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Idaho's Land Ownership: Who Really Controls The State's Vast Territory?

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Idaho's Land Ownership: Who Really Controls The State's Vast Territory?


Idaho is one of the country’s largest geographical states and one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. Fortunately, we’re also one of the least populated states, which means we have a lot of land for all Idahoans. Or do we? Have you ever wondered who owns the land in Idaho? We’ve looked at how much land is owned by the state, the federal government, and private citizens.

A quick look at the size of our great state courtesy of Wikipedia. Idaho is the 14th largest state in land area and the 13th least populated state in our nation. The Gem State consists of 83,570 square miles.

Idaho is one of the few states where the federal government owns more land than the state itself. The feds use the agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service to oversee our land.

These federal agencies determine whether or not our forests are correctly maintained. Idaho elected officials have lobbied for years to regain control of the grounds. They rightly believe our continued wildfires could be prevented if the state was allowed to maintain the forests.

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Top 5 States Owned By The Federal Government

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller

So who owns the remaining 38.37% of land in Idaho? According to the latest edition of ‘The Land Report,’ the state’s largest landowners are billionaires. A pair of famous out-of-state folks from Texas owns the most land in the state, owning 675,000 acres. We’ve covered their attempts to limit folks from using public lands, including hiring private security folks roaming around the state carrying guns. The Wilks Brothers are known for their massive contributions to conservative causes and candidates. You can read more about them here.

Potatoes and Idaho go together like hamburgers and french fries. The JR Simplot Company trails the Texans in owning 443,000 acres of Idaho land. The company continues to employ Idahoans while being privately held. We have yet to learn how much of their land is used for farmland or recreation.

If you’re a fan of skiing, then you’ll be happy to know that the owners of Sun Valley are right behind Simplot, owning 395,000 acres. The Holdings family is privately held owning entertainment resorts in the West. Sun Valley was once again recognized as America’s best ski resort by the readers of Ski Magazine.

Finally, our friend Big Frank Vandersloot of Melaleuca owns 158 acres of land in our state. Mr. Vandersloot is known for his conservative politics and his charitable giving. This story was first reported by the Boisedev.

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The New York Times profiled the recent rush to buy land in Idaho and across the west.  You can read that story here.

The Largest Land Owner in Idaho May Surprise You

“With an area of 83,570 square miles (216,400 km2), Idaho is the 11th largest state by land area” -Wikipedia

Gallery Credit: Nikki West

Top 10 Crops that Idaho Produces the Most are Surprising

 Stacker did this farmtastic study showing what states produce the most of what, then they took it even further by showing the monetary correlation with those crops. Let’s see what crops make Idaho the most money.

Gallery Credit: Nikki West





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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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Idaho News 6

“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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