Category: Letters & Opinion

When my youngest son was still living at home, he often called me a “hairy old ape” if he found what he thought were too many black hairs stuck to […]

Where is Jim Risch and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee? Who authored the Russian Ukrainian “Peace” Plan? At a security conference meeting in Halifax Nova Scotia (according to an Associated […]

We could all use a fainting goat around the house I have been trying to think of something I can do to add some pizzazz to my life. It doesn’t […]

The North Bench Fire District Board (NBFDB) needs transparent leadership to address its funding shortfall. President Jim Hill recently stated the district’s annual expenses are $220K, yet only half of […]

In Search of the Perfect Boob I guess I better clarify one thing right off the bat. The boob in my title is an idiot, not an anatomical accessory. I […]

I feel that we are in very dark times in this country. From using food stamps as political pawns to blowing up fishing boats in international waters to violently arresting […]

By Debbie Critchfield Superintendent of Public Instruction When it comes to inspiring trust and understanding, nothing is more effective than being honest and straightforward. Transparency in all that we do […]

The Boundary County School District released an article to “set the record straight” on their receipt and use of almost one million dollars of taxpayer funding that they didn’t plan […]

Gullible makes the world go around This story was done in 2011, but it could easily have been from any era since mankind first developed. Fooling other people is an international […]

A view from the valley by Georgia Earley In the lead-up to the American Revolution, Samuel Adams insisted that the rule of law meant there should be “one rule of […]

If you could be one person besides yourself, who would you be and why?

By Darrel Kerby Did any of you know about this attempt to take your vote away? Buried in the Idaho Republican Party’s official platform is a provision to repeal the […]

Out of Kilter presents: Halloween: Screams, Fiends, and Chocolate Dreams By Ken Carpenter (I have to start out this salute to Halloween with a couple short, sobering sentences. Halloween has […]

By Jim Jones There was a time in the distant past when Idaho elected officials had moral compasses and were dedicated to serving the interests of the Gem State. Since […]

By Ken Carpenter Last week I made the trek to Moscow in my little, tan truck to perform another beast-of-burden deed in what long ago became a lifelong habit. Like […]

By Jim Jones jjcommontater Donald Trump has made a dramatic show of making America’s military blow up purported drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, hundreds of miles from American […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater America was born in protest. In fact, we might never have separated from Great Britain, were it not for a list of grievances written into […]

Out of Kilter presents: Through the eyes of a pinko by Ken Carpenter   Until recently I hadn’t even thought of the term commie pinko in years. The reason I […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley In 2024 U.S. Capitol Police reported 9,400 investigations into threats against members of Congress. In 2017 there were 3,939. From 2013 through […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater When the history of Donald Trump’s second term is written, September 30, 2025, will be known as the time when America’s top military leaders became […]

It was the 9-year-old nephew of the American mathematician Milton Sirotta in 1920 who gave the world the word “googol.” Sirotta proposed the number 1 followed by 100 zeros and […]

The Kootenai Valley Junior Rifle Club would like to say “Thank you” to the Friends of the NRA for their grant. With this money, we were able to purchase competition […]

The sign said, “We stand with Charlie Kirk.” Next to it, a Confederate flag, heroic symbol of slavery, stuck in the Kootenai River mud, in full view of the Kootenai […]

Why did the crab cross the road? It didn’t—it used the sidewalk.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it?

To blow or not to blow; that is the question I come from a long line of nose blowers and have been packing a cotton handkerchief in my right rear […]

I’ll make this short, sweet, and to the point. Yesterday, I watched President Trump address the United Nations General Assembly. We have a president who’s certainly no comedian, but he […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater A lawsuit to prevent taxpayer money from being used to pay for private and religious education is now before the Idaho Supreme Court. A dedicated […]

This sign with the flags was seen posted in the Kootenai River near the bridge last week. The country is very divided on this so let’s try to focus on […]

What is a fad or a trend that should never be resurrected?

It’s bird, it’s a dog, it’s a hairball named Rufus! It is with great regret that I divulge my topic for the week. I really do like to please my […]

A View from the Valley By Georgia Earley Earlier this summer at protests throughout the country, signs read “protect our democracy” which, for some, prompted the question “protect our democracy […]

Have you been seeing drones? A concerned citizen from Paradise Valley has. According to the citizen, three times this weekend her children were outside and heard and saw a drone […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Donald Trump released a video on September 2 showing a boat being blown up in International Waters about 2,000 miles from America’s shores. Trump claimed […]

Why are math books always so unhappy? They have too many problems!   If you have a joke you would like us to publish, send an email to katie@9b.news or […]

With the holiday season right around the corner, it begs the question: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie, or is it now? Why or why not?  

Old Bones Make No Bones About It A friend of mine whose thirst for trivial things rivals my own, told me an interesting tidbit the other day that I will […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater As a person who volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War, I’m astounded by the silence of Idaho’s top leaders as the country travels the […]

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 U.S. Senator, Jim Risch Idaho’s veterans fought and sacrificed to protect our freedoms. While we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, we must do everything in […]

On Tuesday, Donald John Trump positively glowed throughout a more than three-hour televised “cabinet meeting,” and rightly so. No other president in U.S. history has ever listened to so many […]

First they came for women’s reproductive freedom, and I didn’t speak up because I am too old to get pregnant. Then they came for the drag queens and trans people, […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater We hear a lot of talk these days about “the rule of law” but not so much about what those words mean. They mean that […]

By Darrell Kerby There’s an unspoken truth in Bonners Ferry—something subtle yet enduring, quietly stitched into the everyday rhythm of life. I’ve been aware of it for years, as have […]

“Born to Lug” and lug again March 2, 2010 A beast of burden is supposedly an animal, such as a donkey, ox or elephant, used for transporting loads or ding […]

Fender Bender? Devastating Collision? Deer strike? Did you know that you get to choose the auto body repair shop to help get you back on the road? After a collision, […]

By: Helen Chase I know I may not be in the majority, but I do know that many people agree with me. We are a little town with a terrible […]

You say Potato, she says Potawto and I say Patootie By Ken Carpenter November 13, 2010 This story could be known as a small penance for my sins of the […]

When I was working to promote Prop 1 I did so by working through “Veterans for Idaho Voters.” One of my fellow veterans in that organization was Todd Achilles. At […]

Do sighs really matter? November 24, 2010 Humans are the great communicators of the universe. They communicate with words, with looks, with body language, with sign language and, when all […]

Want more passing lanes between Bonners and Sandpoint? How you can help: There have been a lot of very bad accidents and close calls for people driving between Bonners Ferry […]

The nonpartisan CRFB (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget) projects that our Social Security and Medicare trust funds are a little more than seven years away from insolvency. When the […]

The Necktie, a Strangler for the Ages October 2, 2004 I have never been a big fan of getting choked. There’s just something about it that is distasteful, besides the […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The envelope in my mailbox screamed out, “this ENDORSEMENT has IDAHO LIBERALS worried.” Fearing the worst, I gingerly opened the envelope, only to find that […]

Attorney general Raul Labrador says an Idaho teacher displayed a sign in her classroom designed to signal adherence to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Emma Epperly, idednews.org, says it’s time Labrador wake up.

Reflections from Bonners Ferry on the decade that tested America’s soul and shaped its spirit By Darrell Kerby While much of America burned with unrest during the 1960s, Bonners Ferry […]

Out of Kilter February 2, 2008 By Ken Carpenter I am hobbling around today cursing the long-departed owners of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain, Sylvan Goodman. He was the demented […]

Ever feel like when you’re trying to figure out faith, there’s just a lot of confusing noise out there? Like everyone’s got an opinion, but nobody’s giving you the straight […]

During my time in the Idaho Senate, I witnessed something both earnest and troubling—a fellow senator, with good intentions but misplaced priorities, proposed legislation that would mandate all bicycles be […]

The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on Independence Day, wasn’t just fireworks and fiscal philosophy—it carried within it a spark of redemption for America’s neglected rural hospitals. Buried deep […]

Confessions of a Bathroom Reader August 2, 2003 I can’t remember how old I was when I started taking my passion for reading behind the locked door of the family […]

By Darrell Kerby There was a time not long ago when Idaho stood tall and clear in its conviction: “Hate has no home here.” I remember the signs—“Idaho is Too […]

On June 2, the Boundary County commissioners declared a “local emergency.” They are concerned, they say, about “an imminent threat to public safety, property, and local emergency response capacity” related […]

Sweatless lips and odorous feet, and give them something good to eat… I had a short but interesting message on my answering machine last week. A mysterious woman told me […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Delegates to the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July in 1776, issued a remarkable document, proclaiming the thirteen colonies in […]

Out of Kilter presents: Don’t Minimize your Preservatives Intake; Eat Velveeta By Ken Carpenter November 25, 2005 As I sit here typing with one hand and lovingly nuzzling a two-pound […]

By Toni Lawson, Chief Advcocacy Officer Idaho Hospital Association Imagine you work hard to run your business and make a living. You sell a product that costs you $100 to […]

You’re never too old to heed the wisdom of your parents. Think back—at some point, you were told to be kind, to respect others, and maybe even that if you […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Donald Trump has repeatedly shown disrespect for America’s non-political military forces for selflessly performing their role of serving the country’s vital security interests. That likely […]

So… it’s happening. The long-feared war with Iran has begun—an attempt to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons. The usual voices have already weighed in. Some decry the Israeli strike […]

By Darrell Kerby Back in the day—okay, maybe just a few years ago—I went toe-to-toe with the Idaho Transportation Department, lobbying for a traffic light at US 95 and Alderson […]

Land-Rich, Cash-Poor: Idaho’s Forgotten Wealth Idahoans have never been afraid of hard work. We’re the kind of folks who build roads in the morning, mend fences by noon, and debate […]

When Alarmism Clouds Rational Debate  Political discourse today is saturated with dramatic warnings and dire predictions. Critics of President Donald Trump often paint his leadership as an existential threat to […]

American democracy, though tested by challenges, remains deeply entrenched in the nation’s fabric. Its resilience is not accidental—it is built upon a foundation of adaptable institutions, a deeply rooted democratic […]

The topic of cremation often sparks questions and concerns, especially within the Christian community. While burial has been traditional for centuries, cremation is becoming increasingly common. This has led many […]

My, what big ears you have my dear… April 9, 2006 I was surprised to read this week that a Hindu textbook for 14-year-old students in a northern state of […]

From Bonners Ferry to Boundless Horizons: Envisioning the Future of Local Graduates In the quiet resilience of Bonners Ferry, a unique narrative unfolds each year as high school graduates’ step […]

Reflections on D-Day and Its Enduring Legacy June 6, 1944—known around the world as D-Day—marks a date that holds deep meaning for me. As a baby boomer, I was born […]

By Darrell Kerby Bonners Ferry Boundary County Commissioners have taken a proactive stance on addressing the extreme fire risk created by the U.S. Forest Service’s current inability to mitigate wildfire […]

As a pastor for over 20 years, I’ve walked alongside people navigating the complexities of faith and life. One topic that consistently sparks questions and diverse opinions is alcohol. I’ve […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater  Ever since the defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II, America has been admired around the world as a beacon of equality, freedom […]

Out of Kilter presents Do not ask, “How are you?”, unless you really want to know By Ken Carpenter July 31, 2024 There are many salutations you can use when […]

So, according to the Washington Post, the Annual Viet Nam Vet’s recognition ceremony will be relocated from the Viet Nam Memorial to Arlington.  That memorial is of immense solemn significance […]

Hey Boundary County Friends: Thad and Kaila DeBuhr of YourJesusJourney.com will be in Bonners Ferry in June. If you’d like to connect with them, please email them at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com. Here’s […]

Bridging Communities: Forging a Legacy of Trust and Sustainability In a landscape marked by historically distinct governance systems, few partnerships rival the groundbreaking joint power agreements forged between the Kootenai […]

My heart sank the other day when I witnessed it again: that reflexive, well-meaning, yet deeply damaging act of unsolicited advice. It’s a habit we’ve all fallen into, and it’s […]

A New Era in Grizzly Management: Balancing Conservation, Community, and Safety – The management of grizzly bears in the Selkirk Cabinet region now stands at a pivotal crossroads. Over the […]

What did the bra say to the top hat? You go on a head; I’ll give these two a lift.  

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 […]