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New Idaho law will increase annual salaries for judges by $17,000 – East Idaho News

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New Idaho law will increase annual salaries for judges by ,000 – East Idaho News


Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, testifies before the House Judiciary Rules & Administration Committee on Feb. 27, 2025 about HB 322. Watch the House and Senate hearings for the bill in the video above. | Courtesy Idaho Legislature

BOISE – A bill aimed at increasing salaries for Idaho judges passed the 2025 Legislature.

HB 322 was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little on March 28 after passing the House and the Senate. It passed the House on March 3 with 57 in favor, 13 opposed. The Senate voted in favor of the bill on March 21, with 26 in favor and eight opposed.

The bill increased yearly salaries for magistrate, district, appellate and supreme court judges by $17,000. That amount represents a minimum 10% salary increase for judges at all levels in Idaho. Beginning July 1, annual salaries for magistrate judges in Idaho, according to the bill’s statement of purpose, will be $164,508. District judge salaries will increase to $172,508. Idaho appellate judges will make $178,508 a year and state supreme court justices will make $186,508.

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Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa — who is an attorney by profession — co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello — who owns a law firm in Pocatello. Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa — who is also an attorney — was the bill’s third sponsor.

Sen. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, a private practice attorney, worked behind the scenes to introduce the legislation. He tells EastIdahoNews.com he’s pleased to see the bill become law.

“It wasn’t as much as we wanted, but it was a solid increase,” Ruchti says.

RELATED | Local lawmaker working on bill aimed at raising salaries for Idaho judges

During a press conference in January, Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan called upon the legislature to raise salaries for judges statewide. The original amount he was proposing was an increase from $169,508 to $215,000 for supreme court justices, and an increase in district judge’s annual salaries from $155,508 to $201,000.

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How Idaho’s salaries for supreme court justices compares with neighboring states. | Courtesy Nate Poppino, Idaho Supreme Court

Ruchti says the $17,000 increase was an amount reached through compromise.

“The amount (the supreme court) had recommended was just too much to get the legislature to agree to it,” Ruchti explains. “They picked a number that was a significant increase, but not everything we wanted.”

Skaug and the other sponsors of the bill are planning to revisit the legislation during the 2026 Legislative session to try and increase salaries again.

A decreasing number of judge applicants in recent years was the driving force behind the legislation, along with dwindling retention for those positions. The goal of the bill was to make salaries more competitive in hopes of recruiting and retaining candidates.

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Data about judicial compensation shows Idaho currently ranks near the bottom nationwide. The new law will make Idaho more competitive with neighboring states.

district judge salaries
How salaries for Idaho district judges compare with neighboring states | Courtesy James Ruchti

“I’m really pleased we were able to do something this year for our judges,” Ruchti says. “If we don’t increase their compensation, we’re going to lose more and more judges and we’re going to have a tougher time recruiting judges to apply.”

In January, Ruchti noted the judicial system affects every aspect of residents’ lives and the system falls apart without quality judges.

“It’s a tough job and you don’t want just anybody sitting in that seat,” he said.

The total annual fiscal impact for this increase in salary and associated benefits, according to the bill’s statement of purpose, is more than $3.8 million. It will come from the state general fund.

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Watch the House and Senate hearings for the bill in the video above.

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Idaho

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

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Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work


The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.

There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.

Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work

The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.

Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.

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READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision

On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.

Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.

36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025

We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.

Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

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Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

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Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

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Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

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Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





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