Idaho
Idaho's water future – Governor commits more funding to preserving eastern Snake Plain aquifer – Local News 8
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.”
Idaho
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Idaho
Bond revoked for indicted Idaho mother
PAYETTE — A Payette mom’s bond was revoked Tuesday after she was charged with suffocating her twin children earlier this month and is believed to pose a danger to the life of her newborn child.
The case, which has drawn national headlines, concerns Andrea Renee Shaw, a 23-year-old Payette mother who in May 2025 said her 18-month-old fraternal twins died the same day, after receiving routine childhood vaccinations. In January, Shaw joined as a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed by Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with several other plaintiffs claiming vaccine injury or death.
Kennedy, who now serves as secretary of Health and Human Services, is no longer part of the group after taking on the cabinet position, as was reported by the Associated Press.
In Idaho, the twins’ deaths prompted a 14-month investigation by the Payette County Sheriff’s Department. On June 29, the investigation yielded a grand jury indictment of Shaw on two counts of first-degree murder by suffocation. If convicted, Shaw can be punished by up to life in prison or the death penalty, and the court would have the ability to order the penalties be served consecutively, or back to back.
Tuesday’s arraignment at the Payette County Courthouse was primarily attended by Shaw’s relatives and members of the media. Payette County Judge Kiley Stuchlik, who serves Idaho’s Third Judicial District, presided.
A key consideration for Stuchlik on Tuesday was a request from Joseph Filicetti, the legal counsel for Shaw, to have her bond reduced from $2 million to $100,000. Filicetti said this would allow for Shaw to care for a newborn girl, who, according to court documents, was born by caesarean section on June 25, four days prior to Shaw’s grand jury indictment.
State prosecutors objected to the motion for bond reduction, noting at hand was a potential death penalty case and asserting, unlike her husband, Shaw’s story repeatedly changed during questioning. Prosecuting Attorney Mike Duke said releasing Shaw would ultimately put the newborn’s safety at risk.
“That child is the most at risk. We do not think she should be allowed to be anywhere near any children, let alone her own children,” Duke said.
Stuchlik decided to revoke bond entirely, stating Shaw posed a “risk of safety” to the newborn child that was not known to Stuchlik or prosecutors when the $2 million bond was initially set.
Also for consideration Tuesday was a request to have grand jury transcripts of witness testimony provided to prosecutors and defense counsel to prepare their respective cases.
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