Idaho Statesman Opinion

Kohberger plea deal in University of Idaho killings is right call | Opinion The plea deal secures a full conviction, no possibility of appeal or parole, four life sentences, and it saves everyone the emotional toll of a trial. | Opinion

From the Editorial Board: "This trial promised to be a gruesome circus and, we would imagine, horrible for the families to relive, not to mention some of the witnesses, such as the surviving roommates.”
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Idaho abortion ruling brings clarity, but legislation still needed | Opinion The annual Idaho Public Policy Survey in 2025 showed 64% of Idahoans favored exceptions that also include the health of the mother and nonviable pregnancies. | Opinion

A recent Idaho abortion ruling clarifies medical exceptions, provides guidance to doctors and patients, but legislation updates are still critically needed.
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‘What did you do last week?’ An open email to Idaho’s members of Congress | Opinion Specifically, please list what you did last week to honor your oath of office, what you did as check and balance against a rogue executive branch and what you did to protect democracy and the U.S. Con...

The Editorial Board: We wanted to make sure they got the memo.

It’s our money. Idaho Gov. Little needs to veto private school voucher bill | Opinion The Idaho Constitution does not require the taxpayers to now fund another, separate, religious-based school system. | Opinion

In all, 73 public school superintendents have written in opposition, according to Idaho Education News, while eight leaders of religious schools have voiced their support.

Idaho construction company has a lot of work to do after CEO’s Nazi salute | Opinion Yes, Hill has the right to free speech, just like everyone else. But the right to free speech doesn’t protect you from consequences — as his resignation shows. | Opinion

Idaho-based ESI Construction dodged a bullet with the resignation of its CEO Tom Hill, who was caught on video giving a Nazi salute.

Risch has long supported Ukraine. Silence on Trump’s betrayal is abetting its fall | Opinion Members of Congress are no longer permitted to have independent policy priorities. | Opinion

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch has long been a vocal supporter of Ukraine. A year ago, as the ranking Republican on the committee, he emphasized the obligations of the U.S. to support our ally. But he’s been silent on Donald Trump’s recent betrayal.
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Idaho’s Wild Hearts shines in Google’s Super Bowl spotlight “You think it’s spam when someone’s like, ‘Hello, I am so and so from Google, I would like to make a commercial for you.’ And I definitely asked, ‘Are you sure this is real?’”

What Wild Hearts Idaho does is vital because of how important spending time outside is for mental health, reducing anxiety and depression, increasing confidence and improving body image.

Idaho Board of Education bans DEI programs based on a flawed definition | Opinion DEI does not prioritize personal identity characteristics over individual merit. DEI does the opposite: It ensures that personal identity characteristics are not used against someone over their indivi...

From the Editorial Board:
In what appears to be a preemptive measure in response to a hostile, Republican-dominated state Legislature, the Idaho State Board of Education decided the fate of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or DEI, in universities. But their reasoning is deeply flawed.

Sen. Winder’s defeat highlights rise of California’s radical right in Idaho politics | Opinion “Winder estimated that 30-50% of the people he encountered as he campaigned door to door had moved to Idaho within the last three to five years.” | Opinion

Sen. Chuck Winder, president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate, lost in the Republican primary to yet another California migrant, Josh Keyser, who has lived in Idaho since 2018 and who won the general election in Boise’s Senate District 20.

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Decision in millionaire’s defamation case underlines why Idaho needs anti-SLAPP laws | Opinion The size of your voice should not be dictated by the size of your wallet. | Opinion

The size of your wallet should not dictate the size of your voice, writes Statesman opinion writer Bryan Clark, about a recent Idaho Supreme Court decision that points out the lack of any Idaho law to fight strategic lawsuits against public participation.

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Idaho Statesman Editorial Board calls on Idaho's U.S. Senate delegation to uphold the Constitution, not Trump's whims.

From the Editorial Board: It’s up to Idaho’s Republican U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo & Jim Risch to stand against Donald Trump’s nominees like Pete Hegseth and save the republic.
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