Idaho
Idaho governor declines debates ahead of Republican primary
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little mentioned Friday he gained’t take part in debates heading into subsequent month’s Republican main.
The primary-term governor had been invited to take part in debates placed on by Idaho Debates on Idaho Public Tv and one other placed on by KTVB-TV.
“Governor Little has a confirmed observe file of slicing purple tape, responsibly managing the price range and the economic system, and offering Idaho households and companies with historic tax reduction and file investments in colleges, roads, water, and different areas,” his marketing campaign mentioned in a press release. “These historic accomplishments and details are non-debatable.”
Little has drawn a number of Republican challengers, together with far-right Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin. The governor and lieutenant governor run on separate tickets. Little has a big fundraising benefit, and debating McGeachin in a statewide televised debate may give her an enormous platform with not a lot to achieve for himself.
The 2 have sparred through the coronavirus pandemic, with McGeachin as appearing governor issuing a number of government orders whereas Little was out of city. Little rescinded McGeachin’s orders every time.
McGeachin, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, tweeted that Little’s choice wasn’t based mostly on “a scheduling battle, relatively he simply doesn’t need to debate. As soon as once more, he’s exhibiting his elitist perspective by refusing to deal with his file.”
After Little’s announcement, Idaho Debates officers mentioned it was unclear if the governor’s debate might be held with out Little, and so they have been conferring with different candidates. They mentioned it was the primary time in additional than three many years {that a} sitting governor searching for reelection had declined to take part.
Additionally on Friday, Republican state Rep. Priscilla Giddings backed out of a lieutenant governor debate in opposition to Home Speaker Scott Bedke that had been set for Monday.
Idaho Debates officers mentioned Giddings had beforehand dedicated to the controversy, as had Bedke. Giddings, nevertheless, required her preapproval of reporter panelists, citing her considerations they might be biased. However Idaho Debates officers mentioned they don’t reveal reporters on a panel to any candidate prematurely.
“The choice to withhold the names of the panelists on the false pretense that this may all of a sudden make them truthful and respectful leaves us with little or no alternative,” mentioned Giddings marketing campaign spokesman Zach Lautenschlager in an e mail to Melissa Davlin of Idaho Public Tv, the scheduled debate moderator. “We’re pressured to refuse the invitation.”
Bedke in a press release mentioned he was blissful to participate in Monday’s debate and had additionally agreed to a debate on KTVB-TV with no preconditions.
“It’s unlucky that the folks of Idaho won’t get this chance to see, firsthand, the distinction between my file of delivering conservative outcomes versus my opponent’s empty rhetoric,” Bedke wrote.
Idaho Debates are a collaboration between the Idaho Press Membership, Idaho Public Tv, the League of Girls Voters of Idaho and Idaho’s public universities.
Refusing to participate within the statewide televised debates forward of the Idaho main offers voters much less alternative to scrutinize candidates and probably see completely different philosophies on show.
“Idaho Public Tv reaches practically each family within the state, and we all know from previous feedback that many Republican main voters depend on debates to tell their choices on the poll field,” Davlin mentioned.
The governor and lieutenant governor races supply stark decisions for voters, with Little and Bedke among the many extra mainstream Republicans which have dominated Idaho for a number of many years, and McGeachin and Giddings related to the far-right that has been making inroads lately.
In conservative Idaho, the winner of the Republican main in statewide races is sort of assured profitable the overall election. Democrats haven’t held the governor’s workplace since 1995 or statewide elected workplace since 2007.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson has additionally mentioned he wouldn’t participate in Republican main debates this yr.
Simpson, who is mostly however not at all times aligned with Little and Bedke, has drawn a handful of main challengers for Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District that he’s represented since 1999.
Probably the most notable challenger there may be Bryan Smith of Idaho Falls. Smith ran in opposition to Simson within the 2014 Republican main however misplaced. Simpson’s marketing campaign has mentioned voters have already seen sufficient of Smith.
Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, who has represented Idaho’s 1st Congressional District since 2019, didn’t draw a main challenger.
A number of different Republican main debates placed on by Idaho Debates are nonetheless deliberate. These embody the candidates for lawyer basic on Tuesday, superintendent of public instruction on April 25 and for secretary of state on April 26.
Copyright 2022 Related Press. All rights reserved.
Idaho
Plow strike in North Idaho leaves car damaged, drivers were not injured
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Transportation Department reports that a plow strike occurred in North Idaho this morning, marking the region’s first winter season.
According to a release, the drivers were left unharmed. However, both vehicles sustained significant damage.
All the snow and mixed precipitation in recent weeks has Idaho Transportation Department crews working hard to make our roads safe. They would like to use this particular incident to remind Idaho drivers to take it slow in icy or slippery conditions.
Plow strike this morning in N. Idaho. An unfortunate reminder that winter roads require winter driving! ❄️🚗 Thankfully, both drivers were safe.
Our crews are working hard around the clock to keep the roads clear — take it easy out there, slow down, & help everyone stay safe. pic.twitter.com/049McAlm0f
— Idaho Transportation Department (@IdahoITD) December 28, 2024
Idaho
Mother Discovers Raccoon Attacking Her Infant Son in Carrier at Home During ‘Extremely Rare’ Encounter in Idaho
An Idaho mother rescued her infant son from a raccoon attack inside of their home before the baby’s father and a sheriff’s deputy killed the animal.
On Monday, Dec. 23, officers from the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving a mother who heard “a loud noise in the home” and discovered a raccoon attacking her baby boy, Idaho Fish and Game shared in a release on Dec. 27.
The unnamed mom grabbed the animal to stop the attack, and her son was transported to the Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley for “undisclosed injuries” before being transferred to a hospital in Salt Lake City.
According to officials, a a sheriff’s deputy returned to the home with the baby’s father, located the animal and they killed it. IDFG noted that it is unclear how the raccoon gained access to the home. No other raccoons were found inside and the department is “confident’ that the animal killed was the same one that attacked the baby.
The animal’s carcass has since been tested for rabies by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories with tests coming back negative.
“Once notified of the incident, staff from the Magic Valley Region activated their Wildlife Human Attack Response Team,” the IDFG wrote in the release. “This specially trained team of department staff has the responsibility to act to protect the safety of the public and incident responders; attempt to identify, locate, and control the animal(s) involved in a human-wildlife incident; and conduct, document and report investigative findings.”
Per the IDFG, reports of raccoon attacks on humans in the state are “extremely rare” and “only one case of raccoon rabies” has been documented in Idaho. They are “generally shy,” mostly avoid humans and can become aggressive if feeling “threatened.”
The IDFG encouraged Idahoans to “never purposely feed a raccoon.”
“As with all wildlife that can be found around homes in Idaho, the best course of action to avoid raccoon encounters is to take preventative actions before a problem starts,” the department wrote. “Raccoons can live in a variety of habitats, but an area with access to water and food will attract them.”
“A homeowner can limit food sources by securing residential garbage, removing any fallen fruit or rotten produce from your yard or garden, feeding pets indoors, keeping pet food securely stored, and removing or securing bird feeders,” IDFG added. “Blocking raccoon access to hiding places in sheds and outbuildings and sealing off potential entryways and exits in and around a home will also discourage raccoon use.”
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The raccoon attack comes several months after another raccoon apparently attacked people waiting in line for a ride at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. On April 3, TMZ shared footage of guests waiting to board the SooperDooperLooper days earlier at the theme park as they attempted to avoid the animal.
The person recording the clip could be heard off-camera saying that the raccoon ran off with a girl’s shoe, with two guests reportedly bitten. In a statement to CBS 21, park officials said the animal encounter was not a common occurrence and that they had “extensive fencing to help prevent this type of incident from occurring.”
“Guest safety is and will always be our top priority at Hersheypark. As such, we have a full complement of public safety and health professionals on property who responded quickly to render necessary care to the two people impacted,” the officials added.
Biologist Tom Keller, who works for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, told the outlet that officials at the park handled the situation correctly and that the animal appeared to be “really frightened” and felt “trapped” around the “screaming humans.”
Idaho
Numerica to sponsor North Idaho activities through Jan. 4
Numerica is sponsoring Five Days of Family Fun for families to enjoy at no cost over winter break. The events tie into the credit union’s Numerica CARES for Kids program.
“The holiday season can be a magical time, but it also comes with financial challenges,” Carla Cicero, Numerica’s president and CEO, said in a Dec. 18 news release.
Free North Idaho events:
• Tuesday | Hayden Cinema, 9:30 a.m., Hayden. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” | 2 p.m. “Mufasa: The Lion King”
• Wednesday | Triple Play Family Fun Park. 10 a.m. Raptor Reef Indoor Waterpark
• Thursday | Coeur d’Alene on Ice, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Skate rentals included.
• Friday | Make It Messy! 1857 W. Hayden Ave., 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Open play.
• Jan. 4 | Spokane Chiefs Hockey, 6:05 p.m. Up to four tickets per family. Reservations required.
Visit Numerica’s Facebook page for details.
Headquartered in Spokane Valley, Numerica serves more than 170,000 members in the Inland Northwest.
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