Current News Coverage
Idaho DOGE Task Force shares potential list of state programs, agencies to combine or eliminate
Idaho Capital Sun, 11-6-25
The leaders of Idaho’s DOGE Task Force floated the possibility of combining, consolidating, cutting or eliminating more than 70 Idaho government departments, programs, agencies or commissions during a meeting Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
The Idaho DOGE Task Force – named for the federal Department of Government Efficiency that was helmed at one point by billionaire Elon Musk – briefed members of the Idaho Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, Thursday.
Rep. Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian, and Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, said that the list of agencies, departments and commissions to consider combining, consolidating or eliminating was preliminary at this point.
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Ehlers and Lakey presented three tiered lists to JFAC members, which were labeled “low-hanging fruit,” “Legislature ideas” and “further review.”
Under “Legislature ideas,” the list included:
- Eliminating the Idaho Board of Tax Appeals.
- Merging or eliminating the Idaho Commission on Libraries.
- Merging or eliminating the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
- Merging or eliminating the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
- Merging the Idaho Department of Finance and into the Idaho Department of Insurance.
- Resizing the Idaho Department of Commerce and moving to an Idaho emphasis.
- Moving wildfire responsibilities away from the Idaho Department of Lands and giving them to the Idaho Office of Emergency Management.
READ Idaho Capital Sun article
‘It’s frustrating for everybody’: Valley Co. weighing new rules for popular snowmobile trailheads
Valley Lookout, 11-5-25
A proposal for new rules at snowmobile parking lots could reduce overcrowding and congestion in the lots on busy days, according to Valley County officials.
The rules, proposed by Recreation Director Dave Bingaman, would establish a $5 day-use fee and a $10 overnight parking fee. Daily use permits paid for each trailer parked by commercial outfitters would double from $150 per season to $300 per season.
Parking areas would also be divided into zones for different types of parking to make it easier for snowplow operators to clear the lot and maximize available space.
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A one-acre expansion of the Francis Wallace lot was recently approved by the Idaho Department of Lands, which owns the lot, but the expansion will not be complete until next year, Bingaman said.
READ Valley Lookout article
‘It’s bigger than Payette Lake’: Land exchange survey reports broad support, need for more information
Valley Lookout, 11-3-25
Nearly all Valley County residents worry about the privatization of public lands surrounding Payette Lake, according to a recent survey conducted by a public lands advocacy group.
The survey, completed by United Payette, polled public opinion on a land exchange proposal that would make state endowment lands around the lake part of the Payette National Forest.
Advocates say a land exchange could shield thousands of acres of lakefront lands from future private development — an outcome 91% of the survey’s 840 respondents found “very concerning” or “extremely concerning.”
“United Payette generally believes that the land exchange is a very good possibility of something that might work to preserve the endowment lands,” said Chris Vetter, a retired Idaho Department of Lands employee who is a member of the group’s steering committee.
READ Valley Outlook article
TIM An investment in the land: Reforestation critical to timber industry
Bonner County Daily Bee, 10-30-25
When a farmer plants a crop, they think in years, always planning for the short-term and doing enough to keep their business afloat till the next crop.
On its face, the timber industry isn’t that different. Both focus on agriculture, working with the land and growing a product that is used in nearly every facet of our daily lives. However, there remains a stark difference in the timeframe, according to Patrick Marolla, Inland North Region manager at Manulife Investment Management.
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Since 1974, with the passing of the Forest Practices Act, reforestation of lands has been required by the state of Idaho for the majority of timber harvesting operations.
Kyle Seigley, who manages endowment acres at the Idaho Department of Lands, echoed a similar sentiment. He said reforestation is key to the sustainability of the local forests and the timber industry as a whole.
“Sometimes with time forests do come back, but with the reforestation requirements, it guarantees that those areas that are managed intensively are reforested quickly,” Seigley said.
Tull donates $500,000 to Teton Valley Health as land auction is pushed back
Jackson Hole News & Guide, 10-31-25
The Teton Ridge Ranch Foundation has donated $500,000 to Teton Valley Health Care to replace the hospital’s failing HVAC system and install a dedicated power source for the operating room, addressing end-of-life infrastructure in the 61-year-old Driggs, Idaho, facility.
“Thomas Tull has been quietly supporting this community for years and this gift is another reflection of his commitment to ensuring Teton Valley has the health care resources it needs,” Nancy Osmundson, executive director of the Teton Valley Health Care Foundation, said in a joint press release. “This investment is more than an upgrade; it’s about protecting the people who depend on this hospital daily.”
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Meanwhile, the State Board of Land Commissioners postponed a decision about the proposed auction of the Driggs 160. A meeting set for October was cancelled because of scheduling conflicts. The board is now expected to take up the sale at its Nov. 18 meeting.
Land commissioners first voted to dispose of the parcel in July and debate about its future later spilled into local politics, as Teton County (Idaho) commissioners debated whether to support the sale. At one point, onlookers alleged that Commissioner Ron James had business ties to Tull, which James denied.
Read Jackson Hole article
TIM: A new path to the logging and forestry workforce
Hagadone News Network, 10-29-25
Maria Kinne’s favorite logging apparel is her high-visibility sweatshirt.
It is less bulky than the polyester vest with its many pockets, grommets and reflective strips that glow during daylight hours, and it is less restrictive when she’s bucking and limbing logs with her chainsaw, operating a cutting-edge log processor or preparing to fell a tree.
“The sweatshirt is a lot more comfortable, so it’s a good day when I don’t have to wear the vest,” said Kinne, who graduates in May with an associate’s degree in forest operations and technology.
She was among the first students to enroll in University of Idaho’s two-year program, which covers logging equipment operation, timber sale planning, logging safety and business skills. Kinne has a temporary job lined up with the state of Idaho after graduation but is also getting offers from logging companies.
“It’s a seasonal job with the Department of Lands, and after that I will likely apply for another state position, or with a forest management company,” said the 22-year-old who grew up working with her dad, the owner of Odenwald Forestry near Sandpoint.
Read Hagadone article
United Payette: 91% very or extremely concerned’ about Payette Lake privatization
Star-News, 10-29-25
According to a recent survey, 91% of respondents in Valley County were very or extremely concerned that the state lands surrounding the Payette Lakes could be sold and privatized.
The survey was conducted this summer by the McCall nonprofit group United Payette, which presented results to the McCall City Council on Friday and to Valley County Commissioners yesterday.
The survey was sent to 6,738 addresses across Valley County seeking public opinion on a potential land exchange between the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and the U.S. Forest Service.
The study itself was designed and conducted by the University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources and each participant was given a specific sign-in code in an effort to make the survey unbiased and accurate. Over 800 people completed the survey, according to United Payette.
READ Star-News article
Preston to host Gov. Little’s ‘Capital for a Day’ event
Idaho State Journal, 10-24-25
Gov. Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Preston on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Worm Creek Opera House located at 70 S. State St.
Officials joining Gov. Little include:
— Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke.
— Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf.
— Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt.
— Department of Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton.
— Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron.
— Idaho Transportation Department Deputy Director Dan McElhinney.
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