Editorial
To find our opinion based editorials, see below. We'll share opinion based editorial articles regularly for interested viewers.
What an Idaho school funding lawsuit might look like
It is not inevitable that the Idaho Legislature will invite a school funding lawsuit, but legislators appear at th…
Mayor shares highlights from proposed budget
In this month’s edition of the Mayor’s Roundtable, I’d like to share with you a few highlights of the city’s proposed budget for 2020. The budget is the culmin…
Rural jobs are boosted by impact of SNAP
A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture examines the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in rural America. Widely viewed as a program that helps combat urban poverty and foo…
Delivering on the UI's brave, bold mission
I am thrilled to be back in Moscow to take the helm at the University of Idaho. To be in this role, after my childhood years roaming campus with my grandfather…
Improving vets' access to mental health care
When we think of what it means to be healthy, we often think of physical health--maintaining an optimal weight, eating well and not having any ailments slowing us down. However, the definition of “healthy” includes…
Growing pains and the city of Sandpoint
Sandpoint is growing. The population grew 5.1% in 2017, far above the 1.2% annual average. We are seeing development throughout the city in residential and com…
Use of county roads is returning to normal
Most Bonner County rural drivers have probably had occasions to observe some of our rural roads suffered a variety of maladies this spring, some of which significantly impacted travel. Adding to the frustration of …
Sandpoint begins master planning process
There is a lot to discuss this week at the Mayor’s Roundtable. I will touch on some highlights here and I welcome readers to come join me to dive deeper into a…
Fight over control - governing vs. governed
As I write this, Gov. Brad Little has just vetoed SB1159, the bill designed to revise existing ballot initiative requirements.
Restrictions in line with founding principles
We are a constitutional republic. Both our state and nation are built upon the notion of elected representation being the steadiest form of government to ensur…
Corruption is the only word that adequately describes events
Last Friday, the Idaho House of Representatives voted 40-30 to pass Senate Bill 1159, legislation that would essentially revoke our constitutional right to organize citizen ballot initiatives. The bill will move to…
Voter Initiatives, Medicaid, and Hemp
The end is drawing near for the 2019 Idaho state legislative session, but we also appear to be at a draw on a few prominent issues. Below is the status of thre…
We can't stand by while ID constitution attacked
When Idaho’s founders drafted our state’s Constitution, they went to great pains not to forget the source of their authority — the people. While Idaho is set u…
Know your rights or lose your rights
Last year in Idaho, 23,599 families were reported to the Idaho Health and Welfare Child Protective Services. Idaho law requires mandatory reporting by all persons suspecting abuse. Reporting can be anonymous and ma…
Bill would create maternal mortality panel
For the safety of mothers and families in Idaho, we must act to develop a statewide maternal mortality review committee. Maternal mortality is on the rise and Idaho is no exception to this alarming trend. Pregnancy…
Idaho and thoughts on state water rights
We are fortunate in northern Idaho to have large quantities of water. Even with the great Idaho rivers such as the Snake, Salmon, Payette, and Boise, much of c…