a safe space for all our veterans in Idaho.”
RELATED | Skydivers honor fallen Boise soldier John Borbonus at annual memorial golf tournament
Sen. Jim Risch, who attended Tuesday’s announcement, said museums like Warhawk remind people that “freedom isn’t free” and help future generations appreciate the sacrifices made by those who served.
Following the announcement, the Borbonus family also donated John Borbonus’ challenge coin and the KIA bracelet worn by his family to Warhawk’s bar display, adding another piece of his legacy to the museum.
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UPDATE – 8:30 p.m. 7/7/26- IDL has mapped the fire at 4 acres. It has been ruled human-caused.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Idaho Department of Transportation says all lanes are blocked on I-84 south of New Plymouth due to multiple nearby brush fires.
ITD says all lanes of travel have been blocked from US-30 to Black Canyon Road. The brush fires are located between milepost 9 and milepost 12, officials say.
Drivers are being advised of travel danger and asked to consider an alternate route.
Idaho Department of Lands has mapped the fire at 0.10 acres. The cause is undetermined.
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