Idaho

No Go For Idaho: State Will Have To Rethink Its 'Freedom' Health Policies

8:52pm March 09, 2018

by Julie Appleby

The Trump administration has advised Idaho that its plan to allow insurance policies that fall short of Obamacare standards could result in penalties for insurers. But another strategy might yet fly.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar faced questions Wednesday from the House Ways and Means Committee about Idaho's move.

Idaho Insurer Moves Ahead With Health Plans That Flout Federal Rules

2:07pm February 15, 2018

by Julie Appleby

Blue Cross of Idaho unveiled new health plans that break with federal requirements in several ways, including setting premiums based on applicants' health. What will the administration do?

Critics say Idaho's insurance department can't unilaterally ignore federal law, including some of the Affordable Care Act's protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Idaho 'Pushing Envelope' With Health Insurance Plan: How Far Can It Go?

4:05pm January 29, 2018

by Julie Appleby

Will the Trump administration compel Idaho to stick to health insurance rules laid out in the Affordable Care Act or let the state proceed with plans to skip some of its consumer protections?

Bikers pedal through downtown Boise, Idaho, on Sept. 14, 2010.

Idaho Leads U.S. As Fastest Growing State, Census Bureau Reports

1:39pm December 21, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

The population of Idaho increased by 2.2 percent, making it the fastest growing state in the U.S. Three other western states were just behind it: Nevada, Utah and Washington.

An aerial view of the sequoia in Boise, Idaho, as workers prepared to transport it about two blocks. Heavy machinery had to be used to prune its roots and build a structure so they could move the roughly 100-foot tree, which was planted back in 1912.

What Does It Take To Move A 10-Story Tree A Couple Of City Blocks?

3:50pm June 25, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

That answer, as seen Sunday in Boise, Idaho: $300,000 and a lot of determination. St. Luke's Health System, which moved the historic sequoia, says it "was never even an option" to cut it down.

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, center, poses with Chad Moffat, left, and Var Reeve, right, who run Boise Mobile Equipment, an Idaho company that makes fire rescue vehicles.

When Rep. Raul Labrador Votes 'No,' Many Idahoans Say 'Yes!'

2:09am April 22, 2017

by Susan Davis

The Freedom Caucus co-founder often opposes his party in Congress, and drew the president's wrath for rejecting the GOP health care plan. He also won his district by a wider margin than Trump in 2016.

Queue Listen Now

An M-44 — also known as a "cyanide bomb" for the way it sprays sodium cyanide — sits nested between two rocks. Mark Mansfield, father of a boy accidentally sprayed March 16 in Idaho, calls these devices used to protect livestock from predators "neithe

After Outcry, USDA Stops Using 'Cyanide Bombs' In Idaho — For Now

2:08pm April 11, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

An M-44 spit sodium cyanide on a boy and his dog in Idaho last month, killing the dog and drawing petitions for removal of the devices. The USDA's Wildlife Services agency has acceded to that request.

An M-44 device — also known as a "cyanide bomb" for the way it sprays sodium cyanide — sits nested between two rocks. Several petitions are now calling for the removal of these devices used to protect livestock from predators. Mark Mansfield, father o

Calls Mount For Ban On 'Cyanide Bombs' After Death Of Family Pet

2:18pm March 29, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

An M-44, which sprays predators with sodium cyanide, detonated on a teen and his dog earlier this month in Idaho. Now the family and others are petitioning the USDA to end its use of the devices.

Adrien Koch, 62, sits in the bedroom of her northern Idaho home, which is twice as big and half as expensive as the one she sold in California.

Leaving Urban Areas For The Political Homogeneity Of Rural Towns

11:06am February 14, 2017

by Kirk Siegler

In the last election, it became easier to see the political divide between urban and rural areas. Now, people from California are moving to northern Idaho to find people similar to them.

Queue Listen Now

Dawn Tachell looks at the trash and debris that have collected in her community. Conditions in the neighborhood have become so bad that some people have abandoned their houses and moved out.

Mobile Home Park Owners Can Spoil An Affordable American Dream

1:32pm December 26, 2016

by Daniel Zwerdling

Water and sewage problems at an Idaho mobile home park illustrate how manufactured housing communities owned by outsiders are often kept in a state of disrepair.