Idaho
Idaho wolf-killing proposals prompt petition for feds to ban ‘barbaric’ aerial hunts – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — A group of environmental organizations has submitted a petition to the federal government to ban wolf killing by shooting from helicopters, calling the practice “barbaric.”
The Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and International Wildlife Coexistence Network in Tuesday news releases said they were prompted by Idaho’s Wolf Depredation Control Board’s October decision to approve the scope of proposed lethal wolf control plans at two Wood River Valley ranches. The proposals, which included plans for aerial gunning, were submitted by Trevor Walch, the owner of a predator control corporation, without the knowledge of the ranches involved.
The petition, which cited the Idaho Statesman’s reporting on the decision, asks the U.S. Forest Service to prohibit aerial gunning on national forest land. The petition noted that five proposals submitted to the wolf board included control efforts in Idaho Fish and Game management units that overlap five of the seven national forests in Idaho.
The Statesman reported that owners of two ranches involved in the Wood River Wolf Project “were unaware of the proposal” and had not agreed to partner with the predator control company.” Those ranches have since asked to be withdrawn from the proposals to the board, the petition said.
Board co-chairs Jim Fredericks, who heads Fish and Game, and Chanel Tewalt, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, told the Statesman the proposals were part of an effort to include ranchers in wolf management and are still in early stages.
The groups asked the Forest Service to ban private contractors from killing wolves via aerial hunting — though government agencies, like U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and Idaho Fish and Game, would not be barred from the practice.
Petitioners said the proposed aerial gunning over forest lands isn’t for the benefit of wildlife or livestock, citing a healthy population of elk in Idaho and ranches’ claims that they suffered no livestock depredations from wolves in the last year.
“This is essentially illegal sport hunting from aircraft and there is no reason for the government to allow the state’s anti-science bloodlust for wolves to be slaked on federally managed lands,” said Talasi Brooks, a Western Watersheds Project attorney, in the news release.
The environmental groups also said they believe aerial gunning could be disturbing or dangerous to outdoor recreators and could prove detrimental to endangered species like grizzly bears, wolverines and Canada lynx.
The groups said they will consider legal action if the Forest Service does not respond to the petition.
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Idaho
Passengers evacuated after “suspicious device” was found at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport – Local News 8
The following is a media release from the City of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (City of Idaho Falls) – Around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, a security incident occurred at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport resulting in the response of the Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments.
Passengers were immediately evacuated to a safe terminal area while an investigation occurred.
During the security screening process, a suspicious device was discovered in the luggage. Upon concluding the investigation, it was determined the suspicious item was not dangerous. The airport has no further information to provide at this time.
KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.
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Idaho
Suspicious device found at Idaho Falls airport was not dangerous, officials say – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS – A suspicious device discovered in someone’s luggage at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport Saturday afternoon resulted in an evacuation.
The Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments responded around 3:50 p.m., according to city spokesman Eric Grossarth. The item in question was not specified.
Authorities detained passengers in a safe area of the terminal during the investigation. Witnesses say it lasted around 30 minutes and the road leading to the airport was closed during that time.
Ultimately, police determined the device was not dangerous.
Roads have re-opened and authorities have cleared the scene.
EastIdahoNews.com will provide updates as we receive them.
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Idaho
Idaho Legislature’s budget committee accepts report recommending raises for state employees – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) – The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee closed out the first week of the 2025 legislative session Friday by accepting a report recommending raises of $1.55 per hour for all state employees.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that meets daily and sets the budgets for every state agency and department.
A day earlier, on Thursday, the Idaho Legislature’s Change in Employee Compensation Committee voted 7-3 to recommend the $1.55 per hour raises.
On Friday, JFAC voted to accept the report with the recommendation from the Change in Employee Compensation Committee, but it did not vote on whether to approve the raises.
An actual JFAC vote on the raises is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.
JFAC also accepted a report Friday from the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee that projected $6.4 billion in state revenue will be available for next year’s budget. The $6.4 billion projection is slightly under Gov. Brad Little’s $6.41 billion revenue projection.
“We recommend caution in making appropriations above the committee’s revenue projection,” Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, told JFAC on Friday. “The committee recognizes economic uncertainty related to the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank addressing inflation and the recent presidential election.”
The action is expected to pick up considerably next week for JFAC. JFAC’s long-term schedule lists statewide maintenance budget decisions on the schedule for Wednesday, which could include decisions on state revenues and the proposed $1.55 raises for state employees.
On Friday, JFAC members are expected to set the maintenance budgets for all state agencies. JFAC leaders describe maintenance budgets as bare bones versions of last year’s budgets, with all the one-time money and projects removed. The maintenance budgets are simply meant to keep the lights on for state agencies. Under budget changes approved last year, new spending requests and replacement items are called budget enhancements, which are considered and voted on separately from the maintenance budgets.
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