Category: Letters & Opinion

Out of Kilter presents: An itis for every day of the week, and the month, and the year By Ken Carpenter November 17, 2003 It seems like everybody in the […]

Bonners Ferry Rants, Raves and Rabbit Holes was meant to be an escape, an online sanctuary… where this community could vent among peers, scream and stomp their feet for a […]

By Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry The recent passage of our two‐year maintenance and operations levy in School District #101 — with 2,135 voters in favor — demonstrates that our community […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Ever since the Statue of Liberty raised her torch in New York Harbor, America has welcomed the “homeless, tempest-tossed” masses from foreign shores. Those seeking […]

For decades, wildlife conservation has operated under a flawed premise: that nature thrives best when human presence is minimized. Nowhere is this more evident than in grizzly bear recovery efforts, […]

  Here is proof that taxes have gone down. I just want people to know the School District 101 Maintenance and Operations Levy that means so much to our community […]

We all benefit from strong schools. That’s why it’s essential we come together on May 20 to vote YES on the school district’s replacement Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levy. We’ve […]

My name is Tanner Liermann. I’m a Marine Corps veteran, a recent graduate of the University of Montana, and someone who was born and raised in Boundary County. I’m writing […]

Dear Mr. Lyndaker (“Misconceptions and misunderstandings,” May 16, 2025), Thank you for your thoughtful critique. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify my original points and to delve deeper into these […]

The Lion and the Lamb: Finding Hope Amidst a World of Suffering (Revelation 5:1-7) Imagine the weight of the world’s pain pressing down on you. Turn on the news, scroll […]

To the Editor, Vote no on the school levy.  Boundary County School District 22 + million-dollar budget exceeds $16,000 per student. The continued supply of money will not correct the […]

Oh, the morality of it! Once upon a time there was a very well-meaning individual who thought he could improve the community he lived in.  He decided that creating a […]

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, Bonners Ferry…Why no financial data on the city website? Why no financials other than salaries on the state website? It would be nice to see a breakdown […]

I would like to address a few of the misconceptions and misunderstandings presented by Darrell Kerby in his letter of April 20. First of all, Dr. Servheen’s fears of the […]

Out of Kilter presents – Gristle Boy and the Shrinking Brains By Ken Carpenter Back in the caveman days, there was very little pickiness when it when it came to […]

By former BCSD 101 teacher Darrell Kerby Over 40 years ago, I stepped out of the classroom and into the unpredictable world of local government and private business. But no […]

By Thad DeBuhr with ‘Your Jesus Journey’ Have you ever found yourself caught in that familiar mental tug-of-war? You know the one – that moment when a new idea sparks, […]

The time is here to step up and support Boundary County’s youth and our public schools. It was not a good day when I received my RIF (reduction in force) […]

By Darrell Kerby Having been born and raised in Boundary County, I now find myself moving quickly toward my eighth decade here. Not long ago, a newspaper journalist interviewed me […]

Out of Kilter presents – The Doofus in the Machine By Ken Carpenter October 29, 2005 Newfangled contraptions have always had it in for me. In case anybody is wondering, […]

In 1939, Nazi officials established gas chambers and began murdering tens of thousands of German citizens they considered “unfit.” The victims of the so-called “T-4” program included elderly Germans and […]

By Mike Weland America has a long and proud history, Mr. Herndon, of directly raising its middle finger at stupid laws passed by those idiots we on occasion mistakenly elect, […]

By Former Idaho Senator Scott Herndon I admit that I haven’t always paid attention to local government throughout my lifetime. But lately, I can’t help but notice an outbreak of […]

From Foundations School Executive Director, Charli Turner Greetings! I want to share with you the amazing things happening at Foundations School this spring. Foundations School is in its second year […]

By Lee Colson The Bonners Ferry Fire Department would like to thank all of the people involved in the truly successful exercises and burning of the house behind the Mountain […]

On Tuesday, the Bonners Ferry City Council in one small but profound gesture threw down the gauntlet against the stupidity that is the radical right’s anti-woke agenda, establishing a year-around celebration proudly proclaiming this city’s appreciation for our neighbors to the north and even more proudly hoisting the Canadian flag back to its place.

 By Darrell Kerby In a state that prides itself on independence, local governance, and community traditions, Idaho’s legislature has taken an alarming and hypocritical turn. House Bill 96, restricting local […]

Have you noticed? The Canadian flag no longer flies next to the American and Idaho flags near the visitor center in downtown Bonners Ferry, welcoming our friends from the North. […]

Spiritually Dry? Don’t Miss These 5 Desert Lessons Hey there, friends. Ever feel like your spiritual life has hit a bit of a dry patch? Like your prayers are just […]

While my wife and I do not have children or grandchildren currently attending schools in our district, we recognize that the school district represents the heart of our community. It […]

By Mike Weland In an era where fake crises abound and attacks on such integral facets of our existence as schools and libraries are rampant, Boundary County has been pushed […]

Out of Kilter presents – ‘Foot Under Glass, A La Mode’ By: Ken Carpenter August 27, 2006 My feet are shaped more like a shoebox than a shoe. They are […]

By Jim Jones, Idaho Capital Sun May 1, 2025 Although U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, is one of those congressional lifers who does not have a particularly distinguished record on […]

When I scroll through my Facebook page, the vast majority of my posts are about our students—the incredible activities they’re involved in, the memories they’re making, and the pride they […]

Rethinking Our Christianese: 5 Phrases We Might Need to Retire By: Thad DeBuhr with Your Jesus Journey There’s a certain language that develops within Christian circles, phrases we hear so […]

Boundary County, I’m writing to urge your support for the Boundary County Maintenance and Operation Levy. Early voting is in progress, so go vote now. If you can’t make it […]

I admit I’m only one of millions of people angry at President Trump’s lawlessness; preempting the other two main branches of government; defunding of vital services and research; mass firing […]

Out of Kilter Presents: It’s a Fine Pickle I’ve Gotten into this Time By Ken Carpenter July 11, 2006 I have always loved pickled things. I don’t know it for […]

On February 22, at a “town hall” in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (CDA), sponsored by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC), a gang of five men, at the direction of […]

By Georgia Earley Our constitution is a framework of laws of governance which only by agreement and commitment by all citizens, guarantees our liberties. Without “we the people” standing firm […]

By Mike Weland In her opening paragraph, Dorothy Moon is absolutely right. But in gaslighting, that’s how you reel in the gullible. It’s how you brainwash the susceptible. Consider the […]

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman If it’s worth having, it’s worth defending. Our Founding Fathers understood that defending their liberty was worth even more than their lives, their fortunes, and […]

By former Mayor Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry With the close of 2025 Idaho Legislature, let us again reflect on who we truly are and what it means to be an […]

I had a dream last night … maybe it was from the spicy pizza … who knows where dreams come from? Anyway, I seemed to hear voices from a long […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater A district judge in Utah issued a marvelous decision on April 18, finding Utah’s school voucher law to be unconstitutional. The 60-page decision was based […]

By Former Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee may soon become obsolete. For 55 years, this group of bureaucrats has been utilized by federal agencies to […]

Your Jesus Journey The Dangerous Illusion of the Solo Christian – by Thad DeBuhr We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity, yet ironically, many Christians find themselves in a […]

Out of Kilter presents: In a perfect world black licorice would be illegal, served only in purgatory By Ken Carpenter March 7, 2004 I have a co-worker whose undying hatred […]

Op-Ed Submission April 17, 2025 Idaho is on the right path, By Lt. Governor Scott Bedke Like so many of you, I set a resolution each new year. It’s usually […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Senator Mike Crapo said in an April 8 op-ed that “access to affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues” he encounters across Idaho. […]

By Georgia Earley In the last four years under its new rules, the Idaho Republican Political Party has increasingly censored Republican lawmakers, labeling those who don’t “toe the party line” […]

Every Christian is a Witness By: Thad Debuhr – Your Jesus Journey Hey Friend! Ever feel that little knot in your stomach when the idea of sharing your faith comes […]

Out of Kilter presents: Shortcuts to Drive You Crazy By Ken Carpenter July 13, 2003 It is the right indeed it is the obligation, of every human male driver to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Idahoans can breathe a sigh of relief now that the Legislature has folded its tent and gone home. The bright side of this year’s session […]

Title: Beyond the Guardrails: Embracing God’s Unexpected Choices By Thad DeBuhr – Your Jesus Journey You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how often we put God in […]

By Georgia Early Imagine if our legislature endorsed one state religion funded by our taxes, and only members of that faith could vote. And those who practiced or proselytized a […]

Out of Kilter ‘Plumbers of the World Unite…and Make Everybody Pull up their Drawers Please’ Plumbers all over the world have had to live with a stigma of their occupations […]

By Representative Steve Berch We’re entering the end-game portion of the legislative session. There are four games being played as we lurch toward the end (with a lot of negotiations […]

By Timothy Braatz The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787, is a brief instructional manual, sketching out a federal government, what it can and cannot do—a barebones blueprint—not much to “believe […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontator There has been a bit of discussion over the years as to what William Shakespeare’s character, Dick the Butcher, meant when he said: “The first […]

Beyond Abundance: Finding “Enough” in God’s Provision By: Thad DeBuhr We often chase a vision of abundance—overflowing blessings, material wealth, and worldly success. But what if this picture is far […]

The Town of Creston is committed to inclusivity and diversity for our citizens. We value one another and seek to foster genuine wellbeing and happiness for all.

Out of Kilter – By Ken Carpenter From Sticky Fingers to Sticky Bun May 8, 2006 Do you ever wake up in the morning with your brain feeling like clammy, […]

House Bill 96 represents a troubling shift in the Idaho Legislature’s priorities, one that undermines the very principles of local autonomy and community pride that have long defined our state. […]

Redefining “Tough Love” By Thad DeBuhr “Tough love.” The phrase often echoes through our relationships, used as a justification for harsh words or rigid actions. We tell ourselves it’s for […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day, the day set aside to remember and honor those who served in that ill-fated war. A phone call […]

9B.News and ‘Out of Kilter’ presents, ‘Beware of Toothworms and Broom Handles’ By Ken Carpenter February 27, 2005 Teeth have been an important accessory since cave men first gnawed on […]

In response to Jim Jones’s “Washington is targeting veteran programs” Agent Orange: I was raised in production agriculture environs from an early age. So, my exposures during my own military […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Veteran programs are in the sights of Russell Vought, who currently controls America’s purse strings. The US Constitution gave Congress that crucial responsibility, but our […]

‘Out of Kilter’ “The Pecking Order” by Ken Carpenter. September 12, 2010 Sometimes the world doesn’t make any sense. A guy works hard almost every day of his life and […]

By Richard Strickland Meridian, Idaho Idaho has long been a beacon of conservative values, championing free enterprise and keeping government interference at bay. Yet, our Republican lawmakers who claim to […]

by Timothy Braatz At a time when political violence is celebrated, well-meaning citizens must be prepared to respond with nonviolence. One definition of fascism is, simply, the overt desire to […]

Katie here…I thought I’d lead this weeks’ segment by Ken Carpenter by introducing his late wife, Joy. I had the great pleasure of knowing her. It was just for a […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The preamble of the US Constitution starts with these powerful words: “We the People of the United States.” Those words mean that all power arises […]

By Ken Carpenter January 8, 2007 Everybody from my generation knows what you’re talking about when you mention “Doing the Clampett shuffle.” Jed Clampett was the patriarch of The Beverly […]

Governor Little, I’m begging you to VETO House Bill-93. I know of countless souls who will be depending on these benefits as the last resort to stave off bankruptcy. It […]

By Rep. Steve Berch Over 120 new pieces of legislation have been introduced in the last 10 days, many of them after the “official” February 10 deadline for introducing new […]

Out Of Kilter By Ken Carpenter March 21, 2004 People throughout history have relied on their political leaders to create and implement laws to protect them. Many of these laws […]

By Layne McInelly President, Idahgo Education Association Governor Brad Little should veto House Bill 93. As the dozens of principled and conscientious lawmakers who voted against this legislation pointed out, […]

By Georgia Earley The following was written by Alexander Hamilton in 1792: “The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country […]

I am retired. I worked for the US Forest Service for 46 years, all of it in Boundary County Idaho. I am not acting as a spokesperson for the Forest […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater House Bill 93, which passed the Idaho House of Representatives on February 7, would exempt most families who take advantage of the $5,000 per student […]

By Mike Weland I can’t remember what I wrote. I can’t remember when I wrote it — but that’s nothing unusual when you’re a small-town general news reporter, a euphemism […]

By Representative Steve Berch We’re about half way into the 2025 legislative session and things are heating up. A lot of bills are being pushed through committees and a few […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater On January 20, Donald Trump solemnly swore that he would, to the best of his ability, “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United […]

By Georgia Earley Another legislative bill based on anything but science. Recently bill 1036 was proudly introduced by Senator Brandon Shippy of District 9. It places a moratorium on gene […]

By Kathryn Larson Sagle One of the only ways our North Idaho voices can be heard all the way down in Boise is through a Citizen’s Initiative. That’s how we […]

By Kathryn Larson Sagle Does a state tax reduction sound good? Mike Moyle is taking HB40 to the house floor. He’s advertised that it will put more money back into […]

By Clarice McKenney In 28 years of living in Bonners Ferry I have witnessed first hand the ravages to our county’s schools created in large part by our state’s lack […]

I am Gerald B. Higgs in LD-1, Bonners Ferry. I speak for myself and am against House Bill 93. Boundary County School District 101 will be disproportionately harmed, along with […]

By Mike Weland Dear teacher, I must ask that my child, Idaho “Conservative” GOP, be excused yet again this year, as he is pale as a sheet and still suffering […]

Idaho’s citizen initiative process seems to be working just fine: Voters very clearly said yes to Medicaid Expansion and no to Prop 1. Why mess with it? Could it be […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Dorothy Moon, the current chair of the extremist faction of the Idaho Republican Party, proclaimed on election night that: “We’re not ever going to let […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Kudos to Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle for starting a crusade against “outdated, obsolete and unnecessary” laws. Moyle’s House Bill 14–the “Idaho Code Cleanup Act”–would […]

Two recent news articles bring up an interesting dilemma about fires. On January 16, the Bonner County Bee reported that the Sandpoint mayor was concerned about water service limits. On […]

By Representative Steve Berch Idaho District 14, Seat A We are two weeks into the start of the 2025 legislative session. As is typical in the early going, very few […]

By Georgia Earley Even before the United States had a constitution, its founding fathers were advocates of a public school system. They knew for the common man to rule himself […]

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on January 7, 2025 By Jim Jones Despite the fact that Article IX, section 5 of Idaho’s Constitution strictly prohibits using public funds for religious education, […]

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman At the Idaho Republican Party’s Winter Meeting this past weekend, resolutions were passed, signaling the beginning of a robust path toward legislative action. These resolutions, […]

This alert is to advise legislators of the legal strategy the Committee is expecting to employ against any legislation that may be enacted in the 2025 session to authorize the use of public funds for private and religious schooling. It is important that legislators are fully advised of the potential legal pitfalls ahead of time so that they cannot plead ignorance of the legal consequences after the fact.

Senator Jim Risch: With the new year comes a new era in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump is returning to the White House, and Republicans will control Congress. We have a mandate to restore American greatness. Mike Weland: Thankfully, Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing, once all other possibilities have been exhausted.

  A View From the Valley By Georgia Earley Each year, and sometimes every few months, our elected leaders re-visit the same question. Should they pay our government’s bills, money […]

By Mike Weland Reporter Emeritus I stand before you humbled and penitent. For I have had an epiphany, and I hereby issue my apologies for close to ten years of […]

The State of Idaho is trying by law to stop its publicly supported institutions from practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion, which used to be fundamental Christian principles. Ironically, in Latin, […]

By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson had the perfect reaction when he was told that the embattled Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz, had been picked as the […]

The 2025 session of the Idaho Legislature begins on January 6th, but things really started during the Organizing meetings on December 4-6. This is when House and Senate party leaders […]

Indeed, there was an initiative on the ballot in Alaska to REPEAL open primaries and RCV. However, it failed by 743 votes (after a recount) out of 321,000 votes cast. […]

By Mike Weland We human beans what are U.S. citizens are funny critters. We know a train wreck is imminent yet we try to convince ourselves the train’s moving fast […]

President Biden’s recent pardoning of his son raises serious questions. Should money and position determine the rules under which one lives? And should anyone have immunity from prosecution whether they […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The voucher vultures are circling the Idaho treasury, expecting to soon have government approval to gorge on money paid into the treasury by hard-working Idahoans. […]

Those of you who are scratching your head when you hear that Bonners Ferry was “Idaho’s Friendliest City” … you are not alone. This being in the past is about […]

By Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair One thing I’ll miss as I retire from the Legislature is receiving emails from people across the state. They help me keep my […]

By Mike Weland Before November 5, I often said that the 2024 election would be the most consequential since the election of 1860. The American people have spoken, and by […]

By Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair How much do Idaho women have to suffer before Republicans allow abortion care in medical emergencies and when health and fertility are threatened? […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The extremist branch of Idaho’s Republican Party, presided over by Dorothy Moon, has been feeling its oats after the 2024 elections. They defeated a number […]

By Mike Weland “The people have spoken.” Yes, they have, and much the same as they did for Hitler and the Third Reich in the 1930s. And now, ten years […]

When casting your vote, remember that there is significant evidence that preborn children can feel pain even within the first trimester. If these are not people, what are they? Fetus […]

Donald Trump’s vision for a second term as President promises to push America towards renewed heights of prosperity and unity. ~ Dorothy Moon … We’re going on 10 years of Trump and to date, we haven’t seen his true colors. That’s about to change. ~ Mike Weland

I recently read an interesting op/ed that speculated that at no other time in our nation’s history does the US have 1) the largest number of “stupid” legislators in elected […]

In the last decade or more our country’s electorate has crossed insidiously precarious lines. The fracturing of our information sources has fueled not just the growing political divide throughout the […]

Mark Sauter wrote Sandpoint Reader October 24, 2024, that he supported women’s health during his time in Boise. Mark did – kinda – the easy votes. Six months of birth […]

Do we want to send our District 1 U.S. Representative to Washington with only 18% of the vote? Under the present system, that is possible this November 5. There are […]

By Timothy Braatz Point 1: The Daily Bee asked Cornel Rasor to name “the most significant issue” for north Idaho voters. He said it was preventing abortions. He means with […]

Closed primaries, in states that are monopolized by one party (like Idaho or Oregon), allow relatively small, highly motivated, extreme groups to dominate their parties by allowing those groups to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Extreme elements of Idaho’s Republican Party voted in 2011 to close the GOP primary election to purge party ranks of so-called moderates. The strategy has […]

We should be able to count on our Representatives to stand up for us with District issues. Representative Mark Sauter has always been available by phone to discuss issues and […]

It is important for all of us to get out and vote to support both the school M&O replacement levy and the Valley View bond. The replacement levy is necessary […]

I lifted this title of N-words from the disgraced former vice-president who served with Richard Nixon. Just last Tuesday, I attended a meet-and-greet event at the Boundary County Fairgrounds for […]

by Timothy Braatz Do you want greater democracy or less democracy? When an elected legislature votes on a bill, that’s “representative democracy.” But does that legislature actually represent the interests […]

With three excellent letters supporting Mark it is a bit difficult to find much more to say about his attributes. Jeff Hood obviously knows much more than I about Mark’ […]

North Idaho Voter Services (NIVS) supports Proposition One. Voting for Prop One will help restore sanity to our struggling political system. Idaho’s current system of closed primary elections began with […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater It is telling that the loudest voices against Prop 1 are those who hold office because of the closed Republican primary in Idaho. Federal and […]

Opponents of Proposition 1 claim it will create a “jungle” primary. Sorry, folks … but we have a jungle primary system now. Both the Democratic and Republican Party(s) have been […]

By Mike Weland Oh, how I’d love to see a return to the halcyon days of American politics when most who sought or held office of public trust recognized that […]

Kathryn Larson’s campaign postcard says it best: “You deserve to be represented.” As many of you already know, Larson is running for District 1 state representative, and hopes to represent […]

By Georgia Earley For as long as I can remember, the economy has been a top voter issue and especially this election year. Since the middle of 2020 we’ve all […]

Regarding your article published October 7, “Commissioners to hear Panhandle Door and Drawer appeal,” the zoning dispute between Panhandle Door Inc. and adjacent neighbors is just that, a zoning dispute, […]

On May 21, I was one of over 7,000 District 1 Republicans who voted for Chuck Lowman for State Representative. Lowman carried Boundary County with just over 53-percent of the […]

I am voting for Mark Sauter for Legislative District 1 Representative 1A. Mark is one of the best legislators ever elected to serve North Idaho. He listens to his constituents, […]

Education is the backbone of our community. Mark Sauter has been consistent in his support of our public schools throughout his service as our District 1 Representative. He has supported […]

Mark Sauter’s record of getting things done for North Idaho needs to continue. In 2024 he voted for six Idaho agriculture related bills that were signed into law. He co-sponsored […]

Has Bonner County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) Chairman Scott Herndon defected from his own party? Herndon, a newcomer to Idaho politics, first registered to vote in Idaho just eight years […]

A lot of signs are popping up proclaiming “Rigged Choice Voting” and urging voters to vote “no” on Proposition 1. Which election system is “rigged?” Is it “Open Primaries with […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Bryan Smith, an ultra-right Republican and vice chair of the extremist Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), understands that the Open Primaries Initiative (OPI) will break the […]

Last fall, late-night commentator/entertainer John Oliver mocked Idaho Legislator Mark Sauter for stating in an interview that he only recently had become aware of the pain surrounding issues about abortions. […]

I would like to take a moment and thank all those who make voting in Boundary County a pleasure. From easy to read information, courtesy, notifications and signage it would […]

I hope Boundary and Bonner County residents will join me in voting for Mark Sauter as our District 1 House Legislator. Over the past two years, Mark has demonstrated that […]

We need a new school. The time is now, no more “someday,” no more dreams. It is time for the reality of a new school. This building is cold, with […]

I endorse Steve Johnson for Bonner County Commissioner. Steve’s lifelong ties to our county and his dedication to local values are evident in his campaign promises. He pledges to uphold […]

For months now, Karen Matthee has addressed the loss of our doctors in Idaho. She will do something about it and that’s why I’m voting for her on November 5. […]

Let’s give credit where credit is due Let’s be clear. It was the Democrats in the Idaho Statehouse, and in particular Senator Melissa Wintrow, who deserve credit for working for […]

Representative Mark Sauter is effective and experienced. These qualities make him the best choice to represent the interests and values of District 1. During the 2024 session, Representative Sauter distinguished […]

By Mike Weland My last opinion piece, “Make America Great Again? No, let’s make her ever more perfect,” in which I call former president Donald J. Trump a liar, elicited […]

I was introduced to Mark while he was helping to procure the Bon-Fire Project grant money to better prepare and protect the lives and property of our Mountain Pine Shores […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater America has always prided itself on being a bastion of democracy, where all political power emanates from the people, all of whom were “created equal.” […]

Ranked Choice Voting and Open Primaries are on the ballot in fives states and Washington, D.C. this fall. In Idaho, Proposition 1 gives all voters the opportunity to vote in […]

On any given week, my husband and I are working five or six jobs between us to support our family. We get by, and the kids are happy, but we […]

I wish people could see the inside of our school before the teachers come in and cover the cracks. But you never will, because Valley View teachers make their rooms […]

When Benjamin Franklin exited Independence Hall in 1787, he was asked, ‘What do we have, a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ A […]

By Mike Weland Most people I know will not long tolerate a liar, yet there are millions today who rally to protect and defend the greatest and most brazen liar […]

By Jim Jordan JJ Commontater The opponents of Proposition 1, the Open Primaries Initiative, have been making uninformed claims about this game-changing voting reform. Dorothy Moon, the head of the […]

Wouldn’t it be great to have political campaigns where all parties and all candidates discussed issues and solutions –rather than indulge in name-calling and mud-slinging? Currently, there’s a debate over […]

A vote to re-elect Mark Sauter as Representative for District 1 House Seat A will support women’s health and access to health care services in rural Idaho. He is driven […]

I’m a proud Democrat. I have lived in Idaho for over 50 years and in Bonner County for the past 38 years. Democrats live here and have for generations. We […]

In the coming election I will be proud to cast my vote for Kathryn Larson for Idaho State Representative from District 1B. Kathryn is intelligent, thoughtful, positive and energetic. She […]

f you’ve never been in Valley View or Mt. Hall, you should go on their scheduled tours. They are 70-plus year old buildings that were built with used cement blocks […]

Heaven help us if there are too many people in our country like you. What a rambling opinion of a man I for one of many consider a savior of our country from the communist left. ~ Marsha Travis — While I do respect your and other’s right to your own opinion, it pains me that so many are so scared that they choose to believe the lies of a conman. ~ Mike Weland

Remember when 8,219 North Idahoans voted Scott Herndon out of office in the May Primary? Fifty-two percent of District 1 voters sent a message to Mr. Herndon that he was […]

By Mike Weland I am a proud never-Trumper who’s spent the past decade shouting warning that our 45th president was  and is a menace, a clear and present danger to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The extremist branch of the Idaho Republican Party is in an absolute panic about the Open Primaries Initiative (OPI), which will give every Idaho voter […]

Isn’t it about time Idahoans have a more equitable, a more transparent way to vote? Isn’t it about time all Idahoans regardless of their political affiliation have the opportunity to […]

I have been working with Karen Matthee, candidate for Representative running against Mark Sauter, for 10 months now. She inspires me everyday with her drive to help make lives better […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Republicans for Open Primaries formed in 2023 to reform Idaho’s election system. It does so by eliminating closed party primary elections, allowing every voter to […]

By Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair When it comes to politics, character matters. It’s not about style; it’s about values like integrity, honesty, empathy, and respect. Character is what […]

I encourage you to vote for Karen Matthee for Legislative District 1 House Seat A. Karen is a good listener and through her experience as a journalist knows the necessity […]

Karen Matthee puts her values into action. One example is the July 1, 2024, library rally that she organized to call attention to HB 710. This law states that school […]

By Gregory Graf Political Potatoes Dorothy Moon, chairwoman of the new Idaho Republican Party, recently called anyone supporting Proposition 1 her “mortal enemy.” To make her point, she’s put up […]

I hear Boundary County residents complain that we get left out of important events. Not so when it comes to Idaho House of Representatives candidate Kathryn Larson. She has reached […]

Boise is trying to close our local Department of Motor Vehicles office by making it cheaper to make your transactions online or by mail. If you walk in, you are […]

Opinion By Mike Weland That there could be people who, having purportedly watched the same ABC presidential debate broadcast last night as I did, still abide the delusion that Donald […]

By Idaho Representative  Steve Berch I’ve knocked on nearly 40,000 doors and spoke with tens of thousands of people from across the political spectrum in my district. This experience has […]

Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair Democracy works best when elected leaders represent our values and prioritize the needs of our communities, not the interests of out-of-state lobbyists and dark […]

By Jim Jones JJ CommonTater With the political season upon us, extreme-right dark money interests are gearing up to elect legislative candidates who will sing their tune in the Idaho […]

I am an Army Veteran. I joined a group called Veterans for Idaho Voters which is a cross-partisan and independent group of Veterans who believe in fair elections, citizen involvement, […]

By Publisher Mike Weland The right-wing rhetoric has ramped up since Kamala Harris took the baton from Joe Biden to make the final sprint to the finish line, not just […]

Karen Matthee is not afraid to let voters know where she stands on key issues. And she makes clear she supports Proposition 1, the ballot initiative that would create open […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater You have to hand it to Attorney General Raul Labrador. He can’t be shamed out of pursuing a foolish course of action. Just days after […]

By Idaho Representative Steve Berch The majority party locally and nationally often uses the slogan: “Faith Family Freedom.” Those are great values. They aren’t partisan values – they are American […]

This Will WRECK Idaho Prop1 is THAT bad. Here’s why … By Idaho Senator and Freedom Caucus Member Brian Lenney Nampa Idaho is under attack by out-of-state, progressive elites who […]