Idaho
Idaho governor signs executive order opposing Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ athletes • Idaho Capital Sun
![Idaho governor signs executive order opposing Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ athletes • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho governor signs executive order opposing Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ athletes • Idaho Capital Sun](https://idahocapitalsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_0816-scaled.jpg)
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order Wednesday aimed to oppose changes to the Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX.
Much-attacked final Title IX rule goes into effect while still blocked in 26 states
The final rule took effect this month, but Idaho is one of 26 states where state officials sued the Biden administration over the Title IX changes, and have thus blocked it from taking effect.
Title IX is federal civil rights law enacted 1972 that prevented sex-based discrimination on any educational program that received federal funding. In April, the U.S. Department of Education added protections for LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in schools.
The final rule seeks to protect against discrimination “based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”
At a press conference at the Idaho State Capitol steps in Boise, Little said the executive order directs the Idaho State Board of Education to:
- Work with the State Department of Education to ensure Idaho public schools are following all of Idaho’s laws related to fairness in women’s sports and continue to update all public schools as the legal challenges to the new Title IX rules unfold.
- Guarantee every female student in Idaho is provided equal opportunity in sports and school to the fullest extent, as guaranteed to them under the original Title IX rules and Idaho law.
Idaho officials, former collegiate athlete speak out against Title IX changes
Idaho was the first state to pass legislation defending women’s sports, Little said.
“These girls and women, and their families, dedicate their time, passion, and money to improve their skills and compete to win,” Little said. “They deserve a level playing field. That is why it is so important for us as a state to do all we can to protect and defend women’s sports.”
In 2020, Little signed House Bill 500 into law, which restricts transgender women from competing in women’s sports in Idaho. The bill was cosponsored by Rep. Barbara Edhart, R-Idaho Falls, and former Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, both of whom were in attendance at the press conference.
“Title IX changed my life,” Edhart said to the crowd. “In 1972, I was 8 years old. Life was very different from women back then. People would ask me, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ I literally would tell people that I wanted to play sports, and I was told that’s not what girls do.”
Despite those comments, Edhart said she held onto her dreams, eventually playing Division I basketball through a scholarship, and coaching college basketball for 15 years.
“We made the world better for those female athletes,” Edhart said. “We are going to stand up for the rights of girls and women, not just in sports, but in all things related to Title IX rewrites.”
Riley Gaines, a former swimmer for the University of Kentucky, also spoke at the press conference. She tied for fifth place in the 200 freestyle final at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Championships against University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who is transgender.
Gaines said she experienced discomfort in the locker room preparing to race against Thomas.
“I can wholeheartedly attest to the unfair composition, to the tears that I saw from not just the moms in the stands watching as their daughter be obliterated in the sport that they once loved, but the tears from the girls the place ninth and 17th and missed out on being named all Americans by one place,” Gaines said. “… I am thrilled to be here today with these legislators, with Governor Little to say that Idaho will not comply.”
eo-2024-08
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Idaho
Idaho Cattle Association to offer relief to beef producers impacted by wildfire • Idaho Capital Sun
![Idaho Cattle Association to offer relief to beef producers impacted by wildfire • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Cattle Association to offer relief to beef producers impacted by wildfire • Idaho Capital Sun](https://idahocapitalsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Iowa-cattle-graze-in-a-field.jpg)
Cattle producers impacted by wildfires this summer have until Oct. 24 to apply to the Idaho Cattle Association’s Wildfire Relief Fund.
The fund was established in 2022, and it is aimed at helping cattle producers impacted by wildfires.
‘No agency can do this alone’: Idaho officials address goals to mitigate wildfires
Qualifying groups or individuals include Idaho cattle producers, rangeland fire protection associations, volunteer fire departments or organizations, and individuals or others that provided assistance or resources to fight wildfires this summer that caused losses or threatened cattle producer’s livestock, property or resources, according to a press release from the cattle association. Examples of an incurred expense might include emergency feed, transport or pasturing or fencing loss.
The beef industry is responsible for about $2 billion annually into Idaho’s economy, and it is a vital part of Idaho’s history and culture, Idaho Cattle Association president Jerry Wroten said in the press release.
“The impact of these fires on cattle producers will be felt for many years and some producers may not ever financially recover if they don’t have access to relief funding assistance,” Wroten said. “The Idaho Cattle Association is here to support producers in a variety of ways and this is just one of the most relevant during this fire season.”
In addition to accepting applications, the Idaho Cattle Association is accepting donations to the fund. The fund receives annual contributions from AgWest Farm Credit and Idaho Cattle Association funds, according to a press release from the association. All funding is privately-sourced.
To donate to the fund or receive an application, contact the Idaho Cattle Association’s office at 208-343-1615 or visit its website.
According to the website, the Idaho Cattle Association works on behalf of the more than 8,000 cattle producing families in the state of Idaho and has a membership of over 1,000 members. It is the only organization in the state that deals exclusively with the needs and interests of Idaho’s cattle industry.
Idaho
Obituary for Deanne Marquez at Eckersell Funeral Home
Idaho
Idaho's water future – Governor commits more funding to preserving eastern Snake Plain aquifer – Local News 8
![Idaho's water future – Governor commits more funding to preserving eastern Snake Plain aquifer – Local News 8 Idaho's water future – Governor commits more funding to preserving eastern Snake Plain aquifer – Local News 8](https://localnews8.b-cdn.net/2022/05/Idaho-Governor-Brad-Little_File_-.jpg)
RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho’s Governor is committing another $10-million to projects designed to improve the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer. Governor Brad Little announced the investment Tuesday, alongside groundwater and surface water users in Rigby.
“My top priority has always been and will continue to be maintaining a strong ag economy in eastern Idaho while preserving water for future generations. The added funds we announced today will get the water levels in the aquifer headed in the right direction. It is part of an overall strategy to maintain our water destiny here in Idaho. Ultimately farmers, not government mandates, will drive the solutions. I am very excited about the momentum that farmers are building to strike a deal,” Governor Little said.
In connection with his executive order directing the Idaho Water Resource Board (Water Board) to prioritize projects that have net benefits to the aquifer, the Governor says he is directing the Water Board to allocate the additional $10 million to projects that could drastically improve the water supply in both eastern Idaho and the Magic Valley.
“I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making toward real, lasting solutions. We’ve been able to come together and identify projects that will secure senior water right holders’ supply, preserve the aquifer, and maintain Idaho’s strong ag economy. The funding announced by Governor Little will be tremendously helpful as we build out and implement the infrastructure to achieve those objectives,” said Bingham County farmer Adam Young.
The move comes after Little signed an executive order in late June, bringing an end to a water curtailment that would have dried up nearly 330,000 acres of farmland.
Under the agreement, farmers in eastern Idaho and the Magic Valley have until October 1st to finalize a new permanent agreement on managing the water moving forward. For more details, click HERE.
In regards to the negotiations, Governor Little said, “I continue to be impressed by the mitigation plan negotiations spearheaded by Lt. Governor Scott Bedke and Chairman Jeff Raybould. Farmers talking and deciding their future is ALWAYS better than a government solution. I will fight tooth and nail against the federal government to retain control of our water for eastern Idaho’s agricultural economy. That means farmers making decisions for themselves.”
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