Category: Letters & Opinion

I have been reading some of the negative posts on social media about the Pearl Theater in Bonner’s Ferry. I have been deeply saddened by posts slamming the dedicated volunteers […]

I saw a comment written in the Herald a few weeks ago “Let’s make Idaho, Idaho.” I thought about that comment long and hard. What did that mean? Historically, Idahoans […]

Registered Boundary County voters who want the Open Primaries Initiative to get on the November ballot in Idaho must sign a petition by Tuesday, April 30. Local volunteers must turn […]

Mark Sauter has been our Representative for the past two years and has proven that he truly represents us. In Boundary County, he visits often and is well known and […]

Hello Citizens of Boundary County. I am writing to you regarding the election campaign of Travis Stolley for the Office of Sheriff. Though he is currently an active member of […]

I urge you to vote for Jim Woodward for State Senator on May 21. Jim is a native Idahoan who was raised here in Boundary County. He attended the University […]

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on April 17, 2024 By Rod Gramer Over the next five weeks Idaho voters will be barraged by political messages from the far-right in their mailboxes […]

I am writing to express our support for Dave Schuman, who is running for sheriff in our county. Constitutional Commitment: Dave Schuman understands the paramount importance of upholding constitutional principles. […]

By Luke Russell Co-founder, North Idaho Republicans The American political party system is much more than just the elected officials at the top of the ballot like the President, members […]

By Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair Our branches of government are designed to provide checks and balances. When the Idaho Legislature commits overreach, cruelty, or foolishness, the governor’s veto […]

My name is Dale Anderson, and I am a retired police officer after roughly 29 years of service. I started my law enforcement career in the Salt Lake Valley in […]

In 2023 and 2024 Scott Herndon voted against funding Idaho’s Division of Veterans Services. He was one of only nine Senators voting against veterans. This Division supports County Veteran Service […]

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman In 1854, Americans from all walks of life gathered in churches, schoolhouses, and community centers to build what would become the Republican Party. Our party […]

When I met Jim Woodward, I asked him why I should vote for him. After all, he is an Idaho conservative. He told me he would “listen to me.” I […]

I support Travis Stolley for Boundary County Sheriff. In listening to the candidates and reviewing their websites, some things seem appealing on the surface, but others are deeply concerning. I […]

As a retired law enforcement officer with 30+ years’ experience, I feel I understand better than many what is needed from a candidate who wants to be our next Sheriff. […]

Local endorsements are inspiring to see! Wading through information and opinions in regards to candidates and local elections, one thing that stands out is the inspiring and enthusiastic endorsements from […]

In response to Mary Ollie’s recent letter, “Numbers do not statistics make,” a statement is made that out-of-state contributions to Mr. Stolley are less than four-percent and Mr. VanGesen’s are […]

Hello citizens of Boundary County. I am writing to you regarding the election campaign of Travis Stolley for the Office of Sheriff. Though he is currently an active member of […]

As residents of the Bonners Ferry community, we have known Jim Woodward, his wife Brenda, and their respective families for decades. Jim and Brenda are exemplary individuals in their personal […]

By Sandy Patano Co-founder North Idaho Republicans Former Vice Chair Idaho Republican Party Lifelong Republican This year’s May 21 primary presents not just a contest of names and faces, but […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Idaho has an interesting history of occasionally using the power of government for or against religion. Fortunately, when all is said and done, we usually […]

A recent letter by Bud Franklinson caught my interest as statistics is one of my favorite subjects and an area that I’ve used throughout my career. The Idaho Secretary of […]

I have been seeing a lot of criticism of Jim Woodward regarding his “no” vote on HB 500 back in 2020. Like that was a bad thing. No matter how […]

I recently did some research into local candidates donations using the Idaho Sunshine Database. After this research, I have a few questions: What is Boundary Educational Services Int.? This entity, […]

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS, 116TH AIR CONTROL WING (GA ANG)(ACC) ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE GEORGIA 31098-2700 20 February 2024 FROM: LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRIAN R. HANRAHAN, 116 MSG/CD SUBJECT: […]

With nine years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps and four deployments during the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, Travis Stolley has served his country well. He and his family understand the […]

By Jim Woodward Candidate, Idaho Senate District 1 The My 21 primary election is six weeks away and a messaging mantra is surfacing from ultra-conservatives warning voters to Keep Idaho […]

One of the greatest satisfactions of teaching for many years at Bonners Ferry High School is being able to watch students mature into adulthood and become successful, productive members of […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Before commencing work, every Idaho legislator must solemnly swear to support the Idaho Constitution. That is pretty much a no-brainer. Sad to say that in […]

By Steve Berch Idaho Congressman A legislative session officially ends when the House and Senate each declare Sine Die, which in Latin literally means “end of day.” Legislatively, it means […]

Most of us want our elected representatives to be hard-working, effective, and responsive to us, their constituents. Our current State Representative from District 1A is just that. That’s why I’m […]

Boundary County is an amazing place that my wife and I are proud to call home. The decent people, the land and the freedom to live how we like under […]

By Mike Weland Publisher In the wake of news last week of a three-day queer pride event this June, I was compelled by the comments to add an addendum to […]

After attending the debate, reviewing the websites and Facebook Pages of the three candidates for Boundary County Sheriff, it surprised me that only one candidate has any incident command level […]

A phrase that captures the essence of Travis Stolley is: “it is not the age, it’s the mileage.” This strong man has a diversified resume that is a path to […]

I have known Dave Walter and his family my entire life. Dave is currently running for the position of Republican Committeeman for the Bonners Ferry/Kootenai Precinct and is highly qualified […]

I am probably not much different than most when I say I’m sick of all the non-factual political propaganda circulating across our nation and even within our own community. I […]

Response added 3:01 p.m. April 4 Apparently the Pearl Theater here in Bonners Ferry isn’t as given to free speech, tolerance, diversity and respect for other viewpoints as they would […]

I keep saying that I have zero interest in politics, but I guess that’s not totally true. With this position open for sheriff in my community, I’ve been paying a […]

If you’ve recently received junk mail attacking Jim Woodward, a native of Boundary and Bonner County, brace yourself for ore as Idaho’s primary election approaches. This malicious misinformation campaign, unprecedented […]

By Mike Weland Publisher I’ve been a reporter in Boundary County, in one fashion or another, since 1991, about 33 years. When I arrived, I was welcomed almost anywhere, and […]

Your help is needed to restore good governing to the Gem State. Take Back Idaho PAC formed in 2022 for the express purpose of restoring civil, reasonable and pragmatic government […]

I met Jim Woodward when he was first running for office. He impressed me with his kindness and genuine interest in my thoughts and opinions. This was true even after […]

By Jack Riggs, M.D. Idaho Lieutenant Governor, January 30, 2001 – January 6, 2003 Coeur d’Alene As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Status quo, you know, is Latin for ‘the […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater As Idaho Christians gather together on Easter to celebrate the life and legacy of Jesus Christ, it is an ideal time to reflect on his […]

By Mike Weland Publisher In response to the rising levels of vitriol in political discourse and the reported terrible events of last week, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) […]

Similar to the situation that recently occurred in the West Bonner school district, we need to “recall” senator Herndon for thinking he knows best how to ‘engineer’ our society. We, […]

In response to Anne Wilder Chamberlain’s letter published in the Daily Bee on March 26, it is essential to address inaccuracies and share the truth. Firstly, it is crucial to […]

Lauren Necochea Idaho Democratic Party Chair I am deeply disturbed and outraged that malicious, racist harassment cast a dark shadow on what should have been a joyous occasion for accomplished […]

Today, and every day, North Idaho Republicans (NIR) denounces all forms of racism and bigotry. Malicious harassment, under the guise of free speech, undermines the very liberties we claim to […]

In Coeur d’Alene, the Utah women’s basketball team encountered a chilling reminder of racism’s persisting shadow in America. As they ventured through the city, preparing for an NCAA tournament game, […]

The 2024 legislative session is heading into the End Game phase. This is when bills being held hostage by the House, Senate and Governor’s office are either released or shot […]

I’m an Independent voter who registers Republican to get decent people into state government. Jim Woodward is one of those people, and his opponent – Scott Herndon – is not. […]

Twenty years ago, Kootenai County was a place where elected officials guarded taxpayers’ dollars like the gold in Fort Knox. We protected our public assets and knew we shouldn’t spend […]

As a 27-year voting resident of Boundary County I can’t thank you enough for everything you do, daily, to make our community better. From the days in late ’97 when […]

By Mike Weland Publisher I would normally not run what you are about to read, but Mark Moseley is an elected public official, serving out his first term as a […]

By Mike Weland Publisher An article published by Mark M. March 12 in the “corruption/local” section of Boundary.News, the “premier news site in Bonners Ferry,” is chock full of numbers […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Believe me, I did not want to write again about Raul Labrador’s failings, but this time his dereliction of duty is too glaring to ignore. […]

As a devoted 9bNews reader, I very much appreciated you publishing Idaho District 15 Representative Steve Berch’s comprehensive summary of bills this session. Senator Herndon glosses over the mess MAGA […]

There’s an old saying: “You can fool ALL people SOME of the time—you can fool SOME people ALL the time … but you can’t fool ALL the people ALL the […]

I am encouraged by the letters and opinions concerning the upcoming Idaho elections and the hope Jim Woodword regains office. There are many who blame “newcomers” for his loss. If […]

By Representative Steve Berch A lot has happened since my last newsletter – and there’s a lot more yet to come. As a result, this newsletter is somewhat jam-packed. The […]

This year Idaho made another grand leap back into the dark ages. Back in 2011, our leaders closed the Republican primaries. And then last summer they decided to limit this […]

By Mike Weland Publisher I have been a vocal never-Trumper from the very moment I heard people I knew and respected sing his praises in the early days of his […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The Moon branch of the Republican Party, which does not speak for a majority of Idahoans who are registered as members of the GOP, is […]

Do you want a voice in our upcoming election? If you do, you need to vote in the upcoming Primary Election being held this spring on May 21. Idaho Primary […]

Since coming here in 2017, I’ve watched this community come together to accomplish some amazing things. It’s not uncommon to see a mealtrain or “gofundme” set up for a family […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Idaho legislators sought to undermine the constitutional right of Idahoans to run initiatives by enacting a 2021 law making it virtually impossible to get the […]

Politics have never been top on my list of interests, but the numerous bills coming out of Boise do not reflect my rights or values. I never want guns in […]

Last weekend, around seven-percent of Idaho’s registered Republicans came together and showed their strong favor of MAGA and Donald Trump, hardly a referendum on which to base Dorothy Moon’s resounding declaration, “Idaho is Trump country.”

Voters need to be able to trust their elected leaders to safeguard our democratic processes. That trust is eroding in Idaho. Disturbing bills coming from the Republican supermajority threaten to undo votes of the people, make it harder for Idahoans to exercise their voting rights, gerrymander political districts, and much more.

The recent Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus revealed a very disturbing reality: over 91% of Republican voters in Kootenai County found themselves either shut out, opting out, or simply ill-informed about the event. That would be like throwing a party and inviting 100 people, but having only eight or nine attend. Statewide turnout was even lower. The State Party succeeded in their goal of restricting access.

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman Last weekend, tens of thousands of Republicans came together to select Idaho’s choice for the next President of the United States. Donald Trump overwhelmingly won […]

By Mike Weland Publisher Primary elections in Idaho are designed to select from a political party’s strongest candidates the champions who best reflect the party’s philosophies and mores, who will […]

House Bill 470 would create an “Office of Election Crimes and Security” in Raul Labrador’s office. That would certainly be a waste of taxpayer dollars. The office staff would have little to do because Idaho elections have historically been fair and honest. The Attorney General’s sidekick, Dorothy Moon, who now chairs the extremist branch of the GOP, was never able to prove her wild claims that Canadians were coming over the border to vote in Idaho elections.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Boundary County community for their unwavering dedication during the recent Republican Presidential Caucus. Despite adverse winter weather conditions, their commitment to […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater The Idaho Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that the Legislature has the constitutional duty to provide for the construction and maintenance of safe public schools […]

There is a bill (H0390) in the Idaho Senate that I would like to see pass. I contacted the sponsor and the committees. Now the Idaho Senate will possibly hear […]

The upcoming Republican primary election on May 21 is an important one for Idahoans, because whoever wins the race for the senate seat will be on the ballot in the […]

What on Earth is going on? Recent videos show military aged young men from Africa crossing our southern border unimpeded. More than 37,000 Chinese nationals crossed our southern border illegally in 2023 alone. Debit cards of $10,000 apiece are being handed out to illegal immigrants in New York City. — By Dorothy Moon with response by the publisher

By Mike Weland Publisher Eric Parker is one of those “heroes” of the far right who has turned what should be seen as infamy into influence in today’s Idaho Legislature, […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Every business, interest group, civic organization, legal group, education entity, government agency and living-and-breathing human being in the Gem State should take heed of the […]

I was happy to read in 9B News Governor Little’s announcement of a funding bill for schools in such desperate need of facilities repair and replacement. It’s House Bill 521. […]

Maybe you’ve already seen the May Matters signs around the area? What the signs say is true, especially now. This May does matter. May 21 is the date for the Idaho Primary election when all 105 State Legislative positions will be decided. — By Robin Lundgren

Eric L.’s letter in the Herald, and those like him, are the reason Idaho’s state budget has skyrocketed. The hoards of out-of-state refugees have created a strain on resources, services […]

For democracy to work, elected leaders must have the freedom to act in the best interest of their constituents. This bedrock principle is now being severely undermined by Idaho’s House GOP leadership. We’re seeing historic levels of strong-arming around votes behind closed doors and harsh punishment for dissent. — By Lauren Necochea

As President’s Day weekend approaches in North Idaho, Republicans reflect on the enduring principles embodied by President Abraham Lincoln, a guiding light for Republicans since he is the very founder of our party. With Republican Lincoln Day Dinner activities in full swing across our state, this is a time for reflection for all Republicans: Who are we as a party? From North Idaho Republicans

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman It’s Lincoln Day season all across the state of Idaho. Washington, Gem and Idaho counties have already held their annual dinners while the rest of […]

By Brent Regan IDGOP Rules Chairman As we approach the March 2 Presidential Preference Caucus the amount of misinformation being generated by the media and talking heads is stunning. At […]

By Mike Weland Publisher No matter how it came about or what excuses they make in their attempt to sell it, the upcoming Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus is but one […]

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater During his first year as Idaho Attorney General, Raul Labrador has placed most of his chips on the abortion issue in his quest for higher […]

What’s the difference between a “conservative base budget” and a “bare-bones budget?” It depends whether the information comes from the Idaho Freedom Foundation and Scott Herndon or from traditional Idaho […]

By Dorothy Moon IDGOP Chairwoman The Republican Party cherishes the principles of fiscal conservatism. We believe in keeping government as small as possible, keeping spending as low as possible and […]

As a constituent of former Idaho Senator Jim Woodward, I agree with only one thing that I read in Ms. or Mr. Fay Almond’s letter in the Bonners Ferry Herald […]

One thing about putting radicals in power … They love to make rules, even though they are bad at it and the rules invariably terrible. That’s especially true of the radicals who insist with fervor that they believe in less government, fewer rules. Who tout “True Conservative!” values. — By Mike Weland

By Debbie Critchfield, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Denise Dixon, Executive Director of the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force While the calendar reminds us that we’re in the heart of […]

I am logging this formal complaint requesting an enforcement action for business activities occurring on property at the southeast intersection of US95 & El Paso Street in the City of Bonners Ferry owned by Eric Lederhos and operated by Levi Falck, based upon alleged activities. — By Gerald Higgs

By Representative Steve Berch In December of 2019, I wrote an op-ed titled, “The Fiscal Elephant in the Room.” It detailed how the Idaho Legislature was exempting an estimated $2.5 […]

Almost 20 days at their seats as overlords of the minions, the Idaho elected elite are busy taking away what you love(d) about the state one rule at a time. Taking away local control of your library. Taking away local control of your schools. Anyone with a gun can be an armed guard…trained resource officers no longer. — By Rosane Smith

Well, here we are approaching another Republican primary in North Idaho on May 21. Albeit some months off, I have been carefully watching our current freshman District 1 Senator in hopes he would faithfully act as our representative on issues that matter to District 1 citizens. — By Bob Clark

By Mike Weland, Publisher When those of any radical faction who have earned the privilege of serving we the public give up all pretense of drafting proposed legislation in such […]

Many people have literally been moved by the ugly performance of Idaho’s Republican extremists in recent years. That is, significant numbers of teachers, librarians, doctors and others have moved out of the Gem State to escape the false claims and oppressive legislation conjured by the dysfunctional branch of Idaho’s GOP, now presided over by Dorothy Moon. — By Jim Jones

This week, communities throughout the nation celebrated the enormous potential of school choice. Now, more than ever, students and families hunger for alternatives to the public school system. With a plethora of educational options available today, our government should champion and empower families to discover the best fit for their children, rather than confining them to an outdated system. — By Dorothy Moon

I’ve been a registered Republican for eight years and my husband Orrin is a Democrat — but we’re both more interested in the candidate’s character, voting record and positions on issues rather than party affiliation. Political advertising is obviously biased in favor of their own candidates — so that’s why it is important to talk to candidates in person, to separate fact from fiction. — By Jo Len Everhart

America is being invaded. Since Joe Biden took office, millions of illegal migrants have crossed our southern border. This invasion is bringing crime and gang violence to Idaho and has created a pathway for deadly drugs like fentanyl to our streets. — From the Idaho Freedom Caucus

I was 16 when I had my first transformative political experience. It was 1967 and I had been selected as an American Field Service Student. I along with 700 other US students boarded a ship headed to Europe. On arrival we all headed to our assigned countries; (destinations known, experiences to come unknown). Five of us departed to Portugal, then ruled by the dictator Antonio Salazar. — By Diana Dawson

Two weeks ago, fundraising numbers for the upcoming state senate race were released to the public through the State’s campaign finance website. This information is free and easy for all to see. Based on what I was able to download, it is clear that the people of Bonner and Boundary counties support Jim Woodward over Scott Herndon. The numbers simply don’t lie. By Leah Opitz

Every two years, we go to the polls and elect all 105 members of the Idaho legislature. In the May primary election, we choose a candidate within our party. In the November general election, we put the party candidates up against one another to determine who will represent our legislative district. By Shawn Keough

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Idaho’s landmark Terrorist Control Act (TCA) will be rendered useless by passage of a bill recently introduced in the Idaho Senate. Among other things, the […]

By Mike Weland Publisher No one predicted, just eight years ago, the depths to which the Grand Ol’ Party of this proud nation would sink during and since the one […]

Scott Herndon wrote an article that was published in the Reader on December 27 touting all the great things that he did for Idaho schools. He brags about his support for HB292, which tackled property tax relief and provided some funding for school infrastructure. — By Sara Trautwein

I am renting this winter in Sandpoint— too hard for me out on the mountain. My pipes froze in the rental. Sandpoint to the rescue! A plumber, an electrician, a telephone system, roads, clean water (hot and cold) … these are all basic services that could not exist without local, state and federal government. By Nancy Gerth

By Jim Jones JJ Commontater Judges are the heart of the American system of justice. Faith in our court system depends upon having judges who are competent and impartial. That, […]

Earlier this week, a lot of people testified that children should be exposed to obscene and pornographic materials. Well, they didn’t exactly say it that way, but it was all […]

By Steve Berch — We’re only seven days into the 2024 legislative session and we’re already seeing bills to ban masks, accelerate charter schools, allow concealed firearms on college campuses, make it even more difficult to terminate a pregnancy due to rape or incest, impede child protection services from doing their job, and a slew of other bills that no one is asking for when I visit voters at their door.

Dorothy Moon, chair of the Idaho Republican Party and stalwart of the party’s radical right MAGA wing, certainly knows the tropes that dribble down from on high in Mar-a-Lago like excrement into the pits beneath a National Park Service outhouse. What’s astonishing is how she and so many of her ilk in high GOP office can employ such tripe with straight face and nary a trace of shame. — By Mike Weland

I am writing to urgently address the safety concerns in the 3mile area where the current speed limit stands at 55 miles per hour. The Three Mile area is characterized by congestion, a lack of turning lanes and no frontage roads, making navigation challenging for drivers. — By Shelly Kramer

The Idaho Republican Party held its 2024 Winter Meeting last weekend at Harvest Church in Meridian. I am proud to say it was one of the best run meetings I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. The Rules and Resolutions Committees worked hard into Friday night, and their work paid off when the State Central Committee approved their reports on Saturday morning. — By Dorothy Moon

By Steve Tanner – The State of Idaho, through her properly elected representatives, has enacted laws of late to ensure the recording of accurate vital statistics on official state documents, to limit participation in scholastic women’s sports to those certified as women at the time of their birth, to limit bathroom and locker room access to those of the same sex and to outlaw sex altering surgeries on children. Federal Courts, citing “constitutional rights,” have in each case issued stays to temporarily block the expressed will of the people of this state.

By Jim JonesJJ Commontater Representative Russ Fulcher has failed to grasp that his repeated failure to support Ukraine in defending against Russia’s genocidal war is extremely harmful to America’s national […]

By Representative Heather Scott The Idaho legislative session starts Monday, January 8. Every year it’s the same old story. On the first day of the session, the governor gives the […]

By Mike Weland – “The 2024 legislative session starts this Monday!” an Idaho Freedom Caucus email blared Saturday under the telling headline, “2024 Idaho Legislative Session: Tune Out Biased Media, Tune into Trusted Voices.” I run it not for its cackle-inducing unintended humor, but as a heads-up alert to the sensible that the silliness of the radical faction that rose unexpectedly and incompetently to power under the MAGA banner is still rampant.

By Tom Arkoosh Idaho lawyers are expected to act with respect, dignity and candor toward judges and the court system. They are presumed to understand that a “correct” interpretation of […]

By Dorothy MoonIDGOP Chairwoman Our country is in a rough place right now, perhaps the worst since the Civil War. Spending is out of control, our southern border is wide […]

By Jim Jones – We sometimes hear Idaho’s County Clerks spoken of dismissively as mere clerks – low-level functionaries just there to carry out the orders of county commissioners. Those dismissive individuals might be surprised to learn that elected Clerks are the heart and soul of most counties in the Gem State.

By Mark Sauter – Happy New Year and I hope all is well with you and your families. As one of your District #1 representatives, it’s an honor to go back to Boise to ensure our voice is heard for state governance. The number one priority and duty of the Legislature is to establish and pass a balanced state budget.

By Rob and Clarice McKenney ~ We have been shocked to learn something from listening to former US prosecutors and other well-versed legal professionals It appears that if Donald Trump is convicted of the crimes of which he is charged and even in jail, there is nothing in our legal system preventing him from running for election and, if he should win, from holding office from jail.

By Dorothy Moon – As Chairwoman, I am so proud of what the Idaho GOP has accomplished this year. Republican legislators, elected officials, members of the State Central Committee, staff, and volunteers all pulled together to make this year a resounding success.

By Raul Labrador – This last week has seen troubling news coming from states across the country. Left-leaning courts and bureaucrats have taken it upon themselves to remove former President Trump from state presidential ballots. These are desperate attempts to prevent his election and suppress the voice of citizens to vote for their candidate of choice.

By Mary Ollie – Senator Herndon’s comments on his Institute for Legislative Analysis (ILA) rankings omit a few things. However, careful readers will figure this out as nowhere in his article are the criteria for the ILA rankings mentioned and political party rather than constituents is the focus. Senator Herndon’s duties and responsibilities are to his District 1 constituents yet much of his speech is about Republicans v Democrats rather than dealing with real issues of interest to those who live in District 1.

By Scott Herndon – Is the Idaho Senate actually conservative? Idaho  is a “red” state. We are dominated by Republicans. In the Idaho legislature – senate and house – we have a supermajority of Republicans. 85-percent of Idaho’s state legislators identify as Republican. In the Idaho senate, 28 of the 35 senators are Republican, which is 80-percent. But do these senators vote like Republicans?

By Steve Berch – I didn’t plan on sending this, but … the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) attacked me on the day after Christmas. They gave me a very low score on their index and accused me of being in “opposition to conservative education policy, limited government, and fiscal restraint.” To be clear: I welcome being ranked on the opposite end of a scale that exalts ultra-extremists as the paragons of legislative virtue.

By Dorothy Moon – As the year 2023 draws to a close, our nation faces uncertain times. Our place in the world is precarious as our allies are under attack and our enemies are emboldened. The economy is fragile, with prices for food, energy, and housing still rising, forcing tough decisions on millions of families. Finally, the once and perhaps future President of the United States, the leader of the opposition to the Biden regime, has been indicted and removed from ballots.

Statement by the Idaho Republican Party – Yet again, leftists in the government are directly interfering with the electoral process to obstruct the people’s will. It’s not hard to imagine that this is just the beginning. An unprecedented and alarming scenario in our nation.

By Mike Weland: You hear it over and over in these days of political turmoil, and it’s yet another hollow cry by the radical right to negate any chance at logical, productive discourse. I’m talking about their propensity to invoke a once sacred tenet of journalism, the fairness doctrine, done away with in 1987 during the tenure of Ronald Reagan and the rise of cable.

By Jim Jones – Dorothy Moon’s branch of the Republican Party is so entwined with the inaptly named Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) that it is hard to know who is calling the shots. Both are extremely far to the right. Both have sought to divide Idahoans by stoking fear and outrage over fake culture war issues.

By Clarice M. McKenney – This Christmas season is a great opportunity for parents to help their college students register to vote and request absentee ballots for their college addresses. Registration and the ballot requests can be made by taking proof of student residence to the County Clerk’s office at the Courthouse downtown week days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Then, if your student wants to help get the Open Primaries Initiative on the ’24 ballot, contact a local volunteer whom you know is collecting registered voters’ signatures.

By Jim Jones – When Raul Labrador was running for Attorney General last year, he promised to be a different kind of AG and boy has he delivered on that promise. He has done things that nobody could ever have expected an Idaho AG to do. Labrador certainly made a media splash in June when he hauled off, without warning, and brought suit against his own client, the State Board of Education.

By Dorothy Moon – Did you hear the news? Most of the people moving to Idaho are conservative Republicans. Thousands of families have watched left wing policies destroy beautiful states like California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado and have come here to escape encroaching socialism and totalitarianism. No matter if you moved here in the last few years, if your family came here before statehood, or if your ancestors have roots that go back centuries, you know that Idaho is a special place.

By Mike Weland – Since 2015, we’ve watched the Republican Party freely give, not sell, its soul to one Donald J. Trump. Along with it, it appears Trump also took the good sense and dignity of its highest ranking members, including every Republican serving today in the U.S. House of Representatives, who voted Wednesday to open an impeachment inquiry against Joe Biden without specifying a crime. And that after more than a year of highly publicized hearings have produced nothing but what should be abject embarrassment.

By Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane – This is a perilous moment of global instability. The very ideals of constitutional democracy that define America are at risk in every corner of the world. Amid such darkness, the United States is a beacon of hope for those who struggle under dictators and autocrats and yearn for peace, freedom, and self-determination. For democracy. As Republican state election officials, we believe in the power of citizens to choose their leaders freely and fairly, and we have faith in the integrity of the election systems currently in place to carry out the voters’ will.

By Mary Souza – During my eight years serving in the Idaho Senate, I was incredibly impressed with the respectful nature of the Senate’s legislative process. Decades of tradition insured thoughtful decorum so ideas could be debated, often vigorously, but without personal attacks. After coming from the “blood sport” politics of North Idaho back then, I was relieved to find such rational behavior among my peers in the Senate and appreciated it throughout my time representing CdA.

By Mike Weland – On Saturday, Idaho First District State Senator Scott Herndon, in another of his bombastic campaign emails, berated Governor Brad Little for now taking credit for House Bill 292, which saved Herndon $379.16 on his property tax bill. Herndon now promises, without providing much detail, to begin working toward eliminating property taxes all together. Based on what he does share, it’s a flawed concept with little to no chance of accomplishing much of anything except impress those of his constituents who consider his rating as the “most conservative” Senator in Idaho as a good thing.

By Thom Bruce (Boise) Marine Corps veteran, et al – The Constitution of the United States makes it clear that all government power is based on the will of “We the People.” The right of citizens to vote for governing officials is spelled out in several amendments to that revered document. The Constitution does not grant any rights to political parties because the Founding Fathers had witnessed the havoc they had wrought in Europe and thought they’d do likewise in America.

By Don Jordan – The Open Primaries Initiative, if enacted, would create unrestricted primaries where, regardless of your political viewpoint, any registered voter could vote for any candidate on the ballot. Republican, Democrat, Independent or Libertarian – all on the same ballot! We get to do that in the general elections in November! We should be able to do it in the primaries!

By Steve Tanner – I would like to express my appreciation to the Director Kelly Collett, the production team and the cast of the Bonners Ferry High School play, the Sound of Music and Heidi. Thank you for a great and delightful production. The talent was great, the hard work and effort evident, which will be long remembered.

By Dorothy Moon – They tell us it’s not happening in Idaho. They also tell us it’s a good thing that it is. Earlier this week, the City of Pocatello honored a drag queen story time group with their “Human and Civil Rights” award. They specifically lauded the group for “providing educational spaces for children.” It’s clear that this award was given in response to recent protests by concerned parents against exposing children to drag events and the gender confusion they promote.