Idaho

Idaho's top Democrat shares wishlist for new DNC chair

Published

1 year ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Idaho's top Democrat shares wishlist for new DNC chair

After substantial losses in the 2024 election, Democrats are searching for new leadership across the country.

Republicans took back the White House and Senate, along with retaining control of the House.

Party officials, including Idaho’s state Democratic Party Chair, Lauren Necochea, will vote for the new head of the Democratic National Committee early next year.

The race has several candidates across the political spectrum, including former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Ken Martin, who heads Minnesota’s version of the Democratic Party and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ken Wikler.

Where the next chairperson lands ideologically, Necochea said, isn’t as important as being able to unify the different coalitions making up the party.

“To come together across our minor policy disagreements we might hold to advance the agenda of electing more Democrats so that we can implement more of these policies that lift up working families,” she said.

Progressive members of the party have long criticized moderates for compromising their liberal values on issues like healthcare and support for large corporations.

Necochea said she’s not hearing a steady drumbeat of party officials trying to upend the status quo.

“[Republicans are] coming after Social Security. They’re coming after Medicare. They’re coming after our health care,” she said.

“So I just hear from my colleagues across the nation that we want to get back to work and roll up our sleeves and be ready to make a big comeback in the midterms.”

Experience managing large and complex organizations is a must. But another important necessity is having a communication plan to reach voters who actively tune out news and vote Republican, even if liberal policies would benefit them more.

“It’s both a challenge to deliver education and information to people who are kind of trying to avoid it, but it’s also an opportunity because it means that a lot of people who came out and voted for Republicans didn’t know what they were voting for,” Necochea said.

Increasing face-to-face communication is vital and something she said Idaho Democrats have already been doing, though the party lost three legislative seats this year.

“If you only try a door a few times during an election cycle and you don’t catch them when they’re home, then you never get to have that conversation,” she said.

Another item on her wishlist is for the next DNC chair to continue supporting a 50-state strategy – meaning the national party invests in local candidates across the country to help break up GOP supermajorities.

All major offices in Idaho are held by Republicans and the GOP holds 86% of all legislative seats here.

Necochea will join other party officials at the DNC’s winter meeting on Feb. 1 outside of Washington, D.C.

Source link

Idaho

Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario

Published

3 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Fire damages sheds, power lines near W. Idaho Ave in Ontario

ONTARIO, Oregon — A fire in a lot near W. Idaho Ave and South Oregon Street in Ontario has visibly damaged sheds and power lines.

Idaho News 6 arrived at the scene Sunday morning at around 12 p.m., finding nearby sheds across a fence line scorched, but standing. Power lines appeared to be damaged in the blaze.

No fire, police, or EMS were still on scene, and there were no surrounding road closures.

Idaho News 6 has reached out to officials and is awaiting additional information.

Source link

Idaho

Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers camp out to take part in the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

ADRIAN, Oregon — The Friends of the Owyhee organized a clean-up in Malheur County in Oregon, and volunteers came out to pick up trash and get rid of abandoned campers.

“We had two abandoned RV’S and a camper that were abandoned out on public lands,” said Tim Davis, who runs the Friends of the Owyhee. “They were sitting there for upwards of a year, and it is really clear that it is hard to get rid of these.”

WATCH| Check out the video to see volunteers demolish a camper—

Volunteers camp out for the Succor Creek Clean-Up in the Owyhees

Davis worked with the local sheriff’s office and the BLM to remove the campers, but he found it difficult because there was no place to take these recreational vehicles. The Gambler 500, an off-road group, brought out some people to demolish a camper with an excavator.

“That is awesome to see the turnout with the army of volunteers we have today,” said Brian Arndt of the Gambler 500 group. “We are going to be able to get the camper all in the dumpster, get it cleaned down to the frame, and then everything that can be recycled will be recycled.”

Volunteers camped out on Succor Creek Road on Friday night so they could get an early start on Saturday. Many volunteers will camp out again on Saturday night and finish the clean-up on Sunday.

“Malheur is the 12th largest county in the United States, and it’s 74 percent public land,” said Davis. “We have very few resources with the BLM; they are understaffed, they have one rec planner right now, so us, as public land owners, should be able to step up and keep this place clean.”

Lela Blizzard works as the lone recreational planner for the Vail District of the BLM, who says most sites have signs that say pack it in and pack it out. She says the BLM really needs the cooperation of the public because of how large it is, and she was happy to see how many volunteers showed up.

“I just want to tell them thank you because I know they are taking time out of their weekend to come out here to help us make sure the land continues to look nice for everyone who comes out to enjoy it,” said Blizzard.

Volunteers covered a lot of ground during this event

Griz Ward is one of the volunteers, and he enjoyed camping out, but he also would like to see people pick up after themselves. When it comes to outdoor recreation, it is so important to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

“If you come out here and play in the area, be respectful,” said Ward. “Pack it in and pack it out, leave no trace and do the right thing, or frankly, stay home.”

The Succor Creek Clean-Up also received a lot of support from the Treasure Valley, as they got donations from the Ontario Sanitation Service with the dumpsters, Tates Rents with the excavator, and United with porta-potties for the campsite.

Send tips to Idaho Backroads neighborhood reporter Steve Dent

Have an Idaho Backroads story idea? Share it with Steve below —

Source link