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Idaho's 'Internet for All' initial broadband proposal approved. State could request $583M. • Idaho Capital Sun

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Idaho's 'Internet for All' initial broadband proposal approved. State could request 3M. • Idaho Capital Sun


The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Idaho, North Dakota and American Samoa’s initial proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, a part of Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.

The approval enables the states and territory to request access to funding and begin implementation of the equity and access program — “a major step toward closing the digital divide and meeting the president’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service,” according to a National Telecommunications and Information Administration press release.

The approval allows the states and territories to request:

  • over $583 million in Idaho
  • over $130 million in North Dakota
  • over $37 million in American Samoa

The equity and access program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Once the program’s broadband deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed internet adoption, training and workforce development, among other eligible uses, according to the release.

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 “Today, Idaho, North Dakota, and American Samoa can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson in the release. “I congratulate the state and territory broadband offices for developing strong proposals for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed internet service.”

Eligible entities — states, territories, and the District of Columbia — are required to submit an initial proposal detailing how they plan to spend their allocation to deliver high-speed internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their proposals by Dec. 27, 2023. One year from the initial proposal’s approval, states must submit their final proposal for ensuring broadband coverage.

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

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Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran


On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

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Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

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“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”





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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8

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Town Hall to address future of Medicaid expansion in Idaho – Local News 8


POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.

According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.

The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.

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One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:

“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”

There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.

Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules

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Idaho CBD retailers navigating uncertainty under new hemp rules


Idaho takes pride in being a no-THC zone. Unlike our neighbors on all sides, the Gem State has taken a firm stance not to legalize marijuana for medicinal or recreational use for years. This opposition long extended to the legalization of hemp, a plant relative of marijuana with far lower levels of the intoxicating chemical […]



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